Maggie’s Man (The Cowboys of Cavern County Book 2)

by Bella Settarra

  “I won’t stay long,” he whispered to her when her first customers arrived for breakfast.

  She felt a sudden pang but quickly admonished herself for her selfishness. Of course she was going to miss him, but Aiden had a ranch to run, and she had to keep her mind on her job—at least for now.

  As she smiled back at him, she noticed he was looking warily out of the window, and she suddenly remembered that Robert might be back at any time. It wouldn’t look good if he found them together, and it could stir up a whole load more trouble for them all.

  “Looks like I’m gonna be kept busy,” she said, nodding to a crowd of cowboys who had just piled in through the door.

  Aiden grinned, taking his hat from the seat next to him. “In that case, I’d best leave you to it,” he responded, before leaning over to give her a chaste kiss on the cheek.

  Maggie flushed, thrilled that he didn’t mind showing his emotions in front of her customers. She smiled as he swaggered toward the door, and her heart leapt when he stopped to give her a salacious wink just before he left.

  * * * *

  Aiden took a good look around the area outside the café while he waited for a cab to pick him up. He wanted to make dang sure that Rossington wasn’t spying on Maggie. He had to make sure his girl was safe before he left her.

  “My girl,” he mused as he jumped into the cab. He was surprised how possessive he felt about the gorgeous waitress. His thoughts wandered back to last night and a huge smile spread across his face. He felt like he had done nothing but smile since he’d woken up this morning. Last night had sure been something else. The journey home was a blur, as he couldn’t concentrate on anything except Maggie. He was determined to show her just how much she meant to him. It had been lovely to see her looking so relaxed today, and he wanted her to always look like that. In order to achieve that, though, he would first have to sort out this whole mess with Rossington.

  He quickly refreshed himself then changed once he got home, before going to find his brother. Ben was out by the training paddock talking to Frank Crowthorne.

  “No prizes for guessing where you got to,” Ben remarked as Aiden joined them.

  “My lips are sealed,” he replied.

  “Yeah, and they’re also beaming from ear to ear,” Ben replied with a chuckle. “Your expression speaks volumes, bro.”

  Aiden felt himself smile even more. He was glad they could see how happy Maggie made him. He was proud to be seeing such a beautiful girl.

  “I’ve got some news,” Frank said. “I’ve heard from an old colleague of mine, Alex Carrass, over at the attorney’s office.”

  Aiden felt his face fall a little.

  “Seems Rossington’s been over there asking about possible loopholes in the conditions Jake Parry set in his will.” Frank smirked, which Aiden immediately found reassuring.

  “And?” He hardly dared ask.

  Frank shook his head. “It’s watertight. Parry knew what he was doing, all right. Looks like he hired the best to make sure the ranch was protected. That land can’t leave the family. The only way Rossington can get anywhere near it is to join the Parrys.”

  “And there ain’t no way Lorraine’s gonna let him do that.” Ben sounded quite sure of the fact.

  Aiden narrowed his eyes. “Did they tell Rossington this?” He looked warily at Frank.

  “Not yet. He’s got an appointment over there around lunchtime today.”

  Aiden felt a lurch in his stomach. “He’ll be hopping mad this afternoon, then.”

  Ben shrugged. “There ain’t nothin’ he can do about it. The law’s the law. Right, Frank?” He looked over at the older man.

  Frank nodded. “Yeah, but Aiden’s right. Once Rossington hears his plan’s doomed, he’ll be like a bear with a bee sting. We’d better keep an eye on the girls.”

  “No problem. I’ll get on over to Lorraine’s as soon as I get done with the veterinarian.” Ben put on his hat, about to leave.

  “What if Rossington goes over there? He’s not gonna be too happy to see you with his fiancée?” Aiden frowned.

  “Don’t you worry about that. I’ve promised to do a few jobs about the place to make life easier for Martha. As far as Rossington knows, I’m just a neighbor doing them a favor.” Ben obviously had it all worked out.

