Chapter 13
“Is this where we’re going to live now, Mama?” Maggie asks as Haley leads her up the front porch of my house on the vineyard later that afternoon. The setting sun casts a golden hue over the property, giving the vines a vibrant glow.
With the strange hours I work, it’s more convenient to live out here so I can tend to the vines if anything comes up. Even so, I kept my townhouse in the historic district, as well, since it’s in a highly desirable area, especially for tourists.
Although once Grady told me his plans, I stopped taking bookings. I hope I don’t have to move out of the place that’s been my home since Grady refurbished this house and suggested I live here after routinely finding me asleep on the couch in my office.
I haven’t spoken to him about rethinking his stance now that I’m married. I figured if I brought it up at our mini-reception this afternoon, he might get suspicious. While I know he’s been in discussions with a few interested parties, he hasn’t signed any deals yet. I’m hoping I have a little time before I need to raise the subject.
“Do you like it?” Haley asks her daughter.
Maggie’s eyes widen as she takes in the wraparound porch. “There’s a swing on the front porch! I’ve always wanted a swing.”
“You swing all the time at the park.”
“But I can swing anytime I want here.”
“Once it gets a little warmer and the ground has thawed some, I’ll put in a playscape for you,” I offer.
Provided I convince Grady to sell to me.
“For real life?” Maggie asks, her expression lighting up.
“You don’t have to do that,” Haley says quietly, an edge to her voice.
“I don’t have to do anything. I want to,” I tell her, fighting to keep from staring at her mouth, something that’s proving increasingly difficult.
As if it isn’t bad enough that her lips are painted a deep crimson in stark contrast to her fair skin, all I’ve been able to think about is that damn kiss.
I’d like to say the only reason I kissed her like I did was to convince everyone this is real. But when I heard Grady call her my wife, something primal and protective stirred inside me. Before I knew it, I crushed my mouth against hers, wanting to claim her as mine, for once and for all.
“She’ll be fine going to the park,” Haley insists, giving me a pointed look. “No sense going to the trouble.”
I can hear what she doesn’t say. That there’s no reason for me to put in a playscape when Maggie won’t be around to enjoy it for more than a few months.
“Come on. Let’s get settled,” I say, not wanting to start our marriage by arguing, even if we’re good at it.
It might be the one thing we are good at.
Well, that’s not entirely accurate. There’s another thing we were damn good at, too, even as teenagers. I can only imagine how incredible it would be now.
Which is the last thing I should be thinking about, considering I’m about to share my bed with her for the foreseeable future.
“Great.” Her response comes out at a slightly higher pitch than normal, evidencing her nerves about the prospect of living under the same roof.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t uneasy about it, too. Just a few months ago, we barely acknowledged each other. Now we’ll be living together. And not just in the same house, but also sharing the same room. The same bed.
I’ll have to fall asleep next to her, knowing how sweet she tastes, how incredible she feels, and not be able to do anything about it. I shouldn’t want to do anything about it. But my brain and my body seem to be on two different wavelengths when it comes to Haley.
“Is this really my new house?” Maggie asks excitedly as I open the door and they step inside.
“It’s really your new house,” Haley replies.
Monte wastes no time in bounding down the hall toward us, his nails clacking on the hardwood floors. When he sees Maggie, he barks excitedly.
“Is this really my new dog?”
I chuckle as he licks her face. “It’s really your new dog.”
Maggie wraps her arms around Monte, showering him with love and affection. “I’ve always wanted a doggie.”
I steal a glimpse at Haley. I can’t quite read her expression. It’s happiness, but mixed with sorrow. I know her well enough to know she’s probably already thinking about how Maggie’s going to react when it ends.
I can’t blame her.
I’m already thinking about it, too.
“Do you want to see your room?” I ask Maggie.
Her entire face brightens. “I get my own room?”
“Sure do.”
“I’ve never had my own room before.”
My heart squeezes.
I know Haley hasn’t had an easy time the past few years. I don’t know the details about her relationship with Maggie’s father, but I do know he’s not in her life. Our differences aside, I certainly admire Haley for everything she’s done for her daughter. And for having the strength to keep her in the first place.
“Let’s go see it.” I scoop Maggie up in my arms, and her excited squeals fill my house with life. Something I never thought I’d hear within these four walls.
Monte follows as we make our way up the stairs, Haley bringing up the rear. When I reach the door to her room, I set Maggie back down on her feet.
“I know you’re used to sharing a room with your mom, but she’ll be right across the hall.” I point toward our door. “Okay?”
“Okay. Can I see my room now?”
