Chapter Twelve
That evening, Maggie rode with Sarah to Harvey Farms to prepare for their impromptu snow party.
There were already several people bustling around inside the event barn, setting up tables, hooking up crockpots filled with various soups, and laying out a dessert table that would have one thinking the event had been planned for months rather than being a spur of the moment snow day gathering.
“Oh, there’s Bodie and my little darling.
Over here,” Sarah called to her husband who’d come in carrying Jeannie in a pink snow suit that exposed only her cherub face.
He didn’t make it very far as Janie B stopped him to chat.
“Janie B offered to stay inside with the little ones so parents could play. That is so nice of her, but don’t tell Rosie that I said that. ”
“My lips are sealed.” Maggie doubted she’d have reason to talk to Rosie unless the woman wanted to discuss the contest.
Sarah laughed. “I sure like you, Maggie.”
The feeling was mutual. Under normal life circumstances, they probably wouldn’t have been friends. Sarah was too pure, too nice, and too happy. Maggie was none of those things. Sometimes she couldn’t believe Sarah was even real, because was anyone really that nice?
“Too bad Janie B and Rosie had a falling out years ago. I don’t know exactly what happened other than that it involved Rosie’s first husband and must have been in the very early days.
Aunt Jean never mentioned it, but Claudia let it slip earlier that Janie B was once a Butterfly.
” Sarah’s expression turned completely puzzled.
“How did I never know that? And what happened that she’s not now?
Claudia shushed me when I asked because there were others around, but whatever happened, it’s time those two made up. ”
Walker’s babysitter and the apparent leader of the HoneyBs had once been a Butterfly? Interesting. Best Maggie could tell the women did not like each other. Or maybe it was just Rosie and Janie B that were at odds, and the other women had picked sides.
“I wish I could wave a magic snow wand to make things between them right again.” Sarah sighed, then perked right back up as Bodie and Jeannie joined them.
She kissed them. “While Jeannie is still bundled up, let’s play outside for a little while,” she told her husband, then turned back to Maggie.
“Come on. You’re going too. This is your first snowman building party.
You are going to build a snowman and have the time of your life. ”
Despite Maggie’s efforts to let the family have some playtime without her, Sarah wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Maggie followed Sarah’s lead and put on the heavy coat Sarah had lent her and her hat, scarf, and gloves.
Having the red scarf and hat on made her feel as if she was getting a warm hug.
Feeling silly, she followed her hostess outdoors.
Fat snowflakes were still falling, adding to the white ground cover.
More people had arrived, hauling ATVs, sleds, and carrying dishes for the potluck.
Between her job at the farm and her time with Sarah, Maggie recognized most everyone, saying hi back as they greeted her.
Not since her military days had she felt as if she belonged somewhere, but at that moment, she did.
Perhaps Pine Hill wouldn’t have if the truth were broadcast. But even if it were, she suspected they would forgive her in ways she hadn’t forgiven herself.
If she knew that the crash hadn’t been her fault, maybe then she could let go of the weight she’d held from the moment she’d awakened to the nightmare that plagued her.
“Let’s get this snow on the road.” Sarah pulled her coat tighter to her. “By the way, I really do love your scarf and hat. That red color is so you.”
Sometimes Maggie would swear that Sarah was a mind reader.
“I was just coming over to say the same thing.” Walker carried Zoie in a snow suit similar to what Jeannie was wearing to where only a small round portion of her face poked out. “Great scarf and hat, princess.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t elaborate as Sarah watched them with a happy smile.
Maggie could practically see the cupid hearts pulsating from her friend’s eyes. She’d talk to Sarah, make sure that she was under no misconception about Walker. Her hostess had smiled knowingly the entire drive back from the warehouse fire but hadn’t teased. Much.
“Hello, sweet girl,” she said to Zoie, her heart melting when the baby gave a toothy little smile, then her golden gaze that was so similar to her father’s went to where Jeannie was picking up a handful of snow, then tossing it into the air in front of her.
“Walker,” Sarah greeted him. “Can you believe Maggie has never built a snowman?”
His brows lifted. “Never? Surely you built one at some point as a kid?”
Shaking her head, Maggie stared at them. Why were these people acting as if that were some type of tragedy? So what if none of her foster parents were into playing in the snow?
