Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
M aggie spotted Byron Jameson walking up the driveway of the Key Lime Garden Inn, a large poinsettia plant in his hands. She smiled, thinking about how their friendship had improved over the last year. The sight warmed her heart, to see him embrace the spirit of the season despite the difficult year he’d had.
She wiped her hands on a towel and hurried to the door, opening it just as Byron reached the front steps.
“Byron! What a lovely surprise,” she said.
“Good morning, Maggie. Is Paolo home? I thought he’d like to see the beautiful poinsettia plant I bought this morning. He might recognize it since I bought it at Sanibellia,” he said, chuckling and finding humor in his observation.
“That is funny, and I’m sure he’ll thank you for your purchase.”
Byron extended the plant in front of Maggie. “It’s for you and Paolo. It’s my way of saying Merry Christmas and thank you for all you’ve done for me since Louise died. I’m not sure how I could have made it without your help…oh, and Chelsea’s too. I got her a plant too.”
“Well, come on inside and visit with us for a spell. I’m so glad you stopped by. I’d introduce you to our new chef, but Oliver stepped out for a bit. You’ll have to come back to meet him, when you have the time.”
“Oh, I’ll come back, you know me, I don’t go where I’m not welcomed, but that’s not the case with you and Paolo. After Louise passed, you and Paolo opened your home to me when I needed it most. Staying in that cottage…it gave me a place to find my footing again. I’ll never forget that.”
“You’re family, Byron,” she said, reaching out to squeeze his arm. “We were happy to help. Why don’t you come back and visit with Paolo? As usual, he’s in the garden, but I know he’d love to see you.”
“All right, if you think it’s not an imposition.”
“Of course not. Come on, follow me.”
Lexi bounced around Byron, waiting to be noticed.
“Well, hello there. Aren’t you a cutie?” Byron said, picking up Lexi in his arms.
“Now you’ve gone and done it. She won’t leave you alone for one minute now that she’s been in your arms.”
‘Oh, I don’t mind. I’ve been thinking about getting a puppy for myself. It’s so quiet at the house without Louise.”
“Byron, I think that’s a wonderful idea. You must let me go with you to the pet shelter when you’re ready.”
“Don’t listen to her Byron, she’ll come home with another dog if she goes with you.” Paolo joined Maggie and Byron on the porch. “How are you, Byron? Nice looking plant you’ve got there.”
“He bought it at Sanibellia,” Maggie said.
“Well, that explains it. I sell only the best.”
“I bought it for you and Maggie. It’s my Christmas gift to you both,” he said, handing the plant to Paolo, who gladly took the plant and placed it on the table.
“Thank you, Byron. That’s very kind of you. Are you joining us for Christmas?”
“No, I’m going to my brother-in-law’s house. Being with Louise’s brother and his family makes me feel closer to Louise. They’re having a New Year’s Eve party too. It sounds like lots of fun.”
Paolo nodded. “I understand. I’m glad you’ll be with your family.”
They all smiled and nodded their heads, but the silence felt uncomfortable, and so Byron cleared his throat, breaking the moment.
“They’ve got grandkids, seven last I counted.”
Paolo nodded. “Is that so? Well, that will be nice.”
Maggie smiled at the thought, picturing Byron surrounded by the chaos and joy of a house full of children. “That sounds wonderful, Byron. A little noise can be just what the heart needs sometimes.”
Byron’s eyes twinkled as he continued. “I’ve also invited Linda St. James to join us. She could use some of the kindness you and Paolo showed me.”
Maggie’s smile widened. “Oh Byron, that’s fantastic, and you’re right, Linda shouldn’t be alone. I think what you’re doing is wonderful, and I’m sure Linda will have a great time with your family.”
Maggie couldn’t be sure that Linda would brighten anyone’s day, but she’d promised herself that going forward, she’d only see the good in Linda and assume only the best.
“Well, I best get going. I’ve still got some presents to give out, starting with Chelsea. I’ll see you all in the new year... I wait all year to say that,” he said, laughing, clearly pleased with himself.
“Merry Christmas, Byron and Happy New Year,” Maggie said.