  Aiden shook his head as his brother made his way toward his truck.

  “I’ll be in the stables if you need me,” Ben called over.

  Aiden nodded.

  “What about Maggie? You can’t be seen over there,” Frank warned him.

  Aiden sighed. “I can’t just leave her on her own. What if he takes it out on her? He’s already hit her.” He felt his blood boil at the thought. He should have been there for her that night. He should never have let her…

  “We’ll figure something out,” Frank assured him. “Even if I happen to pop over for a coffee, it won’t look too suspicious.”

  Aiden felt a surge of relief. Frank was right. Rossington was unlikely to recognize him from the party, anyhow. He had been so drunk that it would be a miracle if he recalled anything about that night.

  “Thanks, Frank.”

  The older man smiled. “I’ll look out for her. Don’t you worry, son.”

  Aiden grinned. He knew he wore his heart on his sleeve and didn’t mind one bit that the people around him could see how much he cared for the blonde beauty. As long as Rossington didn’t get wind of it, he wasn’t bothered who knew.

  * * * *

  Maggie was pleasantly surprised when Frank sauntered into the café later that afternoon. She smiled at him, remembering that she was supposed to act as though she didn’t know him. Not that she suspected any of the customers as having anything to do with Robert, but it was good to keep on the safe side.

  “I’ll take coffee and a cinnamon donut please, miss.” He sat by the window with a clear view to the door.

  She placed his order in front of him just as his cell rang. Frank frowned as he took the call, and Maggie left him to his privacy.

  There weren’t many other customers in the café, so she busied herself with cleaning down the counters and generally puttering about. She couldn’t hear what Frank was saying on the phone, but he sure seemed engrossed in his conversation. It was nice to see him here, and she felt a little more secure having him around.

  By the time Frank had finished his coffee, most of the customers had left. There was just one elderly couple remaining in one of the booths at the far end of the restaurant when he hailed for a top-up of his drink.

  “Everything okay?” she murmured as she poured it out.

  “I’m not sure,” Frank confided in a hushed tone. “Ben’s over at the Parry’s right now. He’s doing some odd jobs for Martha, who told him that she remembered Rossington being around there. Seems Jake was doing some deal with him, but she didn’t know the details. That’s how he and Lorraine met.”

  Maggie frowned. “This is the old lady with dementia?”

  Frank nodded. “That’s right. Don’t underestimate her, though, Maggie. Martha Parry has dementia, but she’s not stupid. If she says Rossington was in her house, I believe her.”

  Maggie nodded. “I’m right with you, Frank. I had an uncle with dementia and, although some days he didn’t remember his own name, other times he was as sharp as a tack.”

  “Awful business.” Frank shook his head knowingly. “Anyhow, Ben’s going to check with Lorraine if there was anything in the company documents about any dealings between them. Jake was a stickler for the paperwork. If there was something going, he would have gotten it in writing.”

  Maggie wiped his table before going to check on her other customers. The elderly couple were about to leave, and they left her a generous tip, for which she was sincerely thankful.

  She was hoping for a chance to chat with Frank some more, but as they closed the door, it immediately opened again and a crowd of rowdy youngsters flooded in. She noticed Frank taking another call as she poured their
drinks and couldn’t help wishing she could hear what he was saying. After that, it became busy again for a while before petering off just before closing time.

  “I’ll give you a ride home,” he announced when everyone else had left at last.

  She frowned. “It’s real nice of you, Frank, but I’ll be fine, honestly.” He had been so sweet to her. She didn’t want to take advantage.

  “Nonsense… It’s raining,” he informed her, pointing to the window.

  Maggie smiled. Although she was quite used to walking in bad weather, it was always nice not to have to endure it. “Well, if you’re sure?”

  He nodded as he ushered her out of the door. He was right about the rain. It was pouring. She climbed into the soft passenger seat, secretly excited that she might get another chance to talk about his latest findings.

