“To find you a woman.” And, she added mentally, time was running out for them. He would be gone soon, with Bobby and…
“Is that what’s got you so upset?” he asked incredulously, drawing back to look at her. Feeling she’d start crying again, Maggy simply nodded her head.
“Oh Mags,” Cody said with a laugh, drawing her closer to him. “You’re sweet, did you know that?” She pushed away from him, knowing that she had to put some distance between them, now, if only to protect her heart.
“I’ve let you down, Cody,” she said softly, dropping her gaze to Bobby who was sleeping peacefully in her arms, blissfully unaware of what was going on.
“Oh Mags.” Cody sighed heavily. “You haven’t let me down, and you’ve got nothing to be sorry about.”
“Yes, I do,” she admitted dully, not daring to look at him. How could she tell him she was sorry she’d fallen in love with him when she wasn’t sorry at all? Cody was the best thing that had ever happened to her. “Cody—I—I deliberately found fault with all those wom—”
“I know,” Cody interrupted, his voice slightly amused.
“You knew?” she repeated blankly. “You knew I found fault with all those women?”
“I sure did,” Cody said, throwing back his head and laughing at the look on her face.
“Shh,” she cautioned, clamping one hand down over his mouth so he wouldn’t wake Bobby. He kissed the palm of her hand softly, before pulling it away from his mouth.
“I guess I had an inkling that day at the theatrical agency. The day we ran into that pretty little blonde. What was her name?”
“Prissy Priscilla,” Maggy said glumly, remembering the woman all too well.
“Prissy Priscilla,” he said, raising his brows and looking as though he wondered where on earth Maggy had picked up the name. “I kind of figured it out when you told me her…mmm…nose was all wrong.” His voice was full of humor and despite herself Maggy smiled weakly.
“I guess that wasn’t too sensible,” she grumbled, feeling a tad embarrassed.
“Not too logical or rational, either,” he added gleefully, lifting his thumb to rub it slowly over her lips. “But I did think it was kind of cute. The way you hustled me out of that office, Mags. Your feet were moving so fast I thought the friction would set the carpet on fire.” He chuckled softly, and Maggy’s face turned crimson. She was grateful for the darkness, but she had a feeling Cody knew she was blushing to the tips of her ears.
“You’re not mad?” she asked hesitantly.
“Does this face look mad?” he asked, cocking his head and giving her a wicked smile.
She looked at him for a long moment, her eyes going over every one of his handsome features. “No,” she said softly. His face didn’t look mad, in fact it looked wonderful. A clap of thunder boomed through the house, startling her. She held her breath as Bobby moaned softly. Maggy dropped a hand to smooth Bobby’s hair, wanting to touch him, to have him feel safe and secure and know she was there. Squirming, Bobby whimpered softly, stuffed his thumb in his mouth, then settled himself more comfortably in her arms. She let her breath out slowly.
“Shh, Sport,” Maggy whispered, gently rocking the child in her arms.
“You love him, don’t you?” Cody asked, stroking her cheek gently.
“Yes.” Maggy couldn’t bring herself to look at Cody, fearing she’d start crying again. “I love him very much,” she whispered. And I love you, too. Oh, Cody.
“He loves you, too, Mags,” Cody said, his voice husky. “You know, honey, you’ve given that boy something his own mother never gave him.” Cody paused to drop a soft kiss on her lips. “You’ve given him attention and affection. You’re more of a mother than the woman who bore him. Mags, you’ve been wonderful with him. And,” he added, looking deeply into her eyes, “you’ve been wonderful to me.”
Maggy shook her head. His words only added to her pain. “No, I haven’t, Cody. I promised to help you, and I haven’t. You’ve only got two days left to find someone.” Maggy sniffled and tried to wipe her nose. “You kept your part of the bargain. You taught me to have fun. I’m afraid I didn’t keep mine, though.”
“Come on, Mags,” Cody said, patting her back and trying to reassure her. “It’s not the end of the world.” Cody threaded his hands through her hair and lifted her head so that she was forced to look at him.
“But, Cody, what about a woman? What about Bobby’s scholarship and the award cere—?” He pressed a thumb to her lips to stop her.
