Maggie's Fork in the Road (Montana Bound Series Book 2)

by Bradley, Linda

  “No worries.”

  Bones darted past and back into the kitchen.

  “Why don’t you come in?” I said. “Is Chloe okay?”

  John rubbed his chin then closed the door behind us after we headed inside. There was a crash from the living room.

  “Oh, no,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes at the sight. Bones stood on the coffee table licking tea from a puddle. I scuffled to the kitchen, grabbed some towels then went back to clean up the mess. “Bones,” I uttered, putting the teacup back on the saucer that now had a crack down the center. “Get down,” I scolded.

  Bones backed up. His rear end nudged Fletcher’s flower arrangement toward the edge of the table. John lurched and caught the vase before it tipped. The card fell on the floor.

  I grabbed Bones by the collar and yanked him down to the floor then I sopped up the rest of the mess. “Crazy dog,” I said with a waggling finger. “Look what you did.”

  John placed the flowers back on the table then picked the card up from the floor. He lowered his gaze. Realizing he’d seen Fletcher’s message, my insides collapsed.

  “Is this the same Fletcher Thompson that works with Brook?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  John came closer, his eyes glazed with doubtful anger. “What is this?”

  “It’s nothing. Fletcher was just trying to help me get this cow thing off the ground,” I said.

  The fire crackled and John’s temple twitched rapidly. “Los Angeles doesn’t sound like nothing.” His eyes flickered with distrust.

  “I told you it’s nothing.”

  John paced back and forth across the room.

  I crossed my arms over my chest, angry with his accusation of something that was never going to happen. “He was just being nice,” I said through clenched teeth.

  “That’s what Brook said right before she slept with him.”

  Every muscle in my body constricted. This was a side of John I’d never seen before, a different kind of upset that went beyond usual irritation.

  The card flitted to the table after john dropped it.

  “You are reading too much into this,” I said.

  John’s eyes flickered. “That’s what Brook said when he showered her with freebies, shoot after shoot.”

  I swallowed and thought about the jewelry I’d tucked away from the shoot in Chicago. “I’m not Brook,” I said, shifting my weight and narrowing my gaze.

  John’s jaw clicked as he gritted his teeth.

  “Why did you come over, John?” I asked.

  He came closer. “I came over because …” His chest rose and fell then John rubbed his head then lowered his gaze.

  “What?”

  “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I parked my Harley in the garage, how we talked like human beings.” His voice broke.

  “What?” I said as emotion built at the back of my throat like a hard knot unwilling to budge.

  He stepped closer, my insides not giving way.

  “I came over here because all I could think about was kissing you goodnight because that’s what you deserve, but now …” He paused and glared at the flowers. “But now, I don’t know.”

  I wanted to grab him and shake him for being so pigheaded, but I froze, shocked by his jerk reaction over some flowers. I swallowed. “You think I slept with him in Chicago, don’t you?” I asked. “How could you?”

  John stiffened.

  I stared into the green eyes that questioned me. “Yeah, that’s what I had time for while I was busy watching your daughter so her mother could do her job.” The lump at the back of my throat throbbed. I couldn’t cry in front of him, give him the satisfaction or whatever it was he was searching for. “I think you know where the front door is,” I said, avoiding his gaze.

  John stalked past me.

  I touched his arm. “And today was so perfect.” My voice quivered. I ached for a kiss goodnight, a white flag, an apology. Why couldn’t he just let it go? I wasn’t Brook. I wasn’t anything like Brook.

  John caressed my cheek, his warm touch not in sync with his tone or cold eyes.

  “I’m not her,” I whispered. “I shouldn’t have to try and convince you. Goodnight, John,” I said. “Besides, I don’t have the energy for that.”

  After John left, I shut and bolted the door then stomped into the kitchen, shut off the lights, and whistled at Bones to follow. He trotted to the front door and sat with his nose pressed against the wood. “What is it, boy?”

  He stared up at me with pathetic eyes. There was a secret in his soft groan. I knelt beside him and listened. I thought I heard the porch swing so I tiptoed into my office and peeked out the front window. It was John swaying in the breeze, staring into the darkness.

