“She’s just home for the long weekend visiting her family. She’s staying with Charlie. Do you know her?”
“We graduated together. She wouldn’t give me the time of day in high school. It took me forever to get up the courage to ask her out, and then she didn’t say a word. Just stared at me like I was a speck of dirt on her white dress. I slunk away in misery.”
Maggie frowned. “That doesn’t sound like Hannah. She’s been lovely.”
“Hmm,” was all David said.
Hannah returned a moment later with her tea and stopped short when she saw David.
“Hi, Hannah,” he muttered.
There was a long, uncomfortable moment of silence before Hannah finally spoke. “David. It’s nice to see you.” She turned to Maggie, her face pale and said softly, “I’ll be back in a minute. I need to run to the ladies’ room. Will you hold this for me?” She handed Maggie her tea.
David watched her go.
“See, nothing has changed. One look at me and she runs out of the room.”
“I’m sure it’s not like that. She’s been so much fun all night.”
“Until she saw me,” David said glumly.
Maggie looked at her older brother and shook her head. Her brother normally had women falling all over him. He had that dark, Irish look, with almost black hair and light green eyes, and he had the Quinn dimple. All the boys in the Quinn family had a deep dimple on one cheek and it added to their charm. “Get over yourself. I’m sure that had nothing to do with you and more to do with something she ate. We’re going to head into the other room and listen to some music. Do you want to join us?”
But he shook his head. “No. This is really a working event for me. I have a lot of people I need to go talk to. I just wanted to come over and say hello.”
“Okay. If you change your mind, you know where to find us.”
David gave her a hug. “I’ll see you soon.”
A few minutes later, Hannah returned and took her tea back from Maggie.
“Are you okay? You took off so suddenly.”
“I’m fine, my stomach just protested a bit. Too much cream, I think. Are you both ready to head into the other room?” Charlie had just walked back over, too, and the three of them made their way into the other room, which was filling up now that the band was playing. Charlie spotted one of the few remaining empty tables and made a beeline for it. They followed and took seats on either side of him.
The music was big band, smooth jazz and some of the couples who were on the dance floor were impressive.
“This reminds me a little of Dancing with the Stars,” Maggie said as one of the men dipped his partner so low that her hair almost touched the floor.
“You two should get out there,” Hannah urged. Charlie looked hesitant and Maggie guessed that it was probably the last thing he felt like doing. Not that kind of dancing, anyway. Maggie had taken dance lessons for years, when she was younger, so she loved to get out there, but she knew not everyone, especially most men, were up for it.
“We don’t have to,” she said quickly. Relief--or was it disappointment--flashed across Charlie’s face. She smiled as she saw her grandmother coming over to their table with a determined look.
“What are you young people doing just sitting there? Young man, you really should take one of these ladies out on the dance floor. Take turns, it doesn’t matter. But it’s a shame to not enjoy this opportunity to dance!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Charlie jumped up and held out his hand to Maggie.
She took it and and whispered in his ear as they walked to the dance floor. “You really don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
A slow smile spread across Charlie’s face. “Maybe I want to.”
He pulled her to him dramatically as they stepped onto the dance floor, and Maggie caught her breath. Charlie knew how to dance! He whirled and twirled her across the dance floor and even dipped her a few times and held her close when the music slowed. By the time the song ended they were both breathless. “Want to go again?” he asked.
They danced three more songs. The last song was a slower one, and she swayed in Charlie’s arms and didn’t want the music to end. Finally it did, and they slowly walked back to the table where Hannah was chatting with Josh, who’d joined them.
“How did you learn to dance like that?” Maggie asked.
“My sister Caitlyn was into dance and needed a practice partner. So, I got drafted.”
“Well, that was amazing and so fun!”
He grinned. “It was, wasn’t it?”
They sat back down at the table and Maggie noticed that Josh’s eyes were stormy.
