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He lifted a shoulder. “Yeah. She can’t cook. Or operate a lawn mower.”
“And she probably has many other faults, too.” Kimberly laughed.
Maybe he had stuck Maggie up on some pedestal where she didn’t belong, but there was also the fact that he’d wanted to be a better man for himself. He’d wanted that close relationship with his Savior that Maggie had, and if he would be any kind of a leader in a Christian home, he’d have to take those steps on his own. Even Calhoun would see the logic in that.
“I had to come back, but now that I’m back all I can think about is what I left behind. But I felt that way in Harte’s Peak. Will I feel that way again if I go back?”
“It wouldn’t be the same now.”
He nodded. “Things are different.”
The nightmares were gone, and he’d moved almost seamlessly back into the force. He’d been welcomed back with open arms and no judgment. The biggest change had come from within when he’d finally forgiven himself for having done the unthinkable.
He wouldn’t have been able to do it without the Lord. These days he looked into the mirror and saw a redeemed man, a man with a second chance, a man missing only one thing.
The woman.
Chapter 15
“C’mon Maggie, it’s only dinner and a movie.”
“No, Vera, I told you. I don’t date.”
When would Vera give up? Maggie didn’t want to be introduced to Vera’s latest boyfriend’s best friend, brother, or cousin but after two months, she still wasn’t getting the message.
“That’s right. What you do is fall inlove.” Vera turned the sign from ‘closed’ to ‘open’ and then faced Maggie with her arms crossed.
No argument there. Maggie didn’t date, but she hadn’t done such a great job of guarding her heart after all. But the man had lived practically next door, and once she’d gotten to know him, her heart didn’t stand a chance. No matter. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“All right. Point taken. Which is why I’m definitely for sure not going to date. Why take any more chances?”
She hadn’t seen Jack again before he’d left. He’d obviously taken quite literally her request, her only knowledge that he’d gone being a brand new basketball he’d left for Lexi on their doorstep. A short note inside the package stated only that he hoped someday they could be friends again.
Maggie did hope so.
Her life had now settled into a peaceful, if somewhat lonely, routine. No more trouble with Lexi, thank God. No more teachers calling, and no more stealing. Who would have thought that facing her greatest fear would bring about the change they both needed?
Richard and Paula were allies now, not enemies. Lexi visited with them every other weekend, and even if boundaries were occasionally crossed, Maggie could tell that Richard was trying. In a rare and uncharacteristic moment of generosity, he offered to pay for Lexi’s tuition to the college of her choice.
“Why take chances? How about because you’re alive? Don’t you want to feel the rush of being in love again? There’s plenty of fish in the sea.” Vera moved behind the counter and started to clean the espresso machine.
Plenty of fish in the sea.Yes, but none of them were Jack. And no, she didn’t want to feel that way again, thank you very much. Having one’s heart ripped out seam by seam was not pleasant or beautiful, no matter what the poets said.
Maggie turned toward Vera. “When I’m ready, you’ll be the first to know it.”
“I hope it’s not too late by then.”
Vera glanced up from the espresso machine but then stared at something over Maggie’s shoulder. Vera’s eyes widened a bit, making Maggie turn around to find out which customer had caused such a reaction.
Jack.
Heavens, he was like a GQ dream, dressed in a white button up Henley and jeans. Had he ever looked this good before? The perpetually crinkled forehead appeared relaxed for a change. His eyes no longer reflected despair, but instead simmered with something like…hope?
Maggie couldn’t move, and only did so when Vera sidled up next to her and elbowed her. Hard.
“Ahem. We have a customer.”
“Right. Hi. Hello. I mean, welcome back. What will it be, the usual? Of course, you’ll have the usual. Americano, Vera.”