  Damn him. I tiptoed back to the hallway, shut off the light in the foyer, and made my way upstairs. Not hearing Bones’ nails against the hard wood, I checked to see if he was on my heels, but he wasn’t. He sat at the bottom of the stairs with his nose pressed up against the door as if he was the one in the doghouse. “You both can stay down there,” I uttered in disgust.

  I undid my robe and threw it on the end of my bed. Climbing under the covers, I sprawled out on my back and stared into the darkness, pissed off that I didn’t have a chance in hell of going to sleep. Why were men so stupid? I didn’t deserve this. Shit, it was like a nosedive on a smooth flight. I kicked my feet, loosening the sheets around me. A wave of heat started in my toes and worked its way up leaving me even more exasperated. I kicked off the covers freeing myself from the weight. While time ticked away on the clock, I counted the minutes until the alarm would ring.

  The doorbell rang.

  Bones barked.

  “Now what?” I grumbled and wiped the sweat from my forehead. Stupid hot flashes. I stomped down the hallway and downstairs.

  Bones sat at the front door wagging his tail.

  “You are just as stupid as he is.” I unlocked the door and opened it with a swift jerk. “What?” I hissed.

  John held a droopy bouquet of purple lilacs in one hand and a small flashlight in the other hand.

  I narrowed my gaze. “Seriously?”

  “Can you open the screen door?” he asked.

  I unlatched the screen door.

  He handed me the flowers.

  I waited.

  “Thanks for opening the door.”

  I stood silent.

  “I know you’re not Brook.”

  Bones sat between us licking my toes, a rose between two thorns. The night air felt refreshing as it kissed my hot skin. I locked gazes with John, but said nothing. Yeah, stand there and feel uncomfortable, I said to myself.

  John swallowed. His Adam’s apple twitched. “Sorry.”

  I searched his eyes. The scent of lilacs washed over me. No one had ever brought me flowers at midnight.

  “You know, I could have been sleeping,” I said.

  “You were not. I know you too well. Now maybe you can get some shut-eye,” John said, touching my cheek.

  I raised an eyebrow at him.

  John stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’m really sorry.”

  “Apology accepted,” I said, pondering if my quick acceptance would work against me. “You still owe me a goodnight kiss,” I whispered, “but not tonight, or else I really won’t be able to fall asleep.”

  The corner of John’s mouth lifted.

  Crickets serenaded me as I focused on him. “Night.” I shut the front door and bolted it. I heard John trot down the porch stairs.

  Bones’ nose twitched as I sniffed the purple bouquet.

  “He can go home and think about that.” I took a deep breath as I headed for the kitchen to get a vase.

  There was another knock on the front door. I placed the lilacs in water and returned to the front door. Bones wagged his tail. I peeked out through the peephole. I should’ve been more irritated, but wasn’t. “Now what? Seriously, I have to get some sleep. And you need to be at home in
the house with your daughter.”

  John reached for the screen door. “You didn’t lock it.” He stepped inside. “You look a little worse for wear,” he said with a smirk.

  “Gee, I wonder why?” I replied.

  “Touché.”

  He held my stare as he stepped closer.

  “I really should remember to lock all the doors,” I said.

  John cradled my face in his warm hands. “I thought this was too important.”

  John’s lips grazed mine, seeking acceptance. I hesitated. “What could be so important at this time of night?”

  “This,” he whispered into my breath.

  John kissed me again. Perfect. I opened my eyes with a sigh. A strange calmness washed over me. He pressed his lips to my forehead.

  “There, now we can all get some sleep,” he said.

  “This isn’t over,” I mumbled, knowing he was right.

  “I know.”

  I smirked at the inflection in John’s voice.

  “Now,” he said, “lock all the doors this time.”

  Chapter 25

  Chloe slumped on the porch swing next to me as I swayed to the beat of the words in the novel I was reading. I was nearly three-quarters the way through and anxious to see how it ended.

