‘I have?’ She took his last chip out of the paper bag and put it in her mouth, chewing slowly. ‘I still can’t see how this thing between us is going to work.’
Chad wrapped up the grease-stained paper and set it on the wall next to him before putting his arm back around Maggie.
‘Do you remember what Audrey said before we left?’ she asked, needing to know if she’d been the only one affected.
‘Yep, I sure do, and she’s right. Life’s too short not to grab it with both hands and make the most of every minute.’
Maggie swallowed the lump forming in her throat, the one she always got thinking about her mother.
‘It’s the main reason Josh went to live in the wilds of Colorado. My folks wanted him to settle back in Nashville and run the family business. He turned them down flat because he said he’d seen so much ugliness he needed to be surrounded by good, beautiful things for the rest of his life.’ Chad pushed a loose strand of Maggie’s hair back out of the way and kissed her neck. ‘I need to go and see Josh. I let him down badly when he left the army. I should’ve helped him to stand up to our parents and made them see their way of life wouldn’t suit him after what he’d been through.’
‘I take it you didn’t?’
He shook his head. ‘No. I stood back and let them push him until he couldn’t take it anymore and left. At the time I didn’t try hard enough to understand his motives, but I want to now. You’ve helped crystallise it in my mind.’
Maggie frowned. ‘How?’
‘By seeing how you are with Emily. You never gave up on her no matter how difficult it became. Hey, you haven’t been perfect, no one is, but you’ve always tried.’
She was stunned. No one else had ever understood her complicated relationship with Emily. Chad saw that it wasn’t guilt that made her persist with her often difficult sister, it was love.
‘Will you come with me to Colorado?’ Chad asked, ‘I’m not asking for anything beyond your company.’ His eyes gleamed in the fading light. ‘Of course, I won’t object if you choose to share my bed.’
‘Oh, won’t you?’ Maggie said archly, poking him in the ribs.
‘I’d love to show you something of my country. You could come to Nashville and meet my folks too, but only if you want to. No pressure. No expectations.’
‘Hopes?’ she whispered.
‘Yeah, I’ll definitely have those. I’ve had them since the moment I set eyes on you, Maggie Taylor.’
The breath left her body and tears prickled at her eyes. She wanted this man so badly her heart ached to think of him leaving.
‘Am I way off base?’ Chad’s soft-spoken question shot directly into her heart and she managed to shake her head. ‘Good. How about we head back to Trewarnock now?’
‘I suppose we should. Emily might be getting worried,’ Maggie said. ‘That is if she’s even home to notice I’m missing.’ She gave him a shy smile. ‘Do you know what I’ll always remember you saying to me at the wedding?’
Chad kissed her cheek. ‘Oh, yeah, I remember. I couldn’t imagine anybody not missing you. Still can’t, sweetheart.’
‘I’ll think about your … offer. I can’t do anything until I’ve got Emily safely married off.’ He went quiet. ‘You told me to spit it out earlier, it’s your turn now,’ she insisted,
‘I mentioned hanging around for a few extra days but would it be way out of line for me to suggest staying until after the wedding? I’m owed a ton of vacation days at work so it’s not a problem there.’
Maggie guessed it’d taken a lot of courage for him to ask, knowing she could toss the idea right back at him.
‘I don’t want you to think I’m forcing you to make a decision anytime soon, but … I thought you could maybe do with some support.’ Chad’s uncertainty was at odds with his usual confident manner and somehow that made her feel better.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. ‘I’d really like that.’
‘Really?’ He looked so amazed Maggie kissed him again, only this time Chad took the kiss to another level until she forgot everything but him. The hint of salt on his tongue, a rasp of stubble against her cheek, his hard body moulded against hers and his clean, warm scent all took over her senses.
‘Oh, Maggie, what am I goin’ to do with you?’ he murmured, his rapid breaths hot on her skin.
‘I’m sure you’ll think of something. You usually seem to.’ Maggie’s voice trembled and she pulled away slightly, unnerved by the powerful effect he had on her. All her usual common sense flew up into the night sky. ‘Just love me.’ The words tumbled out and a scorching heat lit up her face and neck.
