Zoey dropped at the shoreline and Maggie, out of breath and prickling with sweat, grabbed her phone just in time. “Hi, Mom.”
“Well, it’s about time. For someone on summer break you seem awfully busy.”
“Sorry I missed your call earlier. I was in the shower.”
“That was three hours ago. Lucky for you I haven’t forgotten why I called.”
Maggie unfolded a beach chair, then plopped down and took the bait. “What is it, Mom?”
Her mother waited a full five seconds before answering. “I wanted to pass along the good news that Derrick will be getting in touch with you soon.”
Maggie searched the archives of her brain and came up empty. “Derrick?”
“Derrick Morgan.Honestly, Maggie, your memory is appalling for such a young woman. Maybe you should get that checked out.”
Maggie was only youthful until they discussed her single/widow status, and then she “wasn’t getting any younger.” The thought tweaked a memory. Derrick Morgan...
Oh no, she did not.
“The son of our most esteemed board member, Maggie, for heaven’s sake. I ran into him at a fundraising gala last night. He’s quite charming. It’s a good thing I called. I can’t imagine how insulted he’d have been when you didn’t even recognize his name!”
Maggie gritted her teeth. “What do you mean he’ll be getting in touch, Mom? Whatever for?”
“Why, he’s interested in meeting you, of course. We discussed this in the spring.”
“Yes, we did, and I told you I wasn’t ready to—”
“Oh, enough already. It’s been five years and you’re not getting any younger. How long will you play the widow card? Do you want to be single the rest of your life?”
Like you?She bit back the words. Mom and her smarmy boyfriend had broken up last weekend. Her decision, or so she’d claimed.
“Derrick is successful and attractive. He’s a renowned pediatrician and keeps excellent company. You’re lucky he’s interested in you atall. If you can’t bring yourself to do this one simple thing, maybe you should think of Zoey.”
“Zoey already has a stellar pediatrician.”
“Yes, Maggie, make jokes even though humor is not your strength. Meanwhile your daughter will grow up fatherless.”
“Just like me.” The filter kicked in late this time and she winced as her pulse raced with regret.
“Well, excuse me if I was too busy supporting you on a single mom’s salary to find you a father. But you don’t have that excuse, do you? Ethan’s life insurance left you quite secure and you have half the year off work.”
“Summers, Mom. I have summers off.”
“And fall and Christmas and spring... I didn’t call to quibble. Just be ready for Derrick’s call.”
A call—great. Couldn’t just be a text. She’d never even met the man and now she’d have to make polite conversation over the phone. Maggie massaged her temple and hoped a migraine wasn’t coming on.
He was probably a perfectly nice man, but Maggie hardly trusted her mother’s judgment. Likely she didn’t give a flying fig about his character. He was the son of a board member whom she wanted in her back pocket. She probably expected Maggie to not only date the man but marry him just so she could maintain the upper hand at work.
“Did you hear me, Maggie? Please put your best foot forward. I built you up quite a bit. He’s probably expecting nothing short of a saint. What was I thinking? You’ll have to pull it together.”
She couldn’t even fathom what positive traits her mother might have extolled. She must’ve dug deep. “I realize you want me to go out with this man. But maybe it can wait till fall. The timing is unfortunate since I’ll be two hours away for the rest of the summer.”
“Two whole hours? Then maybe you can send missives on the stagecoach and later he can hitch up his horse and buggy and meet you at the train depot.”
“Okay, Mother, you’ve made your point.”
Mom gave a weighty sigh. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. I try to set my daughter up with a virtual paragon, and this is the grief I get for my trouble.”
