Never Tell Your Dreams (20 page)

Even through his confusion with the situation, she
still looked beautiful. And he hated himself for thinking it.

###

Maggie could feel him staring at her out of the
corner of her eye. She kept herself busy by doodling on her paper. She knew how
Patricia operated. It always began with legal jargon that no one understood. It
was Patricia’s way to confuse everyone involved and somehow talk them into
whatever she wanted.

Unfortunately, Maggie didn’t have anything to offer
but a piece of property on the other side of town, and then she didn’t know who
it belonged to. She was hoping Mitch had found out, but surely he would’ve
called her if there was any good news.

Maggie looked over at Mitch, and offered a warm
smile. He glared at her. Suddenly she felt weak and vulnerable in his face of
anger. She’d been on Mitch’s bad side before, but it never stung until now. He
turned away from her.

“So, if you could just sign on the dotted line, all
of this can be over.” Patricia stuck the document in front of Hazel. “And I can
get back to real business in New York.”

“Don’t touch that, Granny.” Maggie stood up, took
the paper, and proceeded to leave the office. “Mitch, I need to see you and
Granny out here.”

She heard the scooting of chairs behind her as she
left the room. When the door behind her clicked, she turned around to find
Hazel in tears, and Mitch with his arms crossed across his chest.

“Oh, my. She is a nasty woman.” Susie sat behind her
desk chewing on a pen top. “Nervous habit.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Maggie punched
Mitch in the chest with her finger. “Is this how the Mayor operates?”

Maggie stepped back when she saw Mitch’s jaw clinch.

“The mayor is supposed to hear all sides of the
argument…” Mitch was interrupted by Hazel.

“I think it’s over. I’ll just sign the papers.”
Hazel sighed deeply.

“It’s far from over.” Mitch pulled the blue paper
deed out of his pants pocket. “I found out who owns the property on the other
side of town, and he wants to offer it to the outlet mall instead of your
farm.”

“Mitch!” Maggie threw her arms around him. It was
the best news she’s heard all year. “Who is it?”

Her arms flung from around his head when he pushed
her away.

“Maggie, this is a place of business, not a high
school debate team.” His words were cold and calculating, sending knives into
her heart.

“But, Mitch, this is great news.” Maggie stepped
back giving him some room. Maybe she was wrong about Mitch. Maybe he had turned
into a man she really didn’t know.

“Oh, Mitchell.” Hazel and Mitch embraced, while
Maggie stood on the sidelines.

“Who is it Mitch?” Susie whispered, making sure no
one could hear her in the other room.

“When I was meeting with Maggie the other day, and
she pointed out the land, I vaguely remember something from the reading of my
mother’s will about a piece of property that she owned.” Mitch held the deed
out for Maggie to take.

She quickly glanced through the two page document.

“You own it?” She hesitated with bafflement. Trying
to wrap her head around it, she asked, “Does this mean that we can go in there
with the proposed plan we came up with yesterday?”

“Mitch, this means that you will make everyone in
Grandberry Falls happy.” Susie wrapped her arms around Mitch’s neck, sending a
ping of jealously through Maggie.

“Hold on.” Maggie gently unwrapped Susie’s arms from
around Mitch. “Patricia might not go along with this, but it is something they
have done before.”

“Hazel?” Mitch looked at Hazel. “Is this what you
want? Do you want to save the farm? Or do you want the money?”

Everyone stood there in silence waiting for Hazel to
answer.

“Maggie, are you planning on staying in Grandberry
Falls?” There was determination in Hazel’s face to get the answer out of
Maggie, as if the answer depended on Maggie returning to Grandberry Falls for
good.

“Yes.” Maggie took Hazel by the hands, and her
features became more animated. “Yes. This is my home. And if the County
Attorney position is still open, I’d like to apply for it.”

She turned to Mitch, waiting for a response.

“How does Grady feel about this?” Mitch’s curt voice
lashed out at her.

“Grady?” Hazel seemed shocked to hear his name.

“Yes, Grady.” Mitch confirmed, still staring at
Maggie.

“Grady has nothing to do with me.” The situation had
become clear as Maggie realized that Mitch
did
see them at the Trembling
Cup yesterday.

“It didn’t seem that way to me when I saw you two
holding hands and smiling at the Trembling Cup yesterday.” Mitch’s nostrils
flared with fury.

“And what about Wendy?” Maggie shot back, and held
her ring finger in the air. “Don’t we need to consult with your fiancé? We all
know that I’m not engaged.”

Maggie couldn’t hold it any longer. Mitch still
hadn’t told her about the engagement being called off and he wanted to know all
about Grady, so it was a fair question to ask.

“Grady?” Hazel plopped down in the chair with her
head in her hands.

“Excuse me, but have we all forgotten about the evil
queen in the other room.” Susie pointed toward the conference room door. “Can
we take care of all of this later?”

“Granny,” Maggie bent down the best she could in the
tight skirt to get on Hazel’s level. “Grady came back to tell me why he didn’t
go through with the wedding. And as much as you hate him, he did me a favor.”

“Uh. I want to hear this.” Mitch leaned against the
desk.

“As a matter of fact, he couldn’t go through with
the wedding because he could tell that my heart and soul were here in
Grandberry Falls. He said that he didn’t want to see me unhappy.” Maggie took
Hazel by the hands and helped her to her feet. “My soul is here.”

Maggie turned to Mitch. It was her only shot. And
she was going to take it.

