by Lori Ryan
The door flew open and Sally waltzed in, carrying a framed poster. “Good God, woman,” Sally shouted, “the things you’ll do for attention, I swear.” Sally shook her head.
“What’s that?” Maggie asked.
Sally turned the poster around.
“Oh, for crying out loud,” Maggie moaned. It was a poster of Jon Bon Jovi wearing nothing but a smile and a very small scrap of material covering his private parts.
“I got it off of Ebay.” Sally smiled with pride. “Yah like it? It cost me a pretty penny to overnight this baby. Fed-Ex ain’t cheap.”
Valerie laughed. The sound was like music to Maggie’s ears.
“Aunt Sally!” Emmett called from the hallway.
“What!” she yelled over her shoulder.
“I told you not to bother her. She needs her rest.” Emmett stepped into the hospital room, glaring at his aunt.
Sally winked at Valerie. Valerie nodded her head.
What in the world were these two up to?
Aaron stepped in past Sally. “Ma, what are you doing up? And Sally, what the hell are you doing in here? Emmett’s right, she needs her rest.”
Sally turned the poster toward Aaron.
“Oh, my God, cover that thing.” Aaron scowled, shielding his eyes with his hand.
Sally giggled.
Aaron walked toward his mother, grabbing her hand and pressing his fingers to her wrist as he stared down at his watch. After several beats, he released her hand and grabbed the water, holding it out in front of her. His smile was radiant and warm. Valerie was obviously all right.
“It’s good to have you home, Aaron.” Valerie reached up a hand to stroke Aaron’s face. He was just as handsome as all the Sumner boys. Well, except for one.
“Valerie?” A voice said behind a huge bouquet of flowers.
They turned to the door.
“In here, Elle,” Valerie said, sitting up straighter.
Maggie noticed Emmett go still and stiffen as the woman entered.
Emmett and Elle had a history. They’d been best friends growing up, inseparable despite their family’s feuding. But just after their high school graduation, something had happened between them. The two had parted ways. Maggie didn’t know much about the incident, but Emmett’s carefully blank expression confirmed there was still something between them.
Elle lowered the flowers, revealing a flawless face. She was striking. Maggie had heard she’d been approached by agents as a teen. They’d wanted to sign her for a modeling career but Elle and her father had said no. She loved dance, it was her passion. She’d left shortly after graduation to attend a prestigious performing arts school in New York City.
“These are for you,” Elle said, handing the flowers to Valerie, completely ignoring Emmett.
“Oh, thank you, Elle. That was so sweet of you to come.”
“Well, after Sally called me, I had to come.”
Maggie turned and watched Sally’s eyes grow wide. What the hell?
“I know how it is to be stuck in a place like this,” Elle said, glancing around the small room.
Valerie cut her eyes to Emmett then nodded toward Elle.
“What?” he shrugged.
What was Valerie up to?
Elle glanced over her shoulder but quickly turned her attention back to Valerie. “Those are from all of my family, Mrs. Sumner.” Elle smiled. She was beautiful. No wonder Emmett had been crushed when she left Canyon Creek. “My father said to tell you hello and he hopes you recover quickly and to call if you need anything.”
Everyone stared at Elle like she’d grown a second head.
“Your father said that?” Sally asked.
It wasn’t that Elle’s father, Warner was a mean man but it was no secret the families weren’t close. Especially after the falling out between Emmett and Elle after graduation.
Elle’s brows furrowed. “Yes, my father. Why?” She glanced around the room, her eyes meeting Emmett’s for a moment before her head fell. “Well, I should get going,” She moved toward the door.
“Thank you so much for the flowers,” Valerie said. “And please, thank your father, too.”
Sally gave a humph. “Yes, please,” she said sarcastically under her breath.
Elle glanced over her shoulder. “You’re welcome.” She bowed gracefully and walked toward the door, pulling it open.
“Emmett, be a dear and walk Elle out,” Valerie said as she admired the flowers.