‘It’s okay,’ Chad whispered and trailed a finger down her flaming cheeks. ‘I do.’
‘But it doesn’t make sense.’ She tried to be realistic, but the sight of Chad’s eyes glittering in the dark fried her brain.
‘I know,’ he chuckled, ‘but did you ever hear anyone call love sensible? It’s why so many love songs have the words crazy, reckless and mad in their lyrics.’
‘Doesn’t it bother you?’
Chad’s exuberant laughter rang out and she stared at him.
‘It scares the hell out of me but I’ve never felt so damn good either so I’ll take the chance if you will.’ He took hold of her hands and Maggie’s throat tightened. ‘Remember no pressure, no expectations, just hope. I’m good with that for now if you are?’
‘Oh, yes.’ She made no effort to protest when he pulled her back into his arms and it was a long time before they got around to leaving.
Chad called Josh’s number and listened to it ring several times. Suddenly his brother’s deep, gruff voice answered. ‘Hi, it’s me. I’m just calling to see how you’re doin’.’
‘You’re over in merry old England schmoozing at some dumb family wedding and you had the wild-assed notion to call me?’ Josh’s rough laughter hummed down the line. ‘Come off it, bro, what’s up?’
Be honest. Maggie’s compassionate smile filled his vision. ‘I needed to tell you I’m sorry. Really sorry.’
‘What for?’
‘Being a lousy brother. Not helping when you needed it. Everything I guess,’ Chad admitted, exhaling a long slow breath when he’d finished.
‘What’s brought this on?’ Josh was always direct and no-nonsense. He’d been that way before he joined the military and it’d solidified his natural inclinations. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate it,’ his voice wavered, ‘but why now?’
‘I’ve been thinkin’ okay?’ That wasn’t good enough. ‘I met someone …’
Josh chuckled. ‘Who is she?’
‘How do you know it’s a woman?’
‘Always is, unless you’re the other way inclined and I’m pretty sure that’s not the case where you’re concerned,’ Josh stated bluntly. ‘I’ve seen it a million times.’
‘You too?’ A heavy silence hummed along the phone line.
‘Yeah.’ Josh exhaled a deep sigh. ‘I’ll tell you about it one day. It didn’t work out.’
He didn’t push and quickly changed the subject. ‘You didn’t reply to my email but I’m guessin’ it’s okay for me to come visit? I might bring someone with me.’
‘Sure. Anytime. I’d enjoy meeting the lucky lady too.’
Chad began to tell him about Maggie and found he couldn’t stop, needing Josh to understand how special she was to him.
‘Okay, I get it,’ Josh laughed, ‘she’s beautiful, intelligent, sexy, can cook and for some wacky reason thinks you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. The woman obviously doesn’t have an atom of sense,’ he teased.
‘Thanks. Now I remember why I’ve missed having you around,’ Chad joked, but his voice broke. ‘I’d better go. Things to do.’ He needed to get off the phone before making a complete fool of himself. After he disconnected Chad laid back on the bed, smiling and biting back tears.
Chapter Nineteen
Maggie plastered on another bright smile. It’d take
n every ounce of self-control to get through the last ten days and if it hadn’t been for Chad she suspected she’d have been carted off in a straitjacket. For someone who’d declared she wanted a simple wedding Emily was being very picky. Six more days – that was all she had to get through.
‘You promised you’d come with me for the fitting,’ Emily wailed, ‘I know the dress is going to be too tight. My stomach is enormous.’
She glanced over at her sister and sighed. Even at four months pregnant she was still sylph-like compared to Maggie and barely showing at all. They’d returned the extravagant white tulle ball-gown Emily originally chose and replaced it with an elegant knee-length champagne silk dress.
‘I can come if you change the time to four o’clock but I have to be here at two because that’s when the shrimp and scallops are being delivered.’
‘Sorry for butting in,’ Chad interrupted, ‘but I could fish sit if necessary. I’m guessin’ I can recognise a decent shrimp when I see one.’
