Yours to Hold: Ribbon Ridge Book Two (24 page)

Chapter Nineteen

“S
OUNDS LIKE YOU
’
VE
had quite a week,” Amy said near the end of their appointment on Friday. “First your mom, then deciding to leave counseling.” She shook her head. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed. You’re a good therapist, Maggie.”

Maggie wasn’t sure she agreed but didn’t say so. She ran her hand along the smooth arm of the couch. “Thank you. I think I’ll be a better landscape designer.”

“If that’s going to give you joy and fulfill your life, then I wholeheartedly support you. In fact, I’ve been interested in doing an English garden in my backyard. Maybe you can help me out.” She smiled warmly.

“I’d be happy to—but you can’t pay me. You’ll be doing me a favor by giving me a project for my portfolio.”

Amy looked as though she might argue, but she winked instead. “We can discuss the specifics later. I’d say at your next appointment, but I’m not sure you need one. Unless you want to talk more about Ryan Dillinger and what happened.”

They’d spent close to half the session discussing his failed suicide attempt and its effect on Maggie. “I feel surprisingly good, but that doesn’t mean that won’t change after I e-mail him back.” He’d been released from the psych ward and had e-mailed her to apologize. She hadn’t yet responded but planned to—with Amy’s encouragement—in order to close that chapter in her life. “Can I touch base with you in a week or so?”

“Please do. If there’s anything I can do for you, I hope you’ll let me know. You’re my patient, but you’ve also been a colleague, and I hope we can be friends.”

“I’d like that.” Everyone had been so supportive of her decision to leave. Sure, Dr. Innes had tried to talk her out of it, but he’d ultimately understood. The clinic was doing a great job helping her patients to transition.

“When are you going to be done at the clinic?” Amy asked.

“I sort of already am. I’m meeting with a few patients next week, but I’m going in tomorrow to start cleaning out my office.”

“How have your patients been taking your departure?”

“Overall, they’ve been fairly positive, but a few were pretty upset.” She’d had to navigate two or three very uncomfortable phone calls.

Amy scratched a note on her pad. “That doesn’t seem to be affecting you too much—you’re not internalizing their emotion.”

Maggie had noticed that too, and it felt good. “Yeah. I take it as confirmation that this is the right decision.”

“I’d say that’s a good assessment.” Amy slid the pen behind her ear. “I sense there might be something else, but then I often feel that way with you. You have many layers.” She chuckled.

“And you’re very astute. I’ve actually been thinking a lot about Mark lately.”

Amy cocked her head to the side. “Really, why?”

“I think it’s because this feels like after we broke up—when I reset my life. I moved to a new town, launched a new career, set my life in a whole new direction. This seems like the same thing, minus the new town, but it feels different somehow. It feels better.”

“And why do you think that is?”

Maggie should’ve expected the question. She shrugged. “Maybe because of the conversation I had with my mom. Or maybe it’s because of the career shift—this time it feels like I’m making the right decisions instead of running away.”

Or maybe it was because she was in love.

She wanted to say the thought had come out of nowhere, but it hadn’t. It had been growing, slowly taking root and spreading until it had overtaken her.

Telling Kyle to choose his family had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She wanted to fight for him, to find a way to make it all work, but she’d known it was a losing battle. Maybe if they’d met at a different time, when Alex’s death wasn’t still so fresh. She’d considered waiting it out, but now that she’d turned a corner, she didn’t want to put things on hold. She needed to move forward, and if that meant doing so without Kyle, then that’s what she’d have to do. Her experience with Mark had taught her to never plan her life around a man again.

“Are you sure it isn’t something else?” Amy asked. She really was an excellent therapist. It was as if she had a sixth sense about suppressed thoughts and feelings.

“Maybe, but nothing I want—or need—to talk about.” When Amy’s gaze turned doubtful, Maggie added, “Truly. I’m fine.”

The skepticism in Amy’s expression only intensified. “Well, when you figure out what happens with Kyle Archer, I hope you’ll let me know.”

