Maggie (Tales Behind the Veils)

by Violet Howe

  Bronwyn laughed. “We only reserve it for our wedding couples, but we might be able to work something out.” She winked at Tyler. “Now, there is an additional charge for couples to book the room, but it includes a breakfast downstairs as well as housekeeping. Come see the bathroom.”

  She led us into a room off the side of the bedroom that featured an oval Jacuzzi tub nestled into a large bay window setting and a walk-in shower big enough to hold at least three people.

  “Holy cow,” Tyler exclaimed. “Look at this closet, Maggie!”

  I peeked inside the door she’d opened, surprised by the size of the closet with its elaborate system of built-in shelves and cabinets. In the corner were a washer and dryer with a folding counter and built-in ironing board and hanging rack.

  “If you have the bride’s dressing room downstairs, why would you need such a large closet up here for wedding couples to stay overnight?” I asked.

  Bronwyn’s smile seemed to falter for a moment, but then her lips lifted again. “This was originally constructed to be the main house for the ranch, so that would have been the master closet, but since it’s been converted to a reception hall, it doesn’t really get used. We have plenty of storage downstairs, and like you said, the bride and groom don’t need a closet for their wedding night.”

  I surveyed the bathroom as Bronwyn shut the closet door. There were double sinks and a low vanity with a chair and lighted mirror.

  “So, this was originally a house?” Tyler asked as we walked back down the stairs. “But the space down here is an open ballroom. Was it always that way?”

  Bronwyn shook her head as we exited the stairwell onto the first floor. “It was planned to be a separate formal living area over there, and then a dining area back here with a family room that would be open to the kitchen. But when the plans…changed…the downstairs was never completed according to the original blueprint. We were able to really look at what the space needed to be for events and create it to meet those needs. One more thing I’d like to show you if you’ll follow me.”

  I tagged along behind her and Tyler, but my mind was busy spinning the various scenarios that could make sense. I wanted to ask if Dax had built the house or bought it. I wanted to know why the plans had changed from it being the main house of the ranch to a rental event venue, especially if the owner had such a disdain for weddings. And as much as I hated to admit it even to myself, I was curious as to where he lived on the ranch and whether he lived alone.

  The sound of the front door creaking open interrupted my thoughts, and I turned quickly to see if it was Dax.

  “Get a grip, old girl,” I muttered to myself. “You’re being a little ridiculous here. Act your age.”

  The heavy footsteps in the foyer grew closer, and I held my breath as I waited to see who it was.

  I fought back a grin when he came into view, resisting the urge to take a step toward him as he walked in my direction.

  He had changed into a dry pair of jeans and a pale blue chambray shirt. His hair was still damp, but it had been combed back off his forehead and away from his face. As he approached, the faint scent of a cologne tickled my nose with hints of spearmint, sage, lavender, and pure masculinity.

  “I wanted to properly introduce myself,” he said as he stopped before me and extended his hand. “I’m Dax Pearson, owner of Silver Creek Ranch. I was hoping to redeem your first impression of me.”

  I didn’t tell him my first impression of him needed no redeeming. Instead, I smiled and shook his hand. “Maggie Shaw. Pleased to meet you.”

  His grip was firm, and his hand warm, despite just coming in from the cold. My hand felt small in his, and I withdrew it quickly, uncomfortable with the way my body was tingling in response to his touch.

  “Maggie’s daughter is getting married in August,” Bronwyn said, “and this is her daughter-in-law, Tyler, who is a wedding planner.”

  “Ah.” Dax turned to shake Tyler’s hand. “An August wedding. This August?” He looked back at me, one eyebrow arched.

  “Yes. My daughter is with a dance company in New York, and she has a break in her schedule then.”

  “New York. Do you live in New York as well?”

  His eyes were an intense emerald, and it occurred to me they were very similar to my own.

  “No. Tyler and I are local. We live in the Orlando area.”

  He nodded and crossed his arms. “I see. So, you’ll be handling most of the planning for her then?”

