Chapter Thirteen
Tyler smiled as he watched Owen’s interaction with his mother.
He’d held her tightly against his chest as if he feared she might drift away on the breeze, and Maggie clung to him as if she might not get another chance.
When they parted, Owen and Maggie continued to stare at one another as something silent and beautiful passed between them.
Peace washed over Owen’s handsome face as they exchanged words Tyler couldn’t hear.
Then, the duo simultaneously turned and locked their gazes on him.
He’d seen pictures of Maggie, of course, but they didn’t do her justice, and it amazed Tyler just how much mother and son looked alike.
They shared the same blond hair, midnight-blue eyes, pink cheeks, and gorgeous smile.
“Mom,” Owen said, “This is—”
“Tyler!” Maggie launched herself at him as she’d done with Owen. Opening his arms and wrapping her in a hug felt as natural as breathing. “I’m so happy to meet you.” She’d tucked her head under his chin, so her voice came out muffled.
“I’m happy to meet you too.” If things went south with his folks, at least he and Owen would have Maggie in their lives.
She pulled back, cupped Tyler’s face, and peered into his eyes. “I feel like I know you already. Owen talks about you all the time.”
“Mom,” Owen protested.
Maggie ignored him and continued talking to Tyler. “And there’s always a smile in his voice that I don’t hear when he talks about anyone else.”
“Mom,” Owen protested again.
Tyler looked over her head and smiled at Owen. “Is that so?”
Owen’s cheeks turned a shade of pink that had nothing to do with the rapidly dropping temperature. “Maybe.”
Maggie let out a tiny squeal of delight and clasped her own cheeks. “I’ve waited so long for this.”
A tall, slender woman in a dove-gray coat and a soft pink hat stepped around Maggie’s car and took in the scene with concern on her face. “Is everything all right, Maggie?” she called out. “I thought I heard a noise, and then I found your car abandoned.”
Maggie whipped around to face the newcomer. “Oh, hi, Stephanie. Yes, I’m great, but thank you so much for checking.” She placed her arm on Owen’s biceps and said, “This is my son, Owen, and his boyfriend, Tyler. They’re visiting for the weekend.”
Stephanie visibly relaxed and walked toward them.
She had long black hair and pale blue eyes.
Her glossy pink lips curved into a genuine smile as she extended her hand to Owen, then Tyler.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Owen.” Stephanie looked at Maggie and said, “Why didn’t you tell me he was coming? ”
Maggie averted her gaze, but not before Tyler noticed the rising color in her cheeks. “I didn’t want to jinx it.”
“Have you known my mom long?” Owen sounded more curious than concerned. There was no way he missed Maggie’s blush or the familiarity between the ladies.
Stephanie shoved both hands in her pockets, but Tyler couldn’t tell if she was cold or uncomfortable.
“Not really,” she said. “I moved into the apartment beside Maggie, and she’s been so kind to me.
Turns out that borrowing sugar isn’t just a plot point in books and movies.
” She grinned at Maggie, who giggled. Very interesting.
“A person can’t bake sugar cookies without it,” Maggie replied.
Stephanie smiled wryly and shook her head.
Another gust of wind whipped through the parking lot like a party crasher.
Stephanie sighed and said, “Where are my manners? It’s freezing outside, your son just arrived, and I’m rambling.
” She took a few steps backward and hooked her thumb over her shoulder.
“I should get going, anyway. I need to pick up some ingredients at the store for my next baking adventure.”
“What are you trying next?” Tyler asked, hoping to make her feel less awkward.
“Pecan pie,” Stephanie replied.
Maggie clutched both hands to her heart. “My favorite.”
Tyler suspected Stephanie already knew that. “Let us know if you need test subjects,” he said.
Stephanie shifted her gaze to the pretty, blushing blonde. “Really?”
“Of course,” Maggie replied, “but I know it will be wonderful.” She looked at Owen and Tyler before returning her attention to Stephanie. “If you don’t have plans for dinner tomorrow, I’d love for you to join us.”
Stephanie’s eyes widened, and her lips parted in surprise. “I can’t intrude again so soon. You were so kind to feed me yesterday.”
Tyler exchanged another look with Owen. Sharing a Thanksgiving meal together seemed significant.
“You won’t be intruding, right, boys?” Maggie asked.
“Right,” Tyler and Owen replied.
Stephanie smiled to showcase a pair of pretty dimples. “Okay. Text me what time I should be there and what you’d like me to bring.”
“Six o’clock for dinner, and just bring yourself,” Maggie replied.