“Mags, Mags, Mags,” he said softly, shaking his head. “Now you’ve got enough things to worry about. Didn’t you tell me you had a big shindig at school tomorrow night?”
Maggy groaned. Oh Lord, she had forgotten about Miss Barklay’s faculty tea! The way she felt right now, she didn’t care if she ever saw Miss Barklay or a cup of tea again.
“Yes, but Cody, what about—?” He pressed his lips to hers to silence her.
“You let me worry about things. Come on now, off to bed with you,” he said abruptly, taking Bobby from her arms and helping her to her feet. He didn’t give her a chance to protest. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your room, but only if you promise not to cry anymore, and,” he added significantly, planting a kiss on her forehead, “if you promise not to worry.”
“I promise,” she lied, giving him what she hoped was a convincing smile. Even barefoot, Cody towered over her, and she was almost overwhelmed by his nearness. Laying an arm over her shoulders, Cody guided Maggy into the living room and up the stairs to her room.
“Now promise,” he said sternly. “No more worrying, and no more tears. All right? I’ll handle things.” He tipped her chin up with one finger and her eyes met his. They stared at each other in silence, the only sound the howling of the wind as it swirled around the house. Maggy nodded as Cody’s eyes darkened.
Wild anticipation raced through her for a moment before Cody’s lips found hers. His mouth was soft, insistent as the hand that tipped her chin slid up to warm her cheek. His kiss deepened, tasting, savoring her. Maggy lifted a hand to his chest, and she felt the increased thud of his heart.
Bobby groaned suddenly, and they jumped apart guiltily. “Good night, Mags,” Cody said softly.
“Good night,” Maggy whispered, opening her door. She stopped and turned to him. “Cody, what are—?” Maggy stopped. She wanted to know, to ask what he planned to do after the award ceremony. If he planned to go back home or what. But she couldn’t bring herself to ask, fearing his answer.
“Mags?”
She gave him a watery smile. “Never mind. It was nothing. Good night, Cody.”
“Good night, Mags.”
Maggy fled into the safety of her room. Leaning against her closed door, Maggy let the tears come once again as she realized that although she loved Cody, there were more than just a few walls and rooms separating them. Climbing into bed, she cursed her fate, knowing they were separated by so much more.
“Miss Magee, did you hear me?”
“I’m sorry,” Maggy said, rubbing her throbbing forehead and trying to direct her attention to the student who was sitting across from her desk. “What did you say, Miss…?” What was the girl’s name? Maggy wondered, staring at the girl blankly.
“English,” the girl supplied, looking at Maggy strangely. “Miss Magee, are you sure you’re all right? Should I summon Miss Barklay?”
“No!” The word shot out of Maggy’s mouth, startling the student, and the girl sat up abruptly. The last person Maggy wanted to see right now was her boss. She was exhausted from lack of sleep and terribly out of sorts. She had lain awake all night, worrying despite her promise to Cody not to. This morning when she’d come down to breakfast, Cody and Bobby were gone. All she’d found had been a note, saying he would see her tonight. Frustrated and worried about Cody and Bobby’s whereabouts, Maggy couldn’t seem to think of anything else. Where had he gone? They had spent nearly every waking moment together the past weeks, and for him
to just leave, well, she didn’t know what to make of it. She was worried sick. Worried that he was gone and that he might not return. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind.
Today had been one big blur, and Maggy knew she still had to face the faculty tea. Sighing heavily, Maggy tried to redirect her attention to Miss…English and her problem.
“I’m sorry,” Maggy said with a smile. “Now why don’t you tell me again why you were sent to my office.”
The girl fidgeted in her chair, clearly uncomfortable at being sent to the assistant headmistress’s office. “I was reading a book in English class.”
“Excuse me?” Maggy returned, looking at the girl blankly. Since when was reading in English class a reason to be sent to her office? Her office was the place where minor and some major infractions were handled before the students were sent on to Miss Barklay.
