I reach out for Wyatt, resting my hand on his shoulder. “Hey. Whatever you need. You know that.”
Wy rubs at the back of his neck, his head dropping to the ground. He takes a deep breath and then looks from his Dad to me. “I was wonderin’ if you’d come with us when I leave?”
I suck in a breath because that wasnotwhat I expected him to ask. Before I can answer, he rushes on. “I know you’re busy and all with the diner and maybe you don’t want to. But I know it’s goin’ to be hard on both Dad and I even though we won’t admit that,” Red chuckles and I can’t help the snort that escapes me. “It just feels like youshouldbe there. Nah, more than that. Iwantyou there. YouandDad.”
I don't need an unread letter from Anna to tell me what she'd want me to do right now. I don't even need a minute to think about it. I can sort out all of the logistics of me taking a trip out oftown later. Red and Wy are my people, as much mine as Charlie is. If they need me, I'm there.
“Mags…” Red says, his voice low and deep. “You know damn well it’s OK with me so don’t even wonder about that. You’re family. You’re my best friend. Wy wants you there and we both probablyneedyou there. So, what do you say? Wanna come on a road trip with us so I can put my boy on a tiny plane to Dutch Harbor?”
When I give them my answer, it’s as easy as breathing. “Yes.”
4
MAGS
It’s been a hectic two weeks preparing to go away. I’ve had to arrange all the staffing and deliveries for the diner which was a lot harder than I thought it would be.
Since I first opened the Loaded Hog with ex-husband number two and close friend Greg, I’ve only ever taken a few days off here and there. Knowing I’m leaving for two weeks has meant having to accept a few home truths about myself–I’m a workaholic, a little bit of a control freak, but mostly, I’m surrounded by good people who only want the best for me.
Ineedthis break more than I ever realized. Yes, this trip is about supporting Red and Wyatt, but I’m hoping this getaway will also help remind me what it’s like to have a life outside of running the diner too.
“You think you can resist callin’ us up every hour to check in?” Greg teases from his seat across from my desk.
“I make no promises,” I reply with a grin.
He chuckles as he leans back in the chair opposite my desk. “I know how much this place means to you, Mags. Weallknow that. But you’ve got good staff and now it’s your chance to show them that you trust themandme to hold down the fort while you’re gone.”
“Well, it's not like I think you're goin’ to burn the place down or anythin’. You own the buildin’ too, remember?”
"I’m not about to forgetthatin a hurry,” he replies. “I just don’t want you stressin’ about home when you’re supposed to be takin’ a break.”
“I’ll do my best,” I say, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness about going away.
Greg and I didn’t work out as husband and wife, but he's still one of my closest friends and the only dad Charlie’s ever known.
I take a deep breath to calm my racing thoughts. We leave tomorrow and I still feel like there’s a bunch of stuff left to do. “Thanks, Greg. I appreciate your support.”
“You’ve got it, Mags. Always,” he says sincerely. “Now don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m kickin’ you out.”
I feign offense, clutching at my heart. "You think you know someone, then they turf you out of your own office."
He rolls his eyes. “I knowyou, that’s why I know you probably haven’t even packed your bags. I also know you’re draggin’ your feet because you feel guilty about goin’.”
“I donot—” His pointed stare shuts me up. I hold my hands up in the air and sigh. “OK. I’m goin’.”
"Good, because Red sent me a text message an hour ago tellin’ me to make sure you didn’t stay here all day.”
I frown. “Are you two gangin’ up on me now?”
“Hell yes, we are. And it's for your own good. You need to get out of this place and this town for a while. Maybe it’ll remind you that there’s a world outside of Spring Haven.”
“I don’t?—”
“Mags.Sweetheart. You do. Hey. Maybe you’ll like not workin’ all hours of the day. You are fif?—”
I point my finger at him. “Don’t you dare. I’m not fifty yet. I’ve still got a few months to go, thank you very much.”
Greg’s eyes dance with amusement as he gets to his feet. “You know what I mean. Now start walkin’ or else I’llmakeyou leave.”
