“Oh, look, there’s a tire swing!” She pointed to the big oak tree that sat rooted by the lake’s edge, its branches hanging over the water. “I bet that’s fun.” She glanced hopefully in the mirror, watching TJ crane his neck to see the swing. “Looks like a good climbing tree,” she added, hopefully.
“We’re actually going to live here?” Jack eyed her dubiously.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “It’s not so bad. I mean, sure it needs a bit of work. But the land is great.” She looked out over the picturesque vista; the lake’s calm water was like glass reflecting the lush trees surrounding it, and the peaks of the mountains poked up through the sky-scraping canopy of pines. “And it’s got a beautiful view.”
“Is it even safe?” he asked, adding, “It looks like a damn crack house.”
“What’s a damn crack house?” TJ enquired innocently.
“Jack!” Maggie chided, her eyes widening as she glowered at him. He ignored her, of course, so she unfastened her seatbelt and changed the topic. “Let’s go have a look. The realtor said the keys will be in the mailbox at the front door.”
Jack muttered something under his breath but she chose to ignore him, focusing on getting out of the car and helping TJ before leading the way up to the house. There was a path hidden somewhere beneath the knee-high weeds and she made a mental note to add lawnmower to her growing list of things to purchase. They’d always had someone come and take care of the yard back in Belmont. If she bought a lawnmower, she would do it herself or bribe Jack to do it.
The porch steps were lopsided. A rusty nail was poking up in the corner of the first one and Maggie made sure TJ stood back with his brother as she tentatively checked each timber plank for rotting wood. They would need to be replaced.
Sighing, she pushed open the rickety screen door which wobbled on only one rusted hinge. Inside, cobwebs hung from up above, dried leaves were scattered across the decking, and the windows were so thick with dust and grime she couldn’t even see into the house.
With a deep breath, Maggie lifted the top off the mailbox and reluctantly reached inside, feeling around with caution. She was almost certain she was going to touch something that moved, and she had no idea what she’d do if she did. Thankfully, all she felt was an envelope and she pulled it out to see her name written across the front with a smiley face. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was the realtor being facetious.
Did she actually think I’d be happy? She rolled her eyes.
Fixer-upper was the understatement of the century; the place should’ve been condemned. But Maggie refused to let the boys witness her defeat. This was their new life. And, after a little work, she was sure this place would be great for them. She forced a smile.
“Come on up,” she called over her shoulder as she took the two silver keys out of the envelope. “Don’t step on that nail!”
Wrestling with the rusted lock, she muttered a few choice words under her breath before finally jimmying the front door open while holding her breath.
Surprisingly, inside wasn’t too bad. Dust floated through the air. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling. Drop sheets covered old furniture left by the previous owner. But as she took it all in, it was actually quite impressive. She smiled. It was places like this that reminded her how important it was to never judge a book by its cover. While the outside of the home didn’t do this place justice, the moment she stepped over the threshold and into the entry she couldn’t help but release a long sigh of relief. Intricate moldings and exposed beams greeted her. Original hardwood floors, a stone fireplace, picture windows which, when the boards were removed, would provide a beautiful view of the lake. It was definitely in need of some updates but it was cozy and it automatically felt like a place Maggie and the boys might be able to call their home.
She turned to gauge TJ and Jack’s reactions, opening her arms out wide as she took a step backward into the den. “Well … what do you guys think?”
TJ stepped inside, glancing up at the beams, his eyes wide with surprise, mouth forming a perfect O. Jack, however, was a little less impressed, frantically brushing a cobweb from his arm. He liked to act all tough but spiders were his greatest fear.
“It needs some work.” Maggie nodded, gauging their expressions. “But we can do it. Together.” She smiled at both of them, watching as TJ took a tentative step further inside to explore.
Walking through to the kitchen, Maggie was pleasantly surprised to find natural light flooding in from the conservatory-style breakfast nook. Gingerly, she opened a few of the cabinet doors to make sure there was nothing lurking inside before running a hand over the countertops, dust covering her palm which she was quick to wipe away on the back of her old jeans.
