Chapter 36
Josh sucked in his breath. Had Zoey really just announced that in front of his entire family?
Everyone at the table froze in place.
A seagull cried out.
A breeze stirred the wind chimes.
He studied the seashell design on the tablecloth as if it held a secret code that would reveal the date and time of the rapture.
Speaking of raptures, now would be good.
Erin leaned forward. “Um, Owen, honey, why don’t you take your sister and cousin inside to play.”
“Aww... it was just getting good.”
Erin shot him a Do it right now look.
The boy stood, reluctance in his sluggish movements. “Come on, guys, let’s go inside. I’m just dying to see Zoey’s new Barbie
doll.”
Once the three of them disappeared through the French doors, silence prevailed for a solid century. So much for breaking the
news to his parents. And when had Zoey seen them kissing anyway? They’d been so careful. Josh dared to look up.
Dad’s frown spread. He glanced from Maggie to Josh. “What’s going on here?”
“A lot’s happened this summer,” Josh said. “We were going to talk to you about it after everyone left.”
Mom covered her mouth. “It’s true then?”
“You know,” Patrick said, “in biblical days it was customary when a man died for his brother—” A thump sounded beneath the
table and Patrick winced. “Uh, never mind.”
Dad threw his napkin on his plate. His jaw muscles twitched. His eyes bored a hole straight through Josh. “How long has this
been going on?”
Josh frowned at the implication. “What are you trying to say, Dad?”
“I’m not saying anything. I’m just asking a question.”
Mom set her hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Honey...”
“It’s a reasonable question.” Dad shot Maggie an accusing look. “Is that what this summer has really been about? Being close
to our son. Our other son?”
“Leave her alone, Dad.” Every muscle in Josh’s body strained against patience. “We’ve been seeing each other for all of two
weeks, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Mom’s expression softened. “He didn’t mean—”
“I know what he meant.”
Maggie leaned forward. A mottled flush climbed her neck. “Brad, Becky... I know this must come as a surprise. It caught
me by surprise too. Josh and I have been the best of friends for so long. He’s always been there for me—you all have.”
“What would Ethan think?” Dad asked Josh. “She’s your sister-in-law.”
“She was my sister-in-law.”
“That’s right, because your brother’s dead now.”
“Bradley!”
“And somehow, when he asked you to take care of Maggie, I don’t think this is what he had in mind.”
Maggie’s gaze flew to Josh.
Because yes, when Ethan had enlisted he had made that request. “He asked all of us to look out for her. And we have. We would’ve
done that even if he hadn’t asked.”
Maggie took his mom’s hand, her eyes shining with tears. “You guys have been the best. I couldn’t have gotten through these
past five years without you. Without all of you. You’re my family. I never expected my feelings for Josh to shift... but somehow that’s exactly what happened.”
She squeezed Mom’s hand. “I will always love Ethan. He was my high school sweetheart, my husband, the father of my child.
But it’s been five years and I’m... I’m lonely. It’s time for me to move on. And I know that must be so hard for you.”
“That’s not the problem, Maggie.” Josh pinned his dad with an unswerving look. “The problem is that I’m not good enough to
step into Ethan’s shoes.”
“Josh!” Mom said. “That’s not true.”
“Maybe not for you, Mom.”
“Oh, honey!”
Dad returned his glare.
His silence was crushing. Maybe Josh had thrown that out there hoping for a denial. Apparently he wasn’t getting one. He had
to get out of here. He didn’t even want to breathe the same air as his dad. Not for another second. “I should go.”
Dad leaned forward. “You just had to drop this on us the second we got home? Days before the fifth anniversary of your brother’s
death?”
Josh’s chair gave a loud squawk as he bolted to his feet. “That’s my cue.”
Mom popped to her feet. “Oh, Josh, stay, and let’s talk this out. Don’t leave like this. We just need some time to get used to the idea. This is a shock. We never—”
“I think we all need time to cool down, Mom.” He worked hard to level his voice. “I’m sorry to have ruined your homecoming
party. We didn’t want it to happen like this, but—” His gaze flicked to Maggie.
She swiped her cheek as she stood. “I’ll explain later after I walk you out.”
Josh beat a hasty path to the door. He needed air. He needed space to breathe. He needed to feel like he was good enough in
his father’s eyes.
But it didn’t appear that would ever happen.
***
Maggie didn’t catch up with Josh until she reached the stoop. She closed the door behind her. When he turned to face her,
she threw her arms around him and pulled him close. He stood stiff and unresponsive. His muscles were taut, his body was overly
warm, and he was shaking.
The scene had been awful on multiple levels. But worst of all was the hurtful blow his dad delivered with his silence. Why
hadn’t Brad refuted the statement? She tightened her arms around Josh, wanting to shield him from his father’s response—or
lack thereof. But it was too late. All she could do now was offer comfort.
Finally Josh’s arms came around her. He set his cheek against hers. His breaths were slowing. “I’m sorry to leave you with
them like this. I’ll go back inside if you want me to.”
He was thinking of her . She stroked his back in long, gentle sweeps. “No. I’ll be fine. Josh, I wish you could just step inside my mind and know how much I respect and adore you. You’re the best man I know. You’re kind and selfless and sweet and strong and funny.” She drew back so she could look him in the eyes. The defeat on his face started a dull ache in the center of her chest. “Your parents love you. You must know that.”