Maggie hated taking advantage of him again – the poor man had been run ragged between doing things for her and cheerfully running errands for Emily. She’d insisted on him taking a few sightseeing trips, but he’d refused most of her suggestions saying he’d rather be with her. He did track down an antiques shop in Redruth specialising in all things Art Deco. It’d been recommended by Audrey and he’d immediately rushed off afterwards to show her godmother everything he’d bought. They’d struck up a curious friendship consisting of a lot of good-natured bickering mixed with a deep mutual respect.
‘You’re an angel.’ Emily flung herself at Chad and gave him a big hug. ‘If I wasn’t marrying my wonderful Jonathan I’d snatch you up myself.’
‘I’ll take care of your fish on one condition.’ Chad explained. ‘In return your sister gets the next twenty-four hours off.’
Before Maggie could protest Emily happily agreed.
‘But there’s so much to do, I can’t possibly …’
‘Yes, you can,’ Emily insisted. ‘I’ve been taking advantage of your good nature. I can do more myself with Jonathan’s help and the other stuff can wait a couple of days.’
This wasn’t the first time her sister had been thoughtful and she needed to acknowledge the fact. All brides were picky – it came with the territory and Emily wasn’t behaving any worse than the other girls she’d designed cakes for who’d made her want to throw up her hands in despair.
‘Thanks, Ems.’ If she said any more she’d cry. Maggie watched her sister’s eyes mist up and knew they were on the same shaky emotional page.
‘I’m going to take a nap before lunch. It’s one of the few perks of pregnancy. I’ll leave you two to do whatever.’ Emily laughed and breezed out of the room.
‘So kid, you fancy some … whatever?’
Chad’s raised eyebrows and quirky smile made Maggie relax for the first time in days. He held out his hand and she quickly went over to him and snuggled into his lap.
‘Do you have plans for our mini-holiday?’ Maggie asked and a wicked smile accentuated his handsome features. ‘Apart from … you know, the obvious.’
He kissed all the way down her neck, stopping only when her clothes got in the way. ‘And what might “the obvious” be, honey?’
‘Stop cross-examining me,’ she half-heartedly protested, sighing as he slipped one hand under the hem of her blouse and stroked her bare skin, heating it on contact.
‘Guilty as charged.’ Chad’s fingers carried on their searing explorations. ‘Your wonderful Great Aunt Audrey has gone to visit some poor cousin in Wales and she’s offered us the hospitality of Holland House for the night.’
Maggie stared in disbelief. ‘You’re joking?’
‘Nope.’
‘But we’re not married and she’s really strict about, you know,’ she mumbled.
‘Is “you know” the same as “the obvious”?’ Before she could answer he kissed her again making her head swim. ‘I’ve been informed there are two guest bedrooms available for our use. Audrey gave me a very arched look and said that as we were both over the age of majority what we did with them was up to us.’
‘I dread to imagine how you replied.’ Maggie shuddered, certain he’d been his usual outspoken self.
‘I didn’t. I merely gave her an equally snooty look in return and tapped my finger against my nose politely, making it clear she needed to mind her own business.’ Chad’s warm laughter rumbled through her. ‘So, are you up for an adventure tonight?’
The old Maggie would’ve thought about it, weighed the pros and cons and come down on the side of caution but the chance of spending the next twenty-four hours being loved and fussed over was too enticing to turn down.
‘Good.’ He hugged her.
‘But I haven’t answered yet,’ Maggie protested.
‘You don’t need to. I watched you decide and your eyes went all soft and misty.’
‘Could you possibly sound any more self-satisfied?’ She tried to pull away but he wouldn’t loosen his hold.
Chad smirked. ‘Oh, I could, but then you might damage me irreparably and neither of us would have any fun tonight.’ He brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes and went back to nuzzling her neck, murmuring how good she tasted before going into explicit details about what he planned to do to her later. Listening to him heated her blood. ‘Why don’t you go and get packed so we can escape as soon as you’re done with the Demon Bride? You won’t need much. You won’t be going far.’
For a few brief moments Maggie wondered what on earth she thought she was doing.