The young girl shifted in her chair, crossing and uncrossing her knee-socked legs. “Miss Magee,” she said at last, her words coming out in a rush. “I was reading Love’s Sweet Honor. I couldn’t help it. I just had to see how it ended. It’s just the most romantic book.” The girl sighed heavily, her face dreamy. “The heroine, her name is Celeste, she dies in the end, and…” Her voice trailed off and she glanced down self-consciously at the scuffed toe of her shoe. “I guess Love’s Sweet Honor is not on the recommended—”
“Reading list for this semester,” Maggy finished for her. Smiling, Maggy stood up and rounded her desk, coming to rest on one corner in front of the girl. “Miss English—” Maggy looked at the girl, really looked at her. She was young, about fourteen, and extremely pretty with wide-set blue eyes and long blond hair caught up behind her head as the rules at Miss Avalon’s dictated. “What is your first name?” Maggy asked abruptly and the girl looked stunned. All of the students at Miss Avalon’s Academy were always addressed by their proper, formal names. “Your first name?” Maggy prompted gently, and the girl smiled shyly.
“Rebecca. But my friends call me Becky.”
“Becky,” Maggy said softly and the girl’s smile widened. “I understand how Love’s Sweet Honor could capture your attention and imagination. I, too, have gotten caught up in a book.” Maggy remembered the day she had been caught reading Cody’s book. “One that was not on the recommended reading list, either,” Maggy whispered conspiratorially. “So I can understand how it can happen. But wouldn’t it be better if you did your reading in the privacy of your room?”
“My room?” the girl echoed, clearly shocked at the idea. Even the students’ rooms and their contents were subject to the rules and regulations of the academy, not to mention Miss Barklay’s inspections.
“Yes, I’m sure you’ll be able to discover a…discreet place to store your books,” Maggy suggested with a lift of her brow.
“Oh yes, Miss Magee,” the girl returned happily. “I’m sure I can.”
“Good.” Maggy nodded, and came to her feet. “I think you can return to class now.”
“That’s it? No extra chores?” The girl clearly looked perplexed.
“No,” Maggy said with a laugh. “I don’t think Love’s Sweet Honor warrants any extra chores. You may return to class.”
“Thank you.” Becky jumped from her chair and bounced toward the door, clearly relieved at getting off so easily. “Miss Magee?” She stopped at the door and turned to look at Maggy.
“Yes, Becky?”
“You know, I was really scared when I got sent down here. A lot of the girls said you were…” Becky stopped, and a flush crept over her face.
“A lot of the girls said I was what?” Maggy asked, her voice soft.
“Well, they sometimes call you Miss Meany, instead of Miss Magee, because they say you’re almost as mean and stuffy as Miss Barklay.” Maggy’s heart constricted at the girl’s words, but she carefully kept her face blank. “But you’re not,” Becky said firmly, a smile on her face. “You’re nice. And,” she added softly, “you’re pretty.”
“Thank you, Becky,” Maggy said, feeling touched by the girl’s words. “Now you’d better get to class.”
Maggy reclaimed her chair and thought about Becky’s words. So the students at the academy called her Miss Meany. The idea hurt, but Maggy wondered why she should be surprised. In the past she had been as rigid and stuffy as Miss Barklay, and just as staunch and unbending in enforcing the rules and regulations of the school.
So what if Becky had been caught reading the latest, hottest romance novel? What was wrong with that? The girl was at an age when love and romance were not only an intriguing mystery, but uppermost in her mind. It was a natural thing for her to be curious, and to try to quench her curiosity.
Her infraction was hardly a criminal offense. But just a few weeks ago, Maggy knew that she would’ve seen it differently.
Staring off into space, Maggy sighed deeply and swiveled around in her chair to stare out the window.
So the students thought of her as a clone of Miss Barklay. A month ago that would have pleased her, made her feel as if she were doing her job and living up to her boss’s expectations.
But now, today, it only made her feel sad. Did she want to go through life with a reputation as a stern mistress whose life was governed only by the academy and its rules and regulations?
Was that all she really wanted out of life? Cody’s image flashed before her eyes, and without a doubt Maggy knew that the academy wasn’t all she wanted to settle for. Was she willing to settle just for crumbs? She didn’t know anymore. Maggy sat staring out her window, torn between her love for Cody and Bobby and her job.
