Chapter 26 #2
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll wait.”
Maggie smiled up at him. “And I shall reward you with dinner at my sister’s if you’re up for that.”
“Works for me. It’ll be good for you to see them after the day you’ve had.”
Wait for a man who truly sees you, and when he appears, make sure you notice.
She went up on tiptoes to kiss him. “I really, really like you.”
His smile was the best thing ever, as was his obvious pleasure in hearing that. “Is that right?”
Maggie nodded.
“That’s good, because I really, really, really like you.”
“That’s a lot of reallys.”
He kissed her. “Go take care of Corey. I’ll be here.”
Over the next week, Brayden was there. At the hospital, at home, at the stables, at her sister’s house, in the car and in bed.
He seemed to know what she needed before she needed it.
Maggie began to understand what it was like to have a true partner, someone she could lean on in the bad times, laugh with in the good times and count on to have her back.
Maggie was completely and absolutely in love with him, but she didn’t know whether he felt the same about her, so she kept her feelings to herself even as the words wanted to burst forth from her lips every time she was around him. She was almost certain he loved her, too.
He was due to arrive at Kate’s to meet her any minute, and she couldn’t wait to see him after having been apart most of the day while Kate’s hair-and-makeup goddesses prepared her and Jill for Buddy’s fundraiser.
“Thank you so much for getting me out of this one, Poppy,” Kate said to the baby in her arms as she stood by in jeans and a ponytail to watch the proceedings. She’d wanted to be with them while they got ready, but had said repeatedly how glad she was to not have to go.
“Poppy said, ‘You’re welcome, Mommy,’” Jill said.
“She knows Mommy has had her fill of formal occasions and would be very happy to never go to another one.”
“Mommy is a drag,” Jill said with a teasing grin for Kate.
“Happy to be a drag if I get to stay home with my sweet Poppy.”
“And her daddy,” Reid said as he came into the room to check on them. “You ladies look gorgeous.”
“We do look rather awesome,” Jill joked, striking a pose next to Maggie.
Jill wore a midnight-blue gown, while Maggie was in red. They’d declined Kate’s offer of a stylist and had shopped for their own dresses on a recent Saturday.
“Hot damn,” Ashton said when he joined them, wearing a black tuxedo. He pointed to Jill. “I’ll take that one.”
“Good, because the other one is all mine.”
Maggie hadn’t seen Brayden follow Ashton into the room, so she wasn’t prepared for what he said or how he looked in a tux.
“Y’all clean up rather well,” Reid said.
Brayden came over to Maggie, put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. “You look incredible.”
“I could say the same to you. The tux is hot.” She reached up to touch the stubble on his jaw. “The entire package is hot.”
“Likewise.” They stared at each other for a long moment full of yearning.
At least that was what it was for her. The eight hours since she’d woken up with him had dragged, and she wished they had nowhere to be and nothing to do but be together. She checked her phone and found a text from Corey.
Thank you so much for everything, Maggie.
I’m going to be released tomorrow, and I’m going home with my mom.
Thanks for bringing my stuff here, for being there for me through the worst of times.
I’m sorry I disappointed you all by going back to Trey.
I won’t make that mistake again. I promise.
Someday, when I have my shit together, I want to come back to Matthews and see you guys. You saved my life. I won’t forget you.
Maggie blinked back tears as she read the heartfelt text. I’m so happy you’re going home and feeling stronger. We’re always here for you. Text me any time, and please do come visit. You’ll always be welcome at Matthews. xoxo
“You okay, Mags?” Kate asked.
“Yeah, just got a sweet text from Corey. She’s being released from the hospital tomorrow and going home with her mom.”
“I’m so glad to hear she’s well enough to go home.”
“I know. Me, too. And she said she’s done with Trey.”
“That’s a relief.”
Maggie shut off her phone and stashed it in her purse, determined to have a real night off. Teresa was on duty and more than capable of handling anything that came up.
“Are you guys ready?” Ashton asked. He’d drawn the designated-driver card and was taking them in Reid’s SUV.
“Ready when you are,” Jill said.
“You kids have a nice time,” Kate said. “Don’t stay out too late.”
“And use a condom,” Reid added, making them all laugh.
“Shut up, Dad,” Ashton said.
“Yeah, shut up, Dad,” Brayden said.
Maggie loved the way Brayden fit in, as if he’d always been part of them.
That was just another on the long list of reasons she loved him.
Her heart was so full of love for him, her sisters, her new niece and her new life.
For all its many complications and heartbreaks, the job was also rewarding in ways she was discovering every day.
Such as earlier when Travis had thanked her so profusely for the riding lessons.
“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had. Ever.”
Having learned to take the victories where she could find them, she carried the little boy’s joy with her as Ashton drove them into town.