Maggie's Mountain (25 page)

“This is crazy, you know that, don’t you?”

His smile became wicked. “No one has ever accused me of being sane.”

She laughed, a soft sound that bubbled from her throat and past the tears. “I’d be insane to say yes without thinking about it.”

“Then we’ll be a matched pair, won’t we?”

Deciding to tease, she tilted her head. “What about a ring?”

“You can pick out the most expensive, ostentatious ring you want.”

She began to shake, knowing she shouldn’t say yes, but also knowing it was impossible to tell him no.

Hale gave her hand a delicate squeeze as he stood. “If you’re worried about the ceremony, you can have it any way you want. It doesn’t have to be lavish…unless that’s what you want. I’d be just as happy to marry you right here, hospital gown and all, as I would to see you coming down the aisle in the world’s biggest dress.”

“No, it’s not that. I know marriage isn’t about the ceremony, it’s about the people.” She swallowed, took a shaky breath, and plucked up her courage. “Yes, Hale, I will marry you.”

His voice boomed with a victorious laugh as he reached for her, intending to haul her into his arms, then caught himself and hugged Jolene instead. Through her laughter Maggie felt her ribs pull and throb, but her joy was better than any medication the doctors could have given her. A moment later he released Jolene, then gently framed Maggie's face with his palms and grinned like a maniac.

“We’re having an engagement party. I want everyone in town to know. I’ll invite Christy from the newspaper; that’ll get the news spread quicker than greased lightning. We’ll do it today—if that’s okay with you? I don’t want to wear you out. I’m sorry, I’m just—” He shrugged, his grin spreading wider.

His joy spread through her like wildfire. It erased most of the physical pain, brought along with it an instinct to grab the happiness and hold on. He wanted the world to know. So did she.

“I think it’s a great plan,” she replied, then smiled when he started to make a verbal list.

“Flowers, food, music…” He turned to look at her friend. “Can we do that in two hours?”

“Better make it four, Romeo,” Jolene interrupted, looking just as crazily blissful as Hale. “The sheriff is still outside, waiting to talk to Maggie. Not to mention, I won’t have my best friend having her engagement party in a hideous green hospital gown. Plus I need to do her hair, and we should find some champagne—sparkling cider for Maggie…”

Hale nodded in agreement. “I’ll wait until Sheriff Powell has what he wants, then I’ll call Trent, the florist shop, and Wilson’s. I’ll grab a quick shower at home. You”—he swung his gaze back to Maggie—“don’t lift a finger. Just lie here and look gorgeous.”

****

It might have been a rushed party, and the bride-to-be might have been propped in a hospital bed, but no one who came could say it wasn’t a happy, beautiful occasion. Hale had obviously cleaned out the florist’s shop; there were arrangements of roses and lilies, irises and daisies, mums and dahlias. Maggie had a pretty corsage, a jaunty mix of dark cornflower, purple posies, and fragile pink peonies, pinned to her delicate lavender chiffon halter top dress. Jolene had performed a miracle, patiently helping her change into her outfit, carefully sweeping her hair into a loose twist, applying a gentle layer of muted make-up to Maggie’s pale skin.

True to his word, Hale had indeed rushed home and come back looking so handsome in his dark pinstripe suit that the female staff could only sigh. He’d been smart enough to choose a sky blue tie to match his boutonnière.

The toasts were numerous, the atmosphere lively; the celebration was only marred by the fact that Cordelia Warrick had chosen not to attend. Maggie tried not to let her absence upset her too much; after all, she couldn’t expect the woman to change her mind overnight, no matter how wonderful that fantasy might be. However, as a concession, her soon to be mother-in-law had sent a small cake. Whether she’d done it for propriety’s sake or as a way of showing a slight bending of her resolve, it didn’t matter to Maggie. The decadent white pastry with pink and red roses was at least a start.