  The engine purred into action and she breathed in the familiar scent of the luxurious leather and mahogany. Her own car had not been dissimilar all those years ago, before she had gotten with Robert, and she smiled at the memory.

  “Lorraine knew all about the deal.” Frank grimaced a little as he spoke.

  Maggie stared at him.

  “Rossington was supposed to be arranging for Jake Parry to buy more land from a local farmer. Seemed he had a written contract all ready for the guy to sign, but it was never completed. There was lots of correspondence between Rossington and Parry, mostly arranging and rearranging meetings with the guy to finalize the details. Trouble was, there was no mention of the guy’s name.” Frank frowned.

  “You think Robert was trying to trick Mr. Parry out of his money?” She narrowed her eyes as she studied him.

  He glanced over at her, and she wondered if he was afraid she would be offended by the answer. “It’s possible.” Frank’s voice was clipped.

  “Well, Aiden said he was trying to sell land to him without actually owning it, so it’s quite probable,” she mused.

  “That’s kind of what we were thinking,” Frank admitted. He looked a little relieved that she had been the one to say it. “Lorraine said that after Jake passed away, Rossington claimed that her daddy had promised him some money up front, before the deal was closed. That’s why he was sniffing around all the dang time. Lorraine’s been stalling him since the funeral, trying to make out it’s the lawyer’s fault for not releasing all of his estate to her yet. You know, red tape and all that. Truth is, she’s searched his records and can’t find any mention of a payoff to Rossington. Her legal team’s been investigating the case and can’t find anything suggesting he’s owed a bean.”

  Maggie frowned as they pulled up outside her apartment block. “It explains why she’s so keen to nail Robert, though,” she said. “It’s one thing for him to fool her but to try to fool her daddy out of his money is another thing entirely. That girl will want as much ammunition as she can find to fire at him, and I’m only too glad I can provide some.”

  “Let’s get you inside.” Frank grinned.

  “Really there’s…”

  Her protestations fell on deaf ears as Frank was already halfway out of the car. She sighed. He really was a gentleman. He even took an umbrella from the pocket of his door and held it for her as she climbed out. She felt a little embarrassed to show him where she lived, and she was surprised that he didn’t seem in any hurry to leave, even when she had opened her front door.

  “Do you mind if I use your bathroom a second?” he asked gingerly.

  She smiled. “Of course not.”

  It was nice to be home, and she took off her coat as Frank went down the hall. She immediately put the pot on for a hot drink and hugged herself as she remembered that the last time she’d had coffee here, Aiden had made it for her. He hadn’t been far from her mind all day, and she was just sorry that he wasn’t able to see her again tonight. He had rung her several times, though, and she knew he was thinking of her. Last night had been amazing, and she knew he was as desperate as she was to repeat it soon.

  She wandered into her small lounge and put on the lamps as she went over to draw the curtains. The empty Ben and Jerry’s container was still on the coffee table, and she smiled when she saw it. The dirty plates had disappeared, and she was glad that the whole place didn’t smell of food, as it would have if Aiden hadn’t washed them while she’d had her shower this morning. He really was a thoughtful guy.

  She straightened up a couple of books on her shelf that had been moved, guessing that Aiden must have been looking through them while she had been getting ready earlier.

  “Everything all right?” Frank popped his head around the door.

  “Yeah, of course. Do you want a coffee or—?”

  “No. I’ve had my fill for one day. Thanks all the same. I’d best get back. Sylvia will be waiting for me.”

  She followed him to the door. “Thanks ever so much, Frank.”

  “My pleasure,” he assured her as he left.

  She was glad to change out of her clothes and went through to switch on the shower. An ornament had been moved from its position on the window sill and was now sitting on one of the glass shelves that held her bottles of scent and toiletries. She shook her head. Frank must have knocked it down when he’d used the bathroom earlier then replaced it on the wrong shelf. She put it back in its place with a smile. She sure wasn’t used to having other people in her apartment.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Maggie woke early the next morning. She had enjoyed smelling Aiden’s cologne on her sheets when she’d climbed into bed, but she really missed him. She was happy to think that soon Rossington would be out of their hair, and they would be able to concentrate on being together as a normal couple. That day couldn’t come soon enough.

