Chapter Six
Judah enjoyed dinner. His fried catfish with turnip greens and mac and cheese hit the spot. The tea found the perfect balance of smoothness and sweetness, and the pecan pie for dessert melted in his mouth.
More than the food, however, was the company. They’d briefly had a tense moment earlier when she’d asked why he moved to Dogwood Creek. He could tell she’d wanted him to tell her and was disappointed, but she didn’t make an issue out of it.
The truth was, he wanted to tell her, but he couldn’t jump that hurdle. Nobody in Dogwood Creek except for Nancy knew, and she wouldn’t tell a soul. He preferred it that way. Or at least he had until earlier today.
He felt like a cad not telling Maegan. They’d entered this crazy scheme together, which should create a certain level of trust between them. If there was anyone in this town he could tell, she would be the one.
Maegan stared at him with her head tilted and eyes questioning. “Am I boring you with my yarn stories? Not everyone finds yarn as fascinating as I do.”
And now he felt even worse. “My mind drifted, I’m sorry. I never realized there are so many types of wool and breeds of sheep.”
“I’ll spare you more details for now.” She ate the last bite of her cherry pie and vanilla ice cream. “I wish I could say, I rarely get dessert, but that would be a lie. Of all the traits I could have inherited from my dad, I got his sweet tooth.”
“If all the desserts are as good as that pecan pie, I’ll be in trouble. I’m stuffed but still want another piece.”
“See, it’s hard to resist, isn’t it?” She laid her spoon on the plate and pushed it aside.
“Very hard.” He drank his coffee the waitress had brought with the pie. “Do you take more after your mom?”
“I’m a pretty even blend of my parents. I have my dad’s height and dark hair.
Mom is six inches shorter than me and has platinum blonde hair.
Dad is extremely outgoing, while Mom is more introverted, and I get that from her.
I love people, but my social battery drains quickly, and I need time alone to recharge.
They’re both hard workers, which I like to think I inherited. What about you?”
“I am my father’s son through and through, even in appearance. If you line up photos of my dad and me at the same ages, we’re nearly identical. Dad’s also in law enforcement and is the police chief for the town I grew up in on the outskirts of Charlotte. Guess the biggest difference between us?”
Maegan pursed her lips as she thought. “Your age?”
He rolled his eyes. “Not so obvious of one.”
“You like your steaks rare, and he likes them well done.”
“Good guess, but we both like them medium rare. Believe it or not, my dad hates coffee, can’t even stand the smell of it.”
Her eyes widened in mock horror. “You mean there are actually people in this world who don’t like coffee? I can’t understand that.”
“Right? How does one function without coffee?” Lifting the mug to his mouth, he drew in an exaggerated whiff. “When Mom got sick, Dad would make her coffee every morning and afternoon. He’d make a cup for himself also, though he would never drink it.”
“Why make one then?”
He choked on the rise of emotions in his throat.
“Mom would always tell him she wished he drank coffee or tea so they could sit on the porch and watch the sun rise together while sipping on their coffee. When the terminal diagnosis came, Dad did everything he could to fulfil all her wishes, and rain or shine, from that day forward, they started their day on the porch with a cup of coffee. Even the days she was too weak to walk, he would carry her out.”
Maegan wiped at her eyes. “That is incredibly sweet.”
“My parents loved each other wholly and deeply. They set an example of marriage for my sisters and me that sets the bar high.” He backtracked and clarified lest he sound self-righteous.
“I don’t mean that in a I-have-impossible-standards-that-no-one-will-ever-meet way, but an admiration of my parents. ”
“I understand. My parents have a similar marriage. They aren’t perfect, and we definitely witnessed an argument or two between them, but we also saw them apologize when they were wrong. They taught my brother and I healthy conflict resolution and the power of forgiveness.”
“Is your brother the only sibling you have? Older or younger?”
She nodded. “Only him. Drake is six years older than me, and he works for the National Park Service.”
“Are you close?”
“More so as adults, but he was my protector as a child. Because of our age, our friend circle never coincided, but he always had my back.”
That reminded him of his sisters growing up.
“I have two sisters, twins, who are three years younger than me. Becka is married, but Candace doesn’t always have the best taste in men.
When we were younger I would run off the bad eggs.
