Chapter 26
Maggie
Being an only child has neglected to prepare me for many things in this world. The most obvious one, right now, would be the ability to cope with the burst of squeals when Hadley and I walk through the front door of the homestead for supper.
His mom is working on something in the kitchen and gives us a big wave and a smile. Hadley rests one crutch against the wall and grabs some meat before heading out the back door on the remaining crutch.
“Oh Hads, I can do that,” his mother calls after him, her face falling with a frown.
Gemma and Nia are bombarding me with questions about my work. ‘Living in a legit National Park,’ their words, not mine. And what it’s like to live with Hadley on the road.
“Ah, I don’t live with Hadley. We’re road trip buddies.”
The two girls exchange a conspiratorial look and slide off their counter stools. Despite being nineteen and twenty-one, they still feel like teenagers. Well, maybe not Gemma so much. But definitely Nia. I guess it comes with being the youngest of four?
I wouldn’t know.
“Maggie, sit, you’re our guest,” Julie says as I move to help with the salad she’s making.
“Oh, I can help. Put me to work.”
“Yes, I have heard you’re here to help.” A smile grows over her face. “You’re more than welcome here any time.”
“Thank you. You have a lovely home, and the ranch is amazing.”
“My son works himself to the bone over this old place. It’s been in my family for three generations. I think that’s somewhat of a motivator for him.”
“I bet it is.” I chuckle. “The cows and calves looked well.”
“Oh, you went with. Good. He could use the company.” She winks as she picks up a large bowl full of the finished salad and moves to the table, placing it in the center. The table is set with a white tablecloth and what I assume is the good cutlery and plates that have cloth napkins rolled on the top of them. It looks simple but beautiful.
Something hits the floor outside, followed by a curse.
“That’s my cue.” I slide from the counter stool and walk out the back door, Julie’s gaze following me all the way.
I find Hadley bending over. A few sausages have rolled over the floor. He’s struggling to grab them with his crutch at an awkward angle.
“Need a hand, cowboy?”
I bend down and pluck up the sausa?—
“Shit!” It drops from my hand, my fingers still burning. I suck on the burned finger.
“They’re hot, careful.” His gaze swings up to mine. Kicking the sausages off the porch, he closes in. “Show me.”
“It’s fine. It’s just a hot sausage.”
The ridiculous words have a cackle spilling from my lips. Hadley runs a hand through his hair, grin growing over hishandsome face. “Sunshine, you can’t say that shit around me and expect to live to tell the tale.”
That does it. I double over, hysterics twisting my stomach painfully.
I straighten, pressing a hand over my mouth, and tears course down my face. Hadley is laughing at me laughing. As the sound peters out, I move into his space. “Noted, no sausage talk.”
A painful huff slips through my lips.
“Now you’ve done it,” he whispers, hauling me into him.
Oh... I have. His hard length presses into my stomach.
