Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
Jill responded first: Sounds like there might be more to the story than just talking!
Kate said: I was going to say the same thing! Details! I need details!
Maggie responded with the hear-no-evil emoji.
She and Brayden fell into a routine that included afternoons with the kids, regular consultations on the progress of each child, late-afternoon rides on Sunday and Thunder, dinner with the residents and hot, sexy nights in Maggie’s bed.
They’d gotten lucky so far and didn’t think anyone else was wise to the fact that he spent every night with her.
If she’d ever been happier, Maggie couldn’t remember when. Working with Brayden, talking to Brayden, riding with Brayden, laughing with Brayden, loving with Brayden… Her world revolved around him and his around her, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
She rushed through a shower on the night of the fundraiser at which his mother would be honored and dressed in a sleek black jumpsuit that Andi had sent after seeing it in a store and thinking of her.
Thank goodness for relatives with fashion sense, because Maggie’s idea of fashion—especially lately—was denim, flannel and T-shirts.
The jumpsuit fit like it’d been made for her, Maggie thought as she studied her reflection in a full-length mirror after stepping into the one pair of strappy black heels she’d brought from her life in the city.
She’d used the curling iron Kate had lent her to put spiral curls in her long hair and had covered her freckles with enough makeup to make herself presentable.
A squirt of the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume Jill had given her for Christmas finished off the look. She grabbed a black purse she’d also borrowed from Kate, who’d said to feel free to raid her massive closet for whatever she needed, and a sweater before heading out to meet Brayden.
Mitch let out a low whistle when she stepped into the kitchen. “You look gorgeous, Maggie.”
“Aw, thanks. I am capable of dressing up once in a while.”
“Have a great time tonight. I’m glad you’re going with him.”
Maggie knew Mitch and Brayden had become friendly, but she wasn’t aware that Mitch had been told where they were going or why.
“Me, too.” She walked outside to the parking area behind the stables, where Brayden had asked her to meet him.
When she approached his truck, she saw him half in and half out of the passenger seat and walked up behind him, molding her body to his.
“Maggie?”
“Who else would it be?” She gave him a light spank on the backside and stepped back to let him out of the truck.
He stood and turned, starting to say something that died on his lips when he saw her. “Whoa… You look… Wow.”
Maggie loved the hungry way he looked at her. “So we like the jumpsuit my stepmother sent me?”
“We like it.” He put an arm around her waist and kissed her. “We like you.”
“We like you, too,” she said, taking an appreciative look at the tweed blazer he wore with a dress shirt and khakis. “You look very handsome.”
“I debated the tie.”
“You’re fine without it.”
“Oh good. I hate them.” He held out a hand to help her into the passenger side of his truck. “I think it might be clean enough for you. Just barely.”
“It’s fine. It even smells good.”
Brayden pointed to the air freshener propped on the dash. “Gas station purchase in honor of our first real date.”
Giddy with excitement for their first real date, Maggie put on her seat belt and waited for him to get in.
As he drove the truck around the stable to the driveway, he said, “Um, well…”
Maggie looked away from him to see what had drawn his attention.
The residents and staff were gathered in the driveway, waiting to wave them off. Even Derek, the stable manager, was there.
“Okay, well, this is rather mortifying.”
Brayden laughed, tooted the horn and waved as he drove past the gathered group.
“So much for thinking we were getting away with it.”
“Safe to say the cat’s out of the bag, sweetheart. I think it’s cool they all came out to see us off.”
“I’m going to stick with mortifying.”
He reached for her hand and held on as he drove them into town.
“How’re you feeling about tonight?” Maggie asked as the Nashville skyline came into view.
“I feel better than I would have if you weren’t with me. We’ll stay for the thing about my mom and then go find something more fun to do.”
“Please don’t feel like you have to entertain me.
This is your mom’s night, and you should take all the time you need there.
It’s so great they’re recognizing her this way.
” Maggie had read up on the organization online.
“And besides, I’m looking forward to meeting the people behind the group and expanding my professional network. ”
“I see how it is,” he said in a teasing tone. “You’re just using me to get in the door.”
“Exactly.”
He laughed and brought her hand to his lips. “Thanks again for coming.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“It will be later.” He waggled his brows at her. “You brought a toothbrush, right?”
“I did. But you’re still not going to tell me why I’m going to need it?”
“All will be revealed in due time.”
“I didn’t figure you to be a man of mystery.”
His sexy smile made her want to release her seat belt and crawl into his lap, regardless of the fact that he was driving. “You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby.”
This kind of happiness, Maggie was discovering, kept her on edge, wanting more of it while also dreading the possibility of losing what’d taken forever to find. She tightened her hand around his, wanting to hold on to him and everything that came with him.
