Chapter Two
Maggie stepped into Timeless Treasures and was immediately enveloped by the bustling energy of the packed store. The air was filled with the soft hum of chatter and the faint scent of polished wood and old books. She waved at Vanna, who was managing the counter with her usual grace, before weaving her way through the crowded lobby to the small office space. There, she tucked her purse securely into the file cabinet, feeling the cool metal against her fingertips, and then returned to the lively main area, ready to dive into her duties.
Yet, her mind was elsewhere, entangled in the memory of Rafe Marshall. The mere thought of him, bare and glistening under the sunlight, made her cheeks flush as red as a ripe chili pepper. His body was a masterpiece of strength and allure—sculpted pecs, a flawless six-pack, and that tantalizing ‘V’ that led her imagination astray. She could barely suppress a sigh at the memory when—
“Maggie? You’re a million miles away,” Vanna’s voice cut through her reverie, accompanied by a knowing smile.
Leaning in conspiratorially, Maggie whispered, “I saw Rafe naked.”
Vanna’s eyes widened with a gasp of surprise. “How?”
Maggie recounted the tale, her voice low and filled with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. “When I was getting ready to leave Fred’s, he asked me to go to Rafe’s cabin and tell him he needed him. He couldn’t reach him on his phone. I didn’t want to go. You know how hot that man makes me, but when he didn’t answer the door, I walked around to his back deck, and he was in his pool swimming… naked.”
“Oh, my,” Vanna grinned, her eyes dancing with amusement.
“And that’s not all. He emerged from the pool, water cascading off his body like diamonds in the sunlight, walked up the steps, and picked up a towel right in front of me!”
“So, you got an eyeful,” Vanna laughed, her voice teasing.
“An eyeful and then some,” Maggie admitted, a dreamy look in her eyes. “My God, that man has a body to die for. Whew! I mean, I’ve seen him without a shirt before but…” She shook her head, trying to dislodge the vivid image. “I will never get that image out of my head. He is not lacking anywhere.”
Vanna burst into laughter. “I thought the same about Grady when I first saw him nude. My, oh my. That cowboy is amazing.” Vanna tilted her head with a playful smirk. “Cowboys are the best.”
“Yes. Yes, they are,” Maggie grinned, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “I’d better get back to work before I melt into a pool of water on the floor.”
“We’re busy today, but I’m not complaining,” Vanna remarked, her eyes moving around the bustling shop filled with aged treasures. Her voice carried a friendly lilt as she observed the lively activity within the shop’s walls.
“I’ll check with the folks in the dollhouse room,” Maggie replied, nodding toward the section where intricate miniature worlds beckoned with their meticulously crafted details and stories waiting to be discovered.
“Okay. Jackie had to run to the pharmacy, but she shouldn’t be much longer,” Vanna informed her.
“Well, I would’ve been back sooner if I hadn’t stopped by Rafe’s for Fred. I’m sorry,” Maggie admitted.
“Oh, Maggie, it’s fine,” Vanna assured warmly. “Besides, it made your day.”
“Probably going to make my night too,” Maggie grinned, the laughter between them soon rising in contagious mirth.
Maggie stepped into the room brimming with dollhouses. The atmosphere was enchanting: from the tiniest, meticulously crafted cottages to larger, elaborate mansions, each perched charmingly on tables, scattered gracefully on the floor, or arranged along wide, time-worn shelves. She lovingly caressed one of her favorites, running her fingers over its tiny, carved details. Even though Vanna generously offered her a discount, Maggie knew she couldn’t quite afford to own one, so she often retreated into this room to admire the miniatures and dream of the day she might have one of her very own.
Sometime later, while she was assisting a customer at the counter, the shop’s door opened and in walked Jackie Largent. Maggie grinned. She truly enjoyed working with Jackie. Having moved here just six months ago, Jackie, with her friendly manner, was not only a talented colleague but also very sweet and fit right in.
Jackie, who also split her time working part-time at the sheriff’s department was very popular with the customers at the shop. She was happily married and always seemed to be in a good mood.
“Hey, did you need any help?” Jackie asked.