Emmett made no move.
“It’s all right, Valerie,” Elle said. “I can see myself out. It’s not a big hospital.” She held up one hand and waved. “Bye everyone,” she said before quickly slipping from the room.
“Emmett Daniel,” Valerie growled under her breath.
“She doesn’t want me to walk her out, Ma. You heard her.”
Valerie’s eyes flared and she gave him the your-mother-has-spoken look.
Emmett rolled his eyes. “Fine.” He stalked toward the door but turned and pointed a finger at his mother. “But don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing, old woman.”
Valerie shrugged but smiled.
“You, too.” Emmett pointed at Sally.
Sally held the poster higher as protection.
“Gahhh, get rid of that thing,” Emmett growled, stomping toward the door. “It is not going in the office.”
Sally and Valerie were definitely up to something. Maggie couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Sumner boys.
Aaron bent his tall frame over the bed and kissed his mother on the forehead. “I’m going to be back in an hour to check on some of the tests, Ma. After that we’ll talk to your doctors about getting you home.”
“I’ll head out too,” Maggie said, “if you’re sure you’re okay.”
“I am dear. Go.” Valerie patted Maggie’s hand. “Go talk to Ben.” She winked.
“Ben’s not here,” Aaron said.
Maggie stared at Aaron then Valerie. “Where is he?”
“He left for Seattle earlier this morning,” Aaron said quietly. “I thought you knew. I thought you two had talked.”
Maggie’s stomach dropped and a tight band coiled around her chest, making it hard to breathe. Ben was gone. He’d left and hadn’t even given her a chance to apologize. Or say goodbye.
“When will he be back?” Maggie asked, trying to keep the desperation out of her voice.
“Not sure,” Aaron answered. “They’re negotiating the terms for the IPO with the investment bank.”
“So, he’s not coming back?” Maggie asked.
“I honestly don’t know,” Aaron answered.
Maggie fought the urge to vomit. She’d waited too long to tell him she was falling for him.
“Maggie,” Valerie reached for her.
Maggie took a long step back. “Okay, well. Get some rest, Valerie.” She turned on her heels. She needed to escape. She couldn’t afford to break down here, not in front of Ben’s family.
Maggie was half way out of the door when she heard Valerie call out for her.
“Maggie, wait,” Valerie called.
But she couldn’t. She needed to get out of here.
She wasn’t running, she tried to convince herself. She was surviving. On her own. Like always.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ben sat in the boarding area at Denver International airport, checking emails from his staff. They were updating Ben with meeting times and locations that would swamp him in the next few days as they negotiated the public sale of his company. A company he’d built with his own blood, sweat and tears. A company he was proud of. And a company he still wasn’t willing to let go.
Mind made up, he answered Patrick’s email, giving him his flight information and copying his assistant. Ben would need a car to drive him to the office first, then he’d return to his condo, sort through his shit and try to forget Maggie Lawrence. Good luck.
His phone pinged with an incoming text.
Emmett.
&nbs
p; EMMETT: WTF? Why didn’t you tell Maggie?
BEN: Tell her what?
EMMETT: That you were leaving town dumbass.
BEN: I didn’t know I needed to report my every move to her.
As soon as he sent the message, Ben knew he’d gone too far. He was being an ass. Ben waited for Emmett’s response, the guilty burn of regret in his stomach returning—the same ache that had started when he watched helplessly as his mother and Maggie rode away in the ambulance only days before. The day Ben had realized he loved Maggie. Probably always had.
Her words that day had spoken volumes of her true feelings though. She didn’t trust him, didn’t trust anyone. And he’d be a fool to wait around for her to learn that particular skill.
Maggie had issues she needed to deal with. It wasn’t possible for her to love him, or anyone.
His phone rang. Emmett. God, he didn’t feel like talking. Especially about Maggie. But Ben wanted an update on his mother.
“What?” Ben growled.
“Seriously, dude, you never talked to her?”