“Okay. It was nice meeting you guys,” Stephanie told Tyler and Owen before turning around and walking forward.
“Likewise,” Tyler called out.
Owen was too busy studying his mother to respond. He waited until Stephanie was out of earshot, then said, “Your lady friend is smoking hot, Mom.”
Maggie’s eyes widened to saucers, and her mouth popped open in surprise. Owen chuckled at her reaction, and she playfully elbowed him in the ribs. “Hush now, and help me get the stuff out of my car.”
“I just got here and you’re already putting me to work,” Owen teased as he followed Maggie to her Subaru.
“Stop your fussing, or you’ll spoil your surprise.”
Owen lengthened his stride toward the vehicle. “You should’ve led with the surprise bit, Mom.”
Tyler laughed and followed behind the pair.
It seemed like they’d forgotten he was there for a moment, which he actually enjoyed.
It meant Owen was completely at ease with his mom because Tyler was as well.
If he’d gotten so much as a whiff of discomfort, Owen would’ve been making assurances instead of staring into the back of the Subaru.
He lifted a hand and scratched his temple before turning a concerned look at Maggie.
“You want me to help hide the body?” Owen asked. “Or is it bodies? That bag is huge.”
Tyler peered into the car and saw a supersized red duffel bag with heaving sides. He smiled when he recognized it because his mom had one of those too. His father made the same joke as Owen every year when she dragged it out of the storage area under the basement stairs.
Maggie snorted and nudged Owen again. “That’s a Christmas tree bag, brat.
Sandy bought a new pre-lit tree and decorations for the office and gave me the old stuff.
” She hooked her arm around Owen’s waist and leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I’ve always dreamed of giving you the kind of holiday I’ve seen in TV shows and movies.
I’ve got everything we need to trim the tree and decorate cookies.
” Tears shimmered in Maggie’s eyes, and she let out a sniffle when Owen hugged her tightly.
Locking his eyes on Tyler’s, Owen said, “This is already the best holiday I’ve ever had.”
Tyler winked and mouthed, “Mine too.”
“The absolute best,” Maggie agreed. She straightened and pulled away from Owen.
“This might take a few trips to get everything upstairs.” She leaned into the open hatch and pulled out a collapsible handcart with a basket on the top and a small shelf on the bottom.
It was about a fourth of the size of a regular grocery cart but still handy.
“I think we can get all the shopping bags in the basket and the heaviest box on the bottom of the cart. The rest of the boxes are bulky but not heavy.”
They helped Maggie load the handcart, and then Owen took one side of the Christmas tree bag, and Tyler took the other. Several people were in the lobby getting mail from their boxes when they walked in.
A balding man in a festive sweater vest took one look at the oversized bag and smiled at an elderly lady dressed in a pale blue velour tracksuit that matched the tint in her white hair. “Have you seen Dudley lately, Helen?”
“Not since Wednesday evening,” the woman replied.
“Ha ha ha, Pete,” Maggie said dryly.
Tyler leaned closer to Owen. “Who is Dudley, and why do they think he’s dead in this bag?”
“He’s the property manager,” Owen replied. “Mom went a round or two with him over the elevator.”
“Ahhh.”
Maggie jabbed the button to call the elevator to the lobby floor. “And I didn’t have to threaten violence.”
“Could’ve just carried it out without warning,” Pete said, falling in behind them.
“Wham!” Helen exclaimed. “Like a ninja.”
Maggie heaved a weary sigh while Tyler and Owen exchanged smiles. They’d met three people from the building so far, and all of them seemed fond of Maggie. Owen introduced himself to Pete and Helen, who greeted him graciously.
“Well, if I had killed Dudley,” Maggie continued, “I wouldn’t drag him back up to my apartment to stink up the place.”
“Fair point,” Pete said to Helen.
“Very practical,” the older woman agreed.
The four of them squeezed inside the elevator when it arrived, and they said goodbye to Helen on the second floor and Pete on the fourth.
Owen winked at Tyler, then turned to look at Maggie. “Helen and Pete didn’t seem to recognize my name, so apparently, you only talk about me to sexy brunettes you invite over for Thanksgiving dinner.”
Tyler leaned forward to gauge Maggie’s reaction, and her dramatic eye roll and flushed cheeks didn’t disappoint.
“We’re not a thing,” Maggie said. “She’s new to the area and doesn’t know a soul. I’m just being neighborly.” Maggie sniffed and brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. “Besides, she’s much too young for me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s at least thirty,” Owen told her.