“Not right now, but if you wouldn’t mind checking whether anyone needs assistance in the dollhouse room, I’d appreciate it,” Maggie responded.
Jackie’s smile spread as she replied, “Sure thing.”
Just as Maggie finished ringing up a customer, the door swung open once more, and Fred made his entrance. His presence brightened the room and drew an immediate smile from Maggie. Setting aside her tasks at the counter, she moved gracefully around to envelop him in a warm, affectionate hug.
“Didn’t I just see you?” she teased, her voice light and full of spark.
“I could always leave and come back tomorrow,” he countered with a playful wink that promised mischief.
Maggie laughed. “No. You’re here now. Let me show you around.”
“Alright,” Fred agreed, his tone matching her enthusiasm.
Taking the lead, Maggie guided him through the front of the store. She pointed out antique treasures with histories whispered through their timeworn surfaces, then directed him toward the quieter, more intimate back room.
“Jackie? This is my father-in-law, Fred Hancock. Fred, meet Jackie Largent,” Maggie introduced with a gentle nod, her hand gesturing toward Jackie who had paused in her tasks.
“Hello, Mr. Hancock. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Maggie speaks so highly of you,” Jackie said as she extended her hand, her eyes sparkling with genuine warmth.
“No need to call me Mr. Hancock. Fred is just fine, Jackie,” he replied with a gracious smile.
“I’d like that, Fred,” Jackie responded pleasantly. Then, spotting a small group of customers approaching, she added, “I see someone needs help. Have a nice day.”
“You too, honey,” Fred replied, his eyes lingering on Maggie with affectionate admiration. “She seems very nice.”
“She is. She works here three days and two days at the sheriff’s office answering the phones,” Maggie explained.
“Busy woman indeed,” Fred commented.
“Well, she’s here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and she’s off at the sheriff’s office on Tuesday and Thursday, at least, she gets a full week of work,” Maggie grinned.
“That’s true,” Fred replied, scanning the neat rows of antiques. “This is a lovely shop.”
“I’d introduce you to Vanna, but she’s with a customer now,” Maggie noted, her tone apologetic.
“No problem, honey. I can meet her another time. I don’t get into town much, but I’ll make sure to stop in again. I have to head to The Feed Store now. I’m running low on feed. Rafe mentioned he’d order more tomorrow, but I always like to get a few extra bags. You can never have too much, in my opinion. We can have lunch another day. Oh, do you happen to have any silver antique picture frames?” Fred asked.
“Of course. Let me show you. Follow me. Did Rafe make it to the house?” Maggie asked, her cheeks warming with recollections of recent, slightly cheeky moments involving Rafe in his natural, unabashed state.
“Yes, but I already took care of it. I just needed him to dig a hole for my rose bush,” Fred confessed with a light chuckle.
“Oh, Fred, you should have waited. You know Rafe would do anything for you,” Maggie teased.
“I know, but I’m not helpless. I figured he could do it quicker since he’s stronger and bigger,” Fred remarked, his tone half-proud, half-mischievous.
Bigger? Oh, he was definitely bigger than a lot of men. Maggie cleared her throat, trying to steer the conversation back to comfortable familiarity.
“Uh, yeah. He could have done it much quicker,” she said with a small, knowing smile.
“I hated bothering him on his day off anyway, so he headed back home. Probably to swim some more. I can’t decide which he loves more, swimming or horseback riding.” Fred grinned.
“Uh, yeah, I’m sure he loves time to relax on the weekends.” Maggie smiled. “Here are the frames we have.”
Fred looked over them, but didn’t seem to like any of them. “It’s not quite what I’m looking for. I had a photo of my wife in black and white. I took it to get it made in color.” Fred shook his head. “I’m sorry, honey, but none of these are what I’m looking for.”
“Let me show you a webpage we order from and if you see the one you’re looking for, we can order it, though I’m not sure what the price would be. Vanna takes care of all of that.”
“Okay. I’d like to look.”
“Come with me.” Maggie led him toward the counter. She walked behind it as Fred stood on the other side. She went through a few pages, then found the one she was looking for. She turned the screen toward Fred. “Anything here?”
She watched as Fred looked at the photos of frames, and she knew the second he saw one he liked.