“So?” Ben scowled.
“So,” Emmett said sarcastically, “Aaron told me she looked like we’d drowned that stupid ass cat of hers when he told her you’d already left.”
Ben’s heart ached knowing he’d hurt her. That had never been his intent in leaving this morning. Actually, he’d left to protect himself.
“Are you ever going to call her? The chick is devastated.”
Ben sat silently.
“At least let her apologize properly,” Emmett said. “I can’t believe you’ve avoided her for two days. She’s said the word ‘sorry’ at least a hundred times, to all of us, since Ma collapsed.”
Maggie had apologized once to him, in the hospital, before she’d ran away. Again. Since then he’d made up his mind and had purposely avoided her, which hadn’t been easy given the fact his mother and Aunt Sally were still plotting to push them together.
“And you owe her an apology, too for being suck a dick. You said some harsh shit to her, man.”
Ben had, but he didn’t want to talk about it with his brother. He blew out a heavy breath. “Look man, I’ve got a lot of shit on my plate right now.”
“Sure, you do,” Emmett said sarcastically.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Nothing, man. Go, take care of your shit.”
“Are you pissed at me for leaving?” Ben asked. “You and Aaron said it was all right, that you could handle it.”
“We will, go do your thing.”
“How’s Ma?”
“Better. Up to her match making again.”
“Who’s up this time?” Ben asked, thankful it wasn’t him.
“Me. Thankfully, I’m not as weak as you, though. Plus, she picked the wrong target anyway.” Emmett laughed.
“Elle?”
Emmett snorted. “Yeah. Aunt Sally invited her to the hospital.”
Ben sank back in his chair. “How’d that go?”
“Not good.” There was an edge to Emmett’s response. A hard edge.
“I’m sorry, man.” Ben had never known exactly what happened between Emmett and Elle, but he had a feeling seeing her couldn’t have been easy for Emmett.
“Listen, don’t worry about anything back here.” Emmett reassured him. “We’ll be fine here. Go, do your thing in the big city, make lots of money and come see us when you’re rich and famous.”
Ben went silent, listening to the gate announcement. Something in his heart ached as he sat, poised to leave Canyon Creek, and his family. Again. Maybe running was his MO, not Maggie’s.
“Hey,” he said, “we’re about to board. I’ll call you when I get to Seattle.”
“All right. Safe travels.”
“Thanks man.” Ben smiled. As much shit as they gave each other, Ben and his brothers truly cared about one another.
“Call her.”
Ben’s smile fell. He didn’t have to ask who.
“Just to say you forgive her,” Emmett said. “And tell her you’re sorry, too. You owe her that, at least.”
Ben ignored his comment. “Take care of Ma. And call me if anything happens.”
“Roger that, brother. Later.”
“Later, man.”
Ben hit the end button and stood, gathering his laptop bag and carry-on. As he checked in with the gate attendant and walked down the long jetway, images of Maggie flashed in his mind. Her on top of him. Her under him. Her curled up next to him, her ivory skin aglow from the light of the fireplace.
More memories flooded his mind, only this time of a different sort. Memories of her kindness, her loyalty, her vulnerability in sharing the painful memories of her past. She hadn’t been running away then. He was the idiot, walking away from her.
With a moan, he found his seat in first class and sank into the leather.
“May I take that, Mr. Sumner?” A blonde flight attendant asked, reaching for his carry-on. She was beautiful with a wide, friendly smile and a figure that would normally have his dick throbbing.
A few months ago, she would have been just his type. Ben would have happily let her take more than just his carry-on. But now, all he could think about were long, auburn curls, emerald green eyes and lips that could do more harm than good.
Ben retrieved his phone from his pocket and stared at the blank screen. As passengers wandered down the aisle Ben mentally calculated the time he had left before they closed the cabin door. Just enough time to call her, he estimated. What could she say to change his mind though? What did he want her to say? Unable to answer either question, he turned his phone off and tucked it into his laptop bag.
