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

by Bella Settarra

  She went through to her little sitting room and collapsed on the sofa, bawling loudly as everything rushed through her mind like a giant montage. Her heart ached, knowing that she couldn’t call for help, and she had no idea where Aiden had been taken or even if he was all right. She kept reminding herself that as long as she kept her mouth shut, there was a good chance he would be kept alive—for now, anyhow.

  * * * *

  She must have cried herself to sleep because she woke up in the dark with her throat raw with pain. Shivering, she forced herself to stand up and go into the kitchen where she switched on the light before putting some milk to boil. She felt achy, as well as hungry and thirsty, and she knew it was all adding to her misery.

  It was an effort to walk through to her bedroom, but she took a deep breath before striding in and switching on all the lamps. Her stomach roiled when she looked around at the mess, and she guessed that Robert had had a good root through her belongings in his quest for more evidence. She narrowed her eyes, opened the window then quickly bundled her clothes back into the drawers. How had he got in? Her mind whirled as she pulled on some fleece pajamas and wandered back into the kitchen. She poured some cocoa and cut herself a large slice of the chocolate cake. Its creamy texture was soothing on her sore throat, and the warm, milky drink comforted her. Taking her snack into the sitting room, she snagged an old crocheted blanket from the back of a chair and wrapped it around her. The feeling of dread that had been in her stomach since she had awoken was slowly dissipating because her mind whirled with ideas and questions.

  Robert said he had all the evidence now, so it looked as though Lorraine must have handed over everything she had. It was just a pity he had noticed her trying to hide her cell. She had switched it to record as soon as she’d heard his voice from the hallway, just as a precaution. When Robert had threatened Aiden, she’d had no choice but to hand it over, though. She had thought that Cam Taylor was going to save the day, however, being a law enforcer and all. She shook her head when she brushed the chocolatey crumbs from her fingers. Taylor had sure disappointed her.

  While she had been waiting for Aiden to fetch her from the sheriff’s office, Taylor had shown up to speak to Dyson. When the deputy had explained that he had to go out to a meeting, Taylor had offered to take her home so they could lock up the office. Maggie had been sure Dyson wouldn’t have let her go with him if he had thought Taylor couldn’t be trusted. Although they all knew Taylor wasn’t exactly the type to do things by the book, it was widely assumed—as far as she understood—that he was just interested in making a little cash on the side, nothing that would physically harm anyone.

  Her thoughts trailed back to the last time Robert had been in her apartment. He had taken the key then, and she remembered being thankful that he hadn’t stolen it at the time. She frowned. He had had trouble retrieving it from his pocket, though. Of course, he must have used some putty or Play-Doh or something to take an imprint of it so he could get a replica made then let himself back in. That would be how he managed to plant that dang necklace, too.

  She took the last of her cocoa to bed with her. It was getting really late, and she had a long day ahead of her—one which would require her to keep her wits about her at all times.

  * * * *

  With the window still open, Maggie awoke to the birds chirping a few hours later. Her first thought was of Aiden, and she wondered how he would be feeling right now. Yesterday morning, she had woken up in his arms, having made sweet love with him over the deputy’s desk. The thought made her smile a little. Everything seemed so much more positive when Aiden was about, somehow. She knew he would be willing her to keep her chin up today and to manage without him. Trouble was that she didn’t want to have to manage without him—ever! Aiden Fielding was the most adorable, handsome man she had ever met, and she could never forget them declaring their love for each other.

  She jumped out of bed, hurriedly closing the window as she shivered against the cold. The world out there looked so peaceful when the sun slowly rose above the houses. Closing her eyes momentarily, she wished her mind was as calm and tranquil as the scene before her, and she knew Aiden would be willing her to keep strong.