He glanced over at her. “You okay?”
“I’m good.”
They listened to one of the local country music stations, and when Kate’s number-one hit “I Thought I Knew” came on, Maggie reached over to turn it up.
“I love this song.”
“I do, too. She wrote it for Reid the first time they were together.”
“I can’t believe I’ve actually met her, that I’m dating her sister.”
“Tell me the truth, is that really why you’re dating me?”
“You found me out. It’s all about access to your famous sister and her famous friends.”
“I knew it.”
He grinned at her, and they sang along to words Maggie had known by heart for years. They took on new meaning now that she’d met Brayden, which made her feel both scared and elated.
I thought I knew
what love was,
but then there was you…
I thought I knew
how it would be,
but now I see,
And now it’s true…
I didn’t know
until there was you…
Until there was you…
Until there was you…
I thought I knew
And now it’s true…
I thought I knew
what peace was,
then there was you…
I thought I knew
what dreams were,
then there was you…
I thought I knew
how it would be,
but now I see…
I thought I knew
what love was,
but then there was you
Then there was you…
“Her voice is just magic,” Brayden said. “I’ve always thought so, from the time she first appeared on the scene. I don’t even like country all that much, but I make an exception for her, Buddy and Taylor. They just do it for me.”
“Agreed. Country isn’t usually my thing, either, but I do like some of it. I love Martina McBride and Faith Hill, too.”
“They’re both great, and so is Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw.”
“I like them, but I’m more of a Coldplay kinda girl at the end of the day.”
“I saw them in concert a few years ago.”
“Shut up! I’d love to see them.”
“They come here every so often. You’ll probably get your chance. What’s your favorite song by them?”
“It’s a tossup between Fix You, Yellow and Viva La Vida. I love them all.”
“Those would be my top three, too.”
After a forty-minute ride into town, made longer by rush-hour traffic, Brayden pulled up to the Hermitage Hotel on 6th Avenue North.
“I read about this place online,” Maggie said. “Everyone who’s anyone has stayed here—Patsy Cline, President Kennedy, Johnny Cash, Babe Ruth—and it played a big role in the women’s suffrage movement. My sisters love this hotel.”
“I can’t wait to check it out.”
A valet parking attendant greeted them, handing Brayden a ticket.
Brayden gave him a five-dollar bill. “Thanks.”
“Give a call to the bell stand thirty minutes before you need it back.”
“Will do.”
“Have a nice evening.”
Brayden took Maggie’s hand and walked inside, where they stopped to admire the gorgeous lobby.
As she gazed up at the stunning high ceiling with mosaics and glass details, she said, “I’ve got to bring my dad and stepmom here. They’d go crazy over this.”
“It’s like stepping back in time.”
“It really is.”
Maggie took another look around, wanting to commit the details to memory. At the entrance to the ballroom, Brayden gave his name at the reception table set up outside.
“Oh, Brayden! I’m Justine. We spoke on the phone.
” The young woman reached across the table to shake his hand, her gaze traveling the length of him in a way that had Maggie wanting to remind her that he was holding hands with another woman while she checked him out.
Fortunately, Justine recovered quickly. “We’re so honored to have you with us tonight.
” She handed him badges that had his name and Maggie’s on them.
“Your mom was an angel. We all loved her so much.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re seated at the head table at the front. There’s a reserved sign on the table and seating cards for both of you. Do you need help finding it?”
“I think we can figure it out,” Brayden said. “Thanks again for having us.”
She gave him a flirty smile. “It’s a pleasure.”
Maggie wanted to ask if she was for real, but she held her tongue until they were far enough away from the check-in table. “She wanted to come across the table and jump your bones.”
“I sorta picked up a vibe…”
Maggie laughed. “It was a vibe, all right. She’ll probably slip you her room key before the night is out.”
“Not interested.”
“Good answer.”
He smiled down at her. In a massive room full of people, he let her know with just a look that she was the only one who mattered.
Every time she was with him, she experienced something all new, and now was no different.
He held the chair for her and waited until she was settled before sitting next to her.
“You want a drink?” He eyed the bar set up on the far side of the room.
“Maybe later.” Under the table, she noticed his leg bouncing and placed her hand flat on his thigh.
“Sorry.”
“Are you nervous about this?”
“A little.”
“You know they’re going to sing her praises.”
“Yeah.” He glanced at the stage and then back at her. “I came with her last year. It’s just weird to be here without her.”
“I’m sure it is.”
“Have I said thanks for coming?”
Maggie smiled. “I’m really happy to be here.”