Maggie's Way (Montana Bound Series Book 1)

by Bradley, Linda

  “You like that, old boy, don’t you?” Chloe said, bending closer to his face. She giggled when he slurped her nose.

  This wasn’t fair. I thought I could escape this conversation, but I was wrong. “Sorry, Chloe, I think I should do this on my own. I have to learn how to handle Bones by myself.”

  She squinted into the sun and batted her eyes at me. “My dad says stuff like that. I think you two are in cahoots, as Glad calls it. Cahoots,” she repeated. “Cahoots. That’s a funny word. Sounds like something Junie B. Jones would say.”

  “Sure does. And no, we’re not.” My brain twitched then I let it go. “I am just trying to respect your mother.” Then I prayed for zero questions.

  Chloe got up and Bones followed her lead. Granules of sand pelted my legs like tiny pebbles when he shook back and forth, as if someone had given him a bath.

  I brushed off my shins then handed Chloe the leash. “Where’s your mom today?” I held her worried stare.

  Chloe pointed. “She’s over there by that big orange umbrella. She’s catching her rays. That means getting a tan in Hollywood language.”

  I nodded. “Oh.” I didn’t look. Didn’t need to be reminded of how I didn’t look in a bikini, never did, or ever will. Bones knocked Chloe backward on her behind then crawled on top of her, licking her ear. I couldn’t help but grin as I watched the scene unfold. She laughed and rolled around trying to hug him. It was more than puppy love.

  Chloe squealed, “Sand in the mouth. Sand in the mouth.”

  Bones wagged his tail harder and continued the licking fest as Chloe wiped at her tongue. Finally, they both stopped thrashing, put their noses to the sun that broke through the hazy clouds, and stretched out on their backs.

  The breeze brought Brook’s voice closer, and Chloe sat up. “Here comes my mom,” she said with raised eyebrows.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll behave,” I reassured her.

  “You’re funny, Maggie,” Chloe said, hopping to her feet.

  “Chloe, Chloe, are you okay?” Brook hollered.

  I slid my sunglasses from my head into place. Chloe’s quizzical expression amused me. Then I glanced at Brook then back to Chloe. “What?” I asked.

  “Chloe,” Brook barked. “Are you okay? Did that dog hurt you when he jumped on you?”

  I marveled at the act as Brook tucked Chloe’s hair behind her ears, inspecting her from head to toe. “I think she’s fine,” I said.

  “Oh, Maggie, it’s you,” Brook said with distain. “I didn’t recognize you with the hat.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, it’s me. Hi, Brook,” I said, forcing myself to give a little wave.

  “You should really rethink taking that dog to obedience school. He’s going to hurt someone someday,” Brook continued.

  “Yeah, okay, maybe if he licks someone to death and I don’t think that’s really possible.” I caught Chloe’s smirk out of the corner of my eye. “Chloe, are you okay?” I said, mimicking her mother, leaving out the pawing dramatics.

  Chloe smiled. “Yup. I’m great,” she chirped.

  Brook frowned. I wanted to ask her if her lawyer would be contacting me, but knew better not to. I’m sure John would hear about this. Bones rolled over and got up on all fours. He licked his chops then started to pant. His dark eyes surveyed Brook. He meandered over to her as we spoke. I kept one eye on him and one eye on Brook as she continued her rant.

  “Maggie, I don’t know who you think you are, but I just want my baby to be all right. You don’t have to be so sarcastic.”

  Before I could tug on Bones’ leash, his leg was up. Brook’s stature must have resembled that of a tree or a fire hydrant. Brook seethed as she ran into the lake to wash off the dog pee that dripped down her shin.

  “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so, sorry,” I stammered, trying to stifle the laughter.

  Chloe’s mouth hung open and her eyes bugged out of her head.

  “Ohmigod, I am so sorry.” I glared at Bones. “Bad dog.”

  He wagged his tail, validating my secret thoughts. Humor washed over his dark eyes, pride filled his stance. Maybe he was my kind of dog after all. Maybe this was his way of making up for the ruined tomatoes and uprooted flowers in my garden. I knelt and tugged at his collar. I waggled my finger at his nose, chastising his behavior.

  Chloe ran after her mom. “Just rinse it off, Mom. I got bird poop in my hair once. This is way better,” she announced as her feet splashed through the water trailing after Brook.