“Charlie, feel like taking a walk? I want to get some air.” Josh was tapping his leg nervously and looked agitated.
“Sure.” He glanced at his sister and Maggie. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Once they were out of earshot, Maggie looked at Hannah. “I wonder what’s wrong with Josh. He seems upset about something.”
Hannah hesitated, then carefully asked. “How interested are you in Josh?”
“I’m not. I mean, he’s a great guy, but he’s not the one for me.”
“Okay, good. I didn’t want to say anything if you did have hopes in that direction. His ex-girlfriend is here.”
“Liz?”
“Yes. He tried to talk to her, but she gave him the cold shoulder. She’s here with her friends, and she told him that she didn’t want to go back to the way things were. That’s what he proposed, evidently.” Hannah shook her head in disgust.
“So, he’s upset because he didn’t get his way. She didn’t fall back into his arms.”
“No. Luckily, she’s here with her friends. And she held strong. Maybe he’ll come to his senses, hopefully before it’s too late.”
Fifteen minutes later, Charlie and a calmer Josh returned. Josh was distracted and quiet, and when Hannah yawned, Charlie asked if everyone was ready to head home. They all agreed and headed out to the limo that was parked outside waiting for them.
Josh was more subdued on the way home, but he perked up after a bit and had them laughing for the rest of the way. When they reached Maggie’s condo, he jumped out and walked her to the door. And he apologized for his bad mood.
“I’m sorry I was such a grump earlier. It had nothing to do with you. I hope you had a good time tonight?”
“I did. I had a lot of fun getting to know Charlie’s sister.”
He smiled. “Hannah’s a great girl. Have a good night, Maggie.” He pulled her in for a hug and dropped a kiss on her forehead. Maggie smiled. It was a friendly kiss and it was over in a second. Which suited her just fine.
“Goodnight, Josh, and thank you.”
Chapter 9
Charlie and Hannah slept in the next morning, and were just up and sleepily enjoying their first cup of coffee when their mother knocked and two seconds later, let herself in the front door. Charlie went to get up, but his mother waved for him to sit back down.
“I’ll pour myself a cup and join you. Here are the blueberry muffins. They’re fresh out of the oven.” She hugged each of her children, then set a plastic container between them on the island, helped herself to some coffee and joined them.
“Help yourself. There’s a few paper napkins in there, too, since your brother never keeps a proper napkin in the house. Paper towels are not the same.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Charlie opened the container and handed out the muffins. They were bursting with blueberries and still warm, as his mother had said.
“So, tell me all about this Spinazolla thing. Did you have a good time?”
“We did.” Charlie told her all about it, and she shook her head over Josh’s foolishness. Charlie was tempted to tell her about the ring that Josh had stashed away, but he’d been told that in confidence, so he kept quiet and hoped that soon enough, he’d be able to share that part of the story, too.
“I’ve heard so much about this Maggie lately. Maybe
it’s time for you to take her out?” his mother suggested.
“I agree completely,” Hannah agreed. “I think they’re both smitten with each other.”
Charlie laughed at the absurd suggestion that Maggie was ‘smitten’ with him.
“Well, I’m definitely smitten and have been for sometime. I always looked forward to Maggie’s weekly calls. We always chatted about much more than just her order. I will ask her out, when the timing is right.” He took a sip of coffee and glanced at his sister. “Enough about me and Maggie. Hannah has some big news to share.”
“Oh? What is it, honey? Are you expanding your tour? Releasing a new album soon?”
“Not quite. I’m going to come off the road for a while, and I’ve put my Nashville house on the market. I’m moving home to Quinn Valley.”
His mother’s face lit up like a Christmas tree being plugged in. “Hannah, that’s the best news you could possibly give me. Well, other than that you’re engaged or making me a grandmother.” She cocked her head and studied her daughter. “Neither of those things are happening too, are they?”
Hannah almost spit out her coffee. “No! I’m not dating anyone and babies are far, far down the road.”