  She made herself some toast and coffee once she was ready, because she still had plenty of time to kill before she left for work. Her gaze fell on her bookcase while she sat enjoying her breakfast, and she thought about Aiden checking out her collection yesterday. He must have been taking another look at her own book, A Modern Guide to Social Etiquette, since she remembered it was one of the books that she had straightened up last night. She smiled at the thought. That book had been a fabulous personal triumph for her, and she had planned to continue her writing afterward.

  Pulling open a drawer from the coffee table, she found a large notepad that she used to collect her ideas. A flutter of excitement ran through her when she leafed through the pages, and she recalled the joy of writing her first book.

  “I’m going to do it again,” she told herself aloud. “I’m going to write the next book in the series, and I’m going to get it published, just like the first.” A sense of pride filled her, and she sat a little straighter in her chair. She was determined to get back on her feet with or without the money Robert had stolen from her.

  She quickly turned to a fresh page and started to write. At first it was just the odd word or idea, but very soon she found herself finishing the page and continuing to the next, and the next.

  When she finally looked up, she was horrified to see that she had made herself late. Quickly she put the notepad on the coffee table and went to grab her coat and bag.

  It was raining again, so she pulled her hood over her head and shot down the street as fast as she could. She didn’t have time to worry about whether she was being followed or spied upon today. All she could think about was that she wouldn’t have to do this for much longer—no more early starts unless she really wanted them, no more running through the rain because she couldn’t afford a car and no more feeling of dread as she reached the café where she would spend the whole day being unappreciated.

  She managed a weak smile as she unlocked the door and let herself in. To be fair, the customers were often quite friendly and the few locals who came in did actually seem to like her. It was just the long hours, little pay and the knowledge that the owner, Mr. Burton, would come in every night and snoop around, checking that she had left everything as it should be and taking the money and cash-register readings from
the safe, again ensuring that she had everything in order. She always had the feeling he didn’t trust her, although he could never complain that anything was ever out of order.

  The morning started with its usual steady trickle of customers who came in for a quick coffee. They hardly ever ordered the complete breakfast, which was a shame, as she enjoyed cooking the eggs, bacon, waffles and all that went into a full English breakfast. The smell of disinfectant soon mingled with coffee and fresh bread as she set about clearing out the kitchen cupboards and giving them a good scrub.

  She felt determined that she was going to write her book and get out of that dang job as soon as she could, and the thought spurred her on to give the whole place a good cleaning.

  She giggled to herself when she finally stopped for a break and took a good look around the spotless café and gleaming kitchen. She knew she would have to work there for a while longer yet, but she somehow felt more positive about her future today.

  Her good mood only lasted until lunchtime when Aiden’s brother, Ben, dropped by to see her. His gloomy face instantly told her that something was wrong, and she felt a thud in the pit of her stomach.

  “Coffee, thanks.” Ben hoisted himself elegantly onto the stool opposite her at the counter.

  She eyed him warily, unsure whether to acknowledge their acquaintance. There weren’t many customers left, as the lunchtime trade—such as it was—had all but finished and left by now.

  Ben sighed heavily.

  “You having a bad day, cowboy?” she asked softly.

  He looked up at her with a grimace. “You could say that.”

  She frowned at him, moving a bit closer to the counter. He was studying her.

  “You’re Maggie, right?”

  She nodded slowly.

  Ben looked around the room surreptitiously. “Rossington’s planning on marrying Lorraine Parry this Saturday,” he murmured.

  She felt as though someone had just socked her in the gut. Her mind whirled, and she grabbed for the counter to hold herself up. “B-but that’s two days away. How?” Her heart pounded, and she felt herself getting hotter.