  “Actually, I will,” Tyler said, stepping closer to my side. “Maggie has quite a lot of responsibility on her plate already, so I’ll be the point of contact for my sister-in-law.”

  He smiled at her and then looked back to me.

  “Well, allow me to personally welcome you to the ranch.”

  A rush of warm blood filled my cheeks, and I blushed like a freaking sixteen-year-old.

  “Thank you,” I mumbled, unable to find my normal voice. I couldn’t believe the effect he was having on me, but I couldn’t deny that it wasn’t altogether unpleasant.

  “I suppose I should get back to the barn,” Dax said. “You are in excellent hands with Bronwyn, and since I know absolutely nothing about weddings, I will leave you ladies to your planning. Nice meeting you both.” He was looking at Tyler as he talked, and then he turned to smile at me. “I hope to see you again soon.”

  With a quick nod, he left us, and despite the roaring fire, the room suddenly seemed a bit less warm.

  “Okay, that was weird,” Bronwyn said with a chuckle when the front door closed. “Uncle Dax usually won’t come anywhere near here if we’re discussing weddings. But then again, he usually doesn’t embarrass himself by being thrown off a horse and into the lake, either. Let me get you a copy of the wedding packet to take with you. I’ll give you each one, and would you like me to send one to the bride as well?”

  “I don’t think so,” Tyler said. “Maggie?”

  “What? Um, no. Galen doesn’t need all the details. She likes to look at the pictures, but she wants me to do the finances and Tyler to figure out the logistics.”

  “She’s lucky to have you,” Bronwyn said. She gathered the packets for us and went through them in detail to make sure we understood the contract and deposit guidelines.

  I only half-listened. My ears were still listening for the creak of the door and the return of his footsteps, but our meeting concluded without another appearance from the ranch’s owner.

  3 INQUISITION

  We were barely out of the driveway and back on the road before Tyler mentioned my distraction.

  “Well, he’s quite a hottie, isn’t he?”

  “Who?” I asked, though I clearly knew who she meant.

  “Kratos,” she said, her voice thick with sarcasm. “He’s one hot horse. You know very well who I’m talking about!”

  “The owner?” I wasn’t about to give up my ruse of disinterest. “He’s okay, I guess. A little old for you, I think.”

  Her laughter filled the car. “For me? Oh. Wow. Okay. Am I supposed to pretend I didn’t see what I saw?”

  “What?” I glanced over at her and back at the road, my palms sweaty on the steering wheel. “What do you think you saw?”

  “You guys couldn’t take your eyes off each other! It was like electricity between you. I’m surprised your hair wasn’t standing on end.”

  “Oh, please. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I lifted my hand to smooth down my hair, but then returned it to the wheel when I realized how guilty it made me look.

  “Maggie! Puh-leez! You might be able to fool an average citizen, but I am an expert at romance. It’s what I do for a living. I know what I know, and I know what I saw.”

  I took a deep breath and searched my mind for something that would get her off the subject.

  “Okay,” she said, holding both hands up. “If you don’t want to discuss it, I can respect that. But there is no way you’re gonna convince me the two of you weren’t totally diggin
g each other.”

  When I didn’t respond, she sighed.

  “C’mon, Maggie. Admit it. You felt it. I know you did. The way you two were looking at each other down by the lake, and then the way he came in all spruced up and wearing cologne. You heard Bronwyn. He never comes in when she’s with wedding clients.”

  “Yes, well, she also said he was probably embarrassed from taking a tumble. I’m sure he only wanted to reassure us that theirs is a professional operation.”

  She twisted in her seat to face me, adjusting the seatbelt across her arm to do so. “Oh, and I’m sure he makes a point to tell everyone he hopes to see them again soon.”

  I merged into the traffic on the turnpike. “Actually, I’m sure he does. Look, he wants us to book their venue and be a source of revenue. You’re reading way too much into this, Ms. Wedding Planner.”

  “If you say so.”

  I smiled as she snickered and lay back against the seat, flipping through the brochure Bronwyn had given us.