“This is it.” He turned the screen around so Maggie could see it.
“I’m sure we can get this. I can call you when it comes in, if you’d like.”
“I’d love that. I’d better get going.” Planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I’ll see you soon, honey. Have a wonderful day and a relaxing one tomorrow.”
“You too, Fred. I’ll let you know when the frame gets here,” Maggie replied as she watched him wander out the door, nodding as he did.
As she resumed her work, Maggie sighed softly, her mind wandering back to that tantalizing image of Rafe.
“God, you need sex, Magdalena Lancaster,” she murmured under her breath, a blush coloring her cheeks as she got back into the rhythm of her busy day.
Later, after Vanna closed for the day, Maggie walked out the door and waited as Vanna locked the door. After bidding Vanna and Jackie goodbye, she made her way around the back of the building, climbed the metal stairs, unlocked her door, and entered her apartment.
She locked the door behind her, hung up her purse, then collapsed on the sofa. She was glad it was Saturday since tomorrow she could relax for the entire day. She wanted to be lazy. Though she wouldn’t mind going swimming with Rafe, she thought with a grin.
****
Rafe rode his horse through the west pasture, the golden sunlight beating down relentlessly on his shoulders. Every step the horse took sent soft puffs of dust into the air, yet Rafe loved the simple joy of being outdoors, never failing to put a smile on his face. Rocket burst across the field at full speed; the wind whipped through his mane as if the horse were flying.
Memories of last year’s fair race danced through Rafe’s mind. He remembered how Nate had somehow talked him into signing up, even though he still shook his head at the memory, he couldn’t help but recall how much fun it had been. The thrill of the run left him wondering if he might dare to race again this year, even if only for the sheer pleasure of it.
Despite his fleeting moments of freedom, Rafe’s responsibilities back at the ranch loomed large. Even with weekends off, the call to help was never far away; it wasn’t the first time he’d been summoned, and surely, it wouldn’t be the last. As he slowed his horse upon reaching the west pasture, Rafe dismounted to stroll through the tall grass, pausing now and then to check upon Fred’s horses. His livelihood depended on selling the registered Shires, large draft horses and he prided himself on the fine stock he maintained.
A frown clouded Rafe’s face as he thought about Junior’s mischief. Not only was it bad enough to steal horses, but Junior had the gall to take them from his own father. The dishonorable act of pilfering from such a wonderful man stung deeply.
“Money, plain and simple. I hope you rot in jail, Junior ,” Rafe muttered under his breath, the bitter words hanging in the air.
After ensuring everything was in order, Rafe looped the reins around the saddle. He ambled along the fence, certain that Rocket would follow close behind. As he halted to inspect a section of fencing, Rocket’s warm, gentle breath brushed against his neck. In that moment, the horse playfully snatched Rafe’s hat. Startled, Rafe turned in disbelief, only to see Rocket tilting his head with a spirited determination to keep the hat for himself.
“This is all just a big game for you, isn’t it?” Rafe chuckled, lunging his hand in a playful threat. But Rocket was quick, steadfastly refusing to relinquish possession of the hat. “You won’t get any apples when we get back,” Rafe teased, his tone mingling threat and laughter as the horse finally set the hat atop his head. Adjusting it with a resigned smile, Rafe glared playfully at Rocket. “You seriously need to stop taking my hat,” he chided, laughing as the horse bobbed his head in seemingly mock agreement. With a gentle nudge, Rocket came close to nuzzle Rafe’s shirt sleeve. “Yeah, buddy, I love you too. Let’s go home.”
Mounting Rocket again, Rafe gave a determined shove forward, and the duo trotted back toward the barn, their camaraderie evident in every stride.
Later that evening, with the oppressive heat lingering like a stubborn memory, Rafe sought relief in the cool water of his pool. He swam several laps, the cool embrace of the water a welcome antidote to the scorching day. As he swam toward the poolside steps, the distant rumble of thunder signaled that a refreshing rain might soon follow. Eager for the respite it promised, Rafe quickened his pace.