  I pretended not to watch her display and kept my attention on Bones. “You are not helping the cause,” I scolded.

  Bones grunted and gave a little woof.

  Brook sauntered out of the lake. The ends of her hair were straggly and damp. She didn’t appear to be much like a super model now. Chloe tried to hold her hand, but Brook shook her off. Chloe wrinkled her nose and stared up at her mom who was rambling, “I don’t know who you think you are, Maggie, but this is not the end of this. I will be sending you a bill.”

  The words spewed out and over my lips before I could stop myself. “For what? New skin.” I don’t know what came over me. I covered my mouth with my hand. Chloe stood like a statue on the verge of crumbling. “I’m sorry, honey, I shouldn’t have said that, and Bones is a very bad dog, right now.”

  Chloe meandered my way. She reached out her hand and I took it. She wasn’t trying to console her mother. She wanted to be consoled. Poor baby, I thought, and I wasn’t helping. I squeezed her hand trying to soothe her rattled nerves. “I’m sorry,” I said, crouching in front of her. Bones came and sat beside me. Chloe’s furrowed brow stoked instant remorse within me.

  “That’s just like you,” Brook said. “You’re nice to her, but horrid to me.”

  “Chloe, why don’t you take Bones down to that drinking fountain and get him some water. I’ll be there in a second. If it’s okay with your mom.” I paused and peered over the rim of my sunglasses at Brook. “And, if it’s okay with your mom”—I put my finger up to stop Brook from talking as she puffed out her chest like a peacock—“we’ll get you a frozen cherry Icy.”

  Chloe squeezed my hand then took the leash off my wrist.

  “It’s okay. I promise we won’t fight anymore,” I added softly.

  Brook gave her a little wave and a reassuring nod. Chloe and Bones trotted off. I waited until Chloe was out of earshot. I put my finger up again toward Brook, cautioning her. “Look, I’m not sure what I’ve done to piss you off, but this needs to stop.” Brook huffed and crossed her arms like a hormonal teenage girl. “I am sorry. Bones just went”—I restrained myself from smiling—“went on your leg, but that is precisely the reason I wanted to take him to obedience school. Obviously, he needs to work on his manners. Chloe is better with him than I am.”

  “That’s obvious,” Brook said.

  I ignored her. “I thought I could learn something from your daughter. They’re like two peas in a pod.” I focused my attention on Chloe who had her hands cupped and was scooping water from the fountain for Bones. I could hear her sharp voice telling him to sit and stay, and he did.

  “You’re a piece of work,” Brook whispered under her breath.

  “I am going to pretend I didn’t hear that. I am going to go over there”—I pointed to Chloe who was splashing in the beach shower—“and get my dog. I will apologize to her for the scene.” I took two dollars out of my pocket and handed it to Brook. “Why don’t you get Chloe a cherry Icy and we will go our separate ways?”

  Brook smirked and pushed her Ray Bans, like mine, up on top of her head. I wondered where her Gucci sunglasses went. Her bloodshot eyes appeared tired. I wondered if she was going to cry or if she was some kind of special vampire that could stand the sun. I thought I saw fangs when she opened her mouth.

  “You are really something,” Brook said.

  I held her stare.

  I have been head-to-head with the best of them.

  I didn’t budge.

  I waited
for the silent mercy.

  Brook blew out a pillow of air then marched ahead of me kicking up sand as she sauntered toward her daughter. I let her take the lead. I didn’t say I would walk with her, I only promised not to fight.

  Why didn’t Brook just hold Chloe’s hand? I asked myself. That’s all Chloe wanted, and needed.

  Chapter 28

  John’s motorcycle rumbled as I put the last dish away. The deep grumbling thrusts jostled my concentration. Each rev of the engine sounded furious. I’d like to blame it all on Brook, but I knew I was just as much to blame. My chest fluttered at the thought of confrontation with John. I could handle Brook. With her I had nothing to lose.

  The rumbling stopped.

  My doorbell rang.

  It was Chloe. Her red cheeks and bloodshot eyes grabbed my attention. “Chloe, what’s wrong?”

  “I want to go to dog school with you,” she wailed.

