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

by Bradley, Linda

  “Maggie, that guy is huge.”

  Walter’s awe for Winston tickled me. I stood back and snapped a few frames of Walter staring up at Winston with this dumbfounded expression only he could don. Chloe reeled in her line all the way.

  “Dang. He ate my worm.” Her mouth drooped.

  Walter stood like a statue, still gawking at Chloe’s cowboy. She poked him. “He’s just a guy,” she said, inspecting her grandfather’s face.

  “I’ve never seen anyone that big,” he muttered. “Wow.”

  Judy and I laughed. “Judy, this is Sylvie Peterson. She belongs to Autumn.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Judy said, giving a little nod. “Walter, stop staring. It’s not polite.”

  Harry dangled a worm in front of Walter’s face.

  “Harry,” Judy scolded. “Oh, no, here we go.”

  The corner of my lip curled toward the sky at the antics. “Boys will be boys,” I reminded her.

  “Yes, they will,” John added.

  Sylvie stepped back then stuck her hands in her pockets. “Autumn, five minutes. Your dad’s expecting us home.”

  Autumn stopped laughing. “Can’t we stay?” she begged with pleading eyes.

  Her mom shook her head. “We really should be going.”

  Chloe shrugged. “Bummer.”

  “I know. It’s way funner with you guys.”

  I snapped a picture of the two girls sharing the moment, remembering how safe it felt to be in the company of someone who understood me, someone who hung on the ballet bar upside-down with me while the others primped their tutus.

  “Well, we have five minutes. Let’s make the most of it,” Chloe said, graciously accepting the circumstances.

  Chloe held her friend’s hand and the girls wandered into the grassy area away from the water’s edge. I clicked a few more pictures of the friends. The girls plopped down in the grass, sat crisscross-applesauce style facing each other, their knees touching. Autumn picked a dandelion and plucked the pedals from the head one-by-one. Chloe picked at the grass. I clicked a few more photos then caught Autumn’s mother’s stare, wondering if I’d said something wrong.

  “Maggie,” Walter hollered. “Come here.”

  I meandered to the water’s edge to see the commotion. He knelt next to a green plastic bucket. His dark curly overgrown hair, almost like an Afro, intrigued me. I smiled at Judy and snapped his picture when he wasn’t paying attention. Those were the best kind.

  “Look, a perch,” he said, leaning closer to get a better view.

  I knelt next to him. The fish swam in curious circles as its lips opened and closed at the water’s surface. Walter reached in and tried to touch him. The fish slapped its tail. A splash of water sprayed me. Walter laughed.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Trying to pet him,” he said.

  John leaned over my shoulder. “That’s one big perch.” He wiped a drop of water from my cheek, his touch warmed me to the core.

  “Hey, kiddo. Is it okay if I steal your girlfriend?” John asked, quietly.

  Walter smiled. “Sure, as long as you bring her back.”

  Walter stood up then kissed my cheek. He skipped toward Chloe. “I thought Chloe was his girlfriend.”

  “You sure don’t pay attention sometimes. He only has eyes for you,” John said, leaning against the steel railing. His eyes scanned the horizon.

  I took his picture. The click of the aperture caught his attention.

  “Sure is beautiful here,” he said.

  The wind caught the curls of my ponytail and blew them forward across my face. Brushing them away, I leaned on the railing next to John. “Sure is. I love this time of year. I’ll love it more in just a few more weeks,” I said.

  “School’s rough, huh?”

  “Yeah,” I answered. “I’m counting.” The muscles in my chest constricted.

  “Just like your students. I know Chloe has a countdown going. You seem so stressed whenever you talk about it. Maybe …”

  I glanced over to him and grinned. “I bet I do. Just the thought makes my blood pressure rise. All the assessment, documentation, expectation, it’s crazy. What happened to play?”

  “You’re a smart woman, Maggie Abernathy. You have a way with children.”

  “I love them. It’s all the other bullshit I hate. There’s so much more to an education than a test score. A piece of paper in your hand doesn’t always equate to a successful life.”

