“You sure like to read,” he remarked when she took the tray through.
He was standing in front of a very well-worn bookcase that dominated one wall. She wondered if he’d noted the fact that there was no television, so she didn’t really have much else to do, although it suited her fine. She’d never been one to slob around in front of the TV, even when she had one in every room.
She smiled as she placed the coffees on a small table and sat down on the lumpy sofa. “Yes I do.”
He perused a few titles of some very dog-eared books that she had picked up in a junk shop before his hand rested on one that looked quite pristine.
“A Modern Guide to Social Etiquette,” he read aloud. He pulled the book from the shelf and snickered while he leafed through the pages. “So this is how you know so much about expensive wines.”
She felt herself glow hot when he teased her, and she shot to her feet.
“Not exactly,” she snapped, grabbing the book from him. “You don’t know anything, so don’t you dare make judgments like that.”
“I’m… I’m sorry, Maggie. I didn’t mean—”
“Get out!” She held the book close to her chest and pointed to the door with her other hand.
“I meant it’s good that you know this stuff. Self-improvement is always—”
“Out!” She’d heard enough.
He looked hurt and embarrassed as he grabbed his hat and quickly made his way toward the door.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated on his way out, but she wasn’t listening. She slammed the door and bolted it as soon as he’d gone, before crumbling into a heap of miserable tears on the floor beside it, still clutching her book.
* * * *
“More pancakes?”
Aiden shook his head. He really didn’t feel hungry this morning. He felt sick.
“No thanks, Josie. I’ve had more than enough.”
She rolled her eyes. “I remember a time when you used to eat twice as much as that,” she remarked, gesturing to his plate.
“Think he’s love-sick, sis.” Ben hooted with laughter across the table.
“Very funny.” Aiden was in no mood to be teased today. He yawned.
“So are we all agreed then? We’ll hold a dinner party and invite this Mr. Rossington and his wife. I assume he has one?” Josie was jotting down more notes in her large diary as she spoke.
“Hmm, we’ll have to invite a few others, too, so as not to look obvious,” Ben offered. “I’m sure I can come up with a few influential locals that could impress him.”
“It’s a good idea,” Greg agreed, putting a fresh pot of coffee on the table before taking a seat next to his wife. “But I don’t want Josie overdoing it.” He put a possessive arm around her shoulder.
“Greg, I’m pregnant, not ill,” she pointed out, rolling her eyes.
“I know, but it’s still early days. You have to be careful.” Greg was adamant.
“Well, perhaps I could find someone to help out a little,” she relented with a smile. She pursed her lips as she looked back to her diary. “How many people were you thinking of, guys?”
“Well if we’re gonna schmooze the guy, we’ll need to invite him and his wife, and if there’s four of us, we’ll need at least one other couple to balance it out, then maybe a couple more to make it look less obvious,” Ben replied thoughtfully, counting them out on his fingers.
“Is that a couple or a couple of couples?” Aiden frowned, taking a sip of his coffee.
Josie giggled, her light brown curls dancing around her shoulders. She wasn’t showing yet, but she sure looked radiant. “Oh I think we’ll need more than a couple,” she said, her eyes flashing with mirth.
“So, is that more than a couple or more than a couple of couples? Jeez, you guys.” Aiden shook his head in frustration while the others laughed.
“Leave it with me. I’ll drum up some guests,” Ben told them with a chuckle when he got up. “Thanks for the breakfast, Josie.” He leaned over the table and gave his sister a peck on the cheek before leaving the room. “I’m gonna get into town. I need to pick up a few things. I’ll catch you later.”
“Hold on,” Josie piped up just as he reached the hallway.
Ben came back, poking his head around the kitchen door.
“Are you bringing someone? To the dinner party, I mean?”
Ben looked over at his brother, giving him a sly grin. “Nah. I think it’d be better to keep our minds focused on business, don’t you, Ade? Or were you dying to introduce your latest girl to the family?”
Aiden felt a jolt in his stomach then he shook his head. “Nope. You’re right, bro. It’s a business dinner.”
“Great.” Josie looked satisfied then she scribbled something in her diary as the front door slammed.
“I’d best go see to the horses,” Greg said, then he stood up. He kissed Josie fondly on the top of her head. “Don’t you go overdoing it, ya hear?”
She giggled but gave him a dazzling smile when he left the room.
“I’m glad I’ve got you to myself,” she confided to Aiden as she started to clear away the pots. “What’s this about a girl? Is it anyone I know?”
Aiden grimaced. “Actually, I was going to talk to you about her.” He got up and helped with the dishes. “I know Ben wouldn’t approve of her, but I was kinda hoping you might.”
She stared at him, intrigued. “Go on.”
“It’s this girl I really like but we’re not exactly going out. Well, we went out last night but…”
“But? Did you have fun?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“Yeah, we had a great time.” He sighed when he remembered how it had gone. It had been great right up until…
“So she’s obviously real nice. Why the long face, bro?”
“She’s a waitress,” he explained.
“And?” Josie was clearly unperturbed.
