by Jean Oram
But she deserved someone much better than him, so friends they would remain.
Caroline looked like she didn’t believe him. “So, is searching for work all that has you worried?”
Canyon shrugged.
“How’s your mama?”
His shoulders drooped.
“That bad, huh?” She frowned.
“I’m sure she’ll be happier once I find work. I don’t suppose you need any help around here?”
“Sorry. I wish I did. I’d hire you in a heartbeat, sweetheart.”
“Did someone say something about looking for work?” came a voice from behind.
Canyon spun around to see a familiar man about his parents’ age standing there. “Uh, I’m looking.”
“You a hard worker?”
“He is,” Caroline interjected. “I can attest to that, Harry.”
Harry glanced at Canyon and gave a nod. “I’m working on a previously abandoned house near the boardwalk. It’s gonna take some serious muscle to get it fixed by the deadline.”
Canyon stood tall. “I can do it.”
Harry held out his hand. “Glad to hear it. When can you start?”
“Right now, if you need me.”
The older man smiled. “You’re a lifesaver, kid.” He nodded a thanks to Caroline. “Let’s have a quick informal interview, then we can get the papers signed and get to work.”
Canyon followed Harry to a table in the corner and Caroline winked at him.
It was just a temporary job, but at least it was a start.
Chapter 6
Maggie took a deep breath as she headed down the stairs. She needed to apologize to Aunt Lucille for being short with her the night before.
Auntie was in the living room brushing Princess, her little white dog. The dog’s collar matched Aunt Lucille’s turquoise pumps perfectly.
“You feeling better this morning?”
Maggie stepped into the room. “I’m sorry for snapping at you last night. It was rude.”
She nodded. “Do you want to talk about anything?”
“Yes, Auntie, I do.” Maggie made herself comfortable on the sofa. “I’d really appreciate it if you’d stop trying to set me up with every single man in the county.”
Aunt Lucille’s mouth dropped. “I don’t—”
Maggie cleared her throat. “I do appreciate that you care, but I’m not looking for a relationship. The last thing I need right now is a man.”
“What do you need?”
“Time to find myself. What I need to focus on is building a career. It’s been a couple years, and I’m still wandering around lost. I need to figure out what I want to do.”
Auntie looked deep in thought. “Do you think a place of your own would help?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I’m sure it seems like I was never young, but I was. Like you, I had a restless period before settling down. Spending some time on my own gave me the clarity I needed.”
“What are you getting at, Auntie?”
“I bought a little fixer-upper not far from the boardwalk to sell for twice what I paid. You could stay there while you figure things out, then if you want to you can rent it once you have a job.”
Maggie’s mouth fell open. “Really?”
Aunt Lucille sat next to her and rested her hand on Maggie’s knee. “I can see that I’ve been suffocating you, my sweet niece. Once the little house is ready, it’s yours.”
Maggie’s mind raced. It hardly seemed real that her aunt was not only giving her a place of her own but was also agreeing to stop playing matchmaker. “When can I start working on it?”
“Oh, no need. I hired Harry Belford.”
“I’ll help him.” Maggie jumped from the sofa. “Let me just change my clothes.”
“You don’t have to. He’ll be done in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
Excitement ran through Maggie. “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”
Auntie’s face contorted. “You needn’t do work like that. Our family hires people for things like that.”
“It sounds like fun.” Maggie scrambled upstairs and found some old clothes she didn’t mind getting dirty. She knew nothing about painting or fixing things, but hopefully Mr. Belford wouldn’t mind teaching her.
Once she was back downstairs, Auntie folded her arms and tapped her foot. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.” Maggie stood taller.
“What are people going to think?”
Maggie grinned. “That I’m excited about having a place of my own. That I’m not afraid to get dirty.”
Aunt Lucille frowned. “And that’s exactly what I’m afraid people will say. Sandersons don’t ‘get dirty.’”
“It’s a good thing I’m a Kendrick.”
Auntie sighed more dramatically than a put-out teenager. “This is really what you want?”
“Yes!”
She shook her head. “Kids these days. I’ll call Harry and let him know you’re going to help. Just head over to the boardwalk. You can’t miss the house. It has more paint chipped off than actually on it.”
Maggie threw her arms around her aunt. “Thank you.”
Auntie gave her a stiff hug. “I don’t understand it, but you’re welcome.”
Maggie bounded out of the house with a bounce to her step. The afternoon sun beat down on her, but she barely noticed as she headed for the boardwalk.
The rundown home was easy to spot. Much of the gray—blue?—paint had faded and chipped off. Several windows were cracked. Branches and other debris lay sprawled across the roof and ground.
She squinted and tried to imagine the little house with some paint and love. It would be cute. Maybe Auntie would even let her paint it a shade of Maggie’s favorite color, purple.
A man in his late forties or early fifties came around the little house. “Maggie?”
“Yes.” She walked over and shook his hand. “You must be Mr. Belford.”