  “Why the long face?” I asked, thinking about another rejection letter that I kept to myself.

  “The career fair is this week. I got nobody,” she said.

  I slid the bookmark in my book and set it down next to me. “So sorry to hear that.”

  “I really thought my mom would surprise me.”

  The porch swing bounced as Chloe kicked her feet in disgust. She yanked at the purple string, and Voodoo landed in my lap.

  “So who is the babysitter today?” I asked, knowing that John was still at work.

  “Her name is Patty. She’s actually kind of nice.”

  I raised an eyebrow to the acceptance. “This is new.”

  “What? I don’t hate all the babysitters.” Chloe rubbed Voodoo’s ears. “This career day is going to suck.”

  “Hey, hey,” I cautioned.

  She rolled her eyes. “You just don’t get it. Barnyard Hilary is all up in my grill cause her dad’s brother is a movie producer and he’s coming. How can you top that?”

  I raised an eyebrow. Or pretending to be one, I thought to myself as I patted Voodoo’s raggedy head.

  “Wish you’d quit doing that,” Chloe muttered.

  “What?” I asked, inspecting the front lawn that needed to be mowed.

  “That thing with your eyebrow. It’s like you don’t believe me or something.”

  I gave the swing a gentle push, and Chloe settled down. “It’s not that I don’t believe you, but really, you don’t have to one up her.”

  “What does that mean? One up her?” she asked.

  I liked how the bridge of her nose wrinkled when she spoke. “You know, do better than her?” I watched Chloe think as I explained what I meant.

  “It’s not that I want to, one up her, I just want someone to be there besides my dad. He’s always around.”

  “Oh,” I said, stopping the swing. “Does Patty know you’re over here?”

  “Yeah, she told me not to stay too long. She’s making me dinner soon.” Chloe chewed at her thumbnail.

  “Hmm. Dinner?”

  “Yeah, dinner. We’re having pancakes and bacon. She knows how to make that.”

  “Sounds tasty.” I dreamed of long summer days, my favorite kind of time when being lazy was acceptable and the days were filled with sun to light my way.

  “I guess,” Chloe said.

  “Now what?” I pried, watching her face droop like Bones’ when he doesn’t get to go for a walk.

  “We don’t have too much school left.”

  Chloe picked at Voodoo’s hand-sewn eye. It made me wonder where my mother was hiding out. She said her back was feeling much better since her tumble in the kitchen. I hadn’t seen or heard from her in a few days. Suspicion grew. “You want more school?”

  Chloe moaned and leaned back against the swing. Her feet dangled just above the porch floor. Her toes skimmed the stained wood boards when she stretched her legs. She was getting taller.

  “No, it just means it’s almost time to go to Montana. I want to stay here and swim in the lake with Walter and Harry. And my friend, Autumn. She’s new at school.”

  John still hadn’t put up the “For Sale” sign in his front yard. I wondered why he was dragging his feet. “That’s nice that you have a new friend.”

  “She’s super nice. She’s nice to everybody, not just some kids.”

  I smiled. Being in third grade was tough work. “Glad to hear there are some good eggs out there.”

  Chloe peered at me with a wrinkled brow. “Yeah, she’s a good egg. Funny, too.”

  “Do you want me to come to your career day?” I asked.

  “No offense, but no. Besides, I think it should be someone from my family.”

  “None taken, I was just trying to help.”

  Chloe smirked. “You’re like that.”

  “Like what?” I asked, catching a glint in her green eyes.

  “You’d help your worst enemy,” she replied.

  “Not so sure about that,” I said, thinking about Jenny McBride, not that she was an enemy, but we certainly didn’t see eye-to-eye. But Chloe was right, I’d help her if she needed it.

  “I am. You were nice to my mom when she wasn’t being nice to you. That takes some gumption as Dad would say.”

  Or stupidity. “Junie B. has gumption.”

  “That girl sure does. More than I’ll ever have,” Chloe mumbled.

  “You have plenty,” I said.

  Chloe peered over her shoulder when we heard the side door to her house shut. “I think I should go. Maybe dinner is ready.”

  Stopping the sway of the swing, I firmly planted my foot against the porch flooring, Chloe stood up and Voodoo dropped to the ground. Chloe tugged at the purple leash and Voodoo bumped along behind her.

  I picked up my phone and sent John a text. Not that it’s any of my business, but is anyone going to career day with Chloe?

  Before I could open my book, my phone buzzed. It was a reply from John. Got it covered. As soon as I put the phone down, it buzzed again. John’s name flashed across the screen. I opened the text. Why is Chloe at your house? Where is the babysitter?

  Tapping out a reply, I grinned. She’s just visiting. The sitter is making her pancakes for dinner. I think it’s all good. I sent my message.

  The phone buzzed again. Thanks for keeping an eye out. Gotta go, screamer in Room Three.

  I smiled, relieved that the screamer was at his end of the line. My eyes grew wide with amazement as a brand-new baby-blue convertible Volkswagen Bug pulled into my driveway. The top was down and my mom waved at me from the driver’s seat. I stood, walked to the stairs, then jogged down the steps. Mom had a silk scarf tied around her head. She turned off the engine then hollered to me. “What do ya’ think?”

  Shocked, I covered my mouth and narrowed my eyes. “Are you serious?” I asked. “Who does this, really, belong to?” I asked, touching the shiny new finish.

  “Me, it’s all mine.” Mom beamed as she ogled over her new car.

  “Really?” Bones tongue waggled as I leaned over to scratch his head.

  “Really,” she sang.

  “I love it. I really love it” I peeked inside at the yellow Gerber Daisy to the right of the steering wheel. “You are so cool.”

  “Well, it’s about time. I’ve been trying to convince you that for years,” she joked.

  “What made you do it?”

  “Well I’ve had that sedan for ten years. Thought it was time for a change. Change is good. Don’t you think?” she asked, peering over the top of her cat-rimmed sunglasses.

  “Is this about you or me?” I asked.

  “It’s about all of us.”

  “What did you
do with the sedan?” I asked, leaning against the door with folded arms.

  “It’s sitting in the garage. I’ll drive it when the weather is crappy,” she replied. “Not worth a trade-in or even selling to a teenager.”

  Bones barked.

  “Come on, throw Bones in the back, and let’s go for a ride.”

  “Hang on.” I hurried inside, grabbed a blanket from the chest, and my purse. I slammed the door behind me.

  Mom fiddled with the dash while I covered the back seat with the blanket for Bones.

  “Good thinking,” Mom said.

  “Yeah, I’ve been trying to convince you for years that I have a brain,” I said.

  “Ha. Ha.” Mom moved the side-view mirror. “Let’s go.”

  Bones sat by the passenger side of the car wagging his tail with anticipation. He jumped in the seat like it was old hat. He nudged the blanket with his nose to make a nest just right for his bottom and sat down.

  “Let’s go get ice cream,” I said.

  Mom adjusted her sunglasses on the bridge of her nose. “Are you buying? I just spent a wad on this toy.”

  “Sure,” I said, thinking about her making a change comment. “What made you do it? I had a feeling you were up to something.”

  Mom started the engine. She peered in my direction. “It dawned on me that I wasn’t getting any younger. And when I fell and broke all those dishes, I thought Glad, what have you always wanted, now just might be the time to get it and here she is.”

  Mom put the car in reverse.

  “How come you didn’t ask me to come with you?” I fastened my seatbelt.

  Mom put her foot on the brake. “No offense, sweet pea, but I thought you might want to talk me out of it. It’s not practical.”

  “Am I really that much of a stick in the mud?” I asked as the car rolled backward toward the street.

  “Not always.” Mom checked the road both ways. “But this was something I just had to do. I’ve always wanted another Beetle. Your father and I had one when we first got married. And even though this one’s new, every time I see one, it reminds me of him and all the good times we had in that car,” she said. “I sure do miss that man.”

  Too emotional, I swallowed. “Yeah, me too,” I whispered, glancing back at Bones who had drool hanging from his top lip.