Chapter 2 MAGGIE
MAGGIE
I’m well aware that my cheeks are on fire when I push through the doors of the kitchen. The staff there are all laughing at me.
“Phone for you,” Sally, our head cook, says, nodding at the wall where our phone hangs.
“Already,” I mumble, slapping Shep and his friend’s orders on the table next to Sally. Who grins wide as she picks it up. I glare at her, but all that does is make her laugh more.
Veering away from her, I stalk to the phone and put it to my ear, already knowing who is on the other end. “I see the village gossip train is alive and well,” I state.
Kate’s laughter makes me smile. “Sooo, anything you want to tell your best friend?”
“Nope.”
“Are you sure? I hear you made quite an impression on a certain man.”
My cheeks flush with the remembered kiss he’d laid on me. If I hadn’t been so shocked, I might have enjoyed it more.
“He kissed me, Katie. Didn’t even ask, just laid one on me. So, I slapped him.” I start to laugh and splutter, “it was pure reflex.”
Katie’s laughter joins mine. When I’ve got myself under control, I tell her, “I also beaned him with a wooden spoon.”
There’s stunned silence on the other side, then she’s off again. I sag against the wall and wait my friend out.
“Are you quite finished?” I ask as her laughter dies down.
“I’m not sure,” she admits. “This has made my day. And I’m sure he deserved it but more importantly did you like the kiss?”
I’m silent as I think back. The warmth of his lips on mine, the little flutter in my belly before reflex had taken over.
His wide grin, mischievous eyes, and the pure possessiveness and conviction when he told me I was his.
The man was dangerous to my sanity. Not only was he gorgeous and self-assured, I had no doubt that he was vastly more experienced than me.
I knew who he was from Katie. His full name was Robert Davies, but he was known by his brothers as Hound Dog, which had been shortened to Dog over the years, but I knew why he’d got the name.
“Maggie?” Katie’s soft voice in my ear brought me back to the bustling kitchen.
“I did,” I admit. “But I also know the man is way out of my league.”
“That’s not true,” Katie instantly responds. “You’re gorgeous, kind and the best friend a person could want.”
My heart swells with love for my friend.
Katie and I’d grown up three hours from here.
We both came from families that, while they weren’t bad, there were too many mouths to feed, and we were encouraged to leave home as soon as possible.
Katie was a little older than me and had left home just over a year ago, got a job in the village and had met Shep on one of his leaves.
They’d hit it off and had been married within a month.
I’d since found out that his family owned most of the businesses in this village.
When he’d left again to go back to barracks and Katie had rattled around in the massive mansion, his family owned.
She’d asked if I could move in and, with his permission, I’d done that and got a job at the café as a waitress come cook when Sally needed time off.
The two of us had been happy spending time together.
She’d been a constant in my life since I’d been born.
We’d lived next door to each other, and I considered her more sister than friend.
I was well aware that Shep had friends that lived permanently at the manor, but so far, I’d only met Roman and Jones. This was the first time I’d met Gunny, Thor, and Dog.
“Thank you, Katie. I owe you so much.”
“Pfft, you owe me nothing. You’re my best friend. I love having you with me. Seriously though, if you want me to get Dog to back off, I’ll speak to Shep.”
“No,” I murmured, turning my back to the kitchen so that I got a semblance of privacy. “Don’t do that. It will be okay.”
“Okay, but if you’re uncomfortable you just have to say the word.”
Soft laughter spills from me. “Oh, I’m uncomfortable but not in the way you mean.”
“Hah, I knew it,” Katie squeals. “You like him.”
“I’m not sure like is the word I’d use. You have seen the man, haven’t you? He’s dreamy.”
“Dreamy,” Katie snickers. “Well, you can dream about him next door to you tonight.”
“What!”
“The wing you’re in is Dog’s wing.”
“Ugh,” I grumble. “Now you tell me. I may have to move.”
“As long as it’s not to my wing, I haven’t seen Shep for weeks.”
“Ew, I don’t need that visual thank you, and I certainly don’t want to hear you banging your man. I’ll stay where I am.”
“Maybe you can do some banging of your own,” Katie cackles and then sobers. “I know I’m teasing but if you need to move into our wing, you know you can.”
“Maybe,” I hum, turning back to the kitchen when Sally hits the bell, letting me know their order is ready. “I’ve got to get back to work. I’ll see you at home.”
“Okay,” Katie agrees, though there’s something in her tone that has me asking.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just don’t let your insecurities get in the way of what could be your happy ever after.”
“You just want me to live with you forever,” I tease.
“I do,” she admits. “Selfish of me I know but I’d love if we had our babies and they grew up together then I’d never not have you in my life. We may not be blood sisters but you’re my sister in every other way. More so than my own.”
“Oh, Katie. We don’t need blood or me living in your pocket to make us family.”
“I know,” she admits. “But I enjoy having you live with me. We’ve been in each other’s pockets for twenty years. I’d like for it to continue until we’re old and grey.”
“Katie, are you expecting?”
She sighs, “No, but with the way we go at it I doubt it will be long.”
She’s not wrong. Shep and she can’t keep their hands off each other when they’re together. Makes me happy for her, and as I’m not one to lie to myself, it makes me a little envious.
“Maggie,” Sally calls out, and I know my time is up.
“I’ve got to go Katie. I’ll see you tonight. We’ll see if Dog can stop pissing me off long enough for me to get to know him.”
I put the phone down because I know my friend, and she’ll keep talking if I don’t.
Washing my hands, I dry them off and then walk towards the warmer and scoop up the four plates, apologising to Sally, “Sorry Sally.”
She waves me off. “No worries, lass.”
Pushing back through the doors, my eyes dart to the man who in the space of half an hour tilted my world on its axis. His eyes meet mine and hold as I walk towards them to deliver their food.
They all thank me when I place their plates on the table, including Dog, who seems to be on his best behaviour.
I wonder if Shep said something. I ignore the twinge of disappointment in my chest that he may not like me for his friend.
The red mark on Dog’s forehead from the wooden spoon I’d thrown fills me with guilt.
I hadn’t realised I’d hit him that hard.
Leaving them their food, I go to the serving counter where I fill a bag with ice and wrap it in a towel.
Walking back to their table, I hand it to Dog. Who takes it with a look of surprise.
I motion towards his forehead. “For your head.”
His eyes soften, and he smiles. In that moment, I see behind the facade of a bold, unapologetic, larger-than-life man to the one hidden behind the mask. “Thank you, gorgeous.”
Turning to Shep, I say, “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
“No worries, Maggie, take your time. We’re waiting for Katie to finish work and we’ll all go home together.”
I nod and leave them to their meals. I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved when I go back to clean up and all Dog does is thank me.
I’m so confused. He’d gone from smoking hot to cold. Maybe he’d changed his mind? He wouldn’t be the first.