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“He’d better.” She threw him a death stare. “But I was thinking that maybe you and my mom could hang out a bit.”
Jack stopped mid-dribble and stared. “What?”
“She could take care of Chief for you, too, you know.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want her to be lonely while I’m gone.”
Not only did she sound human, but her voice now dripped with a word he might have never associated with Lexi Bradshaw before today: compassion.
“You don’t have to worry about your mom.”
He met her eyes. If there’s one thing he knew about kids, it was that they tended to feel responsible for everything that went wrong. Since they were the center of the universe and all that, it was an easy mistake to make.
“I know I don’t. Everyone tells me that. But they don’t know her like I do. She gets sad sometimes.”
“I believe you.” He’s seen that lonely ache in Maggie’s eyes even though she did a good job of disguising it.
Lexi blinked. “Thanks. But will you do it?”
It wasn’t exactly arm twisting to be asked to hang out with Maggie, and surely, the kid realized that. Was it lying when the lie was told to reassure someone? He wondered what God would have to say about that as he prepared to tell a big one.
“You’re asking a lot, but if you insist, I’ll hang out with your mom while you’re gone.”
Somehow,the night passed even though Maggie didn’t spend much of it sleeping. Instead, she went over and over the conversation she’d had with Kimberly. Something important had been left unsaid, but it hadn’t been her place to pry. When, and if, Jack was ready, he’d tell her why he’d chosen to move three thousand miles away and give up being a marshal.
What horrible thing could he have done? Kimberly obviously didn’t hold him to the same high standard to which he held himself. She saw him as the same warm person Maggie saw. A man who, if anything, might care a little bit too much.
Somehow, she was supposed to help convince Jack to go back to Virginia when for the first time in a year she felt alive again.Lord, please help me to stop being so selfish. I need to think of what’s best for Jack. Even if it’s not me. Of course it’s not me.
Kimberly was also up early, and had already put the hideaway bed away and folded and stacked the sheets and blankets.
“My, you’re up early. You an early riser, too? I hope I didn’t wake you. My flight leaves at ten, but you know how it is at the airport. And then, of course, it’s not like there’s an airport anywhere near Harte’s Peak. Also, I need to return the rental. All right, sorry if I’m rambling, but flying makes me nervous.”
Kimberly took a breath.
Maggie smiled and started the coffee. “So you’re driving yourself back. But is Jack coming over, I assume?”
“He should be here any minute. In fact, I’m surprised he’s not here already. Listen, I’m sorry if I came on too strong yesterday. I get the feeling you don’t want Jack to go back to Virginia after all.”
Maggie started to protest when there was a light knock at the door.Jack.
Kimberly glanced at her watch. “Like clockwork.”
Already dressed in his deputy uniform, Jack made quick work of grabbing Kimberly’s overnight bag over her protests.
“Since I can’t drive you back, you need to at least let me do this.”
At the door, Kimberly turned to Maggie and winked. “Remember what I said.”
“I will.”
There was no chance she would forget.
Maggie watched from the doorway as Jack opened the car door, hugged Kimberly, and stood, hands in his pockets, as she drove away out of the cul-de-sac. He turned, caught Maggie’sgaze, and marched back toward her. Her foolish heart raced as though it had any business doing it.
“There goes one of the most stubborn women I’ve ever met.” Jack frowned.
