Fuck!
Chapter24
Maggs had woken in Fin’s arms, looked at him, and felt a flutter of panic so fierce she’d had to muffle the sound in her hand. It was a different panic to the type that had started after the shooting, but no less scary in some ways. Looking at his face softened in sleep, emotion almost choked her.
She didn’t love him. It couldn’t be that, surely?
It had been cowardly, but she’d wanted to get out of that cabin before he woke and saw her panic. So she’d run. What they’d shared had terrified her because it felt so right and good, and any number of similar words. Maggs wasn’t ready for that.
“So these are baked by locals, and the judges will pick a winner, then we get to eat them,” Mallory asked from beside her.
“That’s right. Originally it was a muffin contest, but that changed last minute.”
She’d gone home, showered quickly in case he came after her, and then gone to watch the bake-off today. She’d be in a crowd if he did find her, and that would work for now, at least until she didn’t feel so emotionally raw. Fin’s family had been here, so she’d joined them, which was also cowardly, as Fin wouldn’t want to.
“Ryker Falls loves to run events. We have the Santa run soon, and the musical chairs for adults.”
“Have you seen my son, Maggie?”
How did she answer that? “I have, Mr. Hudson.”A lot of your son.
“Call me Jonathan. Any tips on how I can get him to talk to me, considering you and he are close?”
“Oh, well, we’re not that close.”
“Certainly seems that way to me.” He gave her a gentle smile.
“Fin is a good man, Jonathan.” Maggie thought about her words carefully. What happened between Fin and his father was no business of hers, but she didn’t like to see him hurting either. Would talking help him resolve things or make them worse?
“I know he’s a good man. I’ve talked to people in this town who were happy to speak about the man he’s become. His friends warned me, gently, that if I hurt him I’d have them to deal with.”
“They care for him very much.”
“I understand that, and it makes me happy and proud that my son can create such fierce loyalty in his friends.” Jonathan sighed. “I just want to talk to him, Maggie. One to one. Please help me achieve that.”
“I really don’t think—”
“If not for me, then Mallory. She deserves to know her brother.”
She felt herself wavering.
“Please, Maggie. I don’t want to leave without at least trying to reach him.”
“I-I, he hikes most mornings, early before the sun fully rises,” Maggie said quickly.
Jonathan sighed again. “I’m fit, but hiking is Mal’s thing.” He looked at his daughter in front of him as she craned to see all the baked goods on the table. “But if it gets me some time with my son, I’ll do it. I’d do anything.”
“I don’t want him hurt.”
“I’ve hurt him enough.” The words were solemn.
“He’s special to this town. A man we all, ah—” Maggie cleared her throat. “—love.”
“I love him too; he’s my son. But we don’t know each other, and I want to change that.”
She nodded. For now, that was enough.
“And there’s my girl.” Luke looped an arm around Maggie’s shoulders as he joined them. “Mr. Hudson.” Luke’s greeting was polite, but held no warmth.
