by Force, Marie
“Yes, they are.”
“I haven’t met a lot of celebrities in person. I didn’t expect them to be so…”
“Normal?”
“Yeah.”
“A lot of people say that when they meet them. Buddy says they’re regular people. Put their pants on one leg at a time like everyone else does. He says a few other things that aren’t fit for repeating, but that’s his take on things. Taylor is always after him for his colorful language.”
“He’s a cool dude. I liked him. I liked them all. Ashton, though… He’s a bit intense, huh?”
“How do you mean?”
“He made a point of telling me that he’s a lawyer and did the background check on me.”
“Ugh, he did not!”
“Yes, he did.”
“I’m sorry about that. He shouldn’t have done that.”
“He was putting me on notice that he knows I’ve got a past. I get it.”
“Still… It’s not up to him to do that.”
“He’s looking out for you, I think.”
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“You’ve proven that.” Brayden wasn’t sure if he should refer to what she told him earlier, but he wanted her to know that he admired her for escaping her attacker—and for putting a hurt on him.
“I’ve had a lot of regrets about that night. I never should’ve let him walk me to my door.”
“Maggie, come on. That’s not your fault. The guy was an attorney you knew from work. You shouldn’t have had anything to fear from him.”
She shrugged. “Still. I was caught off guard, and after living in the city for years by then, I knew better than to let that happen.”
“You defended yourself, and you got away. That’s what matters. You know that, don’t you?”
“Still working on that, but thanks for listening. It really helps to have told someone.”
“I’m glad you told me, and feel free to talk to me about it any time you need to.”
“Thanks,” she said with a deep sigh.
“Why the sigh?”
“I’ve crossed quite a few boundaries and muddied the personal and professional lines pretty badly on your second day with us.”
“Fuck that. Who cares about the lines? I’m going to do a fantastic job for you regardless of whether we’re friends or not. We’re going to be living and working in close proximity. I’d much rather be friends than not be. This isn’t corporate America, Maggie, and we both know exactly what our jobs are.”
“When you put it that way,” she said with a laugh, “it seems kind of dumb to be worried about it.”
He flashed her a teasing grin that he hoped she could see in the darkness. “It is dumb.”
She laughed. “Gee, thanks. It’s just that this is my first time being completely in charge of something, and I’m trying to do it right.”
“You care so much about the people you’re working with and for. That’s how you do it right. Don’t get caught up in worrying about things that don’t matter. You have enough to worry about just getting through the day.”
“That’s true. Thanks for being so cool. I appreciate the support.”
“You got this. You’re an outstanding boss lady.”
“That’s nice to hear, but I’m still learning. Got a long way to go.”
“You honestly think you’ll ever reach the point in this job when you can say, ‘I’ve got this. Nothing surprises me anymore.’?”
“Probably not,” she conceded. “It’s something new every day.”
“Exactly.”
Maggie’s phone rang, and she took the call from Teresa on the Bluetooth. “Hey. I’ve got Brayden with me.”
“Hi there. Just heard that Corey’s baby is arriving tonight by C-section.”
“Is anyone with her?”
“The nurse said that one of Corey’s friends is there.”
“Oh good. Do you think I should go?”
“You could probably check on her in the morning.”
“Okay, I’ll do that. Did they say anything about what to expect for the baby?”
“Just that the baby will be taken right to the NICU.”
“Right, well, I’ll be back at the house shortly.”
“See you then.”
“Did you just tell her you went somewhere with me?”
“Crap, I did.” She grimaced. “Oh well. I had to since she needed to know I wasn’t alone. Client privacy and all that.”
“How far along is Corey?”
“Thirty weeks. They were hoping for a few more.”
“There’s so much they can do for premature babies these days.”
“Right. It’s still so stressful.”
“I know.”
The house was mostly dark when Maggie drove to her parking spot behind the stables. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
“Thanks for asking me.” They got out of the car and walked around the stables, where they would part company. “Hey, Maggie? Why did you? Ask me to go, that is.”
“I, um, I don’t know exactly. I thought you might like to meet them, I guess.”
“I did like meeting them. I liked hanging out with you, too, so thanks again. Sleep well.”
“You, too.”
Maggie walked away, and he waited for her to get inside. He stood there for a long time thinking of her and the things he’d learned about her during that momentous day before he headed for his place.
Chapter 11
At seven o’clock, after passing a restless night in which her mind spun the way it had in the early days after Ethan attacked her, Maggie dragged herself into the shower. She figured the spike in anxiety had come from sharing what’d happened with Brayden. And why had she done that, exactly? Why had she invited him to come to Kate’s with her? Why did she find herself thinking about him in all manner of ways that could complicate things for both of them? Getting involved with someone at work was always risky, but it was even more so when you worked and lived in the same place.