“And my heart is here too.” Maggie stood vulnerable.
A raw and primitive feeling overwhelmed her.

Susie’s mouth dropped open; she stood speechless.

“I hate to interrupt this little reunion, but I have
a noon plane to catch back to
life
.” Patricia Van Meter stood in the
doorway of the conference room, tapping her watch.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Patricia. But we
have a new proposal for you and I think the Pelt Company will be in total
agreement. If they aren’t, then this can take even more time in the legal
system if you don’t sign the proposal today.” Maggie stood her ground against
her mentor.

“Maggie Greenlee, are you really going to go up against
me?” Patricia voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Yes I am.” Maggie made her way into the conference
room, leaving Patricia to follow her in.

“Fine. Hurry up and tell us what you have to say.”
Patricia’s eyes narrowed as Maggie took over.

It felt so good going up against someone Maggie had
looked up to. Even if it was only going to be this one time in her life, it was
still victorious.

And in the back of her mind, she was grateful that
after today, she was going to get her life back on track.

Maggie pulled out the map of Grandberry Falls,
explaining her plan to use Mitch’s land on the other side of town and why it
would benefit everyone involved. Including all the citizens of Grandberry
Falls. Plus the interstate was much closer, which would cut down on costs for
everyone.

“I think I’ve taught you well.” Patricia signed the
hand-written plan that Maggie quickly drew up. “How about coming back to New
York?”

Maggie was flattered. A powerful relief filled her.
She had just beaten the famous Patricia Van Meter.

She looked at Mitch. There was a deep concern in his
dark eyes. It was time to put him at ease.

“Thank you, but I’m going to take the County
Attorney position here in Grandberry Falls.” Maggie made sure Patricia had
signed the correct spot, and she shook her hand. “Thank you, Patricia.”

“Are you sure?” Patricia gave everyone in the room a
suspicious eye. “You are too good to be tied down here.”

Mitch stepped between Maggie and Patricia. “I think
Maggie can make up her own mind, and it’s been made up. Don’t you have a plane
to catch?”

Patricia cleared her throat and snapped her fingers.
Her minions got up and followed her out of the office. When the door shut
behind her, the room erupted in cheers.

“Maggie, you were great!” Susie screamed, jumping up
and down.

Maggie drew her hands up to her mouth. She couldn’t
contain the smile.

“Oh, Maggie.” Hazel embraced her, and then ran her
hands across Maggie’s face. “I’m so proud of you. I was prepared to lose the
farm. I’ve got to get home and make some calls. I’ve got some farm hands that
need to start working on painting the fence, tamping down the gravel, getting
the crops ready.”

Hazel grabbed Susie hand and dragged her out of the
office leaving Maggie alone with Mitch.

Maggie turned to Mitch and noticed him watching her
intently.

“You did great, Maggie.” His voice faded, losing its
steely edge.

“Thank you, Mitch.” Maggie stuck her hand out. This
was definitely not how she imagined it would be. “I appreciate you offering up
your land.”

Of course she had gotten him a lot of money, but
still. He didn’t have to offer his land for her family.

“Anything for Hazel.” He took her hand, and then
stepped forward taking her into his arms. “Anything for you, Maggie Greenlee.”

She breathed lightly between his parted lips. “What
about Wendy?”

Even though she knew the answer, she wanted to hear
it from him.

“Wendy knew that my entire existence is based on
you. She didn’t want to play second fiddle.” He moved his mouth over hers,
devouring its softness.

She felt transported on a soft and wispy cloud.

Chapter 37

Romance is the glamour which turns the
dust of everyday life into a golden haze. ~ Elinor Glyn

Everyone was waiting for them at the Thirsty Turtle
to celebrate the victory for Grandberry Falls.

Cheers erupted throughout the entire bar with Hazel
leading the toast.

“I just wanted to thank our wonderful mayor, Mitch
Dozier, for taking everyone’s feelings into consideration while dealing with
such a personal issue. And to my dear sweet, Maggie.” Hazel’s voice cracked.
“I’m so proud of you and all the obstacles you have overcome in your life. I’m
proud of you and so glad you are home. For good!” Hazel raised her glass in the
air as sounds of ‘here, here,’ and glass clinking followed.

Maggie looked around. Belle, Butch, Wendy, Tommy,
Susie, Jenna, Liz, and even Beth were clapping with huge smiles on their faces.

She and Mitch stood at the door grinning from ear to
ear. But not for long. Mitch gathered her into his arms, held her tightly, and
then kissed her right there in front of everyone.

Maggie gave in. With a giddy sense of pleasure she
let her happiness show.

“What is that?” Maggie pulled back when she saw his
hand dangling over her head with something brown between his fingers.

“It’s the mistletoe from your visit at Christmas.”
He smiled ear to ear thinking about her holiday visit and their kiss under the
mistletoe. “I didn’t burn it in twelve days.”

“I’m glad you didn’t listen to me.” Maggie kissed
him again. She was glad he didn’t burn it. The superstition would come true,
and they were going to be together.

“I love you, Maggie Greenlee. I’ve always loved
you.” Mitch’s large hands took her face and held it gently.

“I love you, too.” She grinned from ear-to-ear and
drank in another one of his sweet kisses.

Everything she had ever wished for in the waterfall
was coming true. It might have taken her on a few detours, but in the end her
heart was here, in Grandberry Falls, and it belonged to Mitch Dozier. It always
had.

About The Author