  I ushered her inside, contemplating Brook’s appearance. I was harboring a fugitive and there would be hell to pay if caught so I shut the screen door then the front door, and locked it behind me. “I’m sorry, Chloe, but there’s not room for three people at dog obedience class,” I lied. That would cost me. I silently begged the heavens for forgiveness. Surely, He would understand sparing a child’s feelings.

  “I want to go. My mom is being so difficult,” she sobbed. “I hate it. She always makes trouble when she comes around.” Chloe gulped for air. “I spend all my time waiting for her and it’s always a disaster.”

  Chloe wiped her nose on the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “Come get a tissue.” She scooted into the kitchen in front of me. “Where is your mom? Does she know you’re here? Does your dad know you’re here?” How could he know, he was in his garage revving up a machine he doesn’t know how to ride.

  “Boy, you have a lot of questions. Mom’s out shopping, again. Dad is in the garage playing with his motorcycle. I just left.”

  I shot John a text hoping he would see it. If the engine were to stop, I’d venture over. Intuition told me to stay home in a locked house and take my chances. “Chloe, you can’t just leave when things don’t go your way. Moms and dads need to work things out.” I offered her a stool at the counter, patted the granite top inviting her to sit, and put the tissue box in front of her. “Want something to drink?” I asked, getting a glass from the cupboard.

  “Whiskey,” she said, slapping the counter.

  “What?” I asked, not believing my ears.

  “Didn’t you hear me? Whiskey,” she repeated.

  I went to the refrigerator and got lemonade. “Kids don’t drink whiskey. I don’t drink whiskey,” I explained.

  “That’s what daddy wanted. Figured it would be good for me, too.”

  “Oh boy.” I paused, listening to the waning motorcycle engine. I figured my doorbell would be ringing when the Harley’s purr totally subsided. “Chloe, whiskey is liquor.”

  “You mean elllllcohall?” she asked with big eyes.

  “Yes, Chloe. It’s for grown-ups, not kids.”

  “I had a boy in my class once that said he used to go to the bar with his mom and she would leave him in the car.”

  I let out a hefty sigh. “Oh boy, that’s not good, but I knew a boy like that, too. Only, it was a girl. How about some lemonade?”

  Chloe shoulders slumped forward. I knew the feeling. “Okay. Can I have it on the rocks?” She asked, leaning over the counter. “That’s ice,” she told me, “but you probably already knew that.”

  “Yup.” I went back to the fridge with her glass, filled it with ice, and showed her the glass. “Good?”

  “Sure.” She blew her nose again and set the tissue on the counter.

  I found the disinfectant wipes under the sink and handed them to her after popping the lid open. “You want some pretzels?”

  “Sure.” Chloe wiped the counter off. “Where’s Bones?”

  “He’s in the backyard,” I slowed my speech, rethinking the last time I saw him. “Why?” I asked, not sure that I wanted to hear the answer.

  “Just wondering,” she answered, hopping off her stool and heading for the French doors to the patio. She swung them open, checking her feet. “Don’t want to lose another toe.”

  “You never lost a toe,” I reminded her.

  “Close enough. Bones. Bones,” she called.

  Chloe gazed at me strangely. Worry creased her forehead. Her eyes were glossy with hidden agenda.

  Oh no, here we go, I told myself. Something wasn’t right. I felt the twist in my gut.

  “Bones!” she yelled at the top of her lungs.

  I went to the door.

  I clapped my hands for him as I searched the yard. I peeked under the Dogwood. “This is almost as bad as the time I lost Bradley at Sears,” I muttered, feeling the exasperation build. I know, I tried to pawn Bones off on John, but I would never wish the beast any harm. Maybe, I shouldn’t refer to him as the beast. I stopped searching long enough to notice Chloe’s lack of concern. “Where is Bones?”

  Chloe seemed like she was going to explode. Her flushed cheeks turned even redder, if that were possible, and her eyes glossy with tears.

  I knelt before her. “Chloe, where is the dog? I just want to make sure he’s not lost or hurt.” The open gate caught my attention. I ran out calling for Bones.

  John came running out of his garage.

  “Bones!” I called with my hands cupped around my mouth. I ran back to Chloe who was still in my yard. Her feet stuck out from under the Dogwood tree. I crouched down trying to dial down the hysterics, but I wanted my dog back. “Chloe, do you know where Bones is?”

