Chapter Nineteen
‡
Maggie surveyed the damage on the front porch. Pine tree needles were everywhere and she and Josh hadn’t even gotten the tree through the front door yet. They’d been attempting to carry it up the steps and into the house when Maggie was struck with an uncontrollable fit of laughter and could hardly stand up, let alone carry the seven-foot pine tree she had just purchased from the Christmas tree farm. It seemed as wide as it was tall. Still giggling, she looked at Josh who stood a few steps higher, now bent over with his hands on his knees, laughing.
“I can honestly say I’ve never laughed this much simply carrying a Christmas tree indoors.”
“Yeah, well. You’ve never done this with me before, that’s why,” she said, calming down and catching her breath.
His face softened and he stood up again. “I hope it’s not the last time either.”
She felt her face flush. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. It’s more mess than it’s worth.”
“It’s worth it,” he defended himself. “And Hannah even said it would help with showing the house. Make it look warm and inviting.”
“You sound like a real estate catalog.”
He put both hands up in mock defense. “Hannah’s words, not mine.”
It took a good twenty minutes to sweep off the front porch and vacuum up the front hallway.
They set up the tree in the far corner of the family room where Patrick’s lazy recliner used to dwell. She’d taken it to the dump and tossed it, washing her hands of it. Josh thought it would be a good reminder to Maggie of how she was putting her life with her dad behind her.
A fire blazed in the hearth and Johnny Mathis music hung softly in the air.
“I can’t believe we never had a Christmas tree,” Maggie said, holding up an ornament of a Scarlett O’Hara dress she’d spotted in the window of a store and simply had to have. “Mom snuck a small fake one into my room for me, but we never celebrated with my dad.”
She looked at Josh who was attempting to unwrap the twinkle lights from their packaging. He snaked them back and forth across the floor. She smiled at the architect in him that had to make a perfect linear design out of them. He plugged them in and the entire floor lit up and began blinking, the light reflecting off the wood floor and sparkling. It looked like fireflies were dancing across the family room.
When the lights were strung and the ornaments had been put on the tree, they sat on the couch and watched in wonder.
“Well, I think we did quite a bang up job for your first Christmas tree, don’t you?” Josh asked.
“It is absolutely perfect. It’s just that…” She sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Josh asked.
She looked at the Christmas tree. The lights from the tree sparkled in her eyes. Tears tried to form, but she refused to let them. This day wasn’t meant to be dampened with tears.
“I know exactly what we need,” he said suddenly.
“What?”
“We need hot chocolate and marshmallows. I’ll go make some. You stay here and relax.”
He returned not long after with a mug in each hand, both popping with tiny marshmallows.
“That looks so yummy.”
“Thank you. It is one of my favorite kitchen masterpieces.”
“I guess I take for granted that I know a gourmet chef.”
“I wouldn’t say ‘gourmet,’ but ‘chef’ I like.”
He sat down and handed her a mug. “Hey, when did Kate say her mom is coming into town?”
Maggie held her mug of hot chocolate and snagged a marshmallow. She tossed it in her mouth. The sweet gooeyness melted on her tongue. “She comes the twenty-second. She’s going to stay through New Year’s, I think. She said it would be too hard to be at her own house for Christmas without Kate’s dad there.” Maggie lifted the mug to her lips and blew into it before cautiously taking a sip.
Josh grinned. Leaning into her, he kissed the mustache of whipped cream that had formed on her lip. He was quite thorough in making sure all of it was gone, his mouth nibbling at hers until every nerve ending in her body was on fire.
“A hidden surprise under the marshmallows for you,” he said. His smile and kiss knocked her senseless. He leaned back and settled into the sofa, stretching his long legs out across the coffee table in front of him.
What were they talking about again? Oh yeah. Kate. “Kate told me her mom seemed to be acting funny when she was there. I just hope everything is okay.”
“Her husband just died of a heart attack. I’m pretty sure she was acting in a way that’s understandable.”
“You’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I’m always right,” he said with a smirk and another sip hot chocolate.
Tires crunched on the gravel outside. A red car pulled up and parked.
“Now,” he said, setting down his mug and rubbing his hands together. “It’s time for me to give you your Christmas present.”
The hot chocolate did a weird dance in her belly. “What present?”
“Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal.”
“But I didn’t get you anything.”
“No worries. There’s still time.” He winked at her as he stood and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” she asked, completely confused.
“I’ve gotta go get it. I asked my mom to bring it by for me.”
Maggie’s pulse raced.
“You stay right there and keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them.”
“Okay,” she barely squeaked out.
Closing her eyes, she heard the front door creak open then Josh and his mom whispering to each other. The door closed and she could hear Josh’s footsteps on the wood floor until he stood right in front of her, the sense of his presence causing her whole body to tingle.
“Put your hands out on your lap.”
She obeyed, her hands shaking as she did so. A moment later, a warm, furry ball was placed in her arms.
“Okay, open your eyes,” he said.
