“And I bet she’s as pretty as her mother,” Rob said softly.
Maggie blushed. She wasn’t used to getting compliments. “Oh, she’s much prettier. She has gorgeous, thick auburn hair and blue eyes. She takes more after her father’s side of the family.”
As they ate, they talked about the places they’d lived, books they’d read, and their favorite music. Maggie loved romance novels and mysteries, and old rock ’n’ roll from the ’70s and ’80s. Rob enjoyed horror and mystery novels, especially Stephen King, and the same music as Maggie.
“Nothing better than an old Eagles tune,” he said. “And, of course, Bob Seger,” he added with a wink.
“Do you know where we’ll be stopping tonight?” Maggie asked as they finished eating their lunch.
“Yep. There’s a great place a few hours from here, right on the Oregon Coast. I stop there every time I travel up to Seattle. Wait until you see it. You’ll be amazed.”
Maggie was indeed amazed when they pulled up to the Victorian Bed & Breakfast, which sat on a cliff, overlooking the ocean. The home was beautiful, but in the haze of the evening fog, it looked like a house right out of a creepy movie.
“My goodness, this place looks like something out of a 1940s movie, where the heroine is pushed off the cliff and comes back to haunt the house,” Maggie said as she stared up at the old home in the mist.
“That’s exactly what it looks like. Or from the cover of one of those old historical romance novels, where a woman in a long, sweeping dress is running away from the house,” Rob said, laughing. “In fact, this house was used in several old movies because of its location. Don’t worry, though, it’s cozy inside, and the owner is a sweetheart.”
Rob was right. The interior was warm and cheery, with a crackling fire in the hearth and charming Victorian period furniture. The owner, Mrs. Nebish, was a sweet older lady. She wore a calico skirt and cream-colored cardigan sweater over a frilly blouse. Her silver hair was rolled up in a bun on her head, and she wore small half-moon reading glasses on the end of her nose. She set Maggie and Rob up in two very comfortable rooms, and placed a plate of sandwiches, homemade cookies, and two glasses of milk out for them in the kitchen.
Maggie loved the place. It was like going to your grandmother’s house, and she said as much to Rob, who nodded his agreement.
“That’s why I love this place. Mrs. Nebish makes it so inviting that I feel like I’m right at home,” Rob said.
It was late by the time they finished their food, so they said good night at Maggie’s door. “This has been so much fun,” Maggie told him. “Thank you for inviting me along. It was just what I needed.”
Rob bent over and brushed a friendly kiss on Maggie’s cheek. “I’m happy you came, too,” he said quietly. “Good night.”
Once Maggie was tucked away in her room, sitting on the cushy double bed with the gas fireplace turned on to ward off the evening chill, she thought about Rob’s kiss. Had it meant anything, or was he just being friendly? She had to admit it had felt nice. Rob was such a sweet guy, and handsome, too. What would she do if he seriously flirted with her? Would she kiss him? Stop it. You have enough problems. You don’t need another one.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. She looked at it, thinking it would be Andrew. He’d been texting her all day, asking her to call him, but she’d ignored him. The last thing she wanted to do tonight was fight. To her surprise, it was Cassie calling.
“Hi. What’s up?”
“Hi. I hope you’ve stopped for the night,” Cassie said.
“Yes. We stopped a couple of hours ago, right before dark.”
“Did he take you to that creepy old house where the owner looks like a sweet grandma but is probably Norman Bates’s mother?” Cassie asked, chuckling.
“Cassie! That’s terrible. Mrs. Nebish is a sweet lady. But you’re right. The outside gave me the creeps when we pulled up. I can’t wait until tomorrow morning, so I can take pictures of it before we leave.”
“So how was your first day on the road with Rob?” Cassie asked. Her tone sounded like that of one of Kaia’s teenage friends teasing her about a new boyfriend.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Fine. We pulled over a few times so I could take pictures, had lunch, and then stopped for the night. And yes, nosy, we each have a room to ourselves. So get your mind out of the gutter.”
“He’s a sweetie, though. Don’t you think? And he’s cute, too,” Cassie said.
