AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Yeah, he and Maggie might be over, but Bennett hadn’t known the meaning of the word regret until she came back.
What he did know? The warm, squishy feeling in his gut, crawling up his chest like a feral beast trying to escape, was gonna do him in if he didn’t do something about it and fast.
*
Maggie parked her dad’s truck across the feed store, which just so happened to be next to Mae’s Bakery. A tent sign outside advertised a four-cheese grilled cheese and iced tea for only seven dollars.
She’d been back two days and hadn’t eaten anything but a vanilla tart and King Ranch casserole. She might’ve gotten a handle on the work the land would take, but man, had she underestimated the work the house would need. Maybe it was time she took a break. That, and perhaps she should hit up Caine’s Market for some staples after her feed store run. After all, she’d committed to being here, so she’d better prepare for what that meant.
Maggie bypassed the feed store and went in.
The scent of coffee and butter on a grill swirled in the ornately decorated farm-style bakery, and Maggie’s stomach rumbled. This was just what she needed. She might have been the recipient of a few errant stares, but that was to be expected when a newcomer showed up in town.
What was the statute of limitations on leaving town and coming back? Was she still considered a local if she’d spent almost half her life in San Antonio and Houston?
When it was her turn at the counter, she resisted the urge to add another vanilla tart to her order. She paid and found a space at the counter to wait.
“Is that Margaret Newman?” a melodic voice asked behind her.
Maggie wheeled around to find herself face-to-face with another person from her past. She’d considered what it might be like to come back to Deer Creek, where all her best—and worst—memories were stored. All except running into everyone she used to know.
“Mrs. Schultz?” Maggie asked.
“None other. But I go by Grace Marshall now. Since… well, you know.”
The woman might have a few more laugh lines around her eyes, a few more grays around her temple, but otherwise, she hadn’t aged a day. She was still just as beautiful as Maggie recalled.
“That’s right. I think Bennett might have said something about that when he stopped by. I’m so sorry for your loss, Ms. Marshall.”
“It’s Grace to you, hon.” She pulled Maggie in for a hug. Warmth spread through Maggie’s limbs. “And speaking of losses, we were all really sad to lose Carl. He was one of our best neighbors and the only one who could beat me at canasta.”
Maggie laughed. “Well, come on by any time, Grace. I’m proud to say my dad taught me everything I know about ranching and cards. I might be able to hold my own with you.”
Grace smiled and poured some cream over her iced coffee. “You can count on it.” Her smile weakened. “Did I hear you say my son stopped by already?”
“He did. It seems he has some interest in my property. Please don’t take offense, Grace, but I’m not selling. Not until I can fix the place up.”
Grace folded her arms over her chest and sipped on her coffee, her eyes narrow and focused.
“I’m sorry, Grace—”
“No,” Grace said, shaking her head. “Don’t you dare. You’re taking care of your family’s property. And you don’t need mine making things more difficult.”
“It’s fine. I just think he didn’t expect me to be the one to show up to settle the estate.”
“No, I imagine he didn’t. He—and all of us, actually—were under the impression you owned and ran a company in San Antonio. Is that right?”
“It is. Steel Born Ranching. Turns out all that futzing around in my dad’s barn paid off.”
A glimmer of concern passed over Grace’s face but passed quickly. “Well, that’s great news. I’ve heard of Steel Born. You do good work, Margaret.”
“Thanks.” Heat flashed across Maggie’s neck and cheeks at the compliment from a woman she’d always admired. “I love it, so that has to count for something.”
“It does. I keep telling my sons that’s the only thing that matters, actually. Speaking of, please tell me Bennett showed up with some food or flowers or something for the loss of your father.”
Maggie shrugged. What could she say to that?
Grace put a hand to her chest. “Unacceptable. I raised my boys better than that, and I’m deeply apologetic for my errant middle child’s behavior. He’s too old to ground him, but I’ll share my displeasure at dinner.”