“Well, she doesn’t have much money. I took her to Sebastian’s last night without thinking. I was afraid she was going to refuse to go in at first, but she was okay in the end. In fact, she acted like she belonged there. She knew all about the wine, said she’s actually been to France. We had a real good time.” He smiled, remembering their meal together.
“But?” Josie frowned. “What happened, Ade?”
She could read him like a book. He huffed.
“I took her home. Josie, you wouldn’t believe how that poor girl lives. The place is cold and drafty, and she hasn’t got any decent furniture or carpets or anything. I felt so—”
“Guilty?” Josie put her arms around her brother.
He nodded. “I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable with me there. I tried not to look shocked or anything, but I ended up upsetting her.”
She pulled back from him sharply. “How? What did you say?”
He went on to explain about the book and their conversation, while his sister winced.
“I don’t know why I said it. I was only joking.”
“I can see why she was upset.” Josie nodded at him slowly.
He sighed again. “I know.”
“Sounds like she’s a proud woman, even if she doesn’t have much,” Josie went on thoughtfully.
“She’s that all right. Had a bit of a fight on my hands when it came to paying the tab. She wanted to go Dutch on it.” He shook his head, remembering how that had gone.
“Hmm, it must be hard for her,” Josie remarked.
“I want to help her, sis. I just don’t know how.” He felt a knot in his stomach at the hopelessness of the situation.
“Maybe we could ask her to come help with the dinner party? She obviously knows her stuff, and we could pay her really well? It would help us both out. Think she’d want to?” Josie’s eyes shone as she looked up at her brother.
He frowned. “I don’t know.” He chewed his lip.
“Well it’d be a bit classier than that café she’s working in, I’d imagine, so it might give her a bit of a boost in morale as well as wages,” she
suggested, “and Lord knows I could use all the help I can get.”
“You’ve got a good point there.” He suddenly felt a little better. “I’ll talk to her about it once I’ve made my peace over this mess,” he said decisively. “Thanks for that, sis.” He bent down and gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek before grabbing his hat on his way out the door. At last something seemed to be working out.
* * * *
Aiden grinned as he climbed into his truck and made for the little café in Bracken Ridge. He knew Maggie wouldn’t be looking forward to seeing him today, but he had to do something.
He was right. She scowled at him from the counter when he went in carrying a large bunch of flowers. He was expecting it, though, and shot her a dazzling smile. Although she was deliberately keeping busy serving another table, he took his usual seat at the counter and waited for her.
Eventually she came over to him.
“Morning, Maggie. I’ve brought you these.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want them. I don’t want anything from you. In fact, I’d rather you left right now and never came back. Think you could manage that?” Her face was tight and her tone as cold as ice.
He shook his head. “Nope.”
She huffed, folding her arms as she stared at him defiantly.
He knew she was hardly likely to make a scene with other customers there, but deep down he was worried that she really wanted him to go.
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you want from me?”
“A coffee and one of your delicious cinnamon buns, please.” He grinned, hoping to see her thaw a little.
She didn’t.
She pursed her lips angrily then looked over at the other customers. He was obviously right about her not wanting a scene. She poured him a drink and handed him the warm bun. It smelled delicious.
He smiled and took the plate but was surprised when she didn’t let go. Instead, she leaned into him and spoke through gritted teeth in a low voice.
“And I’d be obliged if you’d leave the correct amount on the counter. I don’t need your massive tips. I don’t need anything from you.”
She let go of the plate so suddenly he almost fell backward off his stool. His heart sank. He stared up at her, but instead of standing there chatting with him like she usually did, she stalked off and went to wipe down some tables. Shit!
Chapter Four
Maggie felt sick to her stomach as she busied herself wiping down all the tables in the little café. She scrubbed at the plastic tablecloths until they were all shiny then took a jug of water to top off the small bunch of wild flowers that she’d placed in the middle of each one.
Aiden was still sitting at the counter when she’d finished, so she decided to wash the windows next—anything to avoid having to speak to him. With any luck, he would take the hint and leave.
Her throat was sore where she had been crying most of the night, and she knew she didn’t look her best. Bags had appeared under her eyes, and her skin looked sallow with tiredness. She’d hardly slept a wink, which she knew was ludicrous. They had only gone out together once, but it had been a perfect evening, until the end. She hadn’t realized just how much she liked him until she’d thrown him out of her home. He’d seemed really genuine and hadn’t even looked shocked when he’d seen the state of her apartment. But when she thought about it, everything added up. He’d taken pity on her and given her big tips every day that he’d been in here, his subtle way of giving her money. He’d flirted with her, made her believe he was interested in her before asking her out. Clever. Then he’d purposely taken her to a swanky restaurant after telling her that they’d just be going for a drink, maybe a bar meal. He was clearly trying to make her feel uncomfortable and out of her depth. Well, he could damn well think again if he thought she was about to make a fool of herself. She smirked as she recalled their conversation about the wine, then remembered how he had assumed afterward that it had all come from a book. That guy knows nothing.
“Could I get another coffee in here?” Aiden asked when she went behind the counter to fetch a bucket of clean water for the windows.