“Cassie, stop it. We’re just friends, and you know that,” Maggie warned.
“Hey, I can always hope.”
Maggie smiled and shook her head. “Did you call for a reason, or just to act like a twelve-year-old?”
Cassie sighed. “I called because I wanted to see how your day went and to tell you that Andrew called here today.”
“He did? Why?”
“He said you weren’t answering your phone, and he asked if he could talk to you. I hope you don’t mind, but I told him you were riding down to a California vineyard with a friend, and you probably couldn’t be reached.”
“You told him that? Why?”
“Because it’s the truth. I didn’t tell him who you’re with, though. So I wanted to warn you about him knowing where you are in case you talk to him.”
“Gee, thanks. You’re a big help,” Maggie told her.
“You’re welcome. Have fun with Rob.”
Maggie clicked off her phone before Cassie could tease her anymore.
Maggie thought about calling Andrew, but it was already late and she didn’t want to wake him. It would only make him crabbier. She knew she wouldn’t have time in the morning to call. Besides, if they argued, he’d ruin her day. So she decided it would be best to call him tomorrow night when they arrived at Rob’s house.
As Maggie drifted off to sleep, she thought about her life with Andrew over the past twenty-three years and how much they both had changed. How had they grown so far apart? You marry and look forward to all the possibilities together, then slowly pull away from each other as those dreams become reality. She also thought about the kids, and how soon they’d be gone and starting their own lives. Where would that leave her and Andrew? And then, she thought about the innocent kiss Rob had placed on her cheek. Andrew hadn’t made a sweet gesture like that in a long time. She finally fell asleep, no longer thinking of her problems but instead marveling at how such a simple kiss could make her feel so alive.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
When Andrew awoke on Friday, he felt content for the first time in years. He was especially happy he’d reconciled with Kyle. He knew he had a long road ahead of him, but he was intent on working to rebuild their relationship and, hopefully, make up for his terrible transgression. He and Kaia were once again on good terms, and he was going to work hard to keep it that way. Even though the most difficult part still lay ahead of him—finding a way to win Maggie’s forgiveness—he felt he was on the right path.
Throughout the day, Andrew tried, without luck, calling Maggie on her cell phone. He’d left messages and texts, but she still hadn’t replied. By midafternoon, he was getting desperate to talk to her, so he swallowed his pride and called Cassie. She and he had never gotten along well, and to be honest, he never really understood why. But he wanted to talk to Maggie, and if he had to go through Cassie, then so be it.
“Maggie’s not here,” Cassie told Andrew after a cool hello.
“Can you ask her to call me when she returns?” Andrew asked. He figured she was out shopping or maybe on the beach with the kids. He knew how much Maggie loved the ocean and that she’d make sure to enjoy the beach as much as possible while staying there.
“I don’t know when she’ll be back,” Cassie said bluntly. “She left to go down to California wine country with a friend today, and she’s staying at his home for a few days. She didn’t say when she’
d be back.”
Andrew was stunned. His home, Cassie had said. Who was he? Not wanting to get into a sparring match with Cassie, he ignored what she’d told him and asked whether she’d tell Maggie to call him if she heard from her.
When he hung up, Andrew wondered if Maggie had really taken off with another man, or if Cassie was just trying to make him jealous. Cassie could be a pain, but she had never purposely tried to start an argument between him and Maggie. Nevertheless, he spent the rest of the day at work worrying about who Maggie was with.
Andrew didn’t have time to think about Cassie’s words after picking up Kaia and heading off with her to buy groceries. This time, he heeded Kaia’s advice, and they stopped at Walmart to buy most of what they needed, and then went to the local grocery store for a few items. The teenage boy who bagged their groceries talked to Kaia like he knew her, and Andrew noticed her smiling and blushing in response to his attention. After the bags had been stowed and they were in the car, Andrew asked, “Do you know that kid?”
Kaia’s smile faded and she slid her gaze toward her dad. “His sister is in my class. He’s a junior in high school. Why?”
