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“I hope so.”
That made him laugh quietly, his lips hovering so close to her ear that it made a beautiful deep sound. A sound she would miss for as long as she lived.
“If it wasn’t for you and Lexi, I’m not sure I would be able to go back. You did that for me. Dragging me back to life. Knocking on my front door, then making your way inside my heart.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.”
He laughed again. She was a regular comedienne when her heart was breaking.
“You were so handsome in your deputy uniform the first time I saw you. Even though you did look embarrassed. I guess I’m a goner for a man in a uniform.”
“That’s funny, because I’m a goner for a woman with a big heart. And green eyes.”
Maggie pulled out of his arms and took a few steps back. He was leaving, and the sooner she got used to the idea the better.
“You should go home now.”
He blinked in surprise. But she couldn’t do this any longer, not when he’d be gone soon. Her foolish heart wasn’t listeningeven now, so she’d have to give it a kick start. Time to engage her brain. Maybe it would listen better.
“Why?”
“You can’t be serious. This will be hard, Jack. Much harder than I can deal with right now.”
Understanding crossed his face, hardening its planes again, and he hung his head, resigned.
“I’m sorry. I’m being selfish.”
“No, I’m afraid I’m the one being selfish. You’re being honest.”
“I can’t help it if I want to spend every moment with you before I go.”
“That won’t happen. I can’t do this. I’m a mother, and I should have guarded my heart a whole lot better than I have.”
“You’re not the only one to make that mistake.”
He tried to reach for her again, but she moved away, a little piece of her heart protesting with a nearly indiscernible skip.
Mistake.So he agreed it had been a mistake not to guard her heart. Well, at least they were on the same page about that.
“Good-bye, Jack. It’s easier this way.”
“Don’t do this. We’re neighbors, and I’ll be around a bit longer. Are you just going to ignore me?”
She would try. “We’re still friends.”
“But I told Lexi I’d hang out with you until she gets back. She’s counting on me.”
“It’s OK. You’ve done your duty.”
“Maggie, please. There was no duty here. You know I wanted to. If she hadn’t asked me, I’d have found a way to come over here myself.”
This wasn’t working out, and he was no closer to that front door. Her throat burned and the tears weren’t going to stay back much longer. The last thing she wanted was his pity.
“It’s just that it hurts to be with you right now.”
He winced. “And the last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
Finally, he turned toward the door.