Say she allowed herself to develop this interest in Brayden. Say it went somewhere and then it went bad. That would be a mess for both of them and everyone else they worked with, which was the best reason she could think of to put up a firewall, to keep things friendly and cordial, but professional. She could do that. Of course she could. With both her sisters nearby, it wasn’t like she was desperate for friends or entertainment in her new town.
Her sisters were part of her everyday life, and yet… The first person she’d told about Ethan had been Brayden.
After puzzling over the why of it as she dried her hair and got dressed, she still had no real answers other than that he’d been there after she received that disturbing text and had offered comfort. If she’d been with Jill and Kate when Ethan texted, she probably would’ve told them. But she’d been with Brayden, someone she barely knew, and for whatever reason, it had been easier to share it with him than it would’ve been to tell her sisters.
Maggie knew she ought to take a closer look at why she felt that way, but she had too many other things to do at the moment, starting with going to check on Corey and the baby. First, she had to touch base with Teresa to make sure everyone was off to school.
She went into the kitchen, where Mitch had a pot of coffee made, and helped herself to a cup, pouring in enough cream to make it palatable.
“What’s for breakfast today?” Mitch asked her.
“How about some oatmeal?”
“Coming right up.”
“Have I mentioned that you’re one of the best perks of this awesome job?”
“Only every morning since I started,” he said with what counted as a big smile for him, even though his face barely moved.
While Mitch made the oatmeal, Maggie took a coffee to Teresa, who was in the main office, typing on a computer.
“Morning,” Maggie said, handing her the steaming mug.
“Hey.” She gratefully received the coffee. “Bless you.
”
“How’re things?”
“A quiet night, and everyone made it to the bus stop on time.”
“Excellent. Any word on Corey?”
“She had a good night, and the baby is holding his own.”
“Ah, so she had a boy. I’m headed there this morning.”
“The nurse said she’s very emotional, but I suppose that’s to be expected. Hormones added to the upheaval she’s been through and an early delivery.”
“It’s a lot.”
“She’ll be glad to see you.”
“Oatmeal is ready, Maggie,” Mitch called from the kitchen.
To Teresa, she said, “I’ll check in later.”
“Sounds good. I’m off tonight, so Cecilia will be covering.”
“Got it. Enjoy the night off.”
“I’ll spend most of it asleep, I’m sure.”
With a laugh, Maggie went to eat breakfast and was on her way into town a few minutes later. A truck from one of the local lumberyards passed her going toward the house, delivering the supplies Brayden had ordered to build a platform for his program that would allow the children to safely mount the horses.
He had assured her he could build the platform himself, having secured plans online and seen many of the platforms in use over the years.
Maggie had left it in his capable hands. She would also be hiring part-time staff to serve as spotters and escorts, which were required as part of the program. She hoped to attract high school students who wanted to earn some money and get work experience. The ad would be going live later in the day, and she expected to get a robust response due to Kate’s involvement with the program.
Kate was a deity to teenage girls.
Maggie laughed at that thought. It still amused her, even after all the years her sister had been a big star, that people fell over themselves to talk to her, to have any contact whatsoever with her. The news of Poppy’s birth had probably set the internet on fire.
She got to the hospital at nine thirty, and after a stop in the gift shop to get flowers and a balloon, she took the elevator to the maternity ward. At the nurse’s desk, she showed her Matthews House ID and asked for Corey.
“Room three twelve,” the nurse said. “On the left.”
“Thank you.”
Maggie went into the room, put the flowers on a table and found Corey resting on her side, her face wet with tears. Judging by Corey’s red, raw eyes, she’d been crying all night.
When Corey saw Maggie, she tried to sit up and winced in pain.
“Take it easy.” Maggie helped the young woman get settled with pillows behind her. “How do we turn down the TV?”
Corey pressed buttons on a hand controller that brought the TV from blasting to a normal volume.
“That’s better. How’re you feeling?”
“Horrible, like I’ve been stabbed. I can’t stop crying, and my boobs are killing me.”
“It’s the hormones.”
“That’s what the nurses said. They’re so nice.” More tears filled her big eyes. She looked so young and frightened.
“And the baby? How is he?”
“They said he’s doing all right, but he’ll be here awhile. He’s so small. Just over three pounds.” She swiped at more tears.
“What can I do for you?”
“The flowers are pretty. Thank you.”
“They’re from all of us at Matthews House.”
“Everyone is so nice.” She hiccuped on a sob. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without y’all.”
“Is there anyone I can call for you?”
She fiddled with the blanket. “I’ve been trying all morning not to call Trey.”
“The baby’s father?”
Corey nodded. “I thought I should at least tell him the baby came, but…” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “He doesn’t deserve to know.”
“After he hurt you, you mean?”
“Yes. He’s the reason the baby came early. I know it’s because he pushed me down those stairs.”
Maggie handed her a tissue. She hadn’t heard that he’d pushed her down stairs, and the information infuriated her.