She opened her eyes slowly and a tiny, droopy face with long ears looked up at her. His big brown eyes twinkled and he began licking her cheek.
In shock she looked up at Josh, who was grinning like a child. “You got me a puppy?”
“I got you a basset hound puppy, to be exact. Isn’t he great?” Josh rubbed the dog gently behind his ears, causing it to blissfully close its eyes.
The puppy licked her face even more, making her giggle.
“You like him?”
“He’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” She rubbed his back and scratched his ears like Josh had done.
Josh sat down next to her. “My work here is done. And that look on your face is all I need for my Christmas gift.”
“But I don’t know how to take care of a dog, or train a puppy for that matter,” Maggie said, still in disbelief. “We were never allowed to have a dog when I was young.”
“I know. This lovely gift basket my mother prepared will help you.” He reached behind the sofa and pulled out an enormous basket full of dog food, a leash, bowls for food and water, a small dog bed, and a book on how to train a puppy.
“Looks like she got it all covered,” he said, still acting quite proud of himself.
The touch of the puppy’s soft fur and the warmth of his kisses made Maggie smile and laugh.
“Thank you, Josh. This is…too much, really. Why are you so good to me?”
“I can’t believe you even have to ask that. You know why. I don’t want you to ever feel alone, Maggie. And now, no matter what, you have this little guy.” He scratched the dog’s head again. The puppy lay across her lap and rolled onto his back for a belly scratch. Her nails rubbed back and forth across his tummy, causing him to throw his head back in puppy Nirvana.
“Dantes. I’ll name him Dantes.”
“I like it.” Josh smiled at her. “Merry Christmas, Maggie.”
Chapter
Twenty
‡
“He got you a puppy?” Hannah asked.
“Yes. A basset hound puppy,” Maggie answered.
The two women strolled down Sea Point Boulevard, hot peppermint lattes in hand.
“That is too sweet,” Hannah gushed.
“You always were a hopeless romantic, my friend.” Maggie took a sip of her coffee and smiled at her friend.
“Not hopeless. Hopeful. Come on, Mags, You’re telling me you don’t have any feelings for Josh?”
“I never said that.”
“Then why do you still keep him at arm’s length?”
Maggie looked away from her friend, glancing at Change Your Tune. “It’s just not that simple.” She looked back at Hannah. “You and Paul fell in love and married out of high school. That’s rare. I just can’t promise Josh anything right now. I have no job, no home, no future. I don’t even know who my real parents are.”
“Josh doesn’t care about any of that and you know it. He just wants you.”
Maggie held her coffee cup in both hands, hugging it to her chest. “Again, not that simple.”
“Sure it is. I think you just have a problem with anyone helping you or taking care of you.”
“No, I don’t.” Maggie said, hearing the defiance in her voice.
“Yes, you do.”
“Well, what’s so wrong with being independent?”
“There’s a difference between being independent, and not letting anyone into your life, Maggie. Besides, what’s so wrong with letting Josh take care of you?”
“Be my knight in shining armor, right?” Maggie rolled her eyes.
“Maybe. I bet you’d like it if you tried it.” Hannah smiled at her over her coffee cup as she took another sip. “I have good news,” she said. “I may have a buyer for the house.”
Maggie stopped dead in her tracks. “That is good news.” She felt relief at the potential of some of her financial burden being lifted, but surprised that sadness filled her heart at the thought of actually letting go of the house.
“I’ll keep you posted. Someone has just shown initial interest, but it’s something.”
“Something is better than nothing. I’ll take what I can get at this point.”
The women arrived at Atmosphere. They were greeted by Kate’s huge hug, as always. Right behind Kate stood her mother, Rose. She was looking at a jewelry case that sat on the main counter next to the cash register.
“Mom, this is Maggie and Hannah.”
“It’s nice to meet you two. I’ve heard so much about you.” She shook hands with both of them. “I’m so glad Katie has found such good friends here.”
Maggie thought she noticed a glint of a tear in Rose’s eye, but she couldn’t be sure.
“Josh got Maggie a puppy,” Hannah blurted out.
“No way!” Kate squealed. “That is so precious.”
“Okay, okay. You two need to relax,” Maggie said. “I’m sorry to say hi and run, but I have to go.”
“The big dinner’s tonight,” Hannah said, looking at Kate.
“Ah, the ‘meet the parents’ dinner,” Kate teased.
Rose looked between the three friends, amused by their banter.
“Technically, it’s not that kind of dinner since I’ve known them since I was fourteen,” Maggie said.
“Whatever.” Kate waved off her comment.
“What made you agree to this dinner anyway?” Kate asked. “I thought you were keeping dream man as just a friend.”
“Well, friends can have dinner with each other’s parents and I thought they might be able to help me piece together something about my adoption.”
“Ah, right,” Kate said.
“Your adoption?” Rose asked.
“Maggie found these old letters in her parents’ attic after her dad died that lead her to believe she’s adopted. Isn’t that fascinating?” Kate answered for her. Maggie had given Hannah permission to tell Kate the whole story. “It’s a good thing she’s a writer. There’s somewhere for all that drama to go.”