  While she showered, her mind whirled. Questions would be asked about Aiden’s absence. His brother and sister would be worried sick. Hopefully they would have assumed he had just spent the night with her—she wished—so he might not be missed for a while yet. Mr. Burton would think she was still sick, so she wouldn’t be expected at the café, although she doubted she would have a job left after all this. She had never taken a day off in her life, and she knew her boss would be livid. Once word got out that she was being questioned about a possible theft, the old cuss would have the ideal excuse to fire her. Somehow the thought didn’t worry her half as much as she thought it might.

  She put on a pretty dress and cardigan with some flat sandals before tackling her hair. Luckily her locks didn’t misbehave as much as usual, and she fastened her hair at the sides with a couple of sparkly clips, letting the rest hang loose. After applying the minimum of makeup, she went through for her breakfast and couldn’t resist stroking her hand across Aiden’s cell that was still on the kitchen counter.

  * * * *

  It wasn’t long before her cab was arriving at the Fielding Ranch. A funny feeling flooded her stomach as she drove past Aiden’s cabin, knowing that he wasn’t there. She had already given herself a stiff talking to this morning and she was determined not to let anyone know how distraught she was feeling.

  “Hey, Josie. I thought you might need a hand?” She smiled as the pregnant lady came to greet her at the door.

  “You’re a lifesaver, honey,” Josie told her. “My dang body decided that today was a good day to start all this morning sickness malarkey!” She rolled her eyes. “I sure hope the baby doesn’t have my impeccable sense of timing.”

  Maggie giggled. “Well, you just point me in the right direction and go get your feet up.”

  “I think it’s my breakfast that’s more likely to come up.” Josie chuckled, showing Maggie through to the large kitchen.

  She looked around with a smile. This reminded her of the huge house she had grown up in, with its enormous kitchen that always smelled of fresh baking. Trays of canapés were lined up along the counters.

  “They’ve got caterers in for the main meal,” Josie explained, “and I heard Robert spent a small fortune having a fancy cake made. I’m just supplying canapés to go with arrival drinks. Trouble is, the smell of those anchovies—” She suddenly darted toward the door, and Maggie snickered as she took off her cardigan and replaced it with an apron.

  It had been a while since Maggie had taken the opportunity to garnish tiny morsels of food. The folks at the café would laugh if they could see her now. When she and Robert had first got together, they had entertained all the time, and she smiled as she realized how much she missed all the preparation and planning she used to do.

  “I am so sorry,” Josie returned, looking pale and weak.

  “It’s okay. I found some olives and—”

  “They look fantastic!” Josie’s eyes widened when she saw the trays of perfectly decorated hors d’oeuvres.

  Maggie grinned. “Should I take them over?”

  Josie’s look of appreciation soon turned to one of consternation. She shook her head. “No, no, it’s fine, really. Ben or Aiden can take them across. I’m sure that’s the last place you’ll want to be today.”

  Maggie was touched by her concern, though she didn’t get time to relish it because Josie quickly made a dive for the door again.

  Ben arrived a few minutes later with another guy Maggie didn’t recognize.

  “Hey, darlin’. I didn’t expect to see you here today.” Ben gave her a knowing wink and looked around the room. “Where’s Ade?”

  “He went over to Springvale,” she said, looking away. “Said he should be back later.”

  “Dang, I thought he’d be around to
help out this morning.” Ben rolled his eyes. “Oh, Maggie this is Greg, by the way—Josie’s husband.”

  “Yeah, where is she anyhow?” Greg nodded politely at her before looking around for his wife.

  “The bathroom, I think.”

  Greg tutted. “She’s been up and down since three a.m.,” he groaned. “Poor thing must be tired out by now.”

  “I guess that means you are, too,” Ben replied. “Why don’t you take some time off, see if the two of you can’t get some rest once all this lot’s out of the way?” He gestured to the snacks on the counter. “Hey, these look great!”

  Maggie felt herself flush a little. “I could help you take them across if Greg needs to stay here?” she offered.

  Ben looked surprised. “You sure?”

  She nodded.

  “That’d be great. I’ll help you load up.” Greg quickly took a couple of the trays and headed for the door while Maggie followed suit.

