Chapter 30
Maggie
Successful pep talks—1
Experience riding a horse—0
“Um, no. Maybe I could have a quick rundown before we head out?” I pull a pleading face.
I’m talking to Kayley, looking at Kayley, but Hadley replies, “I can give you a rundown before we head out. Be up with the birds, though.”
“That would be great.” I give him a warm smile.
I want to be useful.
I genuinely want to help Hadley and his family. Who, even after a few short days, have grown on me exponentially.
“That’s settled, then. Anything else to note?” Hadley turns to his oldest sister like were in some business boardroom, not at a farmhouse dining table.
She meets his gaze. “Those mortgage payments are coming up again.”
The table goes silent. Hadley’s focus doesn’t leave his sister as she cuts her meat and looks back up at him. “Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away, Hads.”
“I know that.” His grip on his fork tightens.
“Yeah, well, with your salary, we should be able to cover them now,” Kayley continues.
“We will. I have it covered. Anything else?” His gaze snaps to Julie now.
“Oh, no. All good on the home front here.”
I have the sneaking suspicion that even if there was, she would keep it from her son to save him the worry. We finish dinner, chatting away about Nia’s college options, Gemma’s part-time job in town, and the fact that all men are garbage. Which sees Hadley raise an eyebrow at his little sister.
“Except for you, Hads, we love you. Don’t we, Maggie?” Nia turns to me.
My heart ratchets up pace as every person’s gaze swings to me expectantly. Everyone except Hadley. He either doesn’t want to hear it or won’t believe it if it was said.
Honestly, I don’t know where my heart is right now. On the scale of like and love, I’m leaning further toward the latter, butleaningis not there yet.
“Your brother is an exceptional human being, Nia. He’s my favorite cowboy.”
Her mouth gapes a little before she sits up taller. “I like that answer so much better than anything else you could have said.”
Kayley winks at me, and I feel the heat of a blush sear its way through my neck, climbing up my cheeks.
“Well, whatever you call it. We are glad to have you here, Maggie.” Julie grabs my hand and squeezes it.
“Thank you. I just want to be useful.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are many things, but you just being here is more than enough for us.” She gives me a smile that lights up her eyes before her gaze falls to her son.
“Well? Plates, people.” Kayley holds her hands out to take the finished plates.
“Here, let me help you.” I rise, taking my plate and Nia’s.
Kayley and I have the washing-up thing down pat by now, and she dries while I wash. The others make their way to the back porch to cook s’mores and count stars. It sounds lovely.
“Sorry about Nia, she’s a little extra sometimes.” Kayley gives me an apologetic smile.