I nod, pushing the door open. When I do, her eyes go wider than I’ve ever seen them, her jaw dropping.
“Is this really my room?” she all but shrieks as her gaze darts around the space that was once all drab walls and lackluster furniture.
Now three of the walls are painted pink with the wall behind her bed an accent of teal. I asked my younger sister, Dylan, for a recommendation on what kinds of toys and books she might like, since she’s been taking care of my niece and nephew to help out my brother. Thankfully, she came through with a long list of things Maggie might like.
I wasn’t sure what books or toys she already had, but I wanted to do something to make this transition as easy as possible. I filled a small bookcase with books, and got her some stuffed animals, as well as a few Barbies to go with the four-foot dollhouse in the corner.
But she doesn’t give any of that stuff a second glance. Instead, all of her attention is focused on the exact bed I noticed described on Haley’s pad the night I went over to ask her to marry me — a loft bed with a slide and club house underneath.
“Is that really my bed?” Maggie asks, barely able to contain her excitement.
“It is.”
She whirls toward me and flings her arms around my waist, the sudden gesture taking me by surprise. I’m not used to this kind of attention from kids.
“Thank you, Mr. Beck.”
I gently pat her back, overwhelmed by how trusting this little girl is. How easily she hugs me.
After a few moments, she drops her arms and goes to her mom, giving her a tight squeeze. “Thank you, Mama. Can I slide?”
“Of course, sweetie.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Maggie darts toward the bed and tries to climb up the ladder.
“Careful,” I caution, my heart caught in my throat when she slips on the first step. It’s an odd reaction, considering she’s not even my kid. I still hate the idea of any harm coming to her, no matter how small.
“Why don’t you take off your shoes?” Haley suggests.
“Okay, Mama.”
Maggie sits on the floor and removes her black Mary Janes before yanking off her socks. This time, when she climbs up the step ladder, she doesn’t slip, successfully reaching the mattress. She scoots toward the head of the bed, then whooshes down the slide with a look of pure joy on her face.
“This. Is. Awesome!”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I don’t just like it. I love it. It’s the bestest bed ever made.” She shifts her bright eyes toward her mother. “Can I put on my pajamas and play in my new bed?”
“Sure.” Haley looks around, probably for the suitcase I grabbed from her place earlier this morning.
“It’s all unpacked,” I tell her. “Pajamas are in the top drawer.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll let you have some privacy.” I retreat, closing the door behind me before heading across the hall, whistling for Monte to follow. I don’t waste any time in toeing out of my shoes and shrugging off my jacket. After ridding myself of my shirt and pants, I find a pair of gray sweatpants in the drawer and tug them on. I open another drawer and start to rummage through it for a t-shirt just when I notice a motion out of the corner of my eye.
I look up as Haley comes to an abrupt stop just over the threshold, her gaze wide and mouth agape.
“Sorry. I didn’t know… The door was open and?—”
“It’s okay.” I grab a t-shirt and yank it on. It doesn’t escape my notice that Haley watches me with rapt attention, her skin flushing. Thanks to her light complexion, it’s even more noticeable when she’s embarrassed.
Or turned on.
Based on past experience, it’s most likely the latter.
Or maybe I want it to be the latter.
“I’m not used to having other people in the house.” I laugh slightly to cut through the tension. “I’ll try to remember to close the door from now on.”
“Probably a good idea.”
“I’ll let you get changed,” I offer, although it’s the last thing I want, considering how stunning she looks in that dress.
“Hey, Beckham?” Haley calls out just as I’m about to slip into the hallway.
I pause, my eyes locking with hers.
She steps toward me. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for Maggie, but you don’t need to go overboard. We’re not your responsibility.”
“I just wanted to make the transition easier. Not only is she in a strange place, but she’s living with a strange person.” I shrug. “I saw your wish list and figured giving her the room of her dreams might make it easier on her.”
“But that’s the thing. It won’t make it easier on her. Not in the long run.”
“What do you mean?” I give her a quizzical look.
“In a matter of months, this marriage will end,” she whispers. “I’m just trying to manage her expectations so it’s not as hard on her.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t even think about it that way.”
“Because it’s not your responsibility to think about it that way. It’s mine. It won’t be easy on her when it ends. Not if you keep doing these sort of things for her. Things I may never be able to give her on my own. So please. Do what you can to soften the blow, so to speak.”
Exhaling a long sigh, I run my fingers through my hair. “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure to discuss anything involving Maggie with you going forward.”
“Thank you.”
I nod, then turn back around and head down the hallway, unable to shake the feeling she’s not just concerned about softening the blow for her daughter when it ends.
But also for herself.