Lauraine Snelling (31 page)

A knock came at the door the same time as the phone rang. She picked up the phone and punched the green button while she made her way to the door. “Hello?”

“This is Gil.”

“Just a minute.” She opened the door to see Eddie and Bonnie. She beckoned them in and responded to the phone. “Yes?”

“Number one: are you all right? Number two: are you coming up for dinner?”

She glanced at the clock. “Yes to both. Sorry, time got away from me. Eddie is here. We’ll be right up.” She clicked off and nodded to the boy. “That was your dad.”

“He was worried about you. Me too.” He ducked his head, then looked up at her again. “I’m sorry I asked you that question.”

Maggie squatted down so they were eye level. “You did a good thing asking me that. A very good thing. Remember, I had the choice to answer or not. It was time that I answered.”

Eddie leaned forward, arms wide. The hug they shared made Maggie’s eyes leak again. “I don’t ever want to make you sad,” he murmured into her ear.

“I think you helped some of the sadness go away. You and Breaking Free.”

“And my dad?”

“Yes, and Maria.”

Bonnie nosed her way in between them and licked Maggie’s wet cheek. “And Bonnie too.”

Eddie chuckled and laid his cheek on Bonnie’s head. “She doesn’t like people to be sad.”

Maggie wiped her eyes with the heel of her hands. “Let’s go eat.” For the first time in a long time, like years, Maggie was hungry—and looking forward to a meal. The three of them ambled back up to the house, Bonnie, nose to the ground, stopping to sniff something with great determination, then charging ahead of them, long ears flapping, tail twirling in a circle behind her.

Gil was grilling and Maria carrying a tray with the side dishes on it when the trio walked onto the patio. “Perfect timing. The swordfish is just about done.” He glanced at Maggie. “You ever had swordfish before?” He studied her face, as if searching for answers. He must have found something for he nodded and smiled.

“Not that I can remember.”

“Then you are in for a treat. Maria made mango salsa, and I’ve been using lemon butter. This will be supreme.”

After the delicious dinner—she did like swordfish with mango salsa—Eddie asked, “Dad, when my mother was here the other day, she invited me to come visit her. I don’t have to, do I?”

“No, you don’t have to.”

“I don’t think she really likes Freebee. Or Bonnie either. She called Bonnie ‘Molly’.”

“She never was much of an animal lover.”

Maggie watched Gil for any signs of fear or worry. For some reason, she felt really sure that he didn’t want Sandra around any more than Eddie did. But Maria’s flashing eyes said there was far more to this story than was being discussed at the moment. Should she ask her or wait for Gil to tell her? Most likely, it was no business of hers at all.

That night Maggie slept without nightmares or restless legs and feet for the first time in so many nights she couldn’t remember. She woke to birds singing and tucking her hands under her head, just lay in bed. The blinds couldn’t keep out the sun, sending narrow lines across the comforter. Glancing at the clock she saw the 7:30. She’d not slept so late since the day she’d been bound over to the jailers. She inhaled the rich scent of vanilla from the air freshener Maria had given her for her new quarters. She’d not noticed it before. Did tears no longer clog her nose?

Throwing back the covers, she headed for the bathroom and took a fast shower. One of these days she’d stand under this shower until she drained the hot water tank. But not today—today she and Eddie would give Breaking Free a bath. Perhaps Gil would like to help again. Her mind leaped back to her days at the stable and the water fights when she and the other teens who worked there washed the horses. Old white Silver once took the hose and soaked them all. If horses could laugh, he’d been roaring that day. She stared in the mirror and really looked at her face for the first time in—in forever, winked and after promising to buy some more makeup one of these days, dressed, and headed out to the barn.

Breaking Free didn’t bother to nicker. He whinnied and banged the stall door with an impatient front hoof.

“I know, you’re hungry and I’m late.” She patted his nose and rubbed between his eyes, then made for the feed room. Carrots from the fridge in her pocket, a can of feed and a thick flake of hay in her hands, she hurried back. His nickering made morning music. What would it be like to have another horse here?
One day
, she promised herself,
one day I will adopt a horse from Los Lomas
. A thought shocked her.
Maybe I should go visit Kool Kat. Would they let me go visit the barn and look for a horse there? What if Gil does get another horse? Will he go there or look in the ads? What kind of horse would be good for him?
The thoughts flashed through her head, as if they too had been confined for too long. Dreaming was a new adventure.