Their mother looked both relieved and a bit disappointed. “Well, it’s marvelous that you’re moving home. Will you still be able to have the same career from here? I know how much you love your music.”
“It’s going to change a little, but hopefully in a good way. I’m tired of all the traveling. And it never gets easier stepping onto the stage. It terrifies me every time. I should be able to do an occasional show, hopefully, if people don’t forget about me. That is a possibility I suppose. But, it’s one I’ve considered, and I’m okay with it.”
“You won’t be forgotten,” Charlie assured her. “If anything, touring less often should make your appearances even more in demand.”
“Maybe. I hope so!” She told her mother the rest of her plans, about the classes she planned to teach and the events she hoped to hold at Quinn’s hotel.
“Hannah will turn Quinn Valley into the Nashville of Idaho!” Charlie said proudly. He had no doubt that Hannah’s venture would be a success.
“My head is spinning,” their mother said happily when Hannah finished filling her in. “This is the most marvelous news. When are you thinking you’ll be back?”
“Not for a few more months. I still need to get the house in Nashville sold and packed up, and meet with my manager to discuss options going forward. He’s not at all happy about this.”
“Hmmmm. Too bad,” their mother said. Charlie and Hannah both laughed at her tone. Their mother was a force to be reckoned with when she wanted something done.
“What’s new with you, Mom? How’ve you been? Charlie and I have been hogging the conversation.”
“Oh, I’m not nearly as interesting as the two of you, but I have been getting out some lately. Spreading my wings, you’ll both be glad to know.” Charlie couldn’t help but notice that his mother looked better than he’d seen her in years. She was well-rested and had a rosy glow about her that wasn’t just makeup.
“I’ve been going to that new, fancy gym. The one you got me the membership to, Charlie. As you know, I wasn’t too keen on it at first, but it’s grown on me. The water aerobics class is fun, and I’m feeling more fit. I’ve lost a few pounds. And I’ve met the most interesting people there. They’re very friendly. One in particular…”
“Our mother is dating now,” Hannah told Maggie as they ate dinner with Charlie at O’Shea’s. Although the food was pretty good, O’Shea’s was more of a pub than a restaurant like Quinn‘s. Ivy was due to sing her first set soon.
“That’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Maggie asked.
“Yes! I think it is. Charlie does, too, right?”
Charlie didn’t look as enthusiastic. “Yes, as long as the guys are decent. Mom’s out of practice. I worry a little that she could be taken advantage of,” he admitted.
“She’s more savvy than you know,” Hannah said. “And she seems excited, so I think it’s a good thing. She was a hermit for years after our father died. It’s nice to see her finally coming out of her shell. The gym membership was a great idea, Charlie.”
“Have you talked to Josh? Has he talked to Liz yet?” Maggie wondered.
“I haven’t heard anything. I think Josh will get there, in his own time.”
“Charlie says that you bartend and are a co-owner at Quinn’s. Do you love it? Do you have to work every night?” Hannah asked and then immediately apologized. “Sorry for all the questions. I’m just so curious. I’ve never worked in a restaurant. It looks like hard work.”
“It is,” Maggie assured her. “But I do love it. We’ve grown up working in the restaurant. And both Ryder and I majored in business in college, which has been helpful. I make my own schedule, but as you can imagine, it’s a lot of hours. I’m there almost every day, but never on Sunday. And I mix it up. I usually work the lunch shift on Monday, then Tuesday and Wednesday night. The rest of the week varies depending on what’s going on.”
“And Ivy works there, too?” Hannah asked.
“She does. She waitresses.”
“It looks like she’s coming on now,” Charlie said as Ivy stepped up to the mic.
Maggie was proud of her sister as she sang song after song. She was getting so good and more comfortable in front of a crowd than she used to be. When she finished her set, she came over to see them.
“I didn’t know you were coming in,” she said to Maggie and then realized who was there with her. Her jaw dropped. “Hannah. I’m such a fan.”