“You can call me Harry. We’re starting on the inside, where it needs the most work. Follow me.”
They walked around the little house and up the steps to the porch. Maggie cringed, half-expecting a board to snap. None did.
The inside smelled stale and musty, despite every window being open. Sheets covered furniture. Old flowered wallpaper hung down in layers. Dust covered everything. Piles of dirt were sprawled across the scratched wood floor.
“What happened to this place?”
Harry wiped his brow. “The Alversons got too old to take care of it and moved into the Manor for their last days. None of their kids had any interest in the house, and they were more than happy to sell it to your aunt.”
Sadness washed through her. The home had once been a place full of love as a family had lived there.
Footsteps sounded from the left. “Hey, Harry, do you want me to—?”
Maggie froze as her gaze locked on Canyon.
His eyes widened, mirroring the surprise she felt.
“Maggie, this is Canyon. Canyon, Maggie.”
Without looking away from her, Canyon replied, “We know each other.” His confused expression spoke volumes.
Maggie cleared her throat. “Aunt Lucille bought this house. I’m going to help with the cleanup.”
“This is going to be Maggie’s place,” Harry said.
Maggie’s face warmed. She hadn’t wanted to mention that to Canyon.
“I see.” Canyon returned to the other room.
Maggie’s heart sank. Canyon probably thought she was spoiled.
Chapter 7
Canyon retreated to the dilapidated kitchen as humiliation ran through him. Despite trying to avoid working for Maggie’s family, he’d done just that. Had he known Harry was working for Lucille Sanderson, he’d have waited for another opportunity. But he’d already texted his mom about the job, so there was no turning back.
He went back to pulling down the old wallpaper, throwing it into a pile in the middle of the floor.
It would take hours to scrape off the remains before they could even think about painting.
At least that meant the job should last a while. But if Maggie was going to be here, overseeing everything, Canyon wanted to get everything done as fast as he could.
He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but by the time he finished scraping the walls, his stomach was rumbling something fierce. But he didn’t have any money left for lunch. He’d spent his last few dollars on drinks at Sweet Caroline’s the night before.
The smell of fried chicken filled the house.
Canyon’s mouth watered. Maybe he’d be better off finding a new job. Surely his mom would understand if this one didn’t work out. Maybe there was an opening at the motel. Anything would be better than working as an underling to the prettiest and probably richest girl in town.
The food aromas made his stomach growl even worse. How was he going to make it through the day?
Maggie entered the kitchen with a smile and a big white bag. “Ready for lunch?”
“I, uh, didn’t bring anything.”
“This is for both of us. I thought we could take a break on the beach.”
She stood in her overalls, a long braid falling over her shoulder.
He couldn’t help but stare. She was beautiful even in work clothes.
“Do you want to join me?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. You got my sweet tea last night. I’ve got lunch today.”
His stomach rumbled again. There was no sense in turning her down. “I appreciate it.”
They made their way to a shady spot on the beach and shared the fried chicken and potato wedges.
“I was surprised to see you today,” Maggie finally said.
“Likewise.” Canyon swallowed his food. “I didn’t realize that house belonged to your aunt.”
“She just told me about it this morning.”
“I see.”
They sat in silence for a few moments before Maggie met his gaze. “This is awkward.”
Canyon laughed, then she did too.
“Did I do something to upset you?” Maggie asked.
Guilt stung. She was his friend, and he was acting like a prideful dog. He shook his head.
“What, then?”
Canyon grabbed a piece of chicken and took a big bite, giving him time to think of something to say that didn’t make him either look pathetic or like a jerk.
He studied her and noticed a sadness in her eyes. Something he’d noticed the night before. He swallowed. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, of course.”
More awkward silence. What happened to their easy conversation the night before?
That had been before he was working for her, fixing up her house. Now the glaring differences between them were flashing like neon lights. He was from the poorest family in Indigo Bay, and she was from one of the wealthiest.
None of that had ever mattered when they were young. When they were teens, they always had something to talk about. They could sit under the stars and talk about life for hours on end with plenty more to discuss.
But they weren’t teenagers anymore. The world wasn’t the big place full of endless opportunities like it had once seemed. It was small and cruel, though the idealistic little town acted as somewhat of a buffer. Except that he lived in a home barely a step up from the one he was working to fix for the beauty sitting next to him.
That’s when he noticed the streak of dirt across her chin and some pebbles in her braid.
Was she not acting as the overseer?
“What?” Maggie rubbed her nose. “Do I have something in my nose?”
Canyon burst out laughing. “No, and that was the last thing I expected you to say!”
“Why? Because I’m a sophisticated southern belle? Sorry to disappoint you.”
They laughed again. This was what it had been like to hang out with Maggie years before. It almost felt like no time had passed since those days.
Maggie rubbed her eyes. “I’ve missed this.”
“So have I.” Canyon stared into her bright blue eyes before his attention wandered to the sprinkling of freckles across her face, then down to her pouty lips. Bad idea. He shot his gaze back up to her eyes.