They watched Byron walk toward his car, get in and start for Chelsea’s place.
“I wonder how many gifts he’s got in that beat up old car?” Maggie asked.
Paolo shook her head, “I don’t know, but he’s clearly taking this Santa Claus thing to heart.”
Maggie looked at the bracelet charms to make sure they were all secure and that there were no stickers or tags on them. Each charm, a kitchen item or dish of food, dangled, making soft clinking sounds when it moved. With a soft cloth, she polished each one and then folded the red and green tissue paper around the shiny bracelet and placed it inside the box.
It was a perfect gift for Iris, and Maggie hoped Iris liked it. For Millie, Maggie bought a lovely new handbag made by a woman who lived on the island. It was unique in that it was one of a kind, so Millie would never encounter anyone with the same bag.
Oliver’s present was easy. Maggie had thought about it since the day he shared the story of the flood in Miami. She couldn’t wait to see his face when he opened his present, nor could she wait for Christmas to arrive.
She’d received texts from Beth, Michael and Lauren letting her know the details of their flight. The house was decorated perfectly thanks to Oliver and Paolo, and even Chelsea put a few finishing touches on the Christmas tree in the carriage house.
She was ready for their arrival, but there were still a few things she needed to do.
Claire and Ciara came into the Key Lime Garden Inn kitchen and pulled Maggie away from Iris and Oliver.
“Let’s go to your office,” Ciara said.
Maggie laughed all the way down the hall.
“What are you two up to now?” she asked, as Claire shut the door behind them.
“It worked. Our match-making efforts have paid off. Katie and Luke have gone for a walk on the beach and are going to Meredith’s wedding together!” Claire said, clapping her hands.
“What? How did you find all this out?” Maggie asked.
“Katie told me. Remember the other day when the rain came pouring down? Well, Katie and Luke were together down at the beach.”
“How did that happen?” Maggie asked.
“Luke called her,” Claire explained.
“Yes, but how did he get her cellphone number?”
“She gave it to him at the book club,” Ciara added.
“All we had to do was put them in the same room, and voila!” Claire said. “I think we’re really good at this. Maybe we could open up a match-making business or something.”
Maggie shook her head. “No way. This was a one-time thing. I’m out of the match-making business as of right now.”
“For heaven’s sake, why? We obviously know what we’re doing. How can this successful match be so bad?”
“I didn’t say it was bad, I’m just saying there is always potential for things to go wrong.”
Maggie reached for Ciara and Claire and guided them to the chairs. She then sat across from them.
“Listen to me. It’s simple. All we did was get these two unsuspecting kids to get together for a walk and one date. That doesn’t mean it’s a success. Anyone can get two people in a room and expect them to engage in some way. It doesn’t automatically mean wedding bells. You two need to come down off the clouds and get a reality check.”
“I’m not so sure Katie and Luke don’t already know what we were up to,” Claire said.
“What? How do you know that?” Maggie asked.
Claire shrugged. “I don’t know, it’s just something about the way Katie talked to me about the whole thing. I have a feeling they’re on to us.”
“Feelings don’t count. What do you say, Ciara? Has Luke said anything to you?”
Ciara shook her head. “Nope. Nothing…well, except when he asked me if I’d seen the wedding invitation because he thought he’d misplaced it.”
“You didn’t tell him you hid it from him, did you?” Claire asked.
“No, of course not. I’ve kept my mouth shut about all this. He and I haven’t talked about Meredith’s wedding or anything to do with Katie. I don’t think he suspects a thing, so if he doesn’t, that means Katie doesn’t,” Ciara added.
“That makes sense,” Claire said.
Maggie sat back in her chair and sighed. Ciara chimed in. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter in the end. They’ll go off and have their date at the wedding, and if they click, they click, if not, there was no harm done.”
Maggie wasn’t so sure Ciara was right, but there wasn’t any point in worrying about it now. If they were in trouble for a little snooping and match-making, she couldn’t see what the complaint would be. Regardless of the outcome, she’d made herself clear. She had more important things to do than stick her nose in where it didn’t belong.