  “No,” she said.

  John stuck his head under the Dogwood tree, too, and wiggled her toes. “Open your eyes, Chloe. We need your help. Maggie needs our help. You don’t want Bones to be lost, do you?”

  Chloe opened her eyes and sat up. “I don’t know what happened to him. Mom said she was going to fix the problem.”

  I fell back on my heels in disbelief.

  John questioned Chloe sternly. “What do you mean, she’s going to fix the problem?”

  “She couldn’t possibly do something horrible. Could she?” I asked, horrified that Brook would hurt Bones.

  John sighed. “She was pretty mad when she came home. Doesn’t sound like you helped the situation any,” he added sharply.

  “Hey,” I barked. “It takes two.”

  John eyed Chloe. “Sometimes three.” He dragged Chloe out by her feet. “Where’s the pooch, kiddo?” Chloe wiped her eyes. “Does Mom really have him?” John sighed when Chloe pretended to button her lip. “Maggie is really scared, honey. Remember that time you got lost at the County Fair?”

  Chloe nodded.

  John’s left temple twitched intermittently with his jaw.

  “That’s how Maggie feels. She doesn’t want Bones to be lost or worse, hurt,” he said calmly. “I will be a lot less mad at you if you tell the truth. If you don’t tell the truth, you will be in big trouble, little lady.”

  Sighing, Chloe left the yard. We followed her to John’s house, where she produced a happy dog on a leash about five minutes later.

  “Sweet Jesus.” I studied John’s scowl then focused on Chloe as she sat on her front stoop with my dog. “Well played. How did you know?” I asked John.

  “Brook’s nuts, but she loves animals. She wouldn’t harm a flea,” he said. “Sorry, I’ll deal with Chloe.”

  We marched up to the stoop when Chloe refused to make eye contact.

  “What’s the deal, Chloe?” John demanded politely.

  She wouldn’t budge.

  “Give it up, Chloe. We can stand here as long as you like,” he said, with crossed arms and a look that only a father could produce.

  There was silence.

  About two minutes later, which seemed like an eternity, she huffed and handed her dad Bones’ leash then patted his head. “Sorry, old boy,” she apologized, sounding like Pepper
mint Pattie.

  My patience ran thin, but I stood doing my best not to intervene.

  “Fine,” Chloe huffed. “He was in my room. I thought if I blamed it on Mom, you’d be less mad at Maggie.”

  Surprised at her response, I had to hand it to her. I scowled, keeping in tune with John’s frown.

  “That wasn’t very nice,” he scolded, holding her chin in the palm of his hand.

  “You promised if I told the truth, you’d go easy on me,” Chloe reminded him, as she searched his face for forgiveness. “I don’t want you to be mad at Maggie. Mom’s gonna leave and Maggie’s not going anywhere,” she yelled. “I just wanted to go to dog school with Bones and Maggie,” she declared, before stomping back inside the house and letting the door slam behind her.

  John handed me the leash.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  He put his hand on my forearm. “I heard about the beach.”

  “I figured you would,” I said.

  “She’s not going to be here forever, you know.”

  “I know.” I took a deep breath. “But you can’t expect me not to be me. It happened. I didn’t tell Bones to lift his leg on her. She said she was sending me a bill.”

  John shifted his weight. “It wouldn’t have been for new skin,” he said, taking a deep breath. “She was worried about her spray tan streaking.”

  I couldn’t help but grin knowing I was right about Brook’s fake bronze skin. “Sorry, it just came out. Look, I don’t want to be someone else’s mother. I’ve already raised my son. And I have to say, he was a piece of cake compared to Chloe.”

  “I bet,” John said, kicking at the grass. “I don’t believe I asked you to raise my daughter.” His eyebrow arched.

  I clambered for words. “I’m not going to ignore her. It wouldn’t be right. And it wouldn’t be right to let Brook talk down to me, especially in front of your daughter. Chloe’s right, you know, her mother’s going to leave, you said it yourself, and you’re going to be stuck living next to me, the sarcastic, mixed-up, crazy neighbor.” I searched his eyes for a glint of understanding. When I didn’t see it, I headed home. “Come on, Bones,” I said sternly, and he followed.