She wasn’t one of the girls who threw themselves at him while on vacation. This was Maggie Kendrick, his friend.
The sadness returned to her eyes.
Canyon put his food down. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Her mouth curved down. “I think so.”
“What’s wrong?”
She sighed and played with her braid. “Life just doesn’t always go the way you think it will, you know?”
“Oh, I know it. What didn’t go the way you expected?”
Maggie fidgeted with her hair some more. “I was engaged. It didn’t work out. At all.”
The pain in her expression felt like a punch to the gut. Whoever the jerk had been, he’d really hurt Maggie. And Canyon wanted to punch the loser across the face until he was in as much pain as she was.
Canyon struggled to keep his voice gentle. “What happened?”
Maggie jumped to her feet. “I think we’d better get back to work.”
“Sure.” Canyon gathered the remains and put them back in the bag.
They walked back to the house in silence. A knot formed in his stomach. If only he could do something to help take away Maggie’s pain.
Chapter 8
Maggie stared at the tiny bathroom with a surge of pride. Aside from the walls needing paint, it almost looked good as new. Nobody would ever guess it had been covered in dirt and dust that morning.
Footsteps sounded behind her.
She spun around to see Canyon climbing up the small staircase.
He stopped at the top. “Harry says we’re done for the day. Tomorrow we’ll—wow! Look at that bathroom. You did all that today?”
Maggie beamed. “I did. Not bad, huh?”
“It looks fantastic.”
She wiped her hands on her overalls. “Who knew that cleaning was such a good stress reliever?”
“It’s a workout, that’s for sure.” Canyon stretched his arm as if to prove the point. “I hear there’s going to be another concert at the beach tonight. You want to go?”
Maggie brushed some dirt from her arm. “Sounds like fun. What time?”
“I think it’s the same time as last night. Want to meet where we had lunch?”
“Sure. See you then.”
Canyon gave a little nod, then disappeared down the stairs.
Maggie headed back home. Aunt Lucille was having tea with some other ladies—all true southern belles with fancy colorful dresses and perfect hair and makeup. The complete opposite of her after spending all day on the bathroom. Maggie waved to them before heading up to her room.
Once she was showered off, she felt so much better. She reclined on her bed and closed her eyes, muscles aching from the day’s work. Her mind wandered to Canyon, and immediately, her pulse raced.
She couldn’t help the way she felt, and her attraction to him was growing each time she saw him.
Why had she agreed to the concert? It wasn’t like she had any interest in him—or any guy for that matter. No relationship had a chance. As soon as any man found out her secret, he would run for the hills.
Maybe she should just tell Canyon and get it over with. It wasn’t like their friendship was going to turn into anything more, anyway. Especially if what the girls said about him held any truth. If it did, going to the concert was just one of many dates he had for the week.
Actually, he might be the perfect guy for her. If he wanted no commitment, then she wouldn’t have to worry about things turning serious. They could just have some fun, and Heaven above knew she needed some of that. That alone was probably why Auntie had been so insistent on setting her up with someone. Maggie was only twenty-four, but she lived like an old maid.
Feeling lighter, Maggie bounced off the bed and found
another cute outfit similar to the one she’d worn the night before.
Downstairs, Aunt Lucille was already eating supper. Maggie joined her, giving her a big smile.
Auntie gave Maggie a funny glance. “You seem happy.”
“I am.” Maggie sat and piled food on her plate. “Helping with that little house was just what I needed.”
“Really?” Auntie seemed confused, but then smiled. “I’m glad to hear it. How do you like the little place?”
“It’s perfect, and it feels great to be able to work on it myself. I can’t tell you what an accomplishment it was to transform the bathroom today.”
“Sounds like you have an eye for decorating. Maybe that’s something you can look into when you’re ready to start a business.”
“Hm.” Maggie thought about it as she chewed. A little spark of excitement ignited. “That’s an interesting idea. I think you might be on to something.”
They made pleasant small talk until Maggie was ready to leave for the concert.
“You’re going out again tonight?” Auntie appeared pleased.
“I am. I might not be able to move a muscle come morning, but it’ll be worth it.”
Aunt Lucille gave her a quick hug. “Have fun, little miss.”
Maggie practically skipped out the door. Everything seemed to be turning around, and now she even had a direction to start focusing on when she was ready to think about her career.
When she got to the lunch spot, Canyon was already there. He was leaning against a tree, looking deep in thought.
Maggie bounded over to him, but he didn’t notice. She tapped his shoulders. “Boo!”
He jumped and turned to her, his eyes wide.
She burst out laughing. “You’re still so easy to scare!”
Canyon chuckled and shook his head. “And you haven’t changed a bit. You used to love sneaking up on me.”
“Because you made it so easy.” She gave him a playful shove. It was so easy to fall back into old ways around him, and she’d really missed the lighthearted summer days spent with her old friend.