“Good morning. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t cook any breakfast. We’re out of most everything. I’m going to run to the store this afternoon and get what we need. But for now you’ll have to make due with cereal or toast. I think we have some fresh fruit, too.”
I was good with a bowl of cereal. It was what I’d lived off of during my two years with Jorie. She hadn’t cooked at all. But she’d also rarely been home. I’d lived alone for the most part.
Brady glanced up at me then went back to reading his paper and eating.
I walked over to Aunt Coralee and laid down the note I’d written about talking to them today. I figured walking down here and announcing we needed to discuss the fact I was talking again would be too much of a surprise. I also wouldn’t get a chance to tell them what I was willing to talk about and what I wasn’t.
I didn’t want to go to a counselor, therapist, shrink— whatever you call them. I’d been to ten of those. None of them had helped me at all. I wasn’t going back, and they needed to know that.
Aunt Coralee read the note then looked up at me with a concerned frown. “Sure, sweetheart. We can talk now if you like,” she said.
Brady jerked his head up and looked back at us. “Talk about what?” he asked.
“Maggie wants to talk to all of us about something,” she said, glancing at him for a moment before looking back at me. “Here, you can use my pen.” She handed me her pen.
I shook my head. Then I pointed to the part in the note that said all three of them.
Her frown deepened. “Okay. Yes. Well, let me go get your uncle Boone. He’s outside, cutting grass.”
She patted my arm and hurried for the door. She wasn’t going to give me much time to get West here. I didn’t try texting him in case he was asleep. I called instead.
He answered on the first ring.
She’s Just Like Her Momma
CHAPTER 40
WEST
Maggie was waiting outside on the porch swing when I pulled up. She’d called me just as I was getting out of the shower. Somehow I’d made it here in ten minutes. My hair had still been wet and I hadn’t been able to find any underwear, but I’d made it.
She stood up from the swing and walked over to the top of the steps. “Hey,” I said, pressing a kiss to her lips. “You ready to do this?”
I could see the anxiety in her eyes when she nodded. I slipped my hand over hers. This time I would be the one holding her up. She’d make it through this. I wouldn’t let go.
“They’re waiting. Brady heard me call you, so he explained that I was waiting on you and I wanted you in on this conversation. But I think I’ve worried them. Brady knows, but Aunt Coralee and Uncle Boone look really concerned.”
I tilted my head toward the door. “Let’s go do this, then. I’ll be right there the whole time.”
She gave me a relieved smile, and my heart thudded against my chest. She made me feel things I’d never felt before. Things I wanted more of. Things I didn’t want to live without.
I followed her inside and, sure enough, all three Higgenses were sitting in the living room, waiting. Brady was the only one who was relaxed and looked bored. His parents were on the edges of their seats. There was a note pad and a pencil on the table in front of Coralee. I wondered if she’d brought that for this discussion.
Maggie walked to stand in front of them all, and I squeezed her hand. She could do this. I’d make sure she could.
“I want to talk again,” she said in a soft voice that startled both her aunt and uncle. I’d never seen Boone’s eyes get so wide.
“I want to be a part of this family. I’m ready for that. But I need you to understand something,” she said to them, then glanced at me. Her hand was still tucked inside mine, and I nodded to reassure her. “I don’t want to talk about . . . that day. I don’t want to talk about him. I don’t want to talk to a therapist. I do want to talk about my mom. Good memories. I like thinking about her, and I’ve talked about her with West a lot. He listens, but I’d like to share memories with other people who knew her and loved her. But the rest . . . I can’t. I stopped talking to protect myself. From me and from everyone else. It’s how I survived.” She stopped and waited.
Coralee stood and tears welled up in her eyes. “We won’t make you talk about anything you don’t want to, Maggie. I promise you that. I’m just—” She let out a small sob. “It’s good to hear your voice again,” she finally said before covering her mouth and letting out another sob.
Maggie’s shoulders eased some. That was what she’d needed to hear.
Boone looked at me then back at Maggie. “I reckon he’s who got you to talk. He needed you, and you knew you could help him, so you talked. Sounds like something your momma would have done.” He moved his attention back to me. “She’s just like her momma. Special, kind, sweet. But strong, too. She’s survived a lot. And if this,” he said, pointing at the two of us, “is more than friendship now, then you be sure you’re ready to cherish her. You hurt her, and I’ll hurt you. Don’t care who you are.”
He was protecting her. Like a father. Like her father should be doing. I’d always liked Boone Higgens, but he’d just climbed a notch in my eyes. He was being the father Maggie needed. The one she’d been given had destroyed her life. Now Boone was going to protect it.
I nodded. “Yes, sir. I know how special she is. I would never hurt her. I swear.”