Now that we’re adults, I have to bite my tongue, but we recently celebrated their thirtieth birthday with a garden party.
Candace brought her new boyfriend, and he was such a jerk, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut by the end of the day.
She deserves infinitely better but sells herself short.
We all want the best for her, but if she doesn’t want it, what can we do? ”
“That’s hard. I’m sorry.”
“Becka is the only one who can sometimes get through to her lately. It’s been worse since Mom died.”
“That’s understandable.” Her liquid amber eyes reflected a deep compassion.
“I pray and leave it at God’s feet. That’s all I can do.”
The waitress swung by the table, asking if she could get them anything else. When they answered no, she left their check. Judah grabbed it then pulled enough bills from his wallet to cover their meal plus a generous tip, denying Maegan’s attempt to pay her share.
“Thank you,” she said, putting her wallet away.
“My pleasure.” His words were true. He’d not enjoyed an evening this much in months.
‘Do you work tomorrow?” Maegan asked.
He shook his head. “So far, I’ve been fortunate to work Monday through Friday, but I’ve only been here two weeks. What about you? I imagine Saturday’s are busier for the shop?”
“They are, but I have two part-time employees that will be there tomorrow. I make an effort to take off two Saturdays a month, so I don’t burn out.”
“Balance is great when you can find it. I struggled with that. There were weeks I’d put in sixty to seventy hours and not think twice.”
“Those hours will take you down quick. When I first opened the store, I’d easily put in seventy hours a week.
One day I came down with the flu, and my body was so worn out I couldn’t fight it.
Ended up in the hospital for a week.” Her face tightened in a grimace. “Needless to say, it was miserable.”
“Sounds it. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“Me too, but it wasn’t in vain. I cut back on my hours, hired help, and learned to take time for myself. How’d you break your cycle?”
He flinched. “That’s a long story.”
A flash of disappointment flickered in her eyes when he didn’t continue. “Maybe one day you can tell me.” She shifted her gaze to the door. “The aftergame crew is coming in. We should go and free up the table.”
If he hadn’t caught the reflection of the incoming crowd in the window, he’d be certain he upset her with his indirect refusal to share with her. He couldn’t blame her if she was. He wasn’t playing fair, and that ate at his conscience.
Outside, the temperature had dropped during the ninety minutes they’d been eating. The sun had set and streetlights turned on, casting an ethereal glow over the town. He was reluctant for the night to end. “If it’s not too cold for you, would you be up for a walk?”
Her mouth opened with an air of surprise. “Do you mind if we swing by my place to grab a jacket first?”
“Not at all.”
“I think I have one of Drake’s sweatshirts he left from his last visit if you’d like,” she offered.
“Thanks, but I’m good.” He’d worn a long sleeve t-shirt under his button down, and the dual layers provided plenty enough warmth for him.
They walked in silence across the street to her apartment/shop. He waited outside on the stairs while she went in and returned wearing an indigo denim jacket.
“Which way should we go?” he asked once they were back on the sidewalk.
“Let’s make a right. There’s always a group that lingers in the school parking lot after a game who gets loud and raucous.”
“One of the guys I work with mentioned they get called to the school every few weeks for that crowd.”
Maegan waved off the concern. “They’re harmless, and they’ve never bothered me, but that direction’s not the place to go if you want a peaceful stroll tonight.”
They walked toward the downtown area, the main intersection in town, falling again into a comfortable silence. Occasionally they would pass another person or group, who Maegan inevitably knew and would introduce them.
After introducing him to a local pastor, but not from the church she attended, she turned to him once they were alone again. “Was the walk a ploy for more people to see us?”
He chuckled. “No, but I wish I would have thought of that.”
“After that snow last week, I think people are glad to be outside, even if it is a bit chilly.”
“I don’t mind winter, but I love spring and summer.” He reached out and tapped her arm. “Can we stop for a minute?”
She turned to face him. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” He sucked in a long breath and let it out slowly. “You’ve asked me two questions today that I didn’t answer. I want to tell you now before I lose my nerve.”
“You’re not obligated. I promise I understand.” She nudged him with a smile. “We’ve only known each other twenty-four hours. You don’t have to share all your secrets.”
Her comments made him chuckle. “It feels like longer.”