She inspected everything. Tucked under the stairs were two doors; one opened to a half-bathroom, and the other opened to a narrow set of stairs which led down to the basement where the furnace was hidden away. A mudroom sat off the kitchen and opened onto a small back deck that looked out onto a thicket of trees. It was so private, so quiet. So unlike anything she was used to.
“Shall we go explore upstairs?” She glanced at Jack and TJ.
“You first.” Jack shrugged, adding, “I don’t wanna fall through the floor.”
“Oh, how chivalrous of you,” Maggie muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes before moving back through the den. But her son had a point. The place was old. And clearly hadn’t been lived in for some time. She timidly touched each step, pressing her foot upon it before deeming it safe enough to support their weight, the boys staying close behind.
Upstairs, a small landing led to a corridor with three doors on one side, two on the other, and one at the end which Maggie assumed led to the third-floor attic. The first door opened to a full bathroom. A shower head hung over an antique claw-foot bath that looked almost as old as the house. It was perched in front of a big window looking out over the sprawling lake and the mountains in the distance. She couldn’t wait to have a soak in the tub while staring out at that awe-inspiring view.
The next door opened to the master. A small fireplace sat on the far wall, and another impressive view across the water to the forest of lush red maples was on display through the windows. There was a small closet. Tiny, compared to the one she had back in Belmont, but she had to keep reminding herself that it was just her, so it would suffice. There was no en suite bathroom and she knew one bathroom with two boys would likely pose a challenge, but she was sure they could manage.
Before closing the door, Maggie glanced dubiously at the closet once more. She doubted her shoes alone would fit in that thing.
Across the hall was a small room that would work as an office or a study for the boys, and two slightly bigger identical bedrooms. On this side of the house, the roof was pitched, and the windows were gabled adding a charming character to each of the rooms.
“I like this one,” TJ said, stepping into the last bedroom and doing a little spin.
“Yeah?” Maggie smiled, thankful that at least one of her boys was showing a little more zest toward the house. “What color would you like to paint the walls?”
“Hmmm …” He tapped a finger against his chin, assessing the space around him as if in serious deliberation. “Maybe … yellow?”
She nodded in agreement, looking around at the space. “Yellow could work.”
“Can we go to the hotel now?” Jack asked, a bored tone in his voice. “I really wanna catch the start of the game. If they even have ESPN in this hillbilly—”
Maggie speared him with a warning look. “Yes. We’ll go now. I have to make it to the Piggly Wiggly to pick up some cleaning supplies.” She had to come back to the house so she could give it a thorough clean before the movers arrived in the morning with the furniture. She was exhausted, and hadn’t anticipated spending her evening cleaning, but as it was it had to be done. There was no way she was moving her things into a filthy house.
Jack turned around quicker than the Flash himself, clearly desperate to
get out of there, but when he turned, he let out a piercing shriek, his voice cracking with fear as he jumped almost a foot off the floor.
“What is it?” Maggie rushed toward him, her heart hammering.
“Huge spider!” He flapped his hands in the air like a madman.
She peered over his shoulder to see the offending arachnid. “Jack … it’s a daddy-longlegs.”
TJ giggled from behind her, and it was a glorious sound she hadn’t heard in what felt like forever. Jack shrieked again, ducking underneath the innocently dangling spider before bolting out of the room, his footfalls echoing loudly on the hardwood.
Maggie shook her head, glancing back at TJ. He grinned up at her, and taking her proffered hand they followed in Jack’s wake, although she was almost certain he was halfway to the car already.
Chapter 9
Jewel Harbor was the quintessential New England port village. Just driving through the main street, which slanted down toward the harbor at the very end, put a smile on Maggie’s face as she took it all in.