Ben leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes, praying he wouldn’t dream of the green-eyed fairy who’d wormed her way into his heart fifteen years ago. Even as he wished it, images of Maggie danced across his lids.
People always said home was where your heart was. They were wrong.
His home was in Seattle. But his heart? He feared that was lost forever in Canyon Creek.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Maggie walked through the gardens at the lodge, her refuge during troubled times. The one place she’d ever found true peace. It was cold outside but the brisk air felt good against her skin. It numbed her body. But not her mind.
How could Ben have left without saying good-bye?
How could you have accused him of only sleeping with you to get budget cuts approved?
The stupid voice in her head spoke with annoying accuracy.
She’d been right here, in this garden, when she’d concocted the stupid idea that Ben was only using her. If anything, her past had taught her that Ben Sumner wasn’t capable of using people. He loved his friends, he loved his family. He was loyal.
“Uggh,” Maggie moaned out loud.
Maggie knew his assessment of her was true. Now that she’d calmed down and taken a good look at herself and the way she’d acted toward him. As much as she didn’t want to, she had to admit, she was a screwed-up mess. She may love Ben, but it didn’t mean she could sustain that love. Eventually Maggie would have screwed up any long-term relationship anyway. Better Ben left now.
If that were true then why did her heart hurt so much? What was she supposed to do now?
A loud meow under her feet caught Maggie’s attention. She glanced down as she felt Lucky’s body push against her leg.
Maggie scooped up the cat, brushing her hand against his back. “Hey big guy. Where have you been?”
He answered with a long meow. Maggie laughed, having no doubt he was answering in his own cat language. He meowed several more times and Maggie couldn’t help but think he was trying to tell her something.
“I know,” Maggie sighed as she sat on her favorite bench. She studied the brass plate that Shawn had attached a few weeks after John’s death.
To my first love.
My only love.
My forever love.
Maggie chuckled at the words to Jo
hn Sumner’s love song. He’d written the lyrics for Valerie years ago, trying to be like Jon Bon Jovi.
Valerie said their only similarity was their name.
Any time Valerie was upset with him, John would sing his song, horribly off key. If that didn’t work, he’d deliver a handful of wildflowers, her favorite.
Valerie had repeated the sentiment at John’s funeral. His casket had been sprayed with wildflowers of every kind and color. Valerie said she wished she would have told him every day that he was her forever love.
Maggie knew for a fact Valerie had told him every day, most days more than once. More importantly, she knew Valerie had shown John her love every day.
Lucky meowed again, nudging her hand.
Maggie stroked the cat’s head and laughed. “Okay, Lucky, I hear you. Show him.”
She pulled her phone from her back pocket. Before she could chicken out, she dialed Ben’s phone. It went straight to voicemail. Maggie’s heart hammered against her chest but she knew it was time. The tone beeped.
“Oh, uh, hey Ben, it’s Maggie. I, um, just found out you’ve left for Seattle. I’m sorry that I didn’t get a chance to talk to you before you left, but I understand why you didn’t want to talk to me. I mean, I don’t even want to talk to myself right now.” She laughed nervously. “I’m sorry, I’m rambling.”
Maggie drew in a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Lucky mewled.
Maggie nodded at that cat before she could stop herself. “Okay, here’s the thing, Ben. I love you. I think I always have but I just didn’t know what it felt like or how to deal with it, you know? I mean, you were right, I’m a mess and I have a lot of stuff to work through, but I want to do it. For you. For me, really. I guess for both of us”
She steadied her breath, willing herself to go on.
“Your mom told me to make peace with my past and the rest would fall into place. I’m going to work on my past, try to sort my shit out with my dad, like you said, because I do want a future. With you. I know you have a life in Seattle and I’m not asking you to leave. Oh, what the hell am I talking about, I’m totally asking you to leave. Come back, Ben. Take a chance on me.”
A long beep interrupted her message.