That evening, after what she might have called a perfect day had she taken time to make an observation, she could hear Gil working in his office right next to her ear since his computer desk took up the same wall as her recliner. She liked the sound of his keyboard, but when he dropped something heavy, she jumped. So much for reading. She filled the coffeepot and leaned against the counter in her kitchen while she waited. When the machine beeped, she poured two mugs and took them out the door using her little finger to ring his doorbell.

“Come in.”

Clutching both handles in one hand, she opened the door and entered. Papers everywhere.

“Looks like it snowed in here.”

“And you brought leaded, I hope.”

“Sorry, no. I prize my head too much.”

“Maria wouldn’t notice—she’s so befuddled with this
simple
wedding, she started the day with mismatched shoes.” He reached for the coffee and shoved some papers out of the way to find a coaster.

“So, you’ve ordered the cake and flowers?”

“She ordered them, and I paid the bill. That way she got what she wanted.”

Maggie took the chair he pointed at after removing a couple of books to join a stack on the floor. “Is this preparation for a speech or . . . ?”

“I’m working on this book proposal. I thought I could just use the information from my presentations, but somehow it all got more complicated.” He leaned back in his chair and inhaled the coffee aroma, watching her over the rim of the cup. “Have I told you how much I enjoy your smile?”

Maggie paused in mid sip. While her face was still getting used to the new exercise, she flashed him a small smile. “It feels good. Thank you. Really it is thanks to Eddie.”

“He felt terrible for making you cry.”

“I know, but it was a good thing. And I told him so.” She looked around at the mess. “Could you use some help?”

“I wish. I’ve never done something like this before. See that stack of books?”

She nodded. Far as she could tell, the stack would fall over with the slightest breath.

“Those are about writing a book or a book proposal.”

“I see.” She glanced at the titles. “Solid reading.”

“Good for holding the carpet in place or as an end table for your coffee cup.”

“Too precarious.”

“I have to be out of town again before the horse show.”

“But you’ll be back when?”

“On Friday. I’ve already talked it over with Eddie.” He stacked some papers together. “Do you think he’s ready?”

Maggie was more concerned about Breaking Free than Eddie. “I’d hoped this week we could work them with another horse or two in the arena.”

“What about Monday?” He pushed some papers off the desk calendar. “Nope, I can’t do that then. I’ll be in LA for the day.”

The look he gave her zeroed into her middle.
Come on, Roberts, he’s just trying to figure out a schedule
. How easy it was to be in the same room with him now, especially this one. “You made this room comfortable so easily.”

“Thank you. I need good working surroundings.” He motioned to the wall behind her. “Eddie and company make for good decorations.”

“I’d get the pictures taken and developed and then never framed.” She found several in that stage when she unpacked her boxes. The framed pictures she had of Charlie were her meager decorations. She had more to go. She could feel his gaze upon her, as if he’d touched her. She pushed herself to her feet. “I better go and let you get your writing done.” She reached for his coffee mug, and her fingers touched his as he handed it to her. She felt a jolt of electricity. Most likely she was just imagining things. “Night.” Was she running away? Definitely.

Her phone rang as she set the cups in the sink. Who could be calling at this time of night? “Hello?”

“Maria is making something special for breakfast so how about joining us?”

His voice sent a charge up her spine. “I guess so.”

“Eight thirty, and I’ve promised Eddie I’d go to church with them. We’d like you to come too.”

“I, ah, I guess.”

“Night.”

Maybe she wasn’t imagining things.

THIRTY

Y
ou going to church with us?” Maria asked.

“Uh, well, I don’t have any church clothes.” Maggie glanced down at her T-shirt and jeans.

“They wear anything these days.” Gil glanced up from his waffle.

“They might, but I don’t.” Maggie caught the disappointment in Eddie’s eyes. “Sorry. Maybe next Sunday.”

“You going, Dad?”