Flowering trees lined the sidewalks, gas lantern lampposts peppered between them. Quaint Hansel and Gretel store fronts with major street appeal showcased picturesque window presentations to attract the most discerning shopper. An old-time movie theater sat next to an old-time ice cream parlor. A bakery sat next to a bookshop next to a candle store next to Barb’s Beauty Salon. Across the road was a quaint Old English pub aptly named The Crown Jewel. Next door was Mick’s Hardware Store, a pet shop named Woof’s, and Jane’s Café was beside Miller’s Family Department Store for all your apparel needs, or so the sign promised.
If a place could be this beautiful in the spring, Maggie could only imagine how breathtaking it would be come winter. She couldn’t wait to see the illuminated store windows lighting up a snowy afternoon. The naked branches of the trees twinkling with fairy lights and lush green garlands wrapped around the lampposts.
“What do you boys think of the place?” Maggie asked, glancing sideways to find Jack taking in the sights as they drove through the main street.
“There’s a movie theater,” TJ noted, staring longingly at the marquee as they continued past.
Maggie smiled at her youngest son.
“Snoresville,” Jack said derisively.
She rolled her eyes at her teenager.
“Why don’t we stop and get an early bite before we head to the hotel?” She turned into a parking spot outside Jane’s Café. It was almost five o’clock. An early dinner while the sun was still shining, and an even earlier night was exactly what the boys needed after their long day.
“But the game?” Jack held up his cell phone, showing Maggie the small screen displaying what looked to be a baseball game.
“Jack, it’s baseball.” She deadpanned. “That game will go on long into the night. You’ll be fine.”
He muttered something as he huffed and puffed his way out of the car. Maggie ignored him and hopped out to open the back door for TJ, noticing the slight pep in his step as he jumped down to the pavement. This place was going to be good for him, she could already tell; his eyes hadn’t been so bright in a long time. And that thought alone made her realize this had been the right decision, despite her lingering doubts.
The little bell over the door to the café jingled as the three entered. Inside was cozy and homely. Music played from a vintage radio that sat on the sill of the wall cutout to the kitchen. In the corner, two cushy armchairs were set up next to a bookshelf loaded with paperbacks; an antique-looking floor lamp was casting a soft glow. Empty tables set for two and four were strategically placed throughout, complete with tiny glass mason jars full of delicate roses and peonies adding to the shabby chic aesthetic. A few booths bordered the dining room, looking out onto the street and across the road to the harbor. Running along the dining area, lined with stools, was a big service counter on which were displayed glass dome cake stands full of delicious looking muffins, decadent cupcakes and homemade slices. It was cute and quaint, but, above all else, it was welcoming.
The café was almost empty, save for a man perched at the counter sipping from a mug of coffee while reading a newspaper.
“Well, hi, hello there.” A musical voice rang through the air, and Maggie turned to find a petite blonde woman standing at the end booth, dirty dishes stacked carefully upon the tray she was holding.
“Hello.” TJ waved at the lady while instinctively stepping closer to his mom.
Jack ignored the woman and everyone else as he moved to the very first booth, sliding into the banquette while staring vacantly at his phone.
“Hi.” Maggie smiled, ushering TJ to the table to join his brother.
“I’m Jane.” The woman beamed on her approach.
Maggie sat down next to TJ as Jane stopped by their table.
“Welcome to my humble little abode.” Placing her tray down on the table behind her, Jane pulled a notepad from the pocket in her apron and plucked a pen from somewhere in the mess of blonde curls piled high on top of her head. “What can I get you all?”
TJ glanced up from the menu in his hands, his brow furrowed in thought. “Do you have fries?” he asked, his voice quiet and meek.
Jane placed a hand on her curvy hip, cocking her head to the side. “Do I have fries? Why of course I do! I’ve got bacon-loaded fries, disco fries, cheesy fries, sweet chili fries, sweet potato fries, zucchini fries, fries with brown gravy, you name it.”
TJ’s eyes widened, overwhelmed by choice. He glanced curiously at Maggie before settling his gaze back on the friendly lady. “Um, can I please have normal fries with some ketchup on the side?”
“Of course you can, sweetheart.” Jane made a note of his order, jotting it down on her pad.
