by Jean Oram
Canyon rubbed circles on her back. “Are you okay, Mags?”
Was she? Would she ever be again? What was she supposed to do now?
He kissed the top of her head. “Will you tell me what you’re thinking? Let’s not make the same mistakes again.”
She drew in a deep breath, then sat up straight and looked into his eyes. “I don’t know what to think, other than that things could’ve been so different.”
Canyon took her hand in his. “I know. I’m so sorry. Does my past put you off?”
The question stung. “I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt to think about you being with so many others.”
His face fell. “More than anything, I wish I could take that back. If I had ever thought I had a chance with you…” His voice trailed off and he sighed before looking back at her. “Just know that I would never do anything to hurt you. You’re the only one I care about—the only one I’ve ever cared about.”
Tears stung her eyes. “You’re the only one, too.”
He squeezed her knee. “It’s okay that you loved your ex. I can’t hold that against you, and I don’t. I never should’ve left town without first telling you how I felt. Without giving us a chance.”
She bit her lip. “But I didn’t love him like I should have. I see that now. He lashed out at me because I think he knew he never really had my heart.”
Canyon’s brows came together. “What do you mean by ‘he lashed out at you’? Did he hurt you?”
“No! That was a bad choice of words. I just meant that he broke up with me. That’s all.”
He sat up taller, his nostrils flaring. “Did he hurt you?”
Maggie shook her head.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why would you say that, then? That he lashed out at you?”
She took a deep breath, overcome by his protective nature. “I just—he was mad at me. That’s all. He never hit me. I swear.”
Canyon’s mouth formed a straight line. “Mad at you? Because you couldn’t give him kids? What kind of monster is he? He should’ve been grateful you wanted to spend your life with him! That’s more than enough—more than anyone could ask for.”
“Things were complicated. Like I said, I didn’t realize I hadn’t fully moved on from you. He knew he didn’t have my whole heart. I always held back part of it from him. The medical report, it just brought everything to light.”
Canyon pulled on his hair. “You swear he never hurt you?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, because if I ever find out he did, I can’t guarantee my actions.”
“He didn’t, so you don’t have to worry about that.” Maggie’s heart thundered. She hadn’t expected him to react so strongly. Nobody had ever been that concerned over her well-being before.
Canyon pulled her into his embrace and they clung to each other wordlessly.
Chapter 17
Canyon took another sip of his double-strong espresso. It wasn’t helping—not when he was this tired. But he hadn’t been able to bring himself to take Maggie home any earlier than he had the night before.
That conversation had taken him by storm. He hadn’t expected to open up to her like that. He’d never laid himself bare like that to anyone, ever. But it had all been for the best. It still hardly seemed real that Maggie had admitted to having feelings for him going back as long as he’d loved her.
He still wasn’t entirely convinced her ex-fiancé hadn’t been harsh with her, but Canyon had to take Maggie at her word. If she said he hadn’t, he would believe her until there was further proof of his instincts being right. They usually were, but maybe this time they weren’t because of his overpowering emotions for her.
“You taking a break?” Harry’s voice brought Canyon back to the present.
He set the drink on the kitchen counter. “Just tryin’ to wake up.”
“It’s almost noon.” Harry wiped his brow. “I had to take out the pipes in the bathroom. Gonna have to replace those this afternoon, then I need to check the ones down here. It’s going to take longer than I anticipated.”
“I can take a look before lunch.”
“You know how?”
Canyon wiped his brow. “Sure. Dad taught my brother and me about plumbing when we were kids.”
“Well, okay. Maybe you should take a nap instead of eating. We’ve got a lot to do this afternoon.”
A nap did sound good. Canyon rolled up his sleeves and opened the doors underneath the sink. “I’ll be on the top of my game after lunch.”
“Better be.” Harry left the room.
Canyon maneuvered himself under the sink and used his cell phone as a flashlight to check the pipes.
Footsteps sounded a few minutes later.
“These ones look good,” Canyon called before sliding out from under the sink.
Maggie stood there, holding a white plastic bag. She wore a bright pink sundress, and from Canyon’s angle, he could see more of her legs than she would’ve felt comfortable with.
He quickly averted his gaze and scrambled to his feet, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Sorry, I thought you were Harry.”
“No worries. I get that a lot.” She grinned, obviously teasing.
Canyon burst out laughing. “Right. It’s great to see you. What’s in the bag?”
“Chinese takeout. You still like that, don’t you?”
Did she remember that had been his favorite? “I love it. Let me just wash up.”
After he cleaned the dust and dirt from his hands and face, they headed for the beach.
Canyon took the bag from her and slid his fingers between hers. “It was really sweet of you to pick this up.”
She beamed. “It was the least I could do after keeping you out late two nights in a row.”
“Or maybe I kept you out.”
Maggie laughed, then they made themselves comfortable at the same spot they’d eaten at before. It was quickly becoming their spot.
She held up forks and chopsticks. “Which do you want?”
“Chopsticks, of course.” He grinned and took a pair.
