by Force, Marie
“Corey will be discharged tomorrow or the day after,” Maggie said. “I gave them my number to call when she’s ready for a ride. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Sounds good. Congrats on the new niece, by the way.”
“Thank you.” Maggie showed her some new pictures Kate had sent earlier.
“She’s a beauty.”
“Yes, she is. The grandparents are arriving as we speak to meet her.”
“You should get out of here and go be with your family.”
“That’s the plan. See you tomorrow.” Maggie locked up her office and went to her apartment to shower and change clothes before she left for Kate’s. She stood under the hot water for a long time, letting it wash away the stress of the day so she could focus on her sister and the rest of the family.
Maggie wanted to show them a strong, competent woman who was adjusting well to her new life, not an emotional basket case who was forever bordering on the verge of breakdown.
She brushed her hair, put on enough makeup to conceal the dark circles under her eyes and got dressed in jeans, boots and a lightweight sweater. With her purse, keys and phone in hand, she left her apartment and encountered the chatter and voices of residents having dinner in the conference room, which once again became a dining room at dinnertime.
Her inclination was to check in with everyone before she left, but tonight, she left things in the hands of her capable staff and got out of there while she could. The next crisis, she had discovered, was always imminent.
She’d received a text from Jill two hours ago, letting her know the family had landed at Nashville International Airport. They would be settling in at Kate’s by now. When she’d asked, Reid had told her the runway at Matthews House was too short to accommodate the private jet her dad chartered to bring the whole crew.
As she drove the short distance to her sister’s place, Maggie kept the window down and the music loud, hoping to reset from the difficult day so she could enjoy the time with her family. In the driveway at Kate’s were two large black SUVs that’d been rented to transport the family from the airport. Knowing their dad, he’d gone to enormous lengths to make sure their visit wouldn’t be a burden to the new parents.
Maggie went in through the mudroom and dropped her bag and keys on a bench before continuing into the kitchen, where Buddy’s mother, Miss Martha, was stirring a big pot on the stove.
“Now the gang’s all here,” Martha said, opening her arms to hug Maggie.
Martha, who had white hair and wise brown eyes, was one of the sweetest ladies Maggie had ever met. She’d immediately made Maggie feel like a beloved granddaughter and was an extra mother to Reid, after having worked as his family’s housekeeper. She had to be eighty-five by now, but you’d never know it to look at her.
“What’re you making? Smells delicious.”
“I whipped up a big pot of chili and cornbread to feed the troops tonight so no one would have to cook after traveling.
“That was awfully nice of you.”
“Truth be told, I also wanted to get a look at my new grandbaby. She’s a stunner.”
“She certainly is.”
“Your first niece or nephew, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Such a special time for all of you. How’s it going at the house?”
“It’s great. Something different every day.”
“It’s such a wonderful thing y’all are doing there. I couldn’t think of a better way to make that old house come alive again.”
“It’s definitely alive.”
Martha smiled. “Go on in and see your folks. They were asking about you.”
Maggie gave Martha’s arm an affectionate squeeze. “Always good to see you, Miss Martha.”
“Likewise, sweetheart.”
As she followed the roar of voices into the great room, she was nearly mowed over by four young brothers who rushed toward her as a group.
“Whoa, Nelly.” Maggie laughed as she wrapped her arms around them.
They all talked at once, bombarding her with news and laughter and boyish exuberance.
Her dad rescued her. “Boys. Give your sister room to breathe.”
The boys backed off, and Maggie stepped into the outstretched arms of her dad. He smelled like home to her and held her close for a long, perfect moment.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, Mags. So good to see you.”
“You, too.” She pulled back to look up at him. Other than a few more gray hairs around the edges of his dark hair, he looked the same. Growing up, her friends had always commented on how handsome her dad was, and at the time, Maggie had been revolted by that. But now she got it. He was a good-looking man who seemed to get only more so as he aged.
Andi came over to join them, hugging Maggie. Her mom and Aidan came next, followed by Frannie, Jamie, Owen and Olivia.
“Where’s Eric?” Maggie asked.
“He couldn’t miss school, unfortunately,” Jack said. “He was super bummed, but it was the right thing with finals next week.”
“Aw, I’m so sad I won’t get to see him.”
“We are, too,” Andi said as she secured long dark curly hair into a messy bun, “but you’ll see him for graduation and then again for the wedding.”
“You look good, Mags,” Clare said. “How’s life in Tennessee treating you?”
“Very well, as you know, because I talk to you every day.”
Clare laughed. “You can’t blame a mom for asking.”
“Today was a bitch. I need a drink. Anyone else want one?”
“Sign me up,” Jack said. “Lead the way.”
He and Maggie went into the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of wine from one of the bottles that’d been put on the counter and Jack got beers for himself and Jamie.
“How’s it going being a grandfather?” Maggie asked him.
Martha snickered under her breath.
“I’m adjusting,” Jack said. “Slowly.”
“Comes at you outta nowhere,” Martha said. “One minute you’re minding your own business, raising your family. Next minute, bam. You’re a grandparent.”