Rose looked at Maggie. “You’re a writer?”
Kate gave her mom a look of frustration. “Mom. I told you that. Didn’t I? Man, I’m beginning to think you’re not hearing a word I say anymore.”
Without missing a beat, Rose looked at Kate with a twinkle in her eye and said, “I’m just paying you back for all the years of selective hearing my children gave me.”
Maggie turned to Rose. “It was very nice meeting you. I apologize for leaving so soon, but I’ll hopefully see you at Christmas dinner.”
“That sounds nice.”
“As for you two.” She turned to Hannah and Kate. “I will see you later and will NOT give you any details.”
“Liar,” Hannah said as Maggie walked to the door.
Maggie laughed as she closed the door of the shop behind her.
*
Maggie arrived at Josh’s house early. She wanted to be there before his parents to spend some time with him and be calm by the time they showed up. She had no idea why she was nervous. She’d known his parents for so long.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked as he placed hors d’oeuvres on the coffee table in front of her and sat down next to her.
“Oh nothing, really. Just nervous about seeing your folks.”
“My parents love you. And try to see it this way. They already know all about you and your family and love you still, so what is there to fear? You’re not presenting your past with anyone new.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right.” The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” He stood up, holding her hand and pulling her along with him. “And you’re going to come with me and see that this is going to be a great evening and you have nothing to fear.”
She followed reluctantly behind him to the door. He opened it for his parents and was greeted with huge smiles and even bigger hugs.
“It’s good to see you, Maggie. We are so glad to have an entire evening to talk with you and connect with you again.” Mrs. Harden was sincere and gracious.
“And we always love a chance to eat our son’s infamous cooking and gush about him, too,” Mr. Harden said with a wink.
“I’m hoping it’s a nice evening as well, Mr. and Mrs. Harden.”
“I told you, Maggie, to call us Roy and Talia. Mr. and Mrs. Harden make us sound way too old.”
Maggie smiled. “Okay, I’ll try. Old habits die hard, though.”
“Well, this is one that better die off in a hurry, Maggie,” Roy said, giving her another sideways squeeze. He held tight and guided her to the living room, walking behind Josh and Talia. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “And one day, we hope you’ll call us ‘Mom and Dad.”
Maggie blushed so hard that she felt sure her face blended in with the crimson chair she sat down in. She popped a mushroom roll in her mouth to keep from having to answer.
“So, tell us how you’re doing, Maggie. Josh says you left your job in Seattle and have decided to stay here,” Talia said. “We’re so glad.”
“Yes, well, I can’t say it was entirely by choice, but I’m here and I’m trying to sell the house and…I guess move forward somehow.” Her voice cracked. She took a sip of water from the glass Josh handed her.
“I’m sure you’ll find a buyer soon,” Roy said. “That’s a great house.”
“Actually, Hannah just told me today she has someone interested.” She looked toward Josh.
“That’s great news, Maggie,” he said. “I’m going to go work on dinner while you all keep talking.” He went into the kitchen.
Maggie turned her attention to Josh’s parents “If you don’t mind, I wanted to ask you both something.”
The handsome couple leaned forward in their seats towards Maggie.
“What is it dear?” Talia asked.
“Well, I was going through my parents’ attic and found some letters to my mother from a mysterious
woman. I believe she’s my birth mother.”
The Harden’s exchanged a surprised look. “Really? That is something,” Roy said. “How can we help you?”
“I didn’t know if maybe you heard anything or knew anything that might help me.”
“I’m so sorry, Maggie, but I’m afraid we can’t help,” Talia said. She shook her head. “Everyone loved your mother. She was a wonderful woman. I’m sorry you’re finding this out without her here to give you answers.”
“Yes, she was wonderful.” The volume of Maggie’s voice lowered as she looked down into her lap.
Talia’s expression changed. “Now, there was that one year at the Christmas party. Your father alluded to you being adopted, but in all honesty, Maggie, everyone I know let that rumor die. We all adored your mother and didn’t want any harmful gossip to make her life harder than it already was.”
“Thank you. As I said, everyone I’ve spoken to so far has said the same thing. Just speculation. But I’m pretty sure it’s true. These letters make me believe it. They aren’t specific, but it explains some things for me about my father, why he was so controlling.”
“We’re so very sorry for all you’ve been through, Maggie,” Roy said. “We can only imagine how tough things have been for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you have any desire to know more about your birth family?” Roy asked.
“I do, but I’m not sure exactly how, and I haven’t had much time with…everything else I have had to deal with.”
“Well, you let us know if there is anything we can do,” Roy said, Talia nodding by his side.
“That’s right,” she said, looking back and forth between Maggie and Josh, who had just come back into the room. “We love you both and would do anything for you.”
“Thank you. Both of you.”
Roy reached toward Maggie, his hand outstretched for her to take it. She did so as he said, “We love ya, girl, and we’re here for you.”
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