His big blue eyes looked watery and sad, and he sure wasn’t smiling now.
“Sure.” She took the pot over and refilled his cup.
He put his large, warm hand over hers as she went to move away, and she turned back in surprise.
“Maggie, I’m so sorry about last night.” His voice was low and gentle.
She shook her head. “Don’t sweat it. I’m really not that bothered.”
The hurt in his eyes was palpable, and she felt like a prize bitch, but there was no way she was going to let him know how much he had crushed her. She’d stupidly thought there was something between them, but all along he’d been making fun of her, showing her up for the pauper she was. Well, a fat lot he knows.
“Please, Maggie. Let me explain.” He held her hand tightly as she went to pull away, and she quickly looked around to see if any of the other customers were watching. They weren’t.
“There’s nothing to explain, Aiden. I’ve got your measure.” Her teeth were gritted again as she fought back the tears that threatened her eyes. Her throat felt heavy, and the large lump that had formed there last night seemed to be settled in for the week.
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” he told her firmly.
“Then, why did you?” She glared at him, finding it easier to show her anger than her hurt.
“I was joking. That’s all. I know you know your stuff. Hell, that’s one of the things I love about you. You were such fun to be with last night, and I wanted to see you again. I want to see you again.” He’d corrected himself before she’d even taken in his words. She was still hung up on the ‘that’s one of the things I love about you’ line.
His eyes were pleading with her to believe him, and she sighed as she watched a couple leave the café.
“You think you’re better than me, don’t you?” she snapped.
He shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
“You thought I’d be embarrassed in that restaurant, that I’d make a fool of myself. You were hoping I would be out of my depth, use the wrong knife and fork or something. You were shocked as hell that I knew about the damn wine. I’ll bet that ruined your night. “
“You’re wrong.” He shook his head again.
“And you insisted on paying the bill because you thought I wouldn’t be able to afford it, didn’t you? You even took me home just so you could turn your nose up at my apartment. Well, Mr. Smart-Ass, you’ve had your fun. But you know what? I don’t care. I’ve got more class in my little finger than you’ll ever have, so don’t you think you’re better than me ’cause you’re damn well not.” She spat the words out at him, narrowing her eyes as she tried to stop the tears from falling from them.
She failed. Quickly turning away so he couldn’t see her cry, she yanked her hand from his grip and fled into the little kitchen. It afforded her no privacy as it was surrounded by glass, enabling her to cook and watch the café at the same time, but she slammed the door and leaned back on it just the same.
She took a tissue from her apron pocket and quickly blew her nose before wiping her face. Aware that she was being watched, she went over to the sink and washed her hands, carefully dried them on a small towel, then looked through the window into the café. She was surprised to see that the last of the customers had gone, leaving their money on the table, and Aiden was the only person in there now, still perched at the counter.
She seethed. Had their scene just turned away her customers? If so, Mr. Burton had better not hear about it, or she would definitely be out of a job. She opened the door and walked toward the counter where Aiden was sipping his coffee.
“If I lose my job I’ll know who to thank,” she told him vehemently.
He smacked his lips together noisily. “If you lose your job, I’m sure you’ll find a better one. Lord knows, you’re qualified enough.”
It wasn�
�t the answer she was expecting, and it floored her somewhat.
He raised his eyebrows at her lack of response. “Well, you are a lot more than just a waitress and cook in a small café, aren’t you?” He went on. “Anyone with half an eye can see you don’t belong here. You’re a lot better than all this.” He waved a hand, gesturing their surroundings.
She felt more than a little taken aback. He was right. She was much more than just a waitress in a crummy café.
“How… How do you know?” Her voice was much quieter than she’d intended, but she was still trying to squeeze it out past that massive lump in her throat.
“It’s obvious, Maggie.” He shook his head with a smile. “You’re right about having class. That’s exactly what you’ve got—and, yeah, a darn sight more than I‘ll ever have.”
“I didn’t mean…” She suddenly felt embarrassed for her tirade. He was a Fielding, after all.
“No, I mean it. Class is something you can’t learn. You’ve either got it or you haven’t, and you’ve got it by the bucketful.” He smiled at her. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am for the way things ended last night, darlin’. I had such a great time with you. I didn’t want it to end at all, let alone like that. I-I’m an idiot. I know that.”
Her heart melted as he spoke, and she took a step closer to him.
“No, I’m sorry. I should have realized you were only joking. I overreacted. I’m afraid I’ve got a tendency to do that. I’m a bit too sensitive for my own good.” The lump in her throat begin to thaw as the knot in her stomach slowly unfurled.
Suddenly Aiden was around the back of the counter, taking her in his warm arms, and his lips encased hers in the hottest kiss she’d ever had. His cologne enveloped her in a haze of happiness, and her whole body began to relax for the first time in years. Her pussy ached when his hard erection dug into her, and their kiss intensified. She ran her hands through his soft fair hair as she lost herself in the depths of his big blue eyes.
They both jerked apart when someone came in the door, and she stood blushing as Aiden grinned then made his way back around the counter.
Maggie’s Man (The Cowboys of Cavern County Book 2) Page 3