She took a moment to look around, watching her unconventional family as they celebrated. The nurses had unearthed a CD player so that upbeat music played in a soft loop. Jolene had stirred Ben from behind his desk; he now stood and happily clicked away with his camera. Trent was busy flirting outrageously with a pretty redheaded intern. Brian, who had apparently checked on her during the night when she’d been asleep, had come straight from work, if his uniform was any indication. Sheriff Powell had stayed, as well, and was chatting with Brian between sips of soda. And Hale, sweet, kind hearted Hale, had somehow managed to bring Al Mackey. While the older man wasn’t joining in the conversations, there was a definite small tilt on his lips that spoke of a smile.

“Happy?”

Maggie looked up, knew all her emotions were written on her face and understood her new fiancée would keep them, and her heart, safe. “More than I ever thought was possible.”

He raised her hand to study the simple Celtic knot ring he’d put there following his first toast. The three small emeralds set in the front glinted in the harsh fluorescent light.

“This was my grandmother’s,” he said, gazing down at her. “I shouldn’t have been surprised that it fit.”

She touched his cheek with her fingers and tilted her head. “It’s beautiful, Hale. Thank you for giving it to me.”

“She would have liked you, you know. I only got to see her when she came down to visit during Christmas and in the summer. She died when I was thirteen but I can still see her so vividly; sometimes I swear I can hear her voice in my head.” He chuckled at himself. “She would have kicked my rear over the way I treated you when we met again.”

“And she would have had every right,” Maggie replied with mock sternness.

“Ah, but then she would have told me to pin you down, because you’re the only one who’s ever tied me into knots and made me question my mental stability.”

“I guess we’ll just be crazy together, then. I mean, look at what we just did.”

He glanced away, just long enough to take in the handful of revelers, before looking back. “Scared?”

She grinned. “Terrified.”

“Good.” He gave her a hard kiss. “We’re even. Now, if we can just smuggle you out of the hospital…”

Brian leaned close to the bed and shook his head. “Not going to happen, at least not until tomorrow. The doctor said they wanted to give her one more day, just to be sure. Let the woman get some rest before you abduct her.”

“I’m not abducting her. I’m taking her to my family home until she recuperates, and until our cabin is rebuilt.”

So many things struck her at once, that Maggie could feel her head literally spin. “Wait, you’re taking me to
your
house?”

“Well, we can’t go to the cabin, so it…my mother.” He exhaled in understanding.

“I can’t do that to her, Hale,” she insisted. “It’s not fair for me to invade her home. She’s lived there more than half her life, and I don’t want to be the reason she leaves.”

He must have seen the serious intent in her eyes, because he gave a reluctant nod. “You’re right. We won’t stay there.”

“Why don’t you stay at the farm?” Brian suggested. “Hale’s right, the cabin’s a mess, and staying at a hotel for several weeks, away from your work and town, just doesn’t seem convenient or comfortable considering your condition.”

“Mac’s already there,” Maggie pointed out. “And it’s not too far from the cabin. We can stop in and check on the progress.”

Hale kissed her, soft and swift, and smiled. “The farm it is. Hopefully it’ll only take a few weeks to put everything back in order, then we can go back to the cabin.”

Which led Maggie to the other point that had her both bright with joy and utterly confused. “You’re being serious? You want to live in my cabin?”

He frowned irritably. “Is there a problem with that? I figured you’d be happier there, and I’m happy wherever you are. I know you shared it with Chris…I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t think it would bother you to live there with me.”

She was quick with her denial. “No, no, of course I want to be there with you. It’s just, well, I wasn’t sure how
you
felt about living there. You’d be leaving your home, moving into a smaller space….”

“I’ll be with you. And there’s plenty of space up there on your mountain, Maggie. Of course if we have more than two kids, we’ll have to build on.”

Children…the day just kept becoming more bizarre and wonderful.

“But—your home. It’s your family’s home.”

Hale stroked her cheek. “Even if my mother decides to move, Trent is a Warrick, too. He’ll still be there; maybe he’ll be able to find someone to share the house with. Someone he loves as much as I love you.”

“Okay, I’m going to leave you two alone before I go into sugar shock.” Brian slapped Hale on the back and gave Maggie a gentle pat on her knee.