  “So, what did you think of the location?” I asked, eager to change the subject.

  “Very nice facility. Ample parking. Plenty of restrooms. The kitchen’s nice and large. I wonder if it was always planned as an industrial kitchen or if that’s another change they made. They’ll let us bring in our caterer, which is great, and they have plenty of A/V hook-ups for the DJ and any lighting we want to do. Seems to be a topnotch place. They’ve certainly invested quite a bit into making it ideal.”

  I nodded. “Kind of odd, don’t you think? That it was supposed to be the main house and now it’s an event venue? I wonder what changed their plans.”

  Tyler shrugged. “I don’t know. We could ask Bronwyn.”

  “No. It’s not important. Just curiosity.”

  She slapped the brochure against her legs. “Curious because you’re interested!”

  “I’m looking at locations for my daughter’s wedding, and I’m curious as to the history of the building. Nothing more.”

  “So you say.”

  She was quiet for a while, making notes on her notepad as she thumbed through the brochure. We were almost back to Orlando when she closed the pamphlet and sat staring at me.

  “What?” I asked with a glance in her direction.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course,” I said, already dreading any question that would need to be prefaced with permission.

  “Cabe says you haven’t been in a serious relationship since his dad.”

  “Is that a question or a statement?” I asked, making a mental note to thank my son for discussing my personal life.

  “I guess a statement that leads me to a question,” Tyler said. “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why haven’t you dated anyone since Gerry? That was what—almost thirty years ago? That’s an awfully long time not to have a boyfriend.” Her voice was sad, wistful. Like she couldn’t imagine how bleak my life alone had been.

  I cast another glance over at her and brought my eyes back to the road. “You do know, don’t you, that a woman can survive perfectly well on her own without a man?”

  “Well, yeah,” Tyler said. “But I think it’s odd that you haven’t dated anyone. You’re gorgeous, Maggie, and you’re so fun and outgoing. I would think you’d have guys all over you, that’s all.”

  I navigated the exit and came to a stop at the traffic light before turning to look at her. “Thank you. I appreciate your kind words, and I assure you that you have no need to worry. It’s not like I haven’t been on any dates or haven’t gotten any offers. I just happen to be fine with my life on my own. I go where I want to go, I do what I want to do, and I have never had a shortage of company for social occasions.”

  “No, I know that! I’m not saying…well, I didn’t mean…I just thought it would be nice if you met a great guy and….”

  “And what? Fell in love and lived happily ever after?” I laughed. “Tyler, honey, I realize this is what you do, but I’m not the fairy tale type. I don’t need a prince to rescue me from my hum-drum life. My life is beautiful just the way it is.”

  Her face flushed red, and she looked out the window as the light turned green and the traffic started to flow again.

  “I wasn’t saying that you need a man,” she said, her voice low and sheepish. “I just know how happy Cabe and I are together and how awesome it is to have him by my side. You know, to share stuff with. I was thinking how nice it would be if you had that.” She cleared her throat. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  I reached to take her hand in mine. “You didn’t offend me! I’m not one to be easily offended. I’d think you would know that after all these years. Besides, we’re family, aren’t we? I would never want you to feel you couldn’t ask me something or speak your mind. I think if there’s anything we learned from the drama that occurred when you joined our family, it’s that we all need to be open and communicate with each other. We may not always agree, but I would hope there’s nothing we couldn’t discuss.” I squeezed her hand and let it go, and we rode in silence for a bit.

  “Okay. I do have another question.” She drew in a deep breath, and I could tell before she began to ask that I was probably wasn’t going to like the question.

  “What really happened between you and Gerry?”

  My shoulders immediately tightened, and tension crept up the back of my neck.

  Way to go, Maggie. You gave her permission and rolled out the red carpet for that one. Now how you gonna get out of this discussion?

  I stared straight ahead at the traffic in front of me. “Oh, gosh. That was so long ago.”