  * * * *

  Luckily, it hadn’t rained during the night, and the ground was quite dry and firm. The marquee was enormous and beautifully decorated with red roses that contrasted perfectly with the white tarpaulin.

  Guests had already started arriving up by the house and were slowly making their way toward them when Maggie finished laying out the canapés along the trestle tables.

  “Damn waiters are late!” She heard Robert’s sneer as he entered the huge tent. He looked around and spied her by the hors d’oeuvres. “You!” He pointed to her. “Hand around some of that champagne, will you?” He waved his hand in the vague direction of a salver of champagne flutes before turning back to laugh with the group of men he was with. Considering it was his wedding day, Maggie felt that her ex had made very little effort with his appearance. He usually wore a suit, and this one, though perhaps cut a little more sharply, didn’t look much different from his usual workwear. She wondered if it was perhaps because he had never planned to actually go through with marrying Lorraine, after all.

  Seething, Maggie took the drinks and offered them around to the guests, conscious of Robert’s beady eyes following her around the marquee. She looked around for Ben, but he had disappeared. Probably just as well, she thought. She knew the last thing he wanted was to watch Lorraine marry the wrong man.

  It seemed as though Maggie had no choice in the matter, though. She knew that Robert would follow through with his threat if she did anything to upset his perfect day.

  After a while, the guests began to flock outside to where the ceremony was to take place. Red-rose-covered arbors outlined the area of freshly mowed grass, and even more roses decorated the back of each chair. An arched pergola stood at the front of the chairs, again swathed in bright red roses.

  An orchestra was seated at one side, playing a melody of Beethoven’s finest, with a large choir sitting opposite them.

  The wine waiters had finally arrived and were busy collecting glasses while the congregation took their places, and Robert slowly shuffled to his position in front of the officiant.

  She turned her head when she heard gasps, and she saw Lorraine arrive at the bottom of the makeshift aisle. Maggie felt a pang in her heart as she saw the beautiful woman dressed from head to toe in pure white silk, her expression serene, sad, resigned.

  Ben was loitering in the background, and Maggie realized that he had probably been with Lorraine, trying to persuade her not to go through with the whole charade. Little would he know that his own brother’s life depended on it.

  “That could have been you,” a soft voice murmured from her side, and Maggie stared at the couple who had taken the seats next to where she stood.

  “Mom? Dad?” Her voice wasn’t much more than a whisper, and her mouth went dry when she gawped at the parents she hadn’t seen for over two years. The last time she had seen them, they had been angry with her, shouting and accusing her of all sorts of things. Now they just looked sad, old, frail.

  Everyone carefully stood when a chord was played to signify the start of the ceremony.

  Maggie smirked when the orchestra struck up the music, accompanied by the choir with the Bridal Chorus. Robert’s smug expression told her that he, like most of his guests, no doubt, would be ignorant of the inappropriateness of this particular piece of music. Despite being a well-known wedding march, the music actually originated from the opera, Lohengrin, which was a tragic story of loss, infidelity and betrayal. Something told Maggie that Lorraine had chosen it, for all the right reasons!

  Lorraine caught her eye when she passed and managed a weak smile. Her face was pale, and Maggie guessed she wouldn’t have got much sleep last night.

  Robert sneered as Lorraine reached him, and he looked over to Maggie with a supercilious grin. Maggie felt her heart sink even lower. He’d won!

  Chapter Twenty

  The music stopped and everyone took their seats. Maggie felt a thrumming in her head and grabbed her father’s chair for support. Words were being spoken but she couldn’t make them out. It was as though everything was happening in slow motion, in a dream—or rather, a nightmare. Just when she thought she was going to pass out, she heard a shout from down the aisle that shocked her to her senses.

  “You can’t marry him!”

  Ben was calling out, while Greg and Josie pleaded with him to stop making a fuss.

