Jennifer glared. “I had a friend in college who majored in computer security. The Matchmaker’s not exactly Fort Knox.”
“You hacked in?” Maggie asked in shock. “Invasion of privacy!”
Jennifer threw her hands up. “I was only going to use the info to get closer to the couple, see if they’d confess it all. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was my best friend.”
Maggie cringed. “I couldn’t tell you.”
Jennifer flicked her hand. “Why not? I told you about the underwear at camp thing.”
“You were going to write a news story.” Maggie straightened, and a sense of being wronged filled her. “That doesn’t instill trust.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t have if I’d known it was you.”
Maggie pressed her lips together. “How was I supposed to know that?”
“Because we’re friends. Friends don’t do that to one another!” Jennifer shouted. “And they don’t make each other look like fools.” She spun and strode from the room.
“Jenn!” Maggie followed her into the hallway.
“Don’t follow me. I’m hurt and I’m angry and I’m late for work.” She left, giving Timmy a small wave when he called goodbye from where he was hanging a new gutter.
Cash appeared from the guest bedroom. “What was that all about?”
Maggie slipped herself into that spot under his arm that was made for her. “I just lost my best friend. She knows about The Matchmaker.”
Cash sucked in a breath. “She’s not going to put it on the morning show, is she?”
Maggie shook her head. “I don’t think so. I hope not. She was more upset that I didn’t tell her.”
Cash kissed her hair. “Give her a couple days. She’ll calm down, and you can talk to her.”
Maggie groaned. “Men! You have no idea how women work.” She pushed off of him, teasing because she wasn’t really mad at him but at herself for not being truthful with someone who had given her solid advice and offered friendship. She had a feeling she’d crossed a line with Jennifer and might never get her friend back.
Cash held up both hands. “I never professed to understanding women.”
She grinned over her shoulder. “My grout is setting. I gotta get to work.”
“Good. Cuz my wood glue is drying, and I have to get back to it too.” His arms were suddenly around her, and he pulled her tight against his hard chest. “But I have just enough time for this.” He buried his chin in her neck, tickling her until she squealed.
“Okay. Okay.” She panted. “You win.”
He loosened his hold, and she spun in his arms to kiss him passionately for thirty seconds—which was all they had to spare. They only had two days until the final inspection, and it was going to be down to the wire.
Cash was right: she’d have to give Jennifer some time, because she didn’t have a choice.
Chapter 24
The next day, the house was a symphony of construction noises. A table saw pierced the air at regular intervals as James and Timmy worked on the banister for the grand staircase. A sander provided a low bass hum, and drills were like violins. All of it was music to Cash’s ears, because it meant they were going to be done on time. Sure, they’d have to work until midnight, but they were going to make it before Jackson showed up at 8 a.m. the next morning.
“Boss,” called James from across the room. “We need more gray paint.”
“It’s on the porch. I’ll get it.” He grinned to himself. He’d have to walk past Maggie on his way out; she was painting the front door. He was feeling so good, knowing they were going to have the house and the world to conquer together after that, that he might just steal a kiss.
As he rounded the corner and caught sight of Maggie, his heart swelled and he had to stop moving because he’d stopped breathing. She was silhouetted by the morning light streaming through the open window, and her movements were like a dance. Her hair was piled on top of her head with a bandana headband, though several pieces had come loose and flashed gold as she moved. He could see her standing there in a wedding dress, slowly marching out to meet him. The image flashed to her shape with a baby bump that filled the doorway, and then to her tossing a toddler in the air and laughing.
The perfect image was interrupted by a short man with a round belly trudging up the steps. She turned to greet him, and Cash hurried forward. A chill ran over his arms. He knew that man, and he hadn’t been expecting to see him until tomorrow.
“Morning. Is Cash around? I’m Jackson, city inspector.”