“That’s what I thought. I got plates, or we can just eat out of the containers like we used to.”
“Who needs plates?” Canyon pulled the chopsticks from their little sleeve and held them like a pro—he’d been using them for as long as he could remember.
She set down the other pair. “I’ve never been any good at those. I’ll stick with a fork.”
“Want me to help you with them?” He liked the thought of wrapping his hand around hers to help her get the right hold.
Maggie shook her head. “You tried before, remember?”
He did, and he also recalled how badly he’d wanted to kiss her with her so close. “That was years ago. I’m sure you can do it now.”
She bit her lip and appeared to be considering it.
He wanted to be the one biting that lip.
Maggie looked back at him. “Maybe next time. It could take all day, and you have to be back at work soon.”
Disappointment washed through him until he realized that was the perfect excuse to get together again soon. “So, it’s a date?”
She grinned. “It’s a date.”
They dug into the food, their hands constantly bumping against each other as they shared the sesame chicken, chow mein noodles, and fried rice.
The hour for his lunch break flew by too fast. It was over before it barely started.
Canyon gathered the empty containers into the bag, then took both of Maggie’s hands into his. “Thanks so much for lunch. It was the perfect surprise.”
She smiled. “I’m so glad.”
“So, are you going to come back and help with the house again? Or have you decided against it?
“No way. It’s going to be my place. I want to work on it. If only I could get to sleep early enough.” Her eyes sparkled.
Canyon cupped her chin and brushed his lips against hers. “I’ll have
to give a stern talking-to to the guy who’s been keeping you up.”
The corners of her mouth twitched. “I’d like to see that.”
“I’ll give him a smack down he won’t soon forget.” Canyon gave her another kiss, this time letting his lips linger a moment longer.
She rubbed the scruff on his cheek. “If you keep this up, I’m going to have a hard time letting you go back.”
He wrapped an arm around her. “That doesn’t sound so bad to me.”
“I don’t want to get you fired.”
“Aren’t you technically the boss?”
“Aunt Lucille is.”
Canyon flashed back to the stink-eye Lucille had given him when he’d been looking for Maggie. “True. I probably shouldn’t give her a reason to dislike me.”
Maggie held his gaze. “I’ll be waiting for the date where you teach me how to use chopsticks.”
“How does dinner sound?”
“You want to eat Chinese two meals in a row?”
“It’s my favorite—just after you.”
She grinned again. “It’s a date, then.”
Canyon drew in a deep breath. How had he gotten so lucky?
Chapter 18
Maggie leaned against the tree and watched Canyon until he was out of sight. She sighed and let her mind replay every moment of the lunch, including the brief kisses.
“What was that?”
Maggie turned toward the voice.
Isabella stood in front of her, hands on her hips.
“What was what?”
“You and Canyon.” Isabella tilted her head.
Maggie sighed, more from reliving the lunch than from her annoyance with her friend. “It was me and Canyon enjoying lunch together.”
“You don’t believe me? The stuff I told you?”
“He’s a changed man. That’s why he’s back in Indigo Bay.”
Isabella made a clicking noise as she shook her head. “Guys like that, they don’t change. Not really.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Maggie stared her down.
“He’s going to use you. I hate to say it, but as we speak, you’re probably one of many.”
Anger churned in her stomach. “No, I’m not! He works all day, then we spend some time together until it’s way too late, then he gets only a few hours of sleep before he heads back to work. I even spend his lunch with him. I don’t know why I’m explaining this to you. I’m an adult, and I can see who I want.”
Isabella rested her hand on Maggie’s arm. “I’m worried about you. You’ve always adored him, even though you never would admit it. He’s going to hurt you, and I don’t want to see that happen to my friend.”
Maggie scowled.
“Hey, I get it. Bad guys are hot. There’s something about them that draws us to them. But it’s better to fall for a fictional baddie than to flirt with one in real life.”
Maggie clenched her jaw. “He’s not going to hurt me.”
“Have you seen Reign? There are some serious baddies in that show. Henry, Narcisse, Bash…” Isabella took a deep breath and fanned herself. “Talk about some hot fictional boyfriends. We can watch that together, then find you a real-life good guy. Trust me, that’s what you actually want.”
“I don’t want a fictional boyfriend or some random nice guy. The only person I have any interest in is Canyon. I’m sorry if you don’t like him, but that doesn’t change how I feel.”
“Oh, honey. I know how you feel. Really, I do. Remember my fling with Travis Conley? It was fun until Bridgett Lawson and I found out he was seeing both of us.”
Maggie scowled. “I’m not you, and Canyon isn’t Travis. I appreciate your concern, but it’s unwarranted. Why don’t you focus on your wedding?”
“Why are you so determined to wind up hurt?”
Maggie stared Isabella down. “I love him! I’ve always loved him. He’s the real reason my engagement fell apart. We’ve both made mistakes. Neither of us is perfect. But now that we know how we feel about each other, I’m not about to walk away from that. Maybe it won’t work out, and you can gloat all you want. But it’s not going to end until I’ve given it everything I have. Then do you know what I’ll do?”
