She had no intention of going to Tea Total; she wanted her home. Wanted the solitude and security it offered.
Damn. Back a few days, and she’d already made Fin curious by acting out of character. The old Maggie Winter would never have fallen apart like that.
“Not sure as you should be cussing right out here on the street, Maggs. Even someone as hot as you will incur the wrath of the town’s elders.”
She found Luke Trainer, the youngest of the brothers, smiling at her from the doorway of Phil’s Cafe. He had a bigger build, more like Joe than Jack, the middle brother. But he had the green Trainer eyes and black hair.
“I was just….” Maggie blew out a breath, unsure how to continue. “The thing is, Luke, the bank was just robbed, and me and Fin were inside.” He’d find out soon anyway. News spread like fire through this town once it was in the right ears.
“Get out.” Luke whistled. “You doing okay there, sweetheart? Where’s Fin?”
“Here.”
Maggie spun on her heel to look at the sexy ranger who had just seen her fall apart. Not only that, but he’d placed his body over hers to keep her calm and safe. She swallowed down the tears over what he’d done.
“Did you follow me?”
“Why would I follow you?” He gave her that slight smile he was so good at. “I need sustenance after my harrowing escape and near death experience. I also told you I was going to Phil’s.”
“What near death experience?” Jack appeared behind Luke with Rory, his fiancée. Short, with crazy curls, Rory was a vet and worked with Jack at the Trainer Ranch.
“It was not a near death experience,” Maggs said. “The bank was robbed, we were there, end of story.”
She shot Fin a look. His blue eyes were focused on her. He knew she’d fallen apart, but she also knew he’d never tell anyone about it.
“Well, hell, get in here then!” Rory ducked under Jack and grabbed Maggs’s arm. “Coffee, stat, Pip!”
She was tugged inside, past the white walls, one filled with leafy green potted plants, to the counter. A not-too-gentle hand nudged her onto the seat.
“For a small person, you’re forceful.”
“It’s one of my finer qualities,” Rory said. “Maggs and Fin were in a bank robbery right here in Ryker Falls. Add that on top of what Fin found, and I think he needs whisky, but he’s settling for coffee.”
Fin moaned as Rory yelled the words loud enough so everyone inside, and a few out, heard.
“Hell, Rory, we’ll be inundated with people wanting the inside scoop on what happened now. It’s bad enough that I won’t spill more details about what I found on the mountain, but this will send them into a frenzy.”
“Don’t give me that; you love the notoriety. Plus, you’ll get more baking.”
“Are you all right? I just heard.” Pip came bustling out of the kitchen wearing a shirt that had three lines.Naughty, Nice, andI tried. The first two words were crossed out. The Trainers owned this place, but she ran it.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m still a bit shaken. Sure could use a full breakfast and coffee. And then maybe one of those donuts with all the sugar on the outside,” Fin said.
“I just heard!” Aunt Jess hurried up to them. “Are you both all right?” Maggs was engulfed in a hug, then Fin. “Poor babies."
“I’m not gonna lie, it was frightening.” Fin put his pathetic face on, and Aunt Jess bought it.
“Well, I’m going home to bake you some of those brownies you like, and I’ll fix you some chicken and dumplings too.”
“Only if you have time, Aunt Jess. I can just throw a pizza in the oven—”
“You certainly will not, and after an ordeal like you just endured a man needs a substantial meal.”
“All right.” His smile was weak.
“That was pathetic,” Maggs whispered when Aunt Jess went to tell Mr. Goldhirsh the news. “I can’t believe she bought it.”
