Safe in the Fireman's Arms. Tina Radcliffe

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Two

      Maggie reached for her denim jacket and headed outside, where Susan waited at the curb in a gleaming, red convertible sports car. Her husband, Al, owned a new-car dealership in Monte Vista and humored his wife by letting her test-drive a vehicle every now and again. Maggie pulled open the door and slid in.

      She looked over at Susan, who wore a bright red halter sundress, the exact shade of her car, and a wide-brimmed straw hat. Then she glanced down at her own jeans and beige scoop-neck top. “I’m underdressed.” The words were a dour admission.

      “No worries.” Susan smiled. “We’ll get you into my boutique this week and liven up your wardrobe.”

      Maggie mustered a weak smile.

      “Any problems with the house?” Susan asked.

      “No. It’s perfect. I’ve already planted herbs. I’ve got a spot along the fence where I’m going to set up my hives, and next week I’ll start planning my garden.”

      “Wait a minute. Back up. Hives? As in bees?”

      “Yes. I’ve ordered two honey-bee boxes.”

      “Bees. Okay.” Susan shook her head. “Bees aside, how is the house itself? There’s not much furniture in there.”

      “Enough for me. Right now, I’m just grateful it was available.”

      “Truly a God thing,” Susan said. “We nearly sold the place, but the deal fell through at the last minute.”

      “I’m very grateful to you and Al for letting me rent it from you.”

      “I don’t want your money. You’re family.”

      “I need to pay my way, Susan.”

      “Fine for now, Mags, I’m just thrilled to have you back in Paradise,” Susan said.

      Maggie shook her head. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you and your folks and Paradise until this week.”

      “Well, it’s awfully sweet of you to give Daddy the chance to go fishing. This is his best birthday present ever. Not many people would dare to take on a shop that fixes everything from bicycles to computers.”

      “Eclectic. Not unlike me. It makes perfect sense for me to run the shop, and I really enjoy it.”

      She did, and she loved taking things apart and repairing them. In a perfect world she’d hang out at the shop on a regular basis. Unfortunately her bank account didn’t agree. A real job was her next priority.

      She wasn’t going to think about the one she’d quit in Denver, nor her recent and depressing past. Not today. Today was Saturday and another day toward the future. A future she would choose. Not her parents.

      They drove down the main drag of Paradise, toward the outskirts of town, where the ballpark and the new fairgrounds waited.

      “Where am I volunteering?” Maggie asked, taking in the view of the tall conifers that lined the road.

      “The bait shop.”

      Maggie shot straight up in her seat. “The bait shop? Of all the places to volunteer, you pick the bait shop? I don’t know anything about fishing.”

      “Think, Maggie. Where will all the men be? Where they sign up for their fishing license, of course.”

      “Yes. Of course. No-brainer.” Maggie nodded. “What I don’t understand is why you think I care? I only just recently got rid of a man. I am not looking for another.”

      “Margaret Jones, are you going to sit there and tell me you didn’t find Jake MacLaughlin to be the best-looking man you have ever set your eyes upon.”

      “What does he have to do with this conversation?” Maggie sputtered.

      “Answer my question.”

      “Oh, he’s handsome, all right, if that’s what you’re asking.”

      “I thought so.” Susan released a satisfied smile.

      “You’re married. Why are you looking?”

      “I’m merely prescreening the field as my duty to you.”

      Maggie released an unladylike snort.

      “You never know,” Susan continued, “Jake could be your one.”

      “One what?”

      “The one.”

      “Susan, I already met the one, and as it turned out he was only interested in me because of the potential for a tenure recommendation from my parents.”

      “That man was one loser. You were smart to run.”

      “Tell that to my parents, who are no doubt, right this moment, returning several dozen wedding presents.”

      Susan shrugged. “So the timing wasn’t the best.”

      An understatement. Maggie sighed, recalling the hefty check she’d sent her parents to cover the cost of the last-minute wedding cancellations.

      “Let’s focus on the positive.” Susan reached over and patted Maggie on the arm. “Lucky for you, Al and Daddy won’t be back for another nineteen days. I can devote all my extra time to helping you.”

      Maggie slouched down against the hand-stitched, leather bucket seats. “Save me, Lord,” she mumbled as Susan СКАЧАТЬ