“Yes, of course. And when Brad calms down he’ll certainly have it.”
That was good. They needed to clear the air. Josh needed to feel his dad’s love and approval. Hopefully Brad could verbalize his feelings in a way that would set Josh’s mind at ease.
Until then, maybe Maggie should clear out of Seabrook. She didn’t relish the idea of going back home. Hated the thought of being separated from Josh sooner than necessary. But her presence would be a constant reminder of the problem, and she didn’t feel like walking on eggshells for the next week and a half. Or subjecting Zoey to that kind of tension.
She turned to Becky. “Maybe Zoey and I should head home a little early. I don’t want to make you and Brad uncomfortable in your own home.”
Becky grabbed Maggie’s hand. “Oh, honey, please don’t do that. You are always welcome here and we’ve so looked forward to time with Zoey. Brad will apologize to Josh. He’s already regretting his behavior—take it from a woman who’s known him forty years. He’ll make this right.” Becky tilted her head, eyes glazing over again. “Can I just ask—can you give us a little time to catch up here? You’ve been ‘Ethan’s wife’ to us for a long time. We didn’t see this coming and—just a little time. Please, honey.”
It was a reasonable request. It even sounded as if Becky might eventually come to terms with their new relationship. But what about Brad? “Of course.”
“Thank you. And you’ll stay?”
It might be a bit uncomfortable, but Maggie wouldn’t deprive them or Zoey of their time together. “We’ll stay.”
Chapter 37
Josh was in dire need of caffeine. He planted his palms in front of his home coffee machine as the brew trickled into the carafe. The morning news faded into the background as he inhaled the robust aroma of his favorite java.
He’d hardly slept last night. His emotions wavered between crushing disappointment over Dad’s reaction and rapturous joy at Maggie’s profession of love. Despite the argument with his parents, he’d gone to sleep with a smile on his face.
He couldn’t believe after all these years of unrequited love, she finally,finally,returned his feelings. It was a day he’d feared would never come. Too good to be true. If he’d known it would only take a heartfelt confession and two weeks of blissful dating, he’d have done it years ago.
But years ago she hadn’t been ready. Not even when they’d kissed that first time. Waiting had been hard, but it was the right thing to do. She was ready to move on now. Ready to move on with him.
And that brought him to his parents. He’d called Maggie late last night, wanting to check on her. He hated leaving her there in the middle of so much tension. But she said she was fine. Relayed her conversation with his mom. Dad had apparently been quiet the rest of the night, but Maggie was optimistic they would come around.
He hoped she was right. At this point he couldn’t even envision a future without her and Zoey. Now that their feelings were mutual, his thoughts fast-forwarded. She’d hinted that she was open to moving to Seabrook. Was it too soon to go there?
Yes. Too soon. He needed to give her a chance to settle into the relationship. Into her feelings. He needed to give his parents time to accept it. Once they did, they would love the idea of Maggie and Zoey moving back to town. That was just the beginning.
Josh wanted to marry her.
But it was definitely too soon for that. He was getting ahead of himself—not to mention Maggie. But he glanced around his house anyway, planting the seed of thought a little deeper. Would she like living here or would she prefer to buy something together? He enjoyed his little ranch with its open floor plan and cozy backyard, but he wasn’t that attached to it. If she wanted to look around, he could be flexible. Who was he kidding? He’d live in a tent in Squire Park if that was what she wanted.
The coffee had stopped brewing and he’d been so busy mooning over his woman he hadn’t noticed. He poured himself a mug and took that first glorious sip of the morning.
As he swallowed, the doorbell rang. It was too early for visitors—the sun was barely up. Maggie would’ve texted him, which left only one possibility.
Barely presentable in a pair of knit shorts and a tee, he set down his coffee and headed for the door. His dad stood on the porch, wearing a sheepish expression, a basketball hooked under his arm.
Josh really needed that coffee. “Good morning.”
“Morning. Thought we might shoot some hoops.”
This was new. “It’s seven o’clock, Dad. And isn’t it the middle of the night in Europe?”
“You said you had a court and no one to shoot with. Here I am.”
He’d mentioned that in passing last night. “Ooo-kay...” Josh opened the door wider. “Guess I’ll get my shoes on. Want some coffee?”
“No, thanks.”
That made one of them. Josh put on his shoes while Dad wandered around the living room, peering at his photos, browsing his bookshelves.
When Josh was ready he stopped by the kitchen, grabbed his mug, and started chugging.Ow, ow, ow.He managed to swallow half, then set down the mug and headed toward the back door. “We can go out this way.”
Dad followed him across the patio and toward the unattached garage, complete with basketball court. Once there, Dad bounced the ball to Josh and he made an easy layup.