“Of course they do.”
Her husband might have been the golden child—the siblings had often joked about it—but Josh was the unsung hero. He had been
by her side every time she needed him. He picked her up when she was a puddle on the kitchen floor. He held her as she wept.
Walked the floor with a colicky Zoey when Maggie was exhausted. He was always just a phone call away.
And this summer had only drawn them closer. It only took an open confession from Josh. A shift in her thinking. Permission
to open her heart. Once those pieces were in place, the inevitable had happened.
She’d fallen totally and irrevocably in love with Josh Reynolds.
She hadn’t even realized until she’d watched him shrink under his father’s silent glare. Maggie had always loved Josh. But
now she was in love with him. How could such a tiny word make such an enormous difference?
“I just don’t measure up to Ethan.” His flat acceptance of the statement made her want to weep. “I never have.”
Her heart cracked. She pinned him with a stare. “If you don’t measure up, then why have I fallen head over heels for you?
Huh, Josh? Answer me that.”
He blinked. His gaze drifted over her face as if measuring her sincerity.
“Yeah, that’s right. I said it.” And maybe she’d live to regret it. But God help her, it was the truth and he needed to know
it.
The muscles in his face seemed to loosen one at a time. Finally he exhaled, the tension leaving his body. “Say it again.”
She cupped his face and fell into his hope-filled eyes. “I’m in love with you, Josh Reynolds.”
“Oh, Maggie.” He closed the distance between them. Brushed her mouth with his in the sweetest, softest touch imaginable. He
touched her, kissed her like she was precious.
She wanted to melt right into him. Wanted to absorb his pain and heal his wounds and assure him that he was everything she
knew him to be. She told him with her kiss.
A long moment later he drew away until his breath was just a whisper on her lips. “I love you too, Maggie.”
A short while later Maggie said good-bye to Josh and slipped back into the house. She stopped in the foyer to catch her breath.
Gather her thoughts. She needed a second to process that she and Josh had just professed their feelings.
He loves me.
She palmed her chest. The hope and happiness in Josh’s expression heartened her. She clung to the image even as she steeled
herself for an uncomfortable evening. She was a houseguest in enemy territory—or so it felt. Time to face the foe.
Erin and Becky fell silent as she entered the living room. Her mother-in-law’s eyes were bloodshot, her mascara smudged.
Guilt gave a good hard pinch. “Where’s Brad?”
“He and the others went for a walk on the beach.” Becky gave her a pained look. “Is Josh okay?”
“He’ll be fine.”
“Sit down, Maggie. Please.”
“I’m gonna go relax on the deck.” Erin squeezed Maggie’s arm as she passed.
Maggie took a seat catty-corner to the sofa and met Becky’s gaze. “I’m truly sorry you and Brad were ambushed like that. That’s
not the way we wanted you to find out.”
“Erin already let us know about your mom calling her and the, uh, implications of that.”
Maggie’s face tingled with heat. Sometimes it seemed as if her mother ruined everything. “As you know, she can be... unreasonable.”
“You don’t have to say another word. I apologize for my reaction, sweetheart. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so caught off guard.
You and Josh have always been so close. But in my mind... you’re still Ethan’s wife.” Her voice trembled on the last two
words.
“You don’t have to apologize for being surprised. Honestly, if you’d told me at the beginning of the summer I’d be feeling
the way I do—I think I would’ve been just as shocked.”
“I’m sorry about Brad. He overreacted. He—he does that sometimes. You know that. The anniversary has been heavy on our minds
these past few weeks. The sense of grief and loss—it just seems never-ending. Those things that came out of his mouth were
just a reflection of his pain. I know that’s no excuse.”
No, it wasn’t. “Josh is really hurt.”
Becky’s eyes teared up. Her lips trembled. “He does love that boy. They might not have much in common, but he’s always loved
both his sons equally.”
Maggie gave a strained smile. “That’s a conversation for the two of them.”
“Yes, of course. And when Brad calms down he’ll certainly have it.”
That was good. They needed to clear the air. Josh needed to feel his dad’s love and approval. Hopefully Brad could verbalize his feelings in a way that would set Josh’s mind at ease.
Until then, maybe Maggie should clear out of Seabrook. She didn’t relish the idea of going back home. Hated the thought of
being separated from Josh sooner than necessary. But her presence would be a constant reminder of the problem, and she didn’t
feel like walking on eggshells for the next week and a half. Or subjecting Zoey to that kind of tension.
She turned to Becky. “Maybe Zoey and I should head home a little early. I don’t want to make you and Brad uncomfortable in
your own home.”
Becky grabbed Maggie’s hand. “Oh, honey, please don’t do that. You are always welcome here and we’ve so looked forward to
time with Zoey. Brad will apologize to Josh. He’s already regretting his behavior—take it from a woman who’s known him forty
years. He’ll make this right.” Becky tilted her head, eyes glazing over again. “Can I just ask—can you give us a little time
to catch up here? You’ve been ‘Ethan’s wife’ to us for a long time. We didn’t see this coming and—just a little time. Please,
honey.”
It was a reasonable request. It even sounded as if Becky might eventually come to terms with their new relationship. But what
about Brad? “Of course.”
“Thank you. And you’ll stay?”
It might be a bit uncomfortable, but Maggie wouldn’t deprive them or Zoey of their time together. “We’ll stay.”