“Then you are in for a treat,” Walker promised. “Maybe I can convince her to have hot chocolate after Zoie experiences the snow for a bit. I don’t want to keep her out long, but I do want her to experience snow at her first snow party. Thanks for arranging sitters, Sarah.”
“Janie B volunteered. She’s such a jewel. Later, after Jeannie has played to her heart’s content, Bodie and I will have couple snow playtime, too.” Sarah got a dreamy look as she smiled at Bodie. “He builds a great snowman.”
Maggie had no doubt that if you asked Sarah, everything Bodie did was great.
Spotting Maybelle, Ruby, and a couple of others, Sarah waved, then hooked her arm with Bodie’s. “Jeannie, you’re Butterflies are here. Do you want to show them how adorable you are in your snowsuit?”
Always the apple of their eye, Jeannie nodded, and the trio headed toward the women.
“I wish I had Sarah’s energy,” Maggie said.
Unless she was sewing or holding Jeannie, Sarah was rarely still. She was always doing something at Hamilton House, baking, volunteering, or some other do-gooder deed.
Zoie’s face buried against his chest, Walker’s gaze followed where Sarah and her family went. “I was thinking I wished I had her kind of love.”
His words hit hard. Sarah’s kind of love?
Maggie swallowed, grateful that Walker hadn’t turned to look her way.
Even if he had, what did it matter what he saw on her face?
Someone who didn’t want a relationship could appreciate what Sarah and Bodie shared.
Prior to Pine Hill, Maggie hadn’t believed that kind of love existed.
She’d certainly never witnessed or felt it, not even with William.
Til death do you part didn’t seem such an impossibility in Pine Hill but was rather the norm.
Who knew such a place existed? That such a feeling existed?
After turning toward her, Walker cleared his throat. “Will you help me get a few pictures of me with Zoie? I want to document her first snow.”
“My first snowman is also Zoie’s?”
“Seems so.”
Maggie took Walker’s phone, pulled off one glove so she could more easily operate his camera app.
She took a few photos of him posing with Zoie, then of him placing his daughter in the snow and making her laugh while Maggie captured the moment.
Her heart squeezed at the preciousness of their interaction.
Zoie looked at Walker as if he was the greatest thing ever.
Maggie didn’t blame her. He just might be.
The thought made her think of what Sarah had said about Bodie.
Maggie’s heart beat so hard to where, looking at father and daughter interacting, she felt a little as if she were having an out of body experience.
She inhaled a deep breath, the cold air stinging her lungs, and hopefully pulling her back to reality.
Zoie picked up a fistful of snow and took a bite, making a shocked expression at the cold, then let part of the snow fall from her mouth. Walker laughed.
Maggie took more photos, thinking how adorable the little girl was and how handsome her father was and acutely aware that her being there with them, sharing in this moment was a complete anomaly.
She didn’t belong in this picture-perfect snow globe moment.
Only, with the warm way Walker looked at her, he made her feel as if she was right where she should be.
Pine Hill was like some type of Twilight Zone where everything seemed bright and rosy and perhaps one’s past didn’t matter so much.
“Your turn.” Walker got his phone from her while Zoie was still inspecting the big snowflakes falling, trying to catch them with her snow suit glove-covered little hands.
Despite her previous thoughts, having him take her photo had her backtracking. Maggie shook her head. “There’s no need for photos. This isn’t my first snow.”
“Humor me, Maggie.” His eyes met hers, held hers, warm, friendly, and so much more. “It’s your first snow with me.”
Her breath caught. It was so easy to get tangled up in the way Walker looked at her. So easy to push aside the past and that there was much he didn’t know; that he would never know. She’d be leaving. She shouldn’t even be playing in the snow with him and Zoie. She should stay away from them.
“This is likely my only snow with you. I’m not staying in Pine Hill, Walker.” Was her reminder for him or herself?
“You never know, princess. We may have several snows between now and whenever you decide to leave.”
“That decision isn’t mine to make.”
Walker’s brows furrowed. “Why not?”
She wasn’t at liberty to talk about her iSecure job. “I’m living at Hamilton House. I can’t stay indefinitely.”
“Just until you get back on your feet?” His honey eyes bore into her.
“Something like that.” That was what the Beds for Vets program was for.