Maggie narrowed her eyes and then laughed softly. “You are too keen for your own good.” She stood. “Thanks, Amy. I’ll be in touch soon.”

They exchanged a warm hug, and then Maggie drove up to the wedding cottage to do a final review before the rehearsal, which was due to start in a couple of hours. She parked in one of the handicap spots they’d made and was pleased to see that nobody was there yet. She’d only be a few minutes.

Armed with pruners and a small bucket, she made a quick circuit to ensure everything looked fresh and beautiful. Not quick enough, however, as the sound of a car coming down the track drew her to turn. Damn, she was really hoping to get out of here before anyone arrived.

She recognized the little Honda because it had been up here at least once a day all week. Chloe English—almost Sumner—got out of the car and waved. There was no avoiding her unless Maggie wanted to be rude. And she didn’t; she liked Chloe.

Maggie walked over to her car. “Happy almost wedding day.”

Chloe smiled—the kind of smile that couldn’t be contained, the kind that lit up the sky with its joy. “Hi, Magnolia! I know I keep saying this, but you’ve done such an amazing job. I can’t believe how you’ve transformed this space over the past week. It’s just perfect.”

Everything was trimmed, flowers bloomed in the beds, climbing roses twined up the sides of the new the pergola. Several large pots, overflowing with plants in the wedding colors of lavender, blueberry, and sage, surrounded the covered outdoor area that would be the dancefloor.

“I’m glad you like it,” Maggie said. “I was just finishing up. The sprinklers are all set, and the pots have drip systems.” Dylan and his crew had been instrumental in pulling this off. Without their help moving dirt, installing the sprinkler system, and building the pergola, this would all still be an idea on paper.

Chloe touched Maggie’s hand. “Thank you.”

Maggie smiled warmly. “It was my pleasure. Congratulations. I hope tomorrow is everything you dreamed it would be.”

“You can see for yourself.”

“Oh, I won’t be here tomorrow. My work is done.”

“Not to work. I invited you to come, remember?” Chloe reached into her car and pulled out a small duffel bag.

“I know, and thank you for including me. I hope you understand, but I’m exhausted after this week. I also have a prior commitment.” Not that she’d spend tomorrow evening cleaning out her office—she’d likely be done before the wedding—but she still wasn’t coming.

Chloe frowned briefly. “That’s too bad. Well, if you get done early and aren’t too tired, I hope you’ll stop by. I’m sure the party will be going late, and there’s enough Archer beer to float a fleet of ships.”

Maggie laughed softly. “I’m sure. Take care.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” Chloe said. “Sara and I thought it would be fun to go out sometime. I’ll get your number from Kyle.”

For a brief second, Maggie panicked, wondering why Chloe would think she could get her number from Kyle of all people, but then she realized it was because he’d been the one to hire her.
Duh.
Maggie only nodded in response, not wanting to encourage her. Anyway, she doubted very much that Kyle would give them her number. Her chest constricted as she thought about a future in which she didn’t see or talk to him.

Maggie waved before she turned and walked to her car. As she put the bucket, her pruners, and her gloves in the backseat, she watched Chloe unlock the cottage and go inside with her bag.

She didn’t know if she’d be back up here ever again. While she’d suggested other landscaping elements—some pathways, a water feature—they hadn’t hired her to do anything. And if they contacted her, she didn’t know what she would say. She didn’t want to hide behind “Magnolia” anymore. She was Maggie Trent, former therapist to their beloved Alex. If she couldn’t be honest about that, she’d have to walk away. And so that’s what she was prepared to do.

Determined, she got into the car and put the key in the ignition. She supposed she might come up here some day after the hotel and restaurant were open. It was going to be quite the hot spot in the valley. But could she come and eat in Kyle’s restaurant? She leaned her forehead against the steering wheel and closed her eyes. That sounded like torture.

Get a hold of yourself, Maggie!

She sat up, shook her head, and started the car. Time to put this behind her. Time to break free and embrace the future.

“H
IT ME
,” H