If she gave in now, she’d throw it all away—her job, her career, everything—for a man she’d known less than a month. For a man who was her opposite in every single way. For a man… Tears filled her eyes. Oh Lord, for a man she was totally and hopelessly in love with. For a man who filled her days with fun and laughter and made her feel really alive.
Her head knew all the reasons she shouldn’t do anything irresponsible or irrational, but her heart didn’t. All her heart knew was that it was filled with love for an outrageous man and an elfin little boy. All her heart knew was that if she didn’t do…something, she was going to lose both of them.
Could she let her heart overrule her head?
Maggy sat for a long time until she had her answer. She wanted more than rules and regulations in her life. She wanted Cody and Bobby!
Maggy couldn’t wait to tell Cody, but first she had to find him!
Chapter Nine
“Mother, are you sure you haven’t heard from Cody?” Maggy continued to pace the length of the living room as she spoke.
“Dear.” Elizabeth sighed, then looked up from the evening newspaper. “You’ve asked me that at least twenty times since you came home. Now read my lips. I have not heard from Cody or Bobby. I’m sure they’ll be back soon. Please stop worrying. And please stop pacing; you’re going to wear a hole in my favorite Oriental.”
“I’m sorry, Mother.” Maggy continued to pace. “But I’m so worried about them. Where could they be?”
“Maggy, be sensible. You’re all worked up over nothing. I’m sure they’re fine.”
“But Mother—”
“Maggy, please?” Elizabeth smiled gently. “He’ll be back, I’m sure of it. Now please calm yourself.”
Maggy glanced at her watch. “I can’t wait for him any longer. If I don’t leave now I’m going to be late for the faculty tea.”
“You’re not really going out dressed like…that, are you?”
Maggy came to an abrupt halt and glanced down at herself in bewilderment. Her formfitting navy tea-length silk dress fell in billowing folds around her ankles. High-heeled pumps in the same shade of navy completed her outfit. She had piled her blond tresses atop her head and fastened matching navy and silver combs amidst the curls. Miss Barklay’s teas were formal affairs, and Maggy felt that the quiet elegance of her dress was more than appropriate to the circumstances.
�
�Dressed like what, Mother?” she inquired.
“Dressed in that dreary old thing!” her mother said with a frown.
“Mother, you know very well how stuffy and formal these affairs are—”
“Affairs!” Elizabeth chortled, drawing the word out and giving it a great deal more significance than necessary. “Dear,” she said slowly. “Miss Barklay wouldn’t know an affair if it walked up and bit her on her pointy little nose. And as for your dress, convicts wear cheerier outfits.”
“Mother, please.” Maggy sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead. She was worried sick and in no mood for her mother’s barbs—or Miss Barklay’s tea for that matter. With a heartfelt sigh, Maggy knew she was going to have to put up with both of them that evening.
Her mother abruptly stood up. “Sure you don’t want to borrow my sneakers?” Elizabeth waggled her feet, which were adorned with her neon-green glow-in-the-dark tennis shoes. “It sure would add some life to that outfit.”
Maggy bit back a smile, and picked up her evening bag from the telephone table. Her mother was incorrigible, but she loved her dearly. “Thank you, Mother, but no. I think I’ll simply have to suffer through the evening in my plain navy pumps.”
“Suffer is right,” her mother grumbled under her breath. Elizabeth looked thoughtful for a moment. “How about my colored pop beads? Chester seemed to like them.”
“Chester?” Maggy repeated with a lift of her brow. “Mother,” she said cautiously. “Who is Chester?”
“Chester,” her mother repeated vaguely, waving her hand in the air as if that explained everything.
Maggy looked at her mother carefully. “Don’t tell me you mean Mayor Chesterfield?” she cried in alarm.
“Why of course, dear,” her mother answered, picking up her newspaper again and burying her nose in it. “He really did like my beads. In fact, we have a date tonight; we’re going bike riding.” Her mother flashed her a sultry wink. “I promised Chester I’d wear them. He just loves the sound of those beads popping.” Elizabeth sighed dreamily and Maggy’s smile grew wider. Evidently all her worrying about her mother and the mayor had been for nothing. It sounded as though Cody had been right about the mayor, she mused, knowing Cody had been right about a great many other things.
Baby Makes Three: Heartwarming Love and Laughter Page 12
