Truth and Solace

by Jana Richards

  “I’m the one who’s grateful. My mother has been like a mythical figure most of my life, someone not quite real. Abby told me stories about her when I was a kid, but these are different. She’s making her come alive for me. Miranda feels like an actual person now.”

  “Abby will be happy to hear that.”

  “I’m looking forward to whatever else she has to tell me.”

  Reese nodded, his brows knitting together in a way that made Maggie think he wanted to say more on the subject. Instead, he shuffled through the coatrack and pulled out a grey parka. “I should go. Make sure you step away from the door. I don’t want you to catch a chill.”

  “I will.”

  Reese slipped on the parka and zipped it to his chin. Pulling a red knitted hat from his pocket, he twirled it in his hands, his gaze fixed on a point somewhere over her left shoulder. “Your mother was a wonderful person.”

  “Harper told me you knew her.”

  “Yeah, back in high school.” He shifted his gaze to look at her. Sadness flitted across his face, but he quickly covered it with a grin. “A million years ago.”

  “Were you friends?”

  “For a while.”

  His short answers both frustrated and intrigued her. She’d known Reese, and had worked with him since she’d moved back to the lodge in the spring, but he’d never talked to her about her mother before. She wanted to know more. What was she like as a teenager? What was their relationship back then?

  Reese’s throat moved. “I knew her well enough to tell you how proud she’d be of you. She’d be so proud of the hard-working, compassionate young woman you are today.”

  Maggie stared at him, unable to speak past the lump that had formed in her throat. The last thing she’d expected this evening was a speech like this from Reese.

  He shifted his gaze and stepped back, obviously uncomfortable with her silence. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

  She laid her hand on his arm, stopping him. “Reese, there’s nothing you could have said that would have meant more to me. Thank you.”

  She put her arms around him in a hug. For a moment he held himself stiff, but then he relaxed and put his arms around her shoulders and held her tightly. His throat hummed with a sound somewhere between a groan and a sigh. For a moment, she thought he was crying. But when he pulled away, his eyes were dry.

  He smiled at her, still holding her arms. “Thank you, Maggie.”

  She had no idea what he was thanking her for but before she could ask, the door opened and Luke stepped in along with a bitter gust of cold wind. Reese let her go and stepped away.

  “I should get Abby and Phyllis home,” he said, all formality once more. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. We all enjoyed it.”

  “I’m glad you could come.”

  Reese nodded, his hand on the doorknob. “Step back, Maggie. You’re definitely not dressed for this cold.”

  Luke wordlessly removed his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. Maggie blinked up at him. The jacket was warm from the heat of his body and smelled like a combination of his aftershave and the clean, male scent unique to him. She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. Luke stared back at her, but she could read nothing in his enigmatic gaze.

  Reese cleared his throat. “Goodnight, Luke.”

  “Goodnight.”

  He slipped through the door and closed it softly behind him. Maggie removed the jacket and handed it back to Luke, immediately feeling the chill lingering in the air. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He tossed the jacket over his arm. “You looked like you were having a very intense conversation with Reese.”

  “Yeah, I guess we were. Did you know he knew my mother when they were young?”

  “No, but that’s hardly a surprise. Minnewasta is small town. Everybody knows everybody.”

  “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

  Even so, it had sounded as if Reese and Miranda’s relationship had been more than small-town acquaintance. She’d have to ask Abby.

  Luke let out a long sigh and stared at the door. “I hope tonight wasn’t too much for Mom. I’m afraid she overtired herself. She’s got so little time…”

  Maggie’s heart thumped painfully at the look of despair on his face. She wished there was something she could say that would make things easier for him but at this point, words meant little. “Abby was determined to come to the wedding. She wants to embrace every moment she has left.”

  His mouth unexpectedly turned up in a lop-sided grin. “That’s Mom. Her whole life has been about embracing moments. I guess I shouldn’t expect her to stop now.”

  Maggie smiled at his assessment. It perfectly described Abby. “I guess not.”

  “What about you? Are you having fun?” he asked.

  “Yeah.” Maggie picked at an imaginary piece of fluff on her dress. “I saw you dancing with Scarlet’s friend. Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “You mean Jill? I was being polite. I asked everyone to dance.”

  “You didn’t ask me.”

  She sounded pissy, even to herself. Luke was consumed with the impending death of his mother and all she could talk about was her petty jealousy. Her face grew hot with embarrassment and shame.

  “I wanted to dance with you but every time I was about to ask, you were already dancing, especially with Cam’s nephew.” His voice went low and quiet. “Is there something going on between you two?”

  “With Drew? No, of course not. We were paired in the wedding party, that’s all.”

  “He looked like he was into you.”

  She bit her lip. She was going to have to have another talk with Drew. A relationship between them wasn’t in the cards. “I don’t feel the same way.”

  Luke nodded and looked toward the dining room where couples were dancing to a slow waltz. “There’s a few dances left,” he said, taking her hand and intertwining her fingers with his. “We should take a page from Mom’s book and embrace the moment. Would you like to dance?”