Climbing the steps, a grin spread across his face as he imagined Maggie’s surprised reaction upon catching him totally exposed. Never one to shy away from a woman, he relished the thought of flustering her for just a few precious minutes.
Grabbing a towel, he rubbed it over his damp hair and down his body. Entering his home, he was greeted by the sight of Booker, sprawling across the bed. With a swift, lighthearted jump, Booker jumped down as soon as Rafe stepped inside.
“Good thing you moved,” Rafe laughed as Booker’s bark filled the quiet room.
After quickly changing into sweatpants and a T-shirt, Rafe headed for the kitchen in search of something to eat. The day’s unyielding sun had drained his energy, leaving him weary but content, a reminder again of the relentless pace of life on the ranch, where every hour of daylight was a labor in the open.
Rafe sat at the counter, slowly savoring his sandwich while his thoughts drifted to Maggie. Her image had captivated him from the very first moment he laid eyes on her, but the gold band on her finger signaled that she was untouchable territory. He still couldn’t fathom why she had chosen to marry that jerk. In Rafe’s eyes, the man had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Every time Rafe looked at him, all he saw was a bully, and he had always despised bullies.
Rafe had put bullies in their place whenever they picked on others. In his view, there was no excuse for such behavior. Once Rafe stood up to the bullies on behalf of the other kids, the troublemakers typically left everyone alone. That was one of the reasons he loathed Junior. The other reason? Junior had married Maggie. Rafe wasn’t naive; he could sense that she wanted nothing to do with the man. Yet, whenever he broached the subject, Maggie would insist that everything was fine.
“That son of a bitch probably had her too terrified to say anything to anyone,” Rafe muttered under his breath.
After finishing the last bite of his sandwich, he cleaned up the kitchen, wiping down the counters and putting everything in its place. He then strolled into the living room, where he sank into the plush sofa and Booker jumped up beside him. Tomorrow was Sunday, and he longed for a day entirely to himself. Unless, of course, Maggie decided to stop by for a swim. A grin spread across Rafe’s face. Oh yeah, he could definitely go for that.
****
Monday morning, Maggie stepped into the shop with a lingering thought, wondering where the entire weekend had vanished. It felt as if time had slipped away inside these very walls. Hadn’t she just been here not long ago? With a heavy, resigned sigh, she made her way toward the office, her footsteps echoing softly on the polished floor as she prepared to tuck her purse into the filing cabinet. Just then, she heard the front door opening.
“Maggie?” a familiar voice called out.
Maggie walked to the front of the store, where her eyes met a familiar scene: Vanna and her fiancée, Grady Henderson, standing there. A genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
“Hi, Grady. Hi, Vanna,” she greeted, her tone friendly.
“Maggie, how are you this morning?” Grady inquired; his voice filled with a genuine interest.
“It’s too early to tell,” she replied, a playful smirk on her face. “Check in with me later.”
Grady chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.” He then shifted his attention to Vanna. “I’ll see you later, sweetheart. Have a wonderful day.” With that, he pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss, adjusted his hat with a quick touch, nodded at Maggie with a respectful smile, and strode out the door.
Maggie’s smile lingered as she watched Vanna, whose eyes were fixed wistfully on his retreating figure. Turning toward her friend, Vanna’s voice softened with wonder.
“How is it possible to love someone so completely?”
Maggie’s gaze fell, reflective and sincere. “I don’t know. I’ve never experienced love in that overwhelming way. It’s obvious how deeply you love him, and he seems utterly captivated by you.”
Vanna’s face lit up with an affectionate glow. “I know, and that’s precisely what makes it so incredible. I know he loves me.”
“Absolutely,” Maggie agreed. “Never doubt that. I’d give anything to find someone who loves me as intensely as Grady loves you.”
“Maybe it’s Rafe,” Vanna mused, her tone teasing yet thoughtful.
Maggie shook her head lightly, a small smile playing around her lips. “I highly doubt that. Rafe has never struck me as the settling-down type.”
Vanna laughed. “Have you forgotten how adamantly Grady was against the idea?”
“True, you’re right,” Maggie conceded with a soft sigh, “but in all the time I’ve known Rafe, he’s never made any move on me.”