Corey mopped up tears and blew her nose. “Even knowing that, why is it that I want him more than anyone else right now?”
“Because you loved him before you found out who he really is.”
“I always knew who he was, and I loved him anyway. It’s my fault.”
“What is?”
“That the baby was born early. I should’ve left Trey the first time he hit me.”
Maggie got another tissue and gave it to Corey. “It’s not your fault, Corey. You did nothing to endanger your son.”
“It is my fault. I stayed with him.”
“Because you felt like you had nowhere else to go.”
“I’d still be with him if that ER doctor hadn’t told me about Matthews House.”
“You got out as soon as you could. You took care of yourself and your child by leaving when you did.”
Corey broke down into heartbroken sobs. “It was too late. The baby… He’s so small.”
“He’s in the best possible place, and I’m sure they’re doing everything they can for him. Are you sure there isn’t anyone else I can call for you? What about your parents?”
“It’s just my mom, and she told me to stay away from Trey. I didn’t listen to her. I can’t call her and tell her she was right.”
“She might be happy to hear from you.”
“I’m not calling her.” She looked up at Maggie. “How will I care for a premature baby when I can’t even take care of myself?”
Maggie held her hand and thought long and hard about what to say to that. “Have you spoken with the hospital’s social workers?”
“Someone came in earlier, but I didn’t talk to her about this.”
“Why not?”
“I was afraid to say it out loud.”
“Well, now you have, and that’s okay. If you don’t feel capable of caring for your baby, you have options.”
Corey’s chin quivered violently as tears rained down her face. “I love him so much. I’ve only had a few seconds with him, and I already love him.”
“You’ve had months with him.”
She nodded.
“No one can tell you what the right thing to do is, Corey. Only you can know what’s best for you.”
She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
Maggie got up, sat on the edge of the bed and held Corey’s trembling body. “Nothing needs to be decided today. He’s going to be here for a while, so you’ve got time to think about it—”
“No.”
“No?”
“H-he needs parents who can step up for him r-right now, and I… I can’t do that.”
Maggie smoothed the matted blonde hair back from Corey’s face. “What do you want to do?”
“I… I think I’d like to talk to the social worker again.”
“Do you want me to ask the nurses to call her?”
“Yes, please,” Corey said softly.
Maggie cried all the way home. Corey’s heartbreak had been so deep and so profound that Maggie had felt as if she were taking steps to give up her own child for adoption. Things had happened quickly after the social worker arrived, along with a member of the hospital’s counseling team, who’d ensured that Corey was fully aware of what she was doing before allowing her to sign the forms necessary to give up her parental rights. When the social worker asked about the baby’s father, Corey had shaken her head and refused to say another word. The social worker hadn’t pushed her, but Maggie wondered if or when Trey would have to give up his rights.
Maggie had promised to provide shelter to Corey for as long as she needed it during her recovery, had stayed with her throughout the entire process and for two hours after the others left, rubbing the young woman’s back until she fell asleep, her shoulders still heaving from hours of sobbing.
Feeling
shredded, Maggie drove up the driveway to Matthews House and around the stables, where she encountered a shirtless Brayden hammering nails into a wooden platform and discovered that under those Western shirts he favored, he had muscles on top of muscles. She watched him move, mesmerized by the play of those muscles and the snug fit of faded denim over his ass and legs. She propped her sunglasses on top of her head to get a better look.
Dear God, the man was absolute perfection.
She blinked several times, trying to remember what she’d been doing before she came upon him. Oh, right, parking her car, getting out, going back to work. After pulling into her space, she shut off the engine, grabbed her purse and got out of the car to find that Brayden had turned around, giving her the full-on view of his chest and abdomen. Holy moly… The front was even better than the back. His chest was covered with dark hair—not too much. Just enough. His abdomen was cut, and his jeans hung low and—
“You’ve been crying.”
When she snapped out of the lust-induced fugue state she’d slipped into, Maggie realized he was now standing right in front of her, half-naked, sweat making his golden skin gleam in the early afternoon sun.
“Maggie?”
“What?”
“I said you’ve been crying. Why?”
“I was with Corey at the hospital. She made the difficult decision to give her son up for adoption.”
“Oh damn. That’s a tough one.”
“It was brutal, but she really feels like it’s the right thing to do. She said she can’t take care of herself, let alone a child with special needs.”
“What will she do now?”
“We’ll bring her back here to recover from the birth, and then I guess we’ll see. She’s welcome to stay here as long as she needs to.”
“She’s so lucky to have you and everyone here. This place will save her.”
His kind words put a lump in Maggie’s throat, and fearing she would break down in front of him—again—she shifted her gaze to the platform he’d built. “You got a lot done.”
He glanced at his work in progress. “It’s pretty straightforward, and I’m under the gun to get it done before I leave tonight so we can start next Monday.” After a pause, he added, “You remembered I mentioned an already-planned vacation, right?”
