39. Maggie #2
I turned to find a couple in their seventies standing on the opposite side of the table. The woman adjusted her glasses as she peered into the pot. Considering the inside of the lid was dotted in condensation, I doubted she could see much.
“Maggie, these are my grandparents,” Luke said, standing.
“Connie,” the woman said. She hiked a thumb over her shoulder. “And this is my husband, Dale.”
“It’s great to meet you both.” I forced a smile, hoping if a blush crept up my neck I could blame the steam from the crockpot.
These were the same grandparents, I assumed, that owned The Farm.
The same farm where Luke illegally aided and abetted in burning my wedding dress, and ate me out on blanket-covered hay bales.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Maggie,” Connie said.
“You have?” I squeaked.
“Opal can’t shut up about you,” Dale added. “Luke even says nice things on occasion.”
“I didn’t know he knew how to say nice things,” I teased.
“Funny,” Luke deadpanned.
“Are you still in town long, dear?” Connie asked.
“A couple more weeks.”
“You should join us, then, for family dinner on Sunday.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense. We’d love to have you. Luke will fill you in on the details.”
My heart warmed at the invitation. I was going to miss the hell out of this little town. Not for the first time, I considered returning. But if what Kira said about her brother was true, coming back would just be cruel.
Enjoy right now. It’s all you get.
“Are there any more family members I should expect to meet today?” I asked when Connie and Dale slipped out the side gate.
Apparently, the general public was supposed to keep out until the judges went through, but I’d lost count of the number of violators.
“I wish you could’ve met my mom,” Luke said, offering me a sad smile. “I think she would’ve loved you.”
My heart ached for this man. I knew heartbreak from disappointment and failed relationships. And I missed my grandpa a lot. But I’d never known the kind of loss he dealt with every day.
“I wish I could’ve met her, too.”
Our gazes met and held for several seconds, the roar of conversations around us dulling.
You love him. Walter’s words battled Kira’s. Luke doesn’t do casual.
I fought the urge to launch myself at him. To wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. I wanted to comfort him. I wanted this moment to mean so much more than it ever could.
I wanted to be selfish.
I stepped closer, reaching for him.
“Did someone order apple cider?” Alyssa’s voice tore through the moment, like a rip in the bubble.
She offered up two glasses as Ellie raced around the table to greet us. She couldn’t seem to decide who she wanted pets from more. Alyssa’d been watching my pup, since the chili cookoff strictly forbade animals. But it was clear that was another rule the town ignored.
“Be warned, this is the spicy cider from the adult tent. It has a nice kick to it, so drink accordingly.”
I accepted one of the cups and sniffed. It hinted of cinnamon and heat.
Alyssa offered the second to Luke, but he declined. “I’m going to take Ellie to get a treat before the judges come by.”
His gaze lingered on me for several seconds, and I had to force myself to look at my cider cup so I wouldn’t stare after him like some lovesick puppy.
“You two are pathetically adorable. I hope you know that.”
I took a tentative sip to avoid responding. It tasted of warm apple pie mellowed by a kick of alcohol. “What’s in this?”
“Bourbon.” Alyssa smiled. “I got the good stuff because I have news to share.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve drafted a cease-and-desist letter I think you’ll find quite to your liking.
It should keep Monster-in-Law in check. If she wants to keep bothering you for money you aren’t going to pay her, you’re going to sue for damages to the dress.
Your seamstresses were all quite forthcoming in their evaluations.
We’ll mop the floor with her if we have to. ”
“But I”—I looked around, lowering my voice—“burned the dress.”
“You have pictures and video evidence of Luanne. That’s all we’ll need.
And, Magnolia, I truly don’t think it’ll come to that.
I’ve dealt with people like her a hundred times before.
As soon as you threaten to lawyer up, they back right off.
Especially when there’s a video of them trying on their ex-daughter-in-law’s dress. ”
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said, warmth spreading in my chest. It might be the bourbon, but I suspected it had a whole lot more to do with making my first true female friend who wasn’t my sister in thirty-four years.
“I know,” Alyssa said, helping herself to the second cup. “But I wanted to.”
I appreciated it more than I could put into words, which was just as well. Alyssa didn’t like sappy, emotional displays of gratitude. So instead, I asked, “Have you heard any more about Thoren?”
Alyssa tipped her cup up, emptying the contents. “He’s not coming home after all.”
“What do you mean?”
“He bought an RV. Apparently, he’s planning to live out of it while he travels around the country.
” She shook her head. “I should’ve known he wouldn’t come back.
Ever since his brother was killed, he’s hated this place.
It’d take a tragedy for him to move home.
” She let out a sigh, forcing a smile as a gaggle of people approached the front gate—judges, I assumed. “It’s time for me to move on.”
“You okay?”
“I will be,” she said. “But you have to promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“If this thing with Luke is real, don’t let something stupid like distance ruin it.”