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“I’m not sure what gang-thingamabobbers are but I’m not meant for city life. Too quick for me. I’d have guests going crazy while I chatted with the person in front of them about their grandkids and what they were wearing to church the next Sunday.” Mae waved her hand. “No thanks. Give me gossipy town folk and good conversation any day.”
“I wish I had some gossip for you. I’ve been too busy on the ranch to hear much of interest.”
“Nothing with that good-lookin’ neighbor of yours? I seem to recall you two being sweet on each other back in the day.”
Of course, Bennett would creep up here, too. He was everywhere, it seemed.
“We were. That was a long time ago, though.”
“Time and love don’t have much to do with each other in my experience,” Mae said, pouring tea into an extra-large mug.
“I wish it were true in mine. I guess it’s not so much time but paths leading away from the place we started.”
“Well, we’ll see. I haven’t given up hope for you yet. Here you go, dear.”
Mae handed over the mug and Maggie took a much-needed sip.
“Mmm. This is so good. I’ll miss it when I’m gone, that’s for sure. I’ll have to get back every month to satisfy my tea and vanilla tart cravings.”
“So, you’re still leaving, then?”
“I am. My business is in San Antonio.” Maggie shrugged, but her excuse was sounding weaker by the minute.
“Funny thing about jobs and companies, though. Most of the time they can be moved easier than people.”
“Is that right?” Maggie asked, leaning her elbows on the counter. Small-town advice was anything but subtle.
“It is. And you know what else?”
“What’s that?”
“Austin’s a pretty great city. Only half an hour away and with much cuter men.” Mae winked at Maggie and both laughed. “Though neither city can hold a mason-jar candle to our Deer Creek stock.” She gestured to the front door where the line of Deer Creek residents waiting for Maggie was growing by the minute. Just walking up was Bennett and his mom, Grace. Heat flashed on Maggie’s cheeks and spread down her neck and chest. In fact, her whole body felt too warm and itchy all of a sudden.
Grace moved to the entrance, bypassing the line, but Bennett stood in place. What was he up to? He had direct access to Maggie; he didn’t need to wait in the heat to chat about equipment.
“Good grief,” Grace said, strolling through the doors much the way royalty might. “You’d think there was a sale on black coffee and Remingtons in here. I’ve never seen so many ten-gallon hats outside the town hall.”
“Hi, Grace,” Maggie said.
Grace bent down to kiss Maggie’s cheek. “Maggie, my darling. It’s so good to see you again. I’m still waiting on that rain check whenever you’re up to coming by. You just let me know when you’re settled.”
“Soon. I’ll call you this week. So, how’s the wedding planning going?” Maggie asked the ladies, grateful for the reprieve of talking about her dating life. Or the lack thereof.
“Oh lordy. Bill’s bride is a sweetheart—pretty as the summer days are long, too—but she’s quite particular.”
“And by particular Mae here means she’s picky as a toddler. I’ve got a mind to give her Loretta’s card and be done with the whole mess.”
Maggie chuckled. “That bad, huh?”
“Dear, this wedding makes planning a British coronation preferable. I’ll just be glad when it’s done.”
“Well, good luck, ladies. I won’t keep you anymore. Besides, it looks like I have my own work cut out for me today.”
“You’re a saint for taking this on. Most of the county is here, looks like.”
Maggie smiled, nerves racing through her chest. She got out her wallet to pay, but Mae shooed her away.
“Your food is on me today. Looks like you’re going to earn it in commission if each of those folks buys a drink or pastry.”