  John took the camera from me. I let him. I stared out into water as a freighter drifted in the horizon. He snapped a picture of me. I couldn’t see his eyes as he peered into the viewfinder, but he could see me. Our roles reversed. I smiled, then he snapped another photo.

  Chloe bounded over with exuberant enthusiasm. “Let me take one.”

  “Sure, I think you remember how.” John secured the camera strap around his daughter’s neck.

  “Now you two stand together,” she ordered.

  John and I scooted closer. He put his arm around my shoulder. When I glanced over to him, he stared through me and that’s when Chloe snapped the photo.

  Chapter 33

  Winston shuffled up the stairs of the porch, the soles of his boots scuffling along.

  I sat wrapped in a throw reading. “Chloe’s inside with Mom.”

  His warm smile unnerved me. It was the smile of a parent, not a cowboy. He cleared his throat, and I closed my book.

  “You seem like a nice person,” he started.

  I drew the throw tighter. Where was he going with this? Where was Chloe or Mom when I needed them?

  “I just came over to say goodbye. My flight leaves in the morning. I’ve had a good time here.”

  “Well, it was certainly a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad that you were able to come to Chloe’s career day. It really meant a lot to her,” I said. “You’re welcome anytime.” The butterflies settled.

  “It seems that my son is quite taken with you.” Winston paused, took a deep breath, and scanned the suburban scenery. “That’s not something to take lightly.”

  It took every ounce of energy to make eye contact with the man. What did he want from me? Damn it, where were Chloe and Mom? I let my eyes wander to the screen door. There was nothing but silence inside.

  “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he said, taking a throaty breath. “Think about Montana. We have plenty of room. The kids would have a ball.”

  “You mean Harry and Walter?” I asked.

  He chuckled and rubbed his chin. “Yup, Chloe sure is smitten with those boys. I’ve never seen so much curly hair in my life.”

  “I call them the Mark Spitz boys when they run around the beach in their Speedos. It’s quite a sight.” I kept my eyes on Winston. The creases in his skin, a roadmap to his past. He was a handsome man. He was a father watching out for his boy.

  I took a deep breath. “Um, how exactly do you know how John feels?” I picked at my thumbnail afraid to connect gazes.

  Winston’s boots shuffled closer. His finger lifted my chin. His hands were warm, a little rough, and thick. His eyes gleamed as he shook his head. I felt like a child.

  “I know you feel it, girl. Open your eyes, let yourself see it.”

  Sweat poured off my forehead. I kicked back the covers and sat up in panic. It seemed so real. I grabbed my phone to check the time. It felt like three in the morning, but the clock registered ten minutes past eleven. I’d only been asleep for an hour. I never had dreams like that. Shit.

  Taking off my wet T-shirt, I tossed it on the floor. Damp shivers infested my body. I got up, opened the dresser drawer, and found a clean top. The touch of running cool water eased the hot flash. God, I hated these things. I stood in front of the mirror naked. Winston’s image so real inside my head. I patted myself down with a fresh towel. Moonlight trickled through the partially opened blinds.

  I padded softly across the room as if there was someone else sleeping. I reminded myself,
I was the sole proprietor of this big house. I loved my house, but the dust and chores were becoming too much. Maybe I was getting too old, no, I corrected myself, too tired. Maybe I was the one who’d outgrown this place.

  I tiptoed through the hallway and down to the kitchen. Tomorrow Winston would fly back to Montana. I switched on the light.

  Bones grumbled from his dog bed, licked his jowls, yawned then put his head back down, and closed his eyes.

  I filled a glass with cold water then rolled it across my forehead before taking a long drink. Walking past Bones, I switched off the kitchen light. My foot kicked something on the floor in the dark foyer. I switched on the tabletop lamp. There on the floor was an envelope. I didn’t recognize the handwriting. Picking it up, I inspected it, then ran my fingers over the bold script written in black ink. The back popped open when I checked to see if it was sealed. Taking the stationary out of the envelope, I unfolded it. Inside was a ticket to Montana. I read the note. Maybe this will persuade you to come see us. The offer stands. Winston.

  My breath caught in my chest.