“I think I can talk them into a cot so I can stay with you tonight.” Hale eased down beside her on the bed. “Then tomorrow we can leave, together.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Maggie stood, balancing on her walking cast as she surveyed what was left of the damage of the cabin. Hale, true to his word, had not only taken care of her everyday mail, making sure she got the important pieces and discarded the rest, but he’d also dealt with the insurance paperwork, and taken bids from construction companies. They’d pored over the figures until they had decided on Mason’s Construction, a local company that was just starting out. Today was the first day of work, only five days after the accident. It was also her first foray out of the Warrick farm.

“I still don’t think you should be out like this.”

Maggie sent Hale a disgruntled look as she crossed her arms over her red, cotton clad chest. “I was going stir crazy. If you hadn’t brought me I would have walked.”

Hale shook his head and sighed. “I know, know. You are one gorgeous, stubborn lady.”

As usual, his compliment made her insides turn soft. “I tried to warn you before you proposed, but you were just so headstrong and determined you wouldn’t listen.”

He closed the distance between them, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. “I’m glad I didn’t.”

She tried to fight the smile but lost the battle. “Me, too.”

He kissed her, a thorough melding of mouths that had her fisting her hands in his black shirt. They didn’t stop until the workers began to applaud. He pulled away and tucked her under his arm before waving proudly to the crew.

“If you’re done making a scene,” she teased.

He nodded and helped her move up the ramp and through the front door. When she saw the carnage she felt ill. Even though most of the debris had been cleared out, Maggie knew what parts of her home were missing. The pictures had been salvaged, but the mantel that had been carved by her great-grandfather was completely obliterated. The windows that had framed the fireplace were gone, and the curtains her mother had sewn were tattered, but the glass could be replaced, and she could at least use pieces of her mother’s material in the replacements.

What truly upset her was the mental image of Cordelia lying just out of harmʼs way, and, to be truthful, the idea of Maggie herself crumpled so close to the danger zone. Someone had wanted to harm her. Badly enough that they might well have committed murder. Double murder, in fact. That was the hardest thought of all.

Hale rested a wide, warm palm against the small of her back. “Sweetheart, you okay?”

She took a moment to gather her composure. “I…I’m all right. It’s just…”

He didn’t ask her to finish her thought; instead he ran his hand in small, reassuring strokes up and down her spine. They stood together, quiet as the workers hustled around outside. She knew he was considering the possibilities of what might have happened if not for luck. But there was only so much she was willing to give to whoever was trying to scare her. She toyed with the band on her finger, rubbing the delicate ring with her thumb. The one outcome she was sure the vandals hadn’t expected was her and Hale’s happiness.

Maggie took a cleansing breath and turned to smile at her fiancé. Her fiancé, she thought, and nearly burst with joy. “I love you.”

He turned his head and she saw the fury and fear fade into lines of pleasure. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that.” He kissed her cheek. “I love you, too.”

“Well, let’s get my stuff sorted. We should start in the office.”

He nodded in agreement and held onto her elbow as she moved to the other room. It was all she could do to hold back tears when she saw the mess waiting for her. The reverberation had displaced books, papers, even boxes.

Hale squeezed her arm before he stepped away to upright a chair and motion her to sit. “I’ll do the heavy lifting, you just tell me what to do.”

Half an hour later they were down to the floor, with only a few boxes left scattered in corners. It was then that she realized her mother’s and Chris’s boxes had been victims of the accident, as well. They had been jolted out of the closet that shared a wall with the living area, and had apparently been propelled to the floor before being forced to the far wall.

“Hale, the boxes.”

He looked up at her, then over to where she was pointing. He swore when he saw them, and hurried to drag them over to her. “Got it.”

Two of the containers were missing their tops, so Hale went back to unearth them from a pile of handmade quilts.

Maggie’s heart squeezed in dismay when she realized some of the things were missing. She frantically looked around the room, specifically searching for them. The first thing she found was the box that held Chris’s father’s medals.

She pointed to where the sturdy container sat. “Hale. Over there. The medals.”

Without a word, he picked the box up and brought it to her. “Make sure they’re all there,” he told her, his voice laced with anger.

She began counting them, comparing them to the mental snapshot she held in her mind. Then, as she scooted one over, the inside of the curved top fell and landed on her knuckles.

“What in the world…?” She lifted the red velvet wrapped cardboard as she tipped the box back. “There’s something here.”