“I’d never gloat over your unhappiness.”
Maggie ignored the statement. “If it doesn’t work out with Canyon, then I’m done with men. It’s him or nothing! If you can’t support me, then please just leave me alone.”
Isabella’s mouth dropped.
Tears blurring her vision, Maggie spun around and stormed away.
“Maggie!”
She didn’t turn around. While she did appreciate the concern, her friend needed to learn to keep it to herself.
Maggie didn’t slow as she made her way home. She didn’t even make eye contact with anyone or give any friendly hellos. People might complain to Aunt Lucille, then she would have a chat with Maggie about her rudeness, but Maggie didn’t care.
Once inside the house, she nearly crashed into her auntie.
“Maggie!”
“I need to be alone right now.”
Aunt Lucille stepped between Maggie and the staircase. “What has gotten into you lately? You’re acting like a hormonal teenager. I’ve been patient, but it needs to stop.”
Maggie took a deep breath. Anything she said was likely to only prove her aunt’s point.
“What’s going on? Is there something I can help you with?”
Maggie relaxed, but didn’t feel like talking about Canyon with her.
“Does it have anything to do with that Leblanc fellow?”
How did she know?
“Several people have said they’ve seen you around town, holding hands and acting like a couple.”
Maggie gritted her teeth.
“Are the rumors true?”
“What if they are?”
Aunt Lucille frowned, and many of the lines around her eyes and mouth deepened. “His family is less than reputable. That mother of his is divorced and has never remarried. And from what I hear, Canyon’s worse than her, finding a new plaything each night on the cruise line.”
Maggie’s anger from before bubbled over, threatening to explode. She bit her tongue, not trusting her mouth. She took a deep breath, trying to find something to say that would calm the situation.
Aunt Lucille stepped forward. “I forbid you from seeing him again.”
“What?” The room spun around Maggie. “You can’t do that! I’m an adult.”
“You’re also living under my roof. And if you want that to continue, you need to stay away from him. If you walk into Sweet Caroline’s and he’s in there, you turn around and go somewhere else.”
Anger like Maggie had never before felt raged through her. She took a deep breath. “Tell me one thing. Are you serious?”
The look on her face answered the question.
There was so much Maggie wanted to say, but none of it would help. She raced past her aunt and up the stairs to her room, feeling helpless like a child. At twenty-four, she was being told who to date!
Her aunt had a surprise coming if she thought she could control Maggie like that. Especially now. Yes, Maggie was living under her roof and eating her food, but that was because she was practically a second mother. That didn’t change the fact that Maggie was an adult.
Why did everyone think they knew better than her? Even Isabella, who was supposed to be her friend, was trying to mother Maggie. Why did they think she was incapable of making a decision for herself?
She paced her room, occasionally stopping at the window and staring at the ocean. What she needed was a plan to figure out a way to live on her own. That was the problem—she was still living like a child. She needed to take on more responsibility so people would look at her seriously.
The first thing she needed was to get a job, maybe two. Whatever it would take to build up enough savings for first and last month’s rent somewhere. Maybe one of the cottages that Dallas, Caroline’s son, owned and
rented out. She was pretty sure those came furnished. That would certainly help. Or maybe she could rent a room or an apartment. There had to be something available, even in the height of tourist season. Even if she didn’t have anything other than her clothes, at least she would be on her own.
Chapter 19
Canyon glanced at his phone again. Maggie had texted him that she’d meet him at the restaurant fifteen minutes earlier, but she still wasn’t there.
He was about to call her when he saw her running across the street.
She ran inside, out of breath. “Sorry I’m late. I was… Well, I lost track of time.”
Canyon wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay. I was beginning to worry, but I’m just glad you’re fine.”
Maggie returned the embrace, then stepped back. “I had to run a couple errands, and one of them took longer than I expected.”
“No problem. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. I’m ready to eat.”
“That makes two of us.” Canyon turned to the server, and she led them to a booth. Canyon scooted in next to Maggie. “You ready to learn how to use chopsticks?”
She gave him a determined smile. “I was born ready.”
He laughed, then they looked over the menus.
Maggie fidgeted, tapping the table and twisting her hair around a finger so tightly that it turned white.
“Sure you’re good?”
“Of course.” She didn’t look up from the menu.
Canyon rubbed his chin. Something was definitely up, but he wasn’t sure that pushing the subject would help. He wanted to help, but she didn’t seem to want any.
Maybe she would decide to open up after a meal. He was famished, and maybe she was too, if she hadn’t eaten since their lunch together.
The silence between them remained until they ordered the food. Then Canyon took a deep breath and put an arm around her. She didn’t lean against him like other times.
He cleared his throat. “Harry and I are making good progress on the house. It’s going to look like a whole new place when we’re done with it.”
“Oh.”
Oh? That was all the response he got from that? Canyon studied her. She was still strangling her finger with her hair and her brows were knitted together.