  “He must have slipped it through the mail slot,” I said to myself, wondering how he snuck it past Bones.

  Switching off the light, I carried my water upstairs in one hand, and Winston’s invitation in the other hand. I slipped back into bed then tapped out a text to Judy. Call me in the morning. Maggie.

  I drained the glass of cold water hoping not to have to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. My phone buzzed with a return text. I’m up now. What’s going on?

  I mouthed the words as I typed. Just received an interesting offer. Winston left me a plane ticket to Montana. What do I do with it? I can’t accept it. This is crazy. I pressed send.

  The screen of my phone lit up. I opened Judy’s next response. What’s crazy is that you didn’t tell me that the boys and I were invited, too.

  I smiled. How did you find out? I typed faster. Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned it. I meant to, but got sidetracked with all the commotion at the park. Besides. I have to think about it. Send.

  The vision of Winston was crystal clear as I closed my eyes. My phone buzzed. I read Judy’s reply. What’s there to think about? I’m in. She was quick to make up her mind. Judy probably already had plans for all of us. I continued to read. P.S. John told me.

  I tapped at the keyboard. Call me tomorrow. I put the phone on the nightstand and stared into the darkness. Ribbons of metallic light washed across my bedspread, the purr of John’s Harley faint. I kicked off the covers and went to the window. His garage light glowed across over the privacy fence that separated our yards. It faded within seconds. The almost-full moon shone in the sky, the light reflected from dense clouds that drifted overhead shaped like the Montana mountain range. In one breath, something changed. With my hand flat against my chest, making sure I was awake, a mysterious wave of clarity rolled over me. Staring into the yard, I searched for fairies. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes then went back to bed.

  My alarm rang at its usual time. My face was pressed into the pillow on the opposite side of the bed. I never slept on the right side. I was a creature of habit and liked my usual space. I kicked the sheet off and wiped the small drip of drool from my lip. Zonked and dazed, I tried to wake up remembering yesterday, more importantly last night. I rolled over with a groan and cursed the week. It was only Wednesday, a regular old Wednesday. I turned off the alarm then checked my phone. Judy’s texts were there and the envelope with the airline ticket was on the nightstand. Reaching over, I touched it, the foggy dream of Winston at the edge of my mind.

  Bones trotted in and barked at me.

  “Fine, I’ll let you out,” I said to him as if he would respond with “thank you”.

  I went to the bathroom, slipped on my sleeping pants, then shuffled downstairs to the kitchen. I opened the French doors and Bones ran out. I pushed the button on the coffee machine and waited for the aroma of hazelnuts to greet me.

  Leaning against the counter, I touched the teacup Mom had given me last year at about this time. The delicate pink ribbons reminded me of my journey, reminded me of so many women’s journeys, some not as lucky as me. As soon as the coffee stopped dripping, I filled the cup and went out to the patio to greet the morning.

  “Maggie,” the deep voice called.

  I walked to the edge of the stone floor. “Yeah,” I answered.

  Winston rounded the corner with Bones under his arm. “I think this belongs to you. Someone must have left the gate open. Probably Chloe,” he said.

  I sipped at my coffee. “Thanks.” His eyes connected with mine as if he really was there last night talking to me in my dreams. “When’s your flight?”

  “Ten. Gonna drop Chloe off at school with her dad then head out.”

  Tucking my hair behind my ear, I pretended I wasn’t standing there in pajamas. “Want some coffee?”

  Winston smiled. “You look like you need to get ready for work, not entertain some old coot in the early hours.”

  “I bet you’re up at the crack of dawn every morning.” I pictured him sipping coffee on a porch watching the sunrise as fog lifted to reveal the mountains that surrounded his pastures.

  “Yeah, can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” he said.

  I smiled as my lips touched the rim of my breast cancer teacup. Bones nudged my shins asking for breakfast then he jumped up in the chaise lounge, and leaned into my thigh.

  “Have a safe trip.” He turned to leave, and suddenly I felt like a fool. “Winston,” I said.

  The morning light lit his face as he faced me, his posture like a Marlboro Man.