“That’s exactly how it happened for me, only I’ve got ten-year-old boys still at home.”
“Well, that’s your fault, my friend,” Martha said.
Jack laughed. “Indeed it is. They’re keeping me young, though, so there is that.”
“That,” Martha said, “is everything.”
Chapter 13
The family passed a delightful evening of food, drinks and laughter. Everyone took turns holding Poppy, the star of the day, who slept through most of the action. When she was awake, she seemed to take it all in with wise gray eyes. Kate said she couldn’t really see anything yet, but Maggie wanted to dispute that. Clearly, the child was going to be exceptional based on the way she rolled with her boisterous family with a minimum of fuss.
Maggie helped her mom, Andi and Jill clean up the kitchen after dinner. Being with them helped to settle her after the rough day, but her emotions continued to churn, especially after she checked her phone and saw a text from Corey that she would be released in the morning.
I’ll be there to pick you up, Maggie replied.
“Everything all right, Mags?” Clare asked.
“Today was a rough one at the office. I had one mom, a domestic assault victim, decide to give up her premature baby for adoption, and another mom, who’s battling ovarian cancer, visited by the Department of Children’s Services.”
“Oh wow, that’s a lot.”
“Is it always like that?” Andi asked as she refilled her wineglass and Clare’s. Jill had gone to find Ashton, and Martha was sitting with her feet up at Kate’s directive. Reid would drive the older woman back to her home on Buddy’s property when she was ready to go.
Maggie declined another glass since she had to drive. “Thankfully, no. Today was an unusually crazy day. And very emotional. Seeing Corey through the process wit
h the social workers was brutal.”
“I can only imagine.” Clare put an arm around Maggie. “She’s lucky to have you and the team at Matthews.”
Maggie leaned into her mom’s embrace. “We’ll get her through it. I hope.”
“You will,” Andi said. “For sure.”
“So we hear there’s a horse whisperer,” Clare said.
“And that he’s hot AF,” Andi added, her expression full of mirth.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “What else did they tell you?”
“That you brought him here last night to meet your sisters and the baby,” Clare said.
“Which has them wondering what’s up with you two,” Andi said.
It was interesting to note how her mother and stepmother finished each other’s sentences these days. There’d been a time when Maggie had wondered if their family would ever recover from the way her parents’ marriage had ended. Now they were all friends and had put the past where it belonged so they could fully support all their children.
Clare waved a hand in front of Maggie’s face. “Hello? Maggie?”
“Just making sure you guys were done before I respond.”
“Spill it,” Clare said.
“He works with me at Matthews. He’s a nice guy and a big fan of Kate’s. I thought he might like to meet her. That he got to meet Buddy and Taylor and everyone else was an added extra.”
“That’s nice of you, but you brought him here the night your sister had a baby, which tells me he might mean more to you than you’re letting on.” Clare O’Malley, shrewd as always. Other than a slight limp when she overdid it, she had no lingering effects from the accident and long coma.
“I met him three days ago when he came to work for me. He’s a nice guy who I’ll be working closely with in the equine therapy program. That’s all there is to it. Nothing to see here.”
Clare glanced at Andi, skepticism in her expression and tone of voice. “As an experienced mother, I tend to find that when I’m told there’s ‘nothing to see here,’ there’s almost always something to be seen.”
Andi covered her mouth to smother a laugh.
“She’s not funny,” Maggie said.
“She’s kind of funny,” Andi said.
“Not even kinda.”
“I’m well known for being funny, so give it up.”
“What’s my lovely wife telling you?” Aidan asked as he came into the kitchen. Tall and handsome with wavy brown hair and hazel eyes, Aidan had about three gray hairs, which drove Clare crazy, as she was seven years older than Aidan and relying on her stylist to keep her blonde these days.
“She’s trying to convince me she’s funny.”
Aidan glanced at Clare, smiling warmly the way he always did around her. “She is pretty funny.”
“Not you, too!”
Clare gave Maggie a smug smile. “Told ya. I won’t pile on about the sexy horse whisperer—”
“His name is Brayden, and he’s my employee.”
“As I was saying, I won’t pile on, but I will say I’m glad you’re making new friends here.”
“Did it hurt you to show that kind of restraint?” Maggie asked her mother.
“Deeply.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Aidan said. “She figures she’ll get any and all dirt from Kate and Jill, so she’s letting you off the hook easily.”
Clare gave her husband an outraged look. “Will you please shut your mouth?”
Andi laughed helplessly.
“You’re all insane,” Maggie said, but she loved them unreasonably, and having them in town made her realize how much she’d missed them.
“You say that like it’s news to us that we’re unhinged,” Aidan said.
Her stepfather was one of Maggie’s favorite people in the world. He was the first to treat her like an actual adult, and she’d never forget that. When the rest of the family had been melting down about Kate’s relationship with Reid, Aidan had been the one to tell Maggie that sometimes she was better off not knowing the adult details. She’d learned since then, many times over, how right he’d been about that.
