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“You can follow me. It’s quicker than going through town.”
He chugged down a coffee and kissed her before leaving to saddle up Spooky.
It was one of those most memorable experiences, following Justin in the truck. Watching him gallop down the road, all the nouns flowed through her: pride, possession, luck—everything she felt knowing he was hers.
If only it was enough for him that they were together and he didn’t need a marriage certificate. There was little doubt that someone else he liked better might come along, but the truth was that could happen even if they were married. It had happened to her first marriage.
Once she knew where she was headed, he waved to her and took off in a gallop. When she arrived at Doc Chastain’s, Justin already had wiped down Spooky and watered her and had Dale in the trailer.
“We’ll let Spooky cool off for a couple of minutes. Your mom invited us for breakfast.”
“Oh, I don’t know…”
“We’ll pretend. Just say you already ate.”
Frowning, she hated being put on the spot. One of Rose Angel’s Sunday breakfasts before a trail ride could spell disaster. Then she noticed Justin’s brother, Dave’s truck, which meant he was probably there with his girlfriend, Amber, who had dated Justin at one time. Just a one night stand but that was enough to provoke disaster from Amber. Maggie tolerated Amber, but spending the day with her would mean staying on her toes. Her day of peace was quickly disappearing.
“Amber’s here,” Justin said, his arm draped around Maggie’s shoulders.
“I see that,” she said, a bright, false smile in place, making Justin chuckle.
Inside the cavernous house, the dark wood paneling and stone fireplace, lending the feeling of an old lodge, welcomed Maggie, and she relaxed.
“Hi there,” Amber said, coming to hug her. “It’s been a while. You look great! Not a mark to be seen.” She referred to the boating mishap Maggie had had before Christmas. “And congratulations on all your winnings during Mardi Gras!”
“Oh yes, they won the dance contest, and Justy won the tatt contest, and crowned king and queen on Fat Tuesday,” Doc Chastain announced proudly.
Embarrassed, Justin shook his brother’s hand. “Are you guys going to the wild horse meeting?”
“Amber is. I have to work this afternoon.” Dave was the sheriff for the parish.
Maggie cringed, hoping Justin wouldn’t invite Amber to come with them. But she needn’t have worried because Dave asked instead.
“Can she hitch a ride with you?”
Great.
“Sure,” Justin said, because what else could he say? “We can head out anytime.”
“Oh, no, stay for breakfast,” Rose cried. “I made a ton of hush puppies and grits and andouille sausage rolls and a cheese and mushroom omelet.”
Maggie looked at Amber, and she winked, making Maggie turn her back so Rose didn’t see her laughing at her expense.
“We actually ate already,” Justin quickly said.
“So did we,” Amber said. “But I’ll have a cup of coffee and a sausage roll.”
“Me too. I can always eat a sausage roll,” Justin said.
“I thought you gave up carbs for Lent,” Dave said, calling him out.
“Just booze and sugar.”
“Right. I gave up sausage rolls,” Doc Chastain said, grabbing one and gobbling it up. “Delish!”
The family drank coffee, the men eating sausage rolls, and then Justin looked at his watch. “We need to get on the road if we’re going to make it by ten. I still have to get Spooky in the trailer.”
“Take this food with you,” Rose said. “They have potluck at their Sunday meetings, don’t they, Justy?”