  “Well, I know the two of you met while you were working on a show together. When you were a ballerina. I’m just curious how you got together and what happened, you know, when you broke up.”

  I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and let out a stream of curse words inside my head.

  I couldn’t fault Tyler for wanting to know about her husband’s father, nor could I be upset that my son would discuss the man with his wife. It was only natural for them to talk about Gerry, of course. Especially since Cabe had recently connected with his half-brother for the first time.

  But whatever communication Cabe chose to have regarding Gerry Tucker now had no bearing on the relationship I’d had with the man.

  “It’s hard to remember the details.” I adjusted my hands on the wheel and tilted my head from side to side in an effort to ease the tension in my shoulders. “But yes. We worked on a show together. When I was young.”

  Young and naive. Passionate. Willing to mistake a man’s lies for love.

  The intensity of her gaze in my peripheral vision told me she didn’t believe that I wouldn’t remember what happened with the father of my children. And she was right. I remembered every detail. But it wasn’t a topic I cared to discuss, even if I had just told her nothing was off-limits.

  “Let’s call Galen,” I suggested in another blatant attempt to change the subject. “We can put her on speaker while we’re in the car together and tell her about Silver Creek Ranch.”

  Tyler paused for a moment, and I silently prayed she would take the bait and switch topics. She didn’t.

  “Maggie, I can’t imagine how bad it must have hurt you. You know, what happened with Gerry. I’m sure it’s been hard for you to see Galen and Cabe be involved now. With the other kids. I’m sorry. I just…well, I just want you to know that Cabe would never do anything to hurt you. He feels like he’s betraying you if he talks to them, but at the same time, he wants to—”

  “Tyler,” I interrupted. “Cabe is an adult. He can make his own decisions for what’s best for him. I don’t begrudge him wanting to know them. What happened between Gerry and me is water under the bridge. A bridge that collapsed and floated away so long ago that it’s not even worth mentioning. So, let’s continue with our pleasant day and call Galen to tell her about the ranch, shall we?”

  To my surprise and my relief, she
let it go. She called Galen and the two of us described the beautiful scenery of the ranch, the stream flowing beneath the floor, the magnificent suite upstairs, and the finer details like pricing and deposits.

  Neither of us mentioned the tall, rugged cowboy and his unexpected dip in the lake. But I’m sure we were both thinking about him. At least, I know I was.

  4 TYLER & CABE

  “Have you ever wondered why your mom hasn’t found anyone?” Tyler asked as Cabe refilled her coffee.

  “What do you mean?” He filled his own cup and picked up Tyler’s plate, scraping the bits of eggs she’d left into Deacon’s dog bowl.

  “I think it’s sad, that’s all. Your mom is a beautiful woman, and I think she deserves to find happiness.”

  “You think Mom is unhappy?”

  “No. But she is alone. Don’t you think it would be nice for her to find someone?”

  Cabe washed the plate and rinsed it under the hot water to remove the suds.

  “Where’s this coming from? Did she say something while you were doing wedding stuff yesterday?”

  “Not exactly.” She shrugged and brought the salt and pepper to the kitchen. “I sensed an attraction between her and the ranch owner. Like, an unmistakable, electricity-in-the-air, kind of attraction. They couldn’t stop staring at each other, and she seemed a bit, I don’t know, preoccupied after they met.” Tyler took a towel from the drawer and began to dry the dishes in the rack. “Then he got all cleaned up and came to formally introduce himself, which the wedding coordinator lady—his niece—said he never does, and Maggie’s face lit up when she saw him again.”

  Cabe pulled the sink drain to let the water out and reached to take the towel from his wife to dry his hands. “Okay. So, knowing you, I’m assuming you asked her about this?”

  “Well, of course! But the thing is, she denied it. She brushed it off like it was nothing.”

  Cabe shrugged and tossed the towel back to Tyler. “Maybe it was nothing, then. Maybe your spidey-romance sense was in overdrive since you were shopping for wedding venues for my sister. Which I still can’t believe you’re doing, by the way.”