‘Hey, don’t fret, I’m only having a bit of fun with you. There’s nothing wrong with us enjoying being together, Maggie, in whatever way we choose. The crucial word is choose, honey.’
She let out the smile she’d been fighting. ‘In that case I choose to go with you and I choose to have a good time.’
‘You’re an amazing woman, Maggie Taylor.’
You’re pretty amazing too. She’d tell him that later, when the time was right.
Maggie had said several times how much she admired his innate confidence, but there was a fine line between that and arrogance, something he never wanted to be with her or anyone else. She had the crazy idea it’d been a tough week for him but didn’t appear to realise how much he’d enjoyed being a part of her life. It didn’t matter if he’d been emptying the trash or running Emily to a whole raft of shoe shops while Maggie was busy making the wedding cake.
Tonight he’d try his best to tell her.
‘You’d better go now and do whatever you need to do. I’ll fix myself a cup of coffee while I wait.’ He shooed her out of the kitchen. With the kettle turned on Chad found a mug and a jar of instant coffee. He opened a drawer in his search for a spoon. The next one he tried was one of the catch-all variety everyone had in their house and before he could close it back up a crumpled photo stuck in the back corner caught his eye. Chad couldn’t resist pulling it out.
A smiling woman with Maggie’s brown wavy hair but Emily’s tall, slender build stared back at him. She was crouching down on the grass with her arms wrapped around two little girls in matching blue dresses.
‘Our mother was an incredibly special person.’ Emily’s soft voice startled him and he turned to stare at her, standing in the kitchen doorway with her eyes full of tears. ‘Did Maggie tell you about her?’
He couldn’t lie. ‘Only a little.’
Emily’s trembling hands smoothed down the front of her yellow sundress. ‘I’m sure she mentioned how our mother died.’
‘Yeah, she did.’
‘I blamed her for the longest time.’
‘And she let you. So did your father.’ Chad murmured. ‘It wasn’t fair.’
‘I realise that now. Our father should’ve stood up for her but he didn’t.’
‘Because your behaviour made it impossible for him to do so.’ Maggie would hate him if he made things worse but he needed to be truthful.
‘You do
n’t pull any punches, do you?’ Emily half smiled. ‘Jonathan doesn’t either these days and that’s good for me. No one ever did that before. They let me get away with being thoughtless and badly behaved.’
Chad nodded. ‘Do you know the best gift you could give Maggie?’
‘My head on a platter?’ she teased.
‘Nothing as extreme. A genuine apology would do.’ Her eyes narrowed and he worried he’d gone too far. Emily needed to know he wasn’t firing a shot in the dark. ‘I called my brother last week and did the same thing. He’s a lot older and we’ve never been close. I wasn’t there when he needed my support and I want things to be different between us. Maggie helped me get it straight in my head.’
‘Maybe I’m not as brave as you,’ Emily ventured.
‘You can be as brave as you want to be. Think about it while we’re away tonight.’
She gave him a long, piercing stare before turning around and walking back upstairs.
Chad wasn’t sure if he’d opened his big, fat mouth, stuck his size twelve feet in there and stomped around. Any second now Maggie could fly through the door furious at him for upsetting her sister. He went back to making his coffee and kept his fingers crossed.
Chapter Twenty
‘You sure you’re okay with the fish thing?’ Maggie breezed into the kitchen.
‘Yeah, of course I am.’
She caught a touch of relief in Chad’s voice but didn’t make any comment. ‘Hopefully we won’t be too long, but who knows?’
‘Take as long as you need.’ Chad reassured her. ‘Is your sister ready to go?’
‘I certainly am.’ Emily appeared in the doorway. Her brisk reply appeared to startle Chad judging by the sudden flash of heat colouring his face and neck.
‘What’s up with you two?’ Maggie demanded. ‘If it’s a nice secret you can keep it, otherwise I want to know.’
‘I’d say it’s good, wouldn’t you, Emily?’ Chad’s tight smile didn’t reach his eyes.
’Hopefully.’ Emily grabbed Maggie’s arm. ‘Come on or we’ll be late.’
The Wedding Reject Table (Choc Lit) (Nashville Connections Book 2) Page 10