  Despite all her misgivings about their past, her grief over Abby’s impending death, even her worries about living up to her responsibilities of being head chef, happiness bubbled through her veins. Or maybe she’d had too much champagne.

  “I’d like that a lot.”

  She followed him onto the dance floor and when he pulled her into his arms, they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. Her body hummed with desire.

  If she wasn’t very careful, she could fall in love with Luke all over again. Maybe she already had.

  And when he left, her heart would be broken for a second time.

  She didn’t want to think about that. Not now. Embrace the moment.

  Luke bent close to whisper in her ear. “You’re beautiful tonight, Maggie. I’ve never seen you more lovely.”

  “Thanks. You’re pretty lovely yourself.”

  He chuckled at that, his laugh tickling her ear and making her laugh, too. How wonderful, how freeing, to laugh, to be happy, to have fun. It had been far too long.

  Maggie gave herself over to the romance of the evening. She let herself sway to the beat of the music, loving the feel of Luke’s hand on her hip and his body pressed close to hers. She stared up into his face, unable to look away. Every detail of his face was dear to her. His beautiful grey-green eyes with their ridiculously long lashes. The long, straight nose and elegantly shaped mouth. A mouth she wanted to kiss. Desperately.

  She inhaled an unsteady breath as a shiver raced down her back. There was no doubt she wanted him, and she believed he wanted her, too. But even if they made love, he’d still leave.

  Don’t think about it, Maggie.

  Instead, she smiled up at Luke as if neither of them were facing the imminent loss of someone they loved. Or the loss of each other.

  And they danced. At least on the dance floor they could hold each other and pretend they’d never let go. At least she could touch him, and be touched. She longed to feel him skin to skin, to f
eel his hard muscles beneath her questing fingers. She wanted his weight on her, his body inside hers.

  Dancing with Luke was an exquisite kind of torture. These perfect moments on the dance floor couldn’t last. Reality would return soon enough.

  And it did. Soon the DJ announced the last dance. Luke held her a little tighter as they moved around the floor. Maggie closed her eyes and listened to the steady beat of his heart. As the final notes of the song faded, he held her a minute longer before letting her go. The sudden chill made her shiver.

  “Goodnight, Maggie.” Though he smiled, she read the sadness on his face. She wanted to reach out to him, beg him to spend the night with her, make love with her. If only for a few hours, they could lose themselves in each other.

  But it would change nothing. She returned his sad smile.

  “Goodnight, Luke.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The next morning, Luke and his grandmother stopped at his mother’s house before heading to the lodge for the wedding brunch. Reese answered their knock, his face drawn and tired. A sense of dread settled in Luke’s stomach.

  “We came to see if Mom felt up to the brunch, but I have a feeling the answer is no.”

  Reese scrubbed a hand over his face. “Abby had a bad night. She’s finally sleeping now, so I’m going to stay with her in case she wakes up. Please give my regrets to Cam and Scarlet.”

  “I can stay with Abby,” Phyllis said, setting her purse on a side table and unzipping her coat. “You go with Luke to the brunch, Reese.”

  Reese caught Phyllis’ hand, stopping her from taking off her coat. “I’m not fit company for any kind of social occasion at the moment.”

  “But I want to look after her. I want to look after both of you.”

  The pain in his grandmother’s voice punched Luke in the gut. He couldn’t imagine losing a child, no matter how old they were.

  “I know you do, Phyllis,” Reese said quietly. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I’ll make you a deal. Later today, you can cook and clean and fuss over us as much as you want, but right now Abby and I both need some sleep.”

  Phyllis inhaled deeply and let her breath out slowly. She nodded and reached for her purse. “You’re right. You should sleep. But I’m coming over this afternoon to cook. Don’t think you can stop me.”

  Reese gave her a tired grin. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

  She nodded again, and Luke saw that her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. He put his arm around her small shoulders and led her to the door.

  Reese followed them. “I nearly forgot. Abby wants you to ask Maggie to come see her tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? Is Mom going to be up for a visit?”

  “I don’t know, but she was adamant I give you the message.”

  Luke wasn’t sure why his mother was so insistent about speaking to Maggie, but it seemed important to her and he wasn’t about to argue. “I’ll tell Maggie.”

  Reese nodded and closed the door behind them. Luke helped his grandmother into his truck and reached across her to fasten her seatbelt. “I’m not a child, Luke. I can do up my own seatbelt.”

  He was glad to see her feisty spirit re-emerge. “You’re not the only one who wants to look after their family.”

  “No, I guess not.” She sighed. “I wish it was me, Luke. I wish I could take her place, take away her pain. I’ve lived a long, happy life. I’d be happy to go if it meant Abby had more time.”

  Luke’s chest ached with sorrow. He squeezed her hand. “I don’t want to lose either of you, Grandma.”

  A tear ran down her wrinkled cheek. “I know, Luke. I know.”

  He closed her door and walked around the truck to the driver’s side, trying to get his emotions under control. How could he leave his grandmother all alone?