Hannah smiled. “Thank you. But I’m a fan, too. You were wonderful.” Ivy sat, and she and Hannah chatted non-stop about music until it was time for her next set.
“Your sister really is good. And this is just a hobby for her? She seems pretty serious about it.”
“It’s just a fun hobby for her now. She gave up on her Nashville dreams when she was eighteen, due to an audition on a reality TV show.”
“Oh, that was her? I remember,” Hannah said.
“How long are you in town for?” Maggie asked. She and Hannah had become fast friends and she hated to see her leave. But, she was happy that she planned to return on a more permanent basis.
“My flight out is tomorrow. But I’ll be back for a house-hunting trip soon. I hope that I’ll see you both then.”
“Definitely.” Charlie and Maggie both spoke at the same time and laughed.
Maggie liked Hannah almost as much as she liked her brother. She glanced at Charlie. He was listening to the music, but when he saw her looking his way, their eyes met, and he smiled. She felt a strong sense of contentment, that she was exactly where she was supposed to be. She knew, deep in her soul, that Charlie was the one for her. Now, if he’d just ask her out.
“Who were you just talking to?” Ryder looked at his sister with a funny expression. It was Monday morning, a few minutes past eleven and he and Bethany had walked over to the bar as Maggie was finishing up her call.
“Just my weekly call to Charlie to place my order,” she said happily. She was in the best mood ever, for a Monday.
“So you two are finally dating, then? It’s about time.” Ryder said.
Maggie looked at her brother in surprise. “We’re not dating. Not yet anyway. We’re just friends. I met his sister, Hannah this weekend. We all went to Spinazolla together.”
“Well, if you’re not dating, you should be. You look all dreamy-eyed when you talk to him, or even when you say his name.”
“Leave your sister alone,” Bethany said. But then she grinned. “It is true, though.”
“It’s totally true,” Ivy added as she slid onto a barstool and started wrapping silverware sets into napkins. “They came to see me sing last night and if I didn’t know better, I would have guessed that Maggie and Charlie were an old married couple. Although, maybe married couples don’t smile at each other quite that mu
ch.”
“It’s really that obvious?” Maggie was a little horrified, considering that she and Charlie had yet to go on a real date.
Bethany and Ivy both nodded. “You look cute together,” Ivy said.
“Are you both going to Gram’s tonight?” Maggie changed the subject.
“I’m not. I’m meeting up with some friends downtown,” Ivy said.
“I’ll be there. I’m looking forward to it. I’m debating what to make. What do you think? Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese or meatballs in sauce?”
“I’ve never had Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese. That sounds interesting,” Maggie said.
“I’ve never had it either, but it seems like it might be good. If I make it, you’ll all be my guinea pigs. And if it works, we’ll try it as a lunch special.”
“Sounds good.” Maggie looked up as the front door opened and a party of women came in for lunch. It was time to get to work.
Chapter 10
Maggie carried a big bowl of salad into her grandmother’s kitchen. She’d called earlier to tell her what she was planning to bring. Bethany’s creamy pasta dish was rich, comfort food, so Maggie thought her kitchen sink salad would go well with it. It was just a bowl of mixed greens topped with everything she could find in her kitchen that seemed interesting—three bean salad, chick peas, chopped tomato, peppers and onions, sliced canned artichokes and steamed asparagus. She tossed it all with Italian dressing and sprinkled a bit of parmesan cheese over the top.
All the usual suspects were gathered in her grandmother’s kitchen. The ladies who had all been at the gala, as well as Maggie’s mother, several aunts, and cousins. Bethany was there too, taking her casserole dish out of the oven. It was browned and bubbling and smelled incredible.
Her grandmother came over to greet her. “There you are! And just in time.” She took the salad and set it on the counter, by a giant loaf of crusty bread and a platter of cheese and crackers.
Calling Charlie Page 7