“You were married, Maggie. Some men simply possess enough morals not to interfere with another man’s woman.”
“That’s true,” Maggie replied, her voice carrying both humor and regret. “Oh, did you happen to order that picture frame for Fred?”
“I did indeed,” Vanna confirmed with a nod. “It should arrive by tomorrow.”
“Excellent. Once it gets here, I’ll either call him or bring it along when I see him on Sunday.”
Vanna grinned mischievously, interjecting, “Have him get Rafe to pick it up. I’d love to get a glimpse of that man.”
“You’re terrible,” Maggie laughed, shaking her head. “You’re engaged to one incredibly attractive man.”
“Well, to put a twist on what Olivia says, I’m engaged; I ain’t dead,” Vanna shot back.
Maggie smiled warmly. “That’s true. I’ll contact Fred when the frame arrives, then take it from there. It might not be my weekend to visit, but I could always drop by. Fred is such a kind soul. Someone I care for deeply, like a father.”
“You miss your father, don’t you?” Vanna asked softly.
Maggie nodded, her eyes reflecting distant memories. “After Mom died, we only had each other, and I know he resented that I married Frederick just to save his home. I resented it too, but I was happy to help my father out.”
Vanna’s voice took on a gentle, empathetic tone. “I’m sure you were. He just couldn’t bear that you sacrificed so much for him. No one really knows what they would have done in your place, but even when I didn’t know you as I do now, I know how deeply you loved your dad. Never let that burden bring you down, Maggie.”
“I won’t,” Maggie promised softly. “Rafe once asked me why I would ever marry a man like Frederick, but I never explained my reasons.”
“Perhaps you should,” Vanna suggested. “It might serve as a wonderful conversation starter.”
“That’s true,” Maggie admitted with a rueful smile, “but I get so flustered around him. That man makes me feel scorching hot.”
“Maggie, you really need to talk to him. If it doesn’t work out, then it simply wasn’t meant to be. I’ve never seen you shy away from standing up to others, yet with Rafe, you barely open your mouth. How will you ever know what might happen if you don’t take a chance?”
Before Maggie could muster a reply, the store’s door swung open once again, ushering in a small group of customers. She exchanged a conspiratorial glance with Vanna and shrugged, causing her friend to smile knowingly.
“You’re not going to slip away from this conversation. We’ll pick it up later,” Vanna declared.
“Damn,” Maggie muttered under her breath, eliciting a burst of laughter from Vanna.
As the day wore on and the shop filled with the murmur of customers, Maggie’s mind betrayed her with thoughts of Rafe. She imagined him at the ranch, running it with an unyielding, iron-fisted discipline, never allowing even a hint of laziness. Fred’s frequent praises of Rafe’s hard work echoed in her thoughts, his descriptions painting a vivid picture of toned muscles honed by relentless labor, not by gym routines, but by the day-to-day grind. The memory of that chiseled six-pack stayed with her, a vision that would persist no matter how many years passed.
Later that night, as Maggie settled onto the worn sofa in her apartment and flicked through the TV channels, Rafe’s image refused to fade from her consciousness. Was Vanna right? Should she muster the courage to speak with him and explore this uncharted territory? Anxiety mixed with anticipation gripped her. What if he simply didn’t want to engage with her?
“Oh, my God,” she whispered to herself, a tremor in her voice, “you’re going to drive yourself insane over the man.”
Rising abruptly, Maggie resolved to distract herself. She prepared a long, steaming bath, the kind filled with fragrant bubbles and hints of lavender, hoping its warmth might scrub Rafe from her thoughts. She had never felt so intensely drawn to a man before. Sure, she had known love in the past, but nothing had ever consumed her so completely as this wild, overwhelming passion for Rafe. It thrilled and terrified her in equal measure. The idea of making a move, only to be met with rejection, loomed over her like a dark cloud, one that might shatter any chance of ever facing him again.
Torn between two futures, Maggie realized she was at a crossroads. She could either try to forget Rafe Marshall and move on with her orderly life, or she could risk it all and see where fate might lead. Neither option seemed particularly inviting, and for now, the decision weighed on her like a secret kept too long in the depths of her heart.