Andrew saw her defenses going up immediately. “I was just asking,” he said nonchalantly, then he started the car and they drove home. During the drive, however, he wondered about the way Kaia acted around the boy. She was fourteen, just a child as far as he was concerned. But it seemed like she had a crush on that older boy. For the first time, he noticed that his little girl was actually growing into a young woman, and that terrified him.
“Can I ask you a question without you getting mad at me?” Andrew asked.
Kaia continued staring out the window. “Okay.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Kaia’s eyes grew wide, and she turned to stare at her dad. “Daaaad!”
“Don’t get mad at me. I was just asking. I thought maybe you liked that boy.”
Kaia crossed her arms dramatically and sighed, looking straight ahead of her. “We’re just friends.”
“Do you like him, though?” Andrew asked.
“Dad, stop asking me that.”
“Why?” Andrew asked. “I mean, if you like him, why wouldn’t you tell me?”
Kaia stared at her dad. “Because you’re my dad. And because you still think I’m a little kid.”
“Do you talk to your mom about stuff like this?” Andrew asked, feeling offended that Kaia didn’t trust him enough to talk about boys with him.
Kaia shrugged. “Sometimes. But that’s different. Mom doesn’t treat me like I’m eight. She knows I’m growing up, and she’s okay with it. You’re different. You haven’t noticed I’m growing up.”
Kaia’s words surprised Andrew. “I know you’re growing up. I just didn’t expect it to happen so fast.” He paused before saying, “Can I ask you another question?”
“Not about boys, I hope.”
Andrew chuckled. “No. Not about boys. Kyle said it bothered him that I was never around and didn’t know what went on with the family. Do you feel the same way? Do you feel like I’m not around enough?”
Kaia looked down at her hands. “Yeah, sort of,” she said. She turned and peered at her dad. “You used to be around and do stuff with us, but these past few years, you’re never home. We just got used to doing everything with Mom instead.”
Andrew pulled into the driveway and stopped the car. He reached over and placed his hand on Kaia’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” he told her, looking into her eyes. “I never meant for that to happen. I guess I told myself that you and Kyle were getting older and didn’t need me around as much, and you always had your mother. But that was wrong. I promise I’ll try to be around more, okay?”
Kaia smiled shyly. “Okay. I’d like that.”
Andrew smiled warmly. It felt good to have everything out in the open. “And you know, you can come to me if you ever want to talk about boys,” he said seriously.
Kaia rolled her eyes, making Andrew laugh.
Andrew and Kaia quickly unloaded the groceries and put them away. They planned to meet Kyle and Ashley for burgers. Just as they were finishing up, the front doorbell rang.
Andrew went to the door, wondering who it could be. Everyone they knew used the back door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see a girl standing there, wearing a bike helmet and smiling up at him. “Can I help you?” he asked, recognizing her round face but not remembering from where.
“Is Maggie home?” the girl asked.
“No, I’m sorry. She’s not home,” Andrew said. He suddenly realized who she was. He had met her last week at the grocery store when she bagged and loaded their groceries. He looked past her and saw a three-wheeled bike with a basket attached sitting on the main sidewalk.
“Cindi?” Kaia had come up behind her dad. “What are you doing all the way out here?” Their home was eight miles from downtown, which meant Cindi had ridden a long way.
“I was hoping Maggie had come home. I miss her. When is she coming home?” Cindi asked.
Kaia invited Cindi to come in. Cindi walked calmly past a stunned Andrew, who stood beside the open door, staring out at her bike.
“Did you ride your bike all the way from town?” he asked, as Cindi and Kaia walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table.
“Sure,” Cindi answered. She took off her helmet. “I ride my bike everywhere.”
Andrew closed the door and followed the girls into the kitchen. Kaia was already placing a few chocolate-chip cookies she’d made earlier in the week onto a plate and pouring a glass of milk for their guest. Cindi’s face lit up when Kaia placed the cookies and milk in front of her.
“Is Maggie coming home soon?” Cindi asked between bites.
