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He took a plate from her and pointed to the door.
“Do you want to eat on the porch?”
“Perfect.”
He followed her, starting up the unwanted discussion again.
“How did it come about that Calista Beaumont left with Austin Macon?”
Maggie had hoped the topic of Austin Macon would go away, but apparently it wasn’t going to. She kept things simple and true in case he asked her again. She’d play up the romance part. Justin liked a bit of gossip as much as the next person.
“He came to the door during my luncheon to tell me he was leaving, and Calista recognized him. She was the only person who grew up here who was under fifty.
“Anyway, I had to invite him to eat since we were sitting there with our food in front of us and they were chatting. I thought of pushing her out on the porch. He sat with us and was personable. He didn’t say a word about the horses. Then when Gus arrived to take the others back into the village, somehow Calista and Austin Macon decided he was going to take her home. I meant to call Katrina to see if she’d heard from Calista.”
“The last thing I want is for the BLM to be hanging around here. I’m glad we have the wild horse group. I’ll take it up with them.”
“I don’t want the horses to be removed from my property. Oh! I forgot, that’s one thing he said. That if word got out, the other horses would be jealous. He mentioned how lucky the band here was, having a private vet. I don’t think I mentioned your name though, only that my boyfriend was a veterinarian.”
“It was positive, then.”
“Yes, it felt positive despite Kelly coming at him with a shotgun.”
He finally laughed, shaking his head. Maggie had Kelly Casson’s antics to thank for comic relief.
“I’m beat. You’ll probably get a second wind since you had a nap.”
“No, I’m still tired. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I want to get on the couch again and watch TV.”
They high-fived. She took his plate and went inside. “You’re sure you don’t want pie?”
He was right behind her. “I want it, but I won’t eat it. If I cave this early, I won’t be able to get my determination back. I speak from experience.”
“Okay, no pie. The horses can have it. I need to go to the rescue later, too. I’d better set an alarm for nine, or I might sleep through it.”
“Wow, entertaining takes a lot out of you,” he said, reaching for her to hug again, realizing he was being critical of her because he was tired and no other reason.
“It really did this time.”
She stayed in his grasp, feeling the warmth of him. The comfort of their embrace made all the tension in their bodies melt away. Austin Macon was a distant memory.
“You ready to watch the news?” Justin asked, looking down at her.
“Ready.”
They went into the living room and got on the couch with the remote, and within ten minutes, both were sleeping.
The sun moved beyond the horizon, the cry of geese waking Brulee who lifted her head and woofed.
“What time is it?” Justin mumbled, stretching.
“I don’t know,” Maggie moaned. “I feel like a zombie. The news is over, and the sun set. Are you going to get up?”
“I am. Brulee needs to go out.”
“I’ll take her. I’m going to run over to the rescue and let the hounds out to pee.” She struggled, getting up off the couch. “Jeez, I feel like I ran a marathon.”
“I’ll go over,” Justin said, sitting up. “Clearly, I need the exercise.”