  “He doesn’t love her. He only wants her money!” Ben looked fit to burst into tears as he tore himself out of their reach and ran up the aisle to the bride and groom.

  Panic washed over Maggie when she looked over to see Robert’s furious gaze boring into her. She shook her head, but she knew there was no way he’d believe that she had nothing to do with the sudden outburst. Hot tears flooded her eyes, and she shook violently as she realized that this could cause Aiden’s demise.

  “Here. Sit down, love.” Strong arms held her, and she smelled her dad’s familiar cologne when he helped her into his seat.

  She allowed her parents to hold her while she trembled in their embrace, hearing angry, raised voices all around her, none of them making any sense. The officiant was trying to calm everyone down, but the congregation was in uproar. Ben was shouting loudly, pointing at Robert and practically begging Lorraine to think about what she was doing. Lorraine appeared totally horrified while Robert looked like he was about to kill someone. Maggie only hoped that ‘someone’ wasn’t her beloved Aiden.

  “I’m sure that’s the marshal!”

  Maggie heard her dad’s surprised acclamation, and she turned to where he was pointing, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes.

  Not only was the marshal marching up the aisle, but so were Sheriff Dyson Shearer, and Cam Taylor! Robert seemed enraged at the intrusion. “Arrest that man. He’s causing a breach of the peace!” he demanded, pointing to Ben.

  The marshal and Taylor had their hands on their hips, not far from their pistols as the sheriff shook his head at the groom. “Robert Rossington, I’m placing you under arrest,” he announced, pulling a pair of handcuffs from his back pocket.

  “What?” Robert gawped at him, his expression as black as thunder.

  “You heard me. And I hope everyone else heard me, too.” The sheriff raised his voice, looking around at the congregation as he pushed Robert around to face them. “You are charged with theft, burglary, assault, fraud, intention to defraud, blackmail, intention of false imprisonment, death threats—need I go on?”

  “You’ve got no proof of anything!” Robert blustered.

  “No, but I have.” Cam Taylor pulled a handful of papers from his pocket.

  “You double-crossing…” Robert’s words faded into insignificance as another strong pair of arms wrapped around Maggie’s shoulders, pulling her gently to her feet.

  “Aiden?” She still felt dazed, and now she was sure she was dreaming.

  “Yeah, it’s me.” His dazzling grin lit up his whole face—and her whole world.

  “But how…?” It made no sense. Nothing did right then.

  “Cam Ta
ylor’s a cop, remember? He was stringing that cuss along just long enough to get all the evidence they needed to convict him for a dang long time.”

  She frowned. “Then he—”

  “I’ll explain it all later,” he promised with a wink. “Right now, I think it’s time you introduced me to your folks, don’t you?” He nodded to the couple sitting with her and Maggie felt her heart lift.

  * * * *

  The congregation moved back into the marquee where they all enjoyed more champagne.

  Aiden insisted that Maggie have brandy, which he told her was good for shock, while her parents stuck to soft drinks.

  “I can’t believe we were so taken in by that man,” her mom kept saying.

  “We all were, sweetheart.” Dad put an arm around his teary wife, kissing the top of her head. Maggie smiled. She found it so comforting when Aiden did that to her.

  “But we believed him over our own daughter.” Mom was really holding back those tears now, and Maggie leaned over to put an arm around her other side.

  “It’s okay, Mom, really. He managed to trick a lot of people. Look how he fooled me!”

  “I’m so sorry,” her mom said, hugging her tight. Maggie felt her dad’s arms holding her too, as they all squeezed the living daylights out of each other.

  Aiden gave them a little space for a while before returning with fresh drinks. Her mom looked a little embarrassed for him to see her puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks, and she quickly wiped a handkerchief over her face. He must have sensed her discomfort as Aiden took the opportunity to whisk Maggie over to a quiet corner where they stole a few moments for a lingering kiss. It was so good to be back in his arms again, back where she belonged. She never wanted to be anywhere else.