“As amusing as this exchange of insults is, we need to go. So hurry up and grab your coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.”
“I’m not wearing a hat; it will mess my hair.”
“It’s cold out, Tigger.”
“You don’t have one on.”
“I’m tougher than you.”
“Since when?” Maggs took her overcoat out of the closet and shrugged into it, then wrapped a scarf around her neck.
“Since you came back with that scar on your arm and those shadows in your eyes and won’t tell me why.”
He looked big, imposing, but he didn’t scare her. Maggs had cut her teeth on battling with her brothers.
“I told you I’m okay. Stop fussing.”
“You’re just lucky the others aren’t as astute as me.”
“Or they know to leave me alone, as I’m all big and grown up now.”
He snorted but nudged her through the door and to his pickup. It was warm, as he’d left it running and the heater on.
“This place is impressive,” Nash said as he found a space in the Falls Lodge parking lot.
“Really nice. Ted had people come in and tell him what to do. He wanted it to look natural, and it does. Plus it brings in tourists, which is good for business.”
Nash grunted as they got out of the car.
There were lights set in the gardens, tall trees, and the stone-and-wood facade of the lodge. It all added up to look pretty special at night. A huge tree had been decorated with colored lights for Christmas
“What are you going to do with that land, Nash?”
“Live on it.”
“Presumably after you build a house?”
“There’s an idea.”
“But what else? It’s a chunk of land.”
“Not sure. I have a few ideas.”
“Be nice having my bro close,” Maggs mused. “I think.”
A large arm came out and snaked around her neck, and she was dragged into his side. He then dug his fingers into her ribs, and she giggled.
“You think?” He continued to torment her.
“Enough!” Maggs fought to get free, but he didn’t let her go until he was ready.
“You know it will be nice having me close.”
“Maybe, but I’m not cleaning or cooking for you. You have to learn self-sufficiency.”
“Have a heart.”
“I mean it, Nash. Mom won’t be there to pick up after you and have a meal on the table every night.”