“And can I please have a Dr Pepper? With a straw, please. Paper not plastic, because of the turtles, ma’am.”
“Well, aren’t you just adorable. And such wonderful manners,” she gushed as she finished writing, flashing a wink at Maggie. Then, glancing in Jack’s direction, Jane’s smile faltered momentarily when he didn’t bother looking up from his cell. “And for you, young man?” she prompted.
“A burger. No pickles,” Jack murmured.
“Jack Morris.” Maggie warned, glowering at him from across the table.
Slowly he looked up, meeting his mother’s glower with one of his own as he said through gritted teeth, “And a Coke.” He flashed the innocent woman an insincere and downright deplorable smile as he added with an icy, sarcastic tone, “Please.”
Maggie offered the kind woman a rueful look on behalf of her horrible son, but Jane dismissed her silent apology with a casual wave of her hand and another dimpled smile. “And for you?”
Maggie pointed to the counter before sliding out of the booth. “I’ll come up.”
Following Jane to the counter, she watched the woman as she began pouring the boys’ sodas. She was around Maggie’s age, maybe a little older, curvy with a pretty face and big blue eyes that were smiling when she turned back, carefully placing the two fountain glasses on top of the counter. She added a red and white paper straw to the Dr Pepper, offering Maggie a wink. Maggie smiled tightly in return.
“You okay, hun?” Jane asked, her eyes kind and sincere.
“Yeah.” Maggie shrugged, realizing she’d been caught faking a smile, something she’d grown accustomed to over the last month and a half.
“Oh, and I’m sorry about him,” she said, nodding back toward the booth to where Jack was still focused on his cell phone. “Baseball season’s in full swing. He’ll be oblivious to everything for the next few months, at least.”
Jane laughed. “And then football season begins, basketball, and it starts all over again. My husband’s the same. Boys,” she harrumphed with jest. “And I’ve got a girl about his age, so I know all about the perils of parenting a teenager.”
Managing another smile, Maggie nodded, introducing herself, “I’m Maggie.”
“You’re the new family moving i
nto the old Diamond Lake house.” Jane narrowed one eye as if in serious thought. “Boston, right?”
“Yeah …?” Maggie’s brows knitted together, assessing her with questioning curiosity. “How do you know that?” She added a light laugh to try and conceal her suspicion, but her anxiety was peaking. She didn’t want the people in town to know her just yet. She was looking forward to being a stranger for a while, a nobody.
“Small town, honey.” Jane waved a hand in the air. “Not a lot happens around here. In fact, you’re the biggest news since Cindy Simmons was caught with Vice Principal Cullen in the locker room at the high school during the Columbus Day dance. He had his pants down around his damn ankles, and she was supposed to be chaperoning.” She shook her head, rolling her eyes with dramatic flair before changing the subject. “We’ve all been real excited to meet you.”
Her smile was genuine and it beamed. And it seemed infectious. Maggie couldn’t help but smile her first real honest to God smile in what felt like forever.
“Now, you go sit,” Jane ordered with another brush of her hand. “I’m going to make you up a bowl of my famous chowder, and get you a sneaky glass of pinot grigio.” She winked.
“Um, okay … thank you.” Maggie laughed once under her breath as she turned back to the booth to find Jack still enamored of his baseball game and TJ staring aimlessly out at the afternoon as the sun began to head toward the horizon.
As she took her seat, handing Jack his Coke and placing TJ’s Dr Pepper in front of him, she glanced back to find Jane humming along to the song playing on the radio, and her smile lingered. She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever felt so welcomed by a complete stranger.
While she knew it was only a matter of time before the small town caught wind of her tragic past—a matter of time before the pity smiles and whispering behind her back started up again—it was refreshing being in a place where no one knew who she was or what had happened. Here, she wasn’t Maggie, the widowed wife of Tom Morris. She was just Maggie. And never before had being herself felt so right. This place was going to be good for her, and her boys. She could tell.
The Long Way Home Page 7