“Of course.” He caught Maggie’s gaze and grinned at her. “And then I have a surprise for you all, so be ready, we’ll swing back here and pick you up.”

“A surprise?” Eddie leaned forward. “Tell me.”

“If I tell you, then it won’t be a surprise.”

Clothes shopping was a must. Maggie spent the time with Breaking Free, then changed into clean clothes when she figured they would be home again. Gil sure had been insistent that she go along for the surprise.

Maria sat in the back of the van, and she and Eddie spoke Spanish to each other as they drove toward town. When Gil swung into a trailer lot, Maggie had a pretty good idea what the surprise was. Sure enough, he parked next to a horse trailer that had a changing room in the front.

“Wow, Dad, did you buy this one?”

“One like it. Four horse, instead of two.”

“Four horse?”

“Just thought we might as well be prepared. Easier to buy the extra size now than turn one in later.” He stepped from the van and waited for the others to join him. “You think this will be all right? I’ll pick ours up on Tuesday before I leave so we’ll have it for the show or use it to haul Breaking Free over to Rescue Ranch.” He turned to Maggie. “Have you ever driven a trailer before?”

She shook her head. “No. And I don’t have a driver’s license, remember?”
Besides which, you said if I ever drove one of your vehicles, you’d send me down the road.

“Right. But that might change.”

Don’t count on it
. She turned to the trailer. While she’d seen fancier, this one was more than adequate for what they wanted. Perhaps he was thinking of getting a horse for himself after all. “Have you ever driven with a horse trailer before?”

He shook his head. “But I’ve driven with other trailers. Backing it up will take some practice.”

Maria came out of the living quarters. “Very nice.” She smiled at Eddie. “Will make it easy for you.”

On the way home they stopped for Eddie’s favorite treat, milk shakes at the B & R with a dish of vanilla for Bonnie. Watching her chase the dish around made Eddie laugh. Maggie looked from dog to boy and then at Gil. She’d read about hearts turning over and thought it a bit over the top. But the look in his eyes did something to her midsection. A slow smile made the edges of his eyes crinkle. She felt the muscles tugging at the corners of her lips. Her face felt soft and pliable, like it might melt—just like her insides.

Her fingers itched to reach out and take his hand. What would it feel like? It had been so long since she’d deliberately touched a man’s hand. Last night’s finger brushing didn’t count. She’d not counted the time one of the OCs grabbed her arm to hustle her away from a fight. A fight she’d not started and he’d finished. But Gil had touched her back several times and helped her out of the truck in Long Beach. He’d leaned across her to help her buckle her seat belt when her fingers refused to comply. Were those only the polite touches of a considerate man? If so, someone forgot to tell her nerves. They remembered each touch, each near brush of his arm against hers in passing.

She sipped her drink and watched the scenery go by. Prison life seemed like another world, far away and never to be revisited again.

“Now, I’ll be back on Friday,” Gil promised as he loaded his bag in his car on Wednesday. “Call me if there is anything, you have my speaking schedule.”

“I know,” Maggie said with a nod.

“I hate to be going away right now, but it’s been booked for so long.”

“We’ll be fine.”

He started to get in the car but instead turned back, strode up to her, hugged her close, and left for the car again. No words, just a look that set her heart to hammering. She waved good-bye and watched him drive away. Was he possibly thinking and feeling some of the same things she was?

On Thursday after school, she and Eddie were just finishing up his riding time when Sandra drove up to the barn, parking with a spurt of gravel. Bonnie woofed her warning bark and stayed by Eddie, rather than going to greet the newcomer.

Sandra got out of her car and waved, then dug something out of her purse and came on over. “Hi, Eddie, I hear you have a big show on Saturday.”

With Maggie’s help, Eddie swung into his wheelchair and rode down the ramp from the mounting block. “Hello.”

“So, what time is your class?”

“I—I’m not sure.” He glanced to Maggie for support.

She could tell by the look on his face that he did not want his mother to come to the show and was only trying to be polite. “We haven’t seen the program for the day yet. This is Eddie’s first show.”

“Oh, I am so excited. I can’t wait to see this.”

Maggie tried to figure out what to say. Did Gil know his ex-wife was planning on being at the show? “Does Gil know you were coming out to visit today?”