“I look like a giant vanilla cupcake with sprinkles!” Dani yelled from the dressing room. “I’m not wearing it!” Maggie rolled her eyes heavenward in the private, oversized waiting area at Patsy’s Bridal Boutique. She had chosen a dozen dresses for Dani to try on and this was number 11. Her best friend had vetoed every one. “Just come out and let us see!” With her slim figure, alabaster skin and riot of red curls, her bestie looked good in everything. Maggie knew, however, finding the perfect wedding dress was going to be a challenge given Dani’s preference for scrubs and casual clothes. She heard what could only be described as a growl from Dani as the door to the dressing room was held open by the saleswoman, who slinked out like a beaten down dog. Dani marched past her to the little stage in front of the large three–way mirrors like a soldier going off to war. She stood there glaring at her entourage.Maggie held her hand up to her mouth, discreetly covering the smile trying to brea
Zane and Maggie enjoyed their food and talked of inconsequential things for the next half hour. Zane could feel the tense muscles in his neck and shoulders relaxing. He had obviously made the right decision to come here. He finally sat back in his chair and dropped his napkin on the table. “I’m stuffed! I don’t know how you aren’t round as a bowling ball being around food like this all the time.”Maggie giggled. “Oh you! Honestly, this is the first thing I’ve had since a cup of coffee this morning. I’m running around here all day. If you hadn’t come in, I probably wouldn’t have eaten until I got home.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Occupational hazard.”“Well, I’m glad then that….” Zane started then stopped as a shadow loomed over their table. “Hey, JT. Great burgers, man.” Zane stuck out a hand to Maggie’s brother to shake. JT paused two long beats before grudgingly taking it. Zane noticed the hesitation but decided to ignore it. JT had been affable enough when they had met that after
Two Months ago“Dani!” Maggie cried, seeing her oldest friend sitting in her café, Common Grounds. She ran across the room with her arms outstretched dodging tables and patrons alike.Maggie held Dani at arms’ length and looked her up and down. “You haven’t changed a bit! I can’t believe you’re finally here in my place! It’s been killing me to know you were in town and not seeing you, but I know how busy you’ve been with Miss Lu. Did Eustace get the King Ranch casserole we sent?”“He did and I’m lucky I got a bite! And I’m sorry about not getting in here sooner, Maggie, truly. I’ve wanted to get by but once I get done helping to take care of Aunt Lu at the hospital all day, I’ve only had enough energy to go fall into bed.” Dani hugged her friend again. “Now that she’s getting close to being released, I hope we can get together for a girls’ night soon.”“Anytime, Dani, anytime.” Maggie turned her beaming smile toward the man sitting with her friend at the table. He had sandy blonde hai
Zane stared out his office window, the scans pulled up on his computer forgotten. He was replaying his lunch with Dani’s intriguing friend, Maggie. A sweet name for a sweet girl. No, that wasn’t right. She definitely wasn’t a girl. She was all woman. He couldn’t seem to get his mind off of her even though she was nothing like the women he was usually attracted to. She was petite and curvy with shining chestnut hair. Her eyes were warm like melted chocolate, and he got lost in that shy gaze when she had turned it his way. He had enjoyed just watching her move around the café, taking care of everyone with grace. He could tell she liked looking after her friends and that made it seem effortless. No one even had to ask for anything because Maggie was always there, ready with whatever you wanted before you asked. He bet she was like that in her personal life, too. Maybe that was it. The women he had dated up to now were in it for what they could get out of him, whether that be from his wa
Maggie made her way quickly to the door of the café when she heard a noise like someone was trying to kick it in. The café wasn’t open yet and she had been in the back prepping silverware and menus for the tables. When she looked through the glass, she saw a huge bouquet of pink roses in a large crystal vase standing on a pair of skinny legs in holey jeans and black Chuck Taylors. “Well, what in the world?” she mumbled as she opened the door. With the tinkling of the bell, the flowers suddenly grew a head.“Hi there, Maggie!”“Junior? Junior Garcia, is that really you?” Maggie asked, her eyes wide. “Last time I saw you, I was babysitting you and now you’re all grown up!”Junior’s tawny skin bloomed pink. “Uh, yeah. A little. I think I was 10 when you and Cheri graduated. I’m delivering flowers for Mr. Anderson while I’m home on break. His regular delivery guy broke his leg on a skateboard, so no driving.”“Well come on in! Here, you can just put those down on the counter. They look h
A little over an hour later, thanks to his lead foot and his ever-growing need to see her, Zane arrived at Common Grounds. He smiled widely as the little bell tinkled over his head announcing his arrival and he saw Maggie at the back of the cafe. Her back was to him and she was talking animatedly with a table full of customers. She was wearing a pink sweater set, linen pants and her ubiquitous pearls. He gave a wave to Sofia, their waitress, who had started toward him. He put a finger to his lips requesting silence. Sofia nodded and smiled, veering off to another table. Once Maggie had finished and stepped away from the table, he quietly came up behind her, grabbed her hand and spun her into his chest where he trapped her in a big hug. She gasped and started to push him away but broke into a wide grin when she recognized him. “Zane! What are you doing here?” she asked as she placed her palms flat against his chestZane grabbed a quick kiss on the cheek, unable to wait any longer to
The next morning Maggie was ready early. She sat on her knees on her sofa looking out the front window waiting for Zane to drive up. I’m acting like a teenager! Maggie laughed at herself. It had been a long time since she had been excited to see a man and living in such a small town, well, to be honest, the pickings were slim even if she had been inclined to date. Just as she was about to go check her makeup in the mirror for the thousandth time that morning, she heard a deep, rumbling sound coming down the street. Her eyes widened as a black motorcycle came to a stop in front of her house.“Oh, my!” she breathed, looking at all the chrome and black on the bike.The rumble brought JT out from the kitchen. “What the hell is that?” he demanded.Maggie’s mouth quirked up in a grin as she saw Zane’s face as he took off his helmet. ”That is apparently my ride, brother mine,” She bounced a little on her knees in excitement before heading for the door to welcome Zane. She threw the door ope
Maggie couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. She had never imagined that riding on the back of a Harley could be so exciting. The vibration of the bike and having her arms wrapped around Zane’s lean, muscular torso all morning had her completely worked up. She had to fight to keep from letting her hands explore his chest under the leather jacket he wore. The scent of him in her nose while she was pressed tight to his back made her half crazed by the time they stopped for lunch. Zane pulled off into an area in the country that looked somewhat familiar, but she wasn’t sure as they had been riding for so long around highways and backroads alike. Reluctantly, she let go of him and let him help her off the bike. While she was removing her helmet, she saw him pulling a small cooler out of one of the saddlebags.“Were you a boy scout?” she joked. Normally she was the one who always came prepared for anything. She felt rather discombobulated just standing there with nothing to do.Zane’s mout