Andrew sat at the table with the girls. Cindi stared at him with that sweet smile, waiting for an answer. “We’re not really sure when she’ll be home,” he said. “Hopefully, soon.”
Cindi’s smile turned into a frown. “I really miss Maggie. I like it when she takes me places. The new lady who’s been driving me around is okay, but Maggie’s more fun.”
Andrew felt bad that he couldn’t give Cindi a definite answer. “I’m sorry. I’m sure Maggie misses you, too,” he said.
“Dad. We should drive Cindi home. It’s getting late, and they’ll be wondering where she is.”
“Should I call someone?” he asked Kaia. He knew nothing about the rules for the group home’s residents and didn’t know if Cindi was even allowed to ride her bike this far from town.
“No. We should just take her home,” Kaia said.
After Cindi had eaten her fill of cookies and drunk all her milk, the trio went out to Andrew’s car. Andrew rolled Cindi’s bike to the car but realized there was no way it would fit in the trunk.
“We’ll have Kyle bring your bike home tonight,” he told Cindi. “It’s too big for my car.”
Cindi nodded and didn’t seem too worried about it. She obviously trusted Maggie’s family to take care of her prized possession. Andrew rolled it into the garage and closed the door.
Cindi and Kaia sat in the backseat and talked all the way back to the group home. Andrew could tell that Cindi was much older than Kaia, probably in her late twenties, but she liked many of the same things as Kaia did—movies, television shows, and music. As he listened to the two of them chatting easily, he was once again proud of how kind and patient Kaia was with Cindi. Kaia had a good heart, and he knew she’d gotten it from Maggie.
Andrew wasn’t exactly sure where Cindi’s home was, so Kaia gave him directions, and soon they pulled up to the older two-story home. There was a nicely kept lawn and garden in front, and the house had been freshly painted. The trees in the yard boasted leaves of gold, orange, and red, and the house looked cheerful and welcoming.
Andrew and Kaia followed Cindi to the screened-in front porch, thr
ough the door, and into the house. As soon as they entered, a tall woman with short brown hair, wearing jeans and a blue T-shirt, appeared in the living room where they stood.
“Hi, Cindi. Where have you been?” the woman asked, smiling over at Andrew and Kaia.
“I rode my bike over to Maggie’s house, but she wasn’t there,” Cindi answered.
The woman walked over to Kaia and gave her a hug. “Hi, Kaia,” she said. “I haven’t seen you for a while. Is this your dad?” She turned to Andrew as Kaia nodded.
“I’m Andrew,” he said.
“I’m Jan.” She shook hands with Andrew. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I live here with the residents full-time.”
“Oh, so you’re Maggie’s boss,” Andrew said, finally understanding who the woman was. “You have a nice home here.”
Jan laughed. “Actually, the state owns the home. I just run it for them. But thank you. We like it.”
Cindi grabbed Kaia’s hand and led her to the staircase. “Come with me to my room,” she said. “I’ll show you my CD collection.” Kaia followed Cindi upstairs, leaving Andrew in the living room.
“I hope Cindi wasn’t any trouble,” Jan said. “She really misses Maggie. I didn’t think she’d ride out to your house, though.”
“No, she wasn’t any trouble. Her bike is still at our house. I’ll have Kyle bring it back here in his truck tonight,” Andrew said.
“Kyle is such a nice young man. And Kaia is a sweetheart. You’re so lucky to have two wonderful children like them,” Jan said.
Andrew nodded but didn’t know how to reply. Obviously, this woman knew his kids well, yet he’d never met her. Just then, an older woman came into the room and stood beside Jan. She was short and round and had short gray hair.
“This is Marie,” Jan said. “Marie, this is Maggie’s husband, Andrew.”
Marie peered through her square, thick eyeglasses at Andrew, and then smiled. “We like Maggie a lot,” she said. “When is she coming back?”
Before Andrew could answer, another resident walked into the room. “Are you talking about Maggie? Is she here?” he asked. His arms and legs were twisted, but he was still able to walk with the use of forearm crutches. He cocked his head and stared at Andrew. “Who are you?” he asked.
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