“In other news, how’s Grammy doing?” Maggie asked Aidan. His mother was another of Maggie’s favorite people. She treated Maggie and her sisters like grandchildren, and they adored her.
“She’s hanging in there. The arthritis is a bitch. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, but she doesn’t let it get her down. She is counting the days until the wedding and is very determined to be there.”
“I can’t wait to see her and all the O’Malleys.”
“You’ll get to see the whole mob. Everyone is coming.”
“That’s what Jill wanted—the entire family.”
“She’ll get more than she bargained for with the O’Malleys,” Aidan said.
Maggie stayed until everyone started to pack it in for the night. “I’ll see you tomorrow after work.”
“Would you mind if we came by to check out Matthews House?” Jack asked. “I’d love to see where you’re living and working.”
“Of course. Just shoot me a text to let me know what time.” Thinking of bringing Corey home and getting her settled, Maggie added, “Afternoon would be better.”
“Sounds good. We’ll see you then.” He hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Drive carefully.”
“Always do. My dad taught me.”
His smile lit up his handsome face. “That’s right. Some of the most spectacular fights I ever had with my children involved teaching them to drive. Ah, good times.”
Maggie laughed at the face he made. “The best of times.”
“For you, maybe. I lived in mortal fear of imminent death.”
“Such a drama queen.”
Andi curled her hands around Jack’s arm. “That’s my husband. The ultimate drama queen. But that’s why we love him.”
“I’m standing right here,” Jack said dryly.
Maggie drove home with a smile on her face, thinking of each of her family members and the enjoyable evening they’d spent together. In the midst of it all, Kate had reigned from her spot on the sofa, sharing her baby with the family and glowing with hard-won happiness. She’d worked her ass off to earn this well-deserved break. Maggie couldn’t be happier to know that she’d have her sisters around for the next year before they possibly headed back out on the road to tour.
She pulled into her spot behind the stables, feeling an odd sense of sadness at knowing Brayden wasn’t there. For fuck’s sake, she thought as she walked across the driveway to the kitchen door. Knock it off, Maggie.
Matthews House was blessedly quiet when she stepped into the kitchen. She went into her apartment and shut the door, feeling wrung out after the long day. After changing into her pajamas, brushing her teeth and getting into bed, she looked at her phone for the first time since she got Corey’s text earlier.
A flutter of elation went through her when she saw that Brayden had sent her a picture of the Florida sunset. Greetings from sunny Florida. Hope you had a nice time with your folks.
It was a great time. Nice to see them all.
He wrote right back. Glad to hear it. You needed that after the day you had.
She sighed with the pleasure that came from knowing he understood that a day like today had kicked her ass. It was so comforting to have someone around who saw her struggling to juggle the many competing needs that arose in a day and got how challenging it could be. She didn’t have to pretend to be super competent around him, which was a huge relief. Yeah, this was one for the record books, for sure. Thankfully they aren’t all like that.
One of my grandfather’s favorite sayings after a hard day was you got ‘rode hard and put up wet.’ Applicable for a number of scenarios. Brayden added the laughing emoji.
The suggestive phrase mingled with images of Brayden’s bare chest and handsome face. Thank goodness he wasn’t here to see how flustered he’d made her with his innuendo. The thought of being rode hard by him and put up wet… Stop
it, Maggie! She forced herself to come up with a reply that gave nothing away. That’s a good summary of my day. Corey is getting released in the morning.
Are you picking her up?
Ya.
Ugh, I hope that goes ok. She’s so lucky to have you and the team at Matthews. You’ll get her through it.
We’ll do our best for her. Are you in Key West?
Driving through Alligator Alley as we speak. We’ll get there around midnight.
You aren’t texting and driving, are you?
No, ma’am, my buddy Josh is driving.
Don’t ma’am me.
Yes, ma’am. He added a row of laughing emojis.
Maggie replied with a scowl emoji.
He sent back more laughing emojis. Text me tomorrow and let me know how it goes with Corey.
She sent a thumbs-up, touched that he cared enough to want to know how it went when he hadn’t even met Corey yet. He’d started to feel like a “partner in crime” to her, and it was kind of nice to have someone to talk to about everything that was going on. While she continued to tell herself that developing feelings for a man she worked with was inadvisable, the feelings were happening regardless of those inner warnings.
He was a nice guy, a decent guy, someone who understood the world in which she lived and worked, and who’d offered support on multiple occasions in the short time she’d known him. Sure, she had Teresa and Arnelle and the rest of the staff as well as her sisters and family to rely on, but for some reason, talking about it with Brayden made her feel like she had her very own confidant.
It was all so confusing. On the one hand, she wanted to be as professional as possible. On the other hand, she was struggling with life-and-death issues on a daily basis, and having someone like him around to lean on made the burden feel lighter than it had been before he came along.
She went to bed feeling conflicted about the clash of personal versus professional and hoping she wasn’t creating a disaster for herself—and the program—by relying on the very sexy Brayden Thomas.
