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A twinge of jealousy pricked Maggie’s skin. Her dad’s house could never allow for a kitchen like this, not without a major remodel.
“I’ve got to watch these veggies but make yourself at home.” He put the flowers in a vase, then bent down and kissed Maggie on the cheek, which erupted into flames she was certain would draw the fire department. It was more intimate than their kiss at the creek, yet also, not unlike it had been all those years ago. Normal.
“Thanks. Point me to the wine opener and I’ll get us started on this guy.”
“Sure thing. I think she keeps ’em in this drawer…” He handed her a corkscrew and his fingers glided against hers, sending tingles up her arm. “But only three glasses. My mom doesn’t have wine till dinner.”
“Should we wait for her?” Maggie asked.
Bennett shook his head and turned up the heat on whatever he was working over the stove.
“Nah. Crack him open. I think we may need some fortification to get through my mom’s grilling. The metaphorical kind, I mean.”
“You’ve got it. Any word on how the wedding’s going for your mom and Mae?” Maggie asked, pouring a glass for each of them. It was so natural, moving around the kitchen while Bennett hummed to himself, cooking up something that looked fantastic.
As if she’d heard them talking about her, their host breezed in with an armful of steaks on a baking sheet. Maggie didn’t even need to inhale for the aromatic scent of spices and char from the grill to tease her nose. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation.
“Maggie,” Grace sang. “So glad we were able to make this work. And don’t listen to my son. The only grilling tonight is our food.” Grace set down the meat and came over to hug Maggie. “And the wedding is going swimmingly, thanks for asking.”
“Are you having a huge influx of guests for the reception?”
“Unfortunately. I always love showing off Deer Creek, but we don’t want our secret getting out and this place turning into another tourist trap.” Grace’s laugh sounded like a church bell. This woman was too much of all the right stuff. Had Maggie just missed it when she was younger, or had she been too focused on a certain other Marshall?
“Like Johnny’s place up north. If he had his way, this would be another dude ranch like the one he built up there,” Bennett grumbled. “Guy wouldn’t know real ranching if a cow bit him on the—”
“Bennett Tucker. Watch your mouth. You’re literally surrounded by women.”
“Sorry.” He turned around, his cheeks brandishing the proper chastising from his mom. “But I meant what I said.”
“Who is this Johnny fellow?” Grace asked.
“He’s a rancher helping me bring my dad’s ranch back. His father was the one I actually hired, but he volunteered to stay on and help. So far, he’s been an asset, but I’m aware he has ulterior motives.”
Grace’s eyes narrowed as she seasoned the steaks. “Let me guess. He wants to buy your property?” she asked.
Maggie nodded.
“And turn it into a dude ranch. Then your secret would be out, Mom. Deer Creek would be on the map for sure.”
Maggie shot Bennett a glare. “Yes, but that won’t happen because I’m not selling to him.”
“Does he know that?” Bennett asked.
Grace’s gaze bored into Maggie, as if she was concerned about the answer as well.
“He will.” Had Bennett forgotten she didn’t plan to sell to anyone?
“Hmmm. Good. I’ll get the rest of the steaks and then we’ll eat.”
Maggie made her way to the stove where Bennett looked almost done with his veggies, which she had to admit smelled fantastic. After handing him a glass of wine, she nudged him.
“You know I’m not selling, so what was that?” she asked.
Bennett’s sigh filled the small space between them. He turned off the heat to the stove, but a fire still roared in Maggie’s chest.
“I’m sorry if I put you on the spot. I just can’t stand that guy, and my mouth got away from me. I tried to recover, but I fumbled it, huh?”
“A little.” Maggie’s frown softened around the edges. “But you can make it up to me by explaining why he sets your hair on fire like that.”
