maybe it could be a place to start?”
“But that’s not the point, is it? My friend, you, who knew how things were between my father and me, told him where to find me.”
“He already knew where to find you, Fin. It’s not like we’re in the North Pole or anything.” She went for a little humor in the hopes he’d smile. He didn’t; if anything, his scowl grew darker. “Is it so wrong that I wanted you to speak to him? Wanted you to heal that anger inside you?”
“This is the real world, Maggie. You don’t meddle in that kind of shit. It’s up to me if I speak to him. The outcome may have been good, but it could just as well have ended badly. My morning walks are mine, damn you! I don’t share them.”
“Okay, so let me get this straight. It turned out that the talk with your father went okay, but you’re still pissed with me because I sent him to the trails when you were doing your morning man ritual?” Her anger started to simmer. What the hell was his problem?
“You had no right!” He jabbed a finger at her.
“So what? I’ve violated some code of friend loyalty because I wanted to stop you hurting?”
“I’m not hurting,” he gritted out.
“Don’t bullshit me, Findlay Hudson. You hide it well behind that easygoing manner, but you hurt. Something like that leaves scars.”
“You don’t know shit!” She’d never seen him angry, not mean angry, and had it directed at her. But Maggie had never been the type to back away; that wasn’t starting now.
“I know that you were all righteous when you realized I’d kept the shooting to myself. Pissed off because you care and thought I needed you. Someone to hold me, talk me through what was going on inside me.”
“It’s different and not small. How would you feel if I told the gunman where to find you?”
“I-I…” her words fell away as suddenly she realized just what she’d done to him. How in his eyes, she’d betrayed him.
“You gave him an all-access pass to me and there was nothing I could do about it, damn you!”
“I’m sorry,” Maggie whispered.
“I don’t want to speak to you right now.” His hands were braced on the counter, eyes on the wall.
Turning, she went back to the bedroom. Dressing, she stuffed her clothes into her bag. She could feel the tears, feel the pain settling on her chest. Hated that the emotional side of her was about to let loose and she’d be crying like a baby in minutes. She needed to get out of here now. Leaving the bedroom, she made for the front door.
She was outside seconds later.
“Wait, Maggie. I’ll drive you.”
Ignoring Fin, she kept walking. Head down, putting one foot in front of the other. Of course, he may be angry and hurt by what she’d done, but he’d still want to make sure she was safe. That was the kind of man he was, always thinking about the other people in his life.
“Damn it, Maggie. Wait!”
The sound of a car had her turning. It was Joe. She didn’t stop to think, just ran to the passenger side and wrenched the door open.
“Take me home, Joe. Please.”
He looked from her to the large, angry man standing a few feet away as she climbed in. He then threw the pickup into reverse and backed out of the driveway.
“You want to explain to me what the hell that was about and why I’m driving you away from one of the best men I know?”
It was warm, as the heater was pumping out hot air, but Maggie was shivering.
“No.”
“Try again.” He drove past her driveway to his.
“I want to go home, Joe.”
“Tough.” He turned off at the ranch driveway and kept going until he pulled up outside his and Bailey’s house. Getting out, he rounded the hood, then opened her door and hauled her out.
“In you go.” He placed a hand against her back and urged her forward and into the house. They found Bailey in the living area, playing the piano.
She had her hair in a tail, wore jeans and a sweater. On her lap was Benjamin, who seemed mesmerized by the sounds his mother was making. Maggie watched Joe walk to stand behind his wife. Bending, he kissed the top of her head, placing a hand on his son’s curls.
She could never capture the absolute love in that scene even if she was a famous artist. The sheer