  “I got the ticket. That was very generous.” I got up then stepped closer to him. The dewy grass stuck to my feet. His smile tugged at my heartstrings. “I don’t know.”

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. We all do. Thanks for being so good to Chloe.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  His stern jaw softened with a thin smile. “Just remember to bring your camera, because I have lots of cattle just waiting to meet you.”

  “I’ll think about it,” I said.

  Maybe Montana wasn’t calling me home. Maybe it was Winston. He turned and left. The gate latch clicked. Bones and I went back inside. I fed Bones and refilled my cup of coffee. There was a small knock at the front door. Good Lord. I opened the door. Chloe was dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, her hands behind her back. The Tiffany necklace from Chicago hung around her neck. I think she’d worn it every day since Brook had given it to her.

  “Hi, Chloe,” I said. “Glad to see you’re wearing your glasses.”

  “Sorry to bug you, Maggie, but my grandpa said he just saw you.” She pulled her hands out from behind her back. “Here, this is for you. I know what grandpa gave you. He doesn’t know I know, but I know. I’m just keeping quiet about the whole thing.”

  She smiled, her permanent teeth nice and straight. She held out an envelope.

  “I wrote this hoping it would help you make up your mind. I know you’re not sure and I’m not even sure I know why, but you grown-ups sure do need a lot of attention.” Chloe took a deep breath. “But, I do know that you should come see me, us. It wouldn’t be the same without you.” She took another deep breath and stared through me.

  I opened the door and she handed me an envelope. The girl next door had moved into my heart and had unpacked her bags to stay. “Thanks.”

  “Dad says that you have to want to come for yourself. I’m not sure what that means, but I’d like it if you’d come to see me. Well, I have to eat my breakfast. And you look like you need a shower or something.”

  “Yeah, I need something,” I said, wondering what exactly was in the envelope she gave me.

  “Have a good day, Maggie. Don’t let those boogers get the best of you. By the way, Autumn really liked you.”

  I finished my coffee as I watched her head home. Bones jumped against the screen door, knocking it open, the
n ran after Chloe.

  “Good grief.” I sighed. I put Chloe’s envelope on the table and went to retrieve Bones. I trotted down the porch stairs. “Bones,” I called. His body disappeared under the hedges as his tail waggled back and forth with adventure. I bent down and peered through the spring greenery. Chloe sat crisscross with her eyes closed rubbing Bones’ head.

  “Chloe,” I said.

  She opened her eyes. “I just want to be alone.”

  Bones licked her cheeks. This morning proved that nothing good could come of Wednesdays either. “I have to get Bones back inside and I have to get ready for work,” I said with a grunt as I hooked my fingers under Bones’ collar. He didn’t budge. Chloe always came first in his book. “Come on, boy,” I said. He dug his heels in and hunched his back. Chloe sat silent, her eyes still. She was never still. “What?” Small droplets of sweat began to bead on my forehead.

  Chloe started to say something, but stopped.

  Someone touched my back. John held out his hand to help me up when I glanced back over my shoulder to see who was there. “Great, now everyone knows what a middle-aged woman having a hot flash in her pajamas looks like,” I said as I wiped my forehead with the bottom of my T-shirt.

  John laughed.

  “So, you think this is funny?”

  Bones disappeared into the bushes. The branches rustled as he and Chloe settled in.

  “Yeah, I do,” he said.

  “Of course you do. I have to get ready for work. What time is it?”

  John unclipped the phone from his belt. It’s seven-fifteen.”

  A wave of panic rushed through my veins. “I have to go. I look like crap and I have to get ready. What about Chloe?” I pointed to the bushes.

  “Maybe she just needs some time alone. She’s got a lot on her plate right now.”

  “I heard that.” Chloe’s grunt drifted out from the bushes.

  “We’ll make sure Bones doesn’t run off. We’ll put him in the backyard while you do your thing, whatever that might be,” John reassured me.

  I narrowed my gaze as his eyes inspected me from head-to-toe. I bent down and stuck my head into the bushes. I brushed away the twig that caught my hair. “Chloe, are you going to be okay?”