Maggie grimaced, “Well, then, I’m extra thankful for your hospitality.”
Chase strode through the doorway.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” his mom affectionately teased him.
“Hey now, I’ve been up since 6 am helping the farm hands with chores. I’m earnin my keep.”
From the living room, they heard Cam holler, “It’s about time.”
Chase opened his mouth to respond and then thought better of it.
“You boys…” Norah waved away their bickering. “Ya’ll come dish up. Breakfast is ready.”
“Looks great, mom,” Chase said, kissing her cheek as he scooted around her to grab the plates.
“I’m gonna go sit with your brother in the living room. Ya’ll enjoy a romantic breakfast together in here.”
“Oh that’s not necessary Mrs. Smith,” Maggie said.
“You can call me Norah, sweetheart. And it is necessary. Couples need their alone time.” With that, Norah scooped up two plates filled with eggs, bacon, and buttered biscuits and winked in Chase’s direction.
Maggie took a seat at the corner breakfast nook. “Your mom is sweet,” Maggie told Chase as he sat across from her.
With a piece of bacon jutting from his mouth, he replied, “As long as you're on her good side.”
Maggie grimaced, “How do I make sure of that?”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. She reserves her wrath for us—ya know, the ones she’s supposed to love the most,” Chase chuckled. “Word to the wise: don’t use her Kitchen Aid mixer to make mud pie or sand cupcakes. Learned that the hard way.”
Maggie arched her eyebrows. “That sounds like a story I need to hear.”
Chase shrugged, “When I was nine, I tried to useall naturalingredients to make baked goods. I still stand by that idea.”
Maggie laughed.
“Good morning love birds,” a woman said as she shuffled two little kids into the kitchen. Maggie observed her beautiful dark skin and hazel eyes that illuminated with electricity.
“Maggie, this is Jade—Cam’s wife,” Chase said.
“Nice to meet you.” Jade smiled and then turned toward the kids. “Did ya’ll hear that? This is Uncle Chase’s girlfriend, Maggie. Maggie, this is Delilah—she’s six and this is Banjo, he’s four. Can ya’ll say hello to Miss Maggie?”
Maggie’s insides twisted. She was still adjusting to the sudden title of Chase's girlfriend.
“Hi,” Delilah whispered as she burrowed into her mom’s leg.
Banjo crawled onto the bench next to Chase.
“Banjo, buddy what’s up? Gonna be shy this morning?” Banjo nodded as he curled up in Chase’s lap. Maggie felt her stomach clench—or was that her uterus trying to make itself known?I know you’re there… I just didn’t have any desire to put you to use... until seeing this.Maggie tried not to melt into a puddle at the way Chase comforted Banjo.
“Don’t worry, I get nervous around pretty girls too.” Chase tickled the little boy until giggles spilled out.
Maggie smiled and whispered. “Hi Banjo.” Then turning her attention in the other direction she said, “Hi Delilah, I love your dress.” A wide grin spread across the little girl's face. She proceeded to do a spin, showing off the sunflowers dotting her white dress.
Jade began scooping food onto plastic plates. “So, I was thinking that maybe Uncle Chase and Miss Maggie might want to take two adorable kids to the church carnival today.” Jade shot them a pleading look. Then in a softer voice she told them, “Trying to make sure Cam has some peace and quiet, so he can rest.”
“A carnival sounds fun.” Maggie looked to Chase, “What do you think?”
“I don’t know… I think taking a nap sounds more fun.”
