Page 45 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

“A person can’t bake sugar cookies without it,” Maggie replied.

Stephanie smiled wryly and shook her head. Another gust of wind whipped through the parking lot like a party crasher. Stephanie sighed and said, “Where are my manners? It’s freezing outside, your son just arrived, and I’m rambling.” She took a few steps backward and hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “I should get going, anyway. I need to pick up some ingredients at the store for my next baking adventure.”

“What are you trying next?” Tyler asked, hoping to make her feel less awkward.

“Pecan pie,” Stephanie replied.

Maggie clutched both hands to her heart. “My favorite.”

Tyler suspected Stephanie already knew that. “Let us know if you need test subjects,” he said.

Stephanie shifted her gaze to the pretty, blushing blonde. “Really?”

“Of course,” Maggie replied, “but I know it will be wonderful.” She looked at Owen and Tyler before returning her attention to Stephanie. “If you don’t have plans for dinner tomorrow, I’d love for you to join us.”

Stephanie’s eyes widened, and her lips parted in surprise. “I can’t intrude again so soon. You were so kind to feed me yesterday.”

Tyler exchanged another look with Owen. Sharing a Thanksgiving meal together seemed significant.

“You won’t be intruding, right, boys?” Maggie asked.

“Right,” Tyler and Owen replied.

Stephanie smiled to showcase a pair of pretty dimples. “Okay. Text me what time I should be there and what you’d like me to bring.”

“Six o’clock for dinner, and just bring yourself,” Maggie replied.

“Okay. It was nice meeting you guys,” Stephanie told Tyler and Owen before turning around and walking forward.

“Likewise,” Tyler called out.

Owen was too busy studying his mother to respond. He waited until Stephanie was out of earshot, then said, “Your lady friend is smoking hot, Mom.”

Maggie’s eyes widened to saucers, and her mouth popped open in surprise. Owen chuckled at her reaction, and she playfully elbowed him in the ribs. “Hush now, and help me get the stuff out of my car.”

“I just got here and you’re already putting me to work,” Owen teased as he followed Maggie to her Subaru.

“Stop your fussing, or you’ll spoil your surprise.”

Owen lengthened his stride toward the vehicle. “You should’ve led with the surprise bit, Mom.”

Tyler laughed and followed behind the pair. It seemed like they’d forgotten he was there for a moment, which he actually enjoyed. It meant Owen was completely at ease with his mom because Tyler was as well. If he’d gotten so much as a whiff of discomfort, Owen would’ve been making assurances instead of staring into the back of the Subaru. He lifted a hand and scratched his temple before turning a concerned look at Maggie.

“You want me to help hide the body?” Owen asked. “Or is it bodies? That bag is huge.”

Tyler peered into the car and saw a supersized red duffel bag with heaving sides. He smiled when he recognized it because his mom had one of those too. His father made the same joke as Owen every year when she dragged it out of the storage area under the basement stairs.

Maggie snorted and nudged Owen again. “That’s a Christmas tree bag, brat. Sandy bought a new pre-lit tree and decorations for the office and gave me the old stuff.” She hooked her arm around Owen’s waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’ve always dreamed of giving you the kind of holiday I’ve seen in TV shows and movies. I’ve got everything we need to trim the tree and decorate cookies.” Tears shimmered in Maggie’s eyes, and she let out a sniffle when Owen hugged her tightly.

Locking his eyes on Tyler’s, Owen said, “This is already the best holiday I’ve ever had.”

Tyler winked and mouthed, “Mine too.”

“The absolute best,” Maggie agreed. She straightened and pulled away from Owen. “This might take a few trips to get everything upstairs.” She leaned into the open hatch and pulled out a collapsible handcart with a basket on the top and a small shelf on the bottom. It was about a fourth of the size of a regular grocery cart but still handy. “I think we can get all the shopping bags in the basket and the heaviest box on the bottom of the cart. The rest of the boxes are bulky but not heavy.”

They helped Maggie load the handcart, and then Owen took one side of the Christmas tree bag, and Tyler took the other. Several people were in the lobby getting mail from their boxes when they walked in.

A balding man in a festive sweater vest took one look at the oversized bag and smiled at an elderly lady dressed in a pale blue velour tracksuit that matched the tint in her white hair. “Have you seen Dudley lately, Helen?”