Maggie cupped her right hand over her left and held it close. “No.” As long as the ring was on her finger, she was married to Cash. Diamonds were supposed to be forever, and her love would always burn for him and him alone.
Mom sighed in resignation. “I’m going to lunch with Karen. I’ll try those tomorrow, okay?” She picked up her purse, which was on the counter next to the fridge where she’d stored it for thirty years. “Have a good afternoon.”
“Thanks.” Maggie slipped the panini onto a plate and stared at it. She wasn’t hungry, and her taste buds seemed to have fallen over. The world held no flavor. She suddenly wished for a friend like Karen. Too bad she’d messed up with Jennifer too. “Maybe I’m destined to be alone.”
If only Murdock hadn’t sent the inspector a day early. She huffed. It wasn’t like he’d sent him, more like he’d manipulated him. The whole thing rubbed her the wrong way.
Dad came in, following his nose. “Is that lunch?” He rubbed his palms together.
Maggie shoved the plate his way. “It’s all yours.”
He grinned, taking a big bite. “So good.”
She chuckled and then fell silent, listening to Dad chew.
“What’s eating you?”
Maggie had sobbed the whole story out on the ride to her parents’ house. They’d listened, exchanging worried glances, then told her that she was too isolated in her life—that online friends and followers weren’t real people, and she’d been ripe to be taken advantage of. That’s when she’d stopped trying to explain that she truly loved Cash. They didn’t understand and thought she was reaching for an old boyfriend because he’d supplied a need for companionship.
If only they knew how much she really needed him.
“I’m still ticked off that the city has that beautiful house. I put a lot of work into it and saved them thousands of dollars in remodel fees. But I can’t afford to sue them for payment.”
Dad’s chewing slowed down. “Maybe you don’t have to sue them.”
Maggie turned, giving him her full attention. “What? You think if I sent them a bill, they’d pay it?”
He snorted. “Not likely. But a little bad publicity can make people do the right thing. You have all sorts of contacts in the media—maybe one of them could help.”
“You’re right.” Maggie reeled with the knowledge and the idea. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before.” She hopped over and pecked a kiss on her dad’s cheek. “I know just who to call.”
He grinned. “Go get ’em.”
She went to her old room for some privacy. This call might be a bit dicey, and she didn’t want distractions. Pacing the fluffy carpet in her socks, she dialed Jennifer.
It rang several times before going to voicemail. She checked the clock. The Moose Creek morning show was done filming for the day. Jennifer should be able to answer. She fired off a text.
I’m sorry. I really am. I need your help. Please.
She continued to pace while she waited. Five minutes later, when Maggie was about to give up, her phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey,” Jennifer answered. Her voice was quiet and reserved.
“Hey—listen. I should have trusted you. I’m just realizing that I kind of have an issue with that.”
Silence.
“Anyway. I promise to trust you from now on, and I’ll tell you the whole story about what happened with Cash.”
“Maggie. I’m not after a story.”
“I know. I know. I’m calling as a friend. Not to try and bribe you to forgive me or anything. Just a friend talking to a friend.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” She lifted onto her toes in excitement.
“Sure. Forgiveness is real, right?”
