“Are you sure?”
“She felt a little blindsided at first, but once I told her we hadn’t wanted this to overshadow the anniversary, she understood. In fact, I think we can count on her support—if needed—when we tell my parents.”
Maggie could hardly believe it. She wasn’t sure she would’ve been so understanding in Erin’s place. “Really?”
“Really. So try to relax a little. Your mom might be adept at getting her way, but she’s not a magician. And she’s apt to find that the Reynoldses aren’t quite so easy to manipulate.”
“I’m sorry she’s causing all this drama. I hate that she does this stuff.” Maggie had worked so hard to keep her mom away from thefamily. When they’d been planning Maggie’s wedding, it was practically an Olympic event.
“This is not your fault. You don’t have to apologize for your mother. This isn’t exactly the way I hoped our relationship would start out, but we’ll get through it. However, we’re gonna have to tell Mom and Dad sooner rather than later.”
“You’re probably right. If Mom reached out to Erin, what’s to stop her from calling them too?”
“She, ah, actually asked Erin for their number—but of course she didn’t give it.”
Why did her mother have to be so manipulative? “Grrr! I can’t believe she’s behaving this way. Well, yes, I can, but it’s still infuriating.”
“It’ll be okay.” Josh’s voice was soothing. “Mom and Dad’ll be home tomorrow, and we’ll just head Nora off at the pass.”
If her mother reached them first, she’d try to convince them that Josh and Maggie’s relationship was inappropriate at best and incestuous at worst. “Are you sure we shouldn’t call them? I’d hate to tell them over the phone, but it would be even worse if my mom ambushed them with this.”
“If I thought Nora could get their number, I’d be in favor of calling them. But they’re so private with their information—their phone number isn’t available online. I checked.”
His parents refused to even use a credit card on the internet. “That’s a relief. And they don’t have any friends in common since they live so far apart.”
“Would your mom have any other way of getting their number? Is it written down in your house anywhere?”
“You think I’d actually give my mother a key to my house? I have a trusted friend who’s watering my plants. She knows all about mymom. I can’t believe she’s doing this—and all over some guy she wants me to date.”
“You mean... thedoctor?” His tone held a note of humor.
“Erin mentioned that little detail, huh?”
“Are you sure you wanna pass that up for a lowly tour-boat captain?”
“Hey, I happen to be very proud of my tour-boat captain.” She bit her lip. She’d felt so defensive of Josh that she’d just given away her feelings. But she had begun thinking of him that way. How quickly that had happened.
“You just called meyours,” he said softly.
“Guess I did.”
A beat of silence ensued. “I like it.”
She wished he were here with her right now and not clear across the island. She was eager to build on their already-solid foundation. But they just might have to survive an earthquake first.
“Hold that thought,” she said.
Chapter 35
Brad and Becky were due into the Wilmington International Airport at eight thirty tonight. Then Josh would pick them up and the rest of the family would meet them at the beach house. Maggie had tried to tell them they’d be jet-lagged, but Becky wouldn’t hear of putting off the gathering till the next day. She’d missed her kids and grandkids.
All Saturday night and Sunday morning Maggie fretted about her mother finding a way to reach Brad and Becky. She’d been astonished in the past by her mom’s craftiness. She had a wicked way of getting what she wanted.
But Josh was right—she didn’t have superpowers. Maybe she’d decided she’d already caused enough turmoil just by revealing their secret to Erin. Maggie could only hope.
After her phone call with Josh yesterday, Maggie had called Erin and cleared the air, going so far as to apologize for hiding their relationship.
“You don’t owe me an apology,” Erin said. “I admit my feelings were a little hurt at first, but once Josh explained about the anniversary... I get it. I really do. And it’s still a little weird thinking of you and Josh, you know,together. But I’m getting used to the idea. If you make each other happy, I’ll be rooting for you guys.”