  Maggie rose early to help Celeste get the wedding brunch prepared. With the help of a couple of servers from Miller’s, they set up the steam table with French toast, scrambled eggs, waffles and bacon. The cold food table was loaded with a variety of sliced fruits, cheeses and a selection of desserts, including delectable chocolate truffles, several kinds of cheesecake, and a red velvet cake topped with cream cheese, all made by Celeste. When the set-up was complete, and she was satisfied everything was in place, Maggie checked her watch. Guests would begin arriving very soon.

  Drew entered the dining room alone, grinning as he walked toward her. Maggie tensed. She hated the idea of being cruel but, now more than ever, she had to tell him there could never be anything between them.

  “Good morning.” He swept out his arm to indicate the buffet tables. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

  “Good morning, Drew.” She untied her bibbed apron and pulled it over her head. “I can’t take much of the credit. Our sous-chef, Celeste, prepared most of it. Is your family on their way to brunch?”

  “They’ll be here in a few minutes. I came early because I was hoping to talk to you.”

  “Oh, I see. Drew, you’re very nice, but—”

  He set his hand on her arm. “It’s okay, Maggie. You don’t have to let me down easy. I saw you dancing with Luke Carlsson last night. I could tell by the way you looked at him your heart is someplace else.”

  She couldn’t deny it. “We have a history.”

  “Harper mentioned it. She said you were childhood sweethearts.”

  Maggie smiled at the innocent term. “Something like that.”

  “She also said Luke is going back to California.”

  “That’s true.”

  Drew linked his fingers with hers, his eyes growing solemn. “Don’t let him break your heart, Maggie. You’re far too special.”

  She wished it was within her power to prevent a broken heart. “I’ll do my best.”

  “If he gives you any trouble, say the word, and I’ll kick his ass all the way back to Napa Valley.”

  That made her laugh. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. “I’m sure we won’t need to resort to violence, but thanks for the offer.”

  “You deserve to be treated right.”

  His words caused a lump to form in her throat. “You’re a wonderful person, Drew. Some day, some lucky girl is going to realize what a treasure you are, and she’s never going to let you go.”

  He brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss, his lips lingering against the tender skin of her wrist for a moment before releasing her. “I wish that someone could be you. But I know it can’t be.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I wish you nothing but happiness, Maggie.”

  “I wish that for you, too.”

  He nodded, his expression more serious than she’d ever seen it. “I’m going back to check on my family, see if they’re ready for brunch. I’ll see you later.”

  With that, he headed out of the dining room. Maggie sighed. She hated hurting him, but it would have been far worse to let him think they could be more than friends. She hoped he found someone who would treat him right. He deserved that.

  Soon, guests began filing into the dining room. Her sisters and their husbands arrived and mingled with wedding guests before lining up at the buffet tables for food. Maggie joined the line-up, keeping one eye on the door for Luke and his family, worried by their lateness.

  Finally, at half past ten, Luke and his grandmother arrived. As soon as they entered the dining room, Maggie knew something was wrong. Both wore subdued expressions, and the solicitous way Luke held his grandmother’s arm made her think he was trying to protect her. She went to greet them, bracing herself for bad news.

  She held out her hands to Phyllis. “I’m glad you could make it. Will Reese and Abby be joining us?”

  “No,” Luke said. “Mom’s resting right now. She didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said. He acknowledged her sympathy with a nod but avoided her gaze.

  Phyllis squeezed her hands before r
eleasing them. “Reese said to tell you she wants to see you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?” She’d thought she’d give Abby a few days to rest after the excitement of the wedding. Did this mean she believed her time was even more limited than they’d first believed? The thought made her stomach clench in pain. She glanced at Luke.

  “It seems to mean a lot to her,” Phyllis said.

  “Then I’ll go,” Maggie said simply. She swallowed and gestured to the brunch buffet, pasting a smile on her face. “Please help yourself and then join us at our table. We’ve saved seats for you.”

  Luke nodded wordlessly and with a hand on Phyllis’s back, he led her to the buffet table. Maggie hated to see him in pain like this. Last night, as they danced, he seemed to genuinely enjoy himself. She hoped she was part of the reason for that. It had been so good to be in his arms.

  More than good, if she was honest with herself. Magical. The way he’d looked at her made her almost believe they had a future together.

  But reality was never far away. Last night, they’d let themselves forget the reason he’d come to the lodge in the first place – Abby’s illness. The morning reminded them her death was creeping ever closer.

  Maggie returned to the table she was sharing with her sisters and their husbands, her appetite for the remains of her brunch now diminished. She sipped her coffee instead.

  “Abby and Reese aren’t coming?” Harper asked.

  Maggie shook her head and relayed the information she’d received from Luke and Phyllis. A stricken look came over Harper’s face, and the rest of the group went quiet and solemn.

  “Please, let’s try to stay upbeat for their sakes,” Maggie whispered. “Abby wouldn’t want to put a damper on your wedding, Scarlet.”

  “No, she wouldn’t.” Scarlet’s attempted smile looked strained.

  Luke and Phyllis brought their plates to the table and sat next to her. One of the servers brought coffee and filled their cups. Phyllis lifted hers in a toast. “Congratulations, Cam and Scarlet. May you have as lovely a married life as you had a wedding celebration. Thank you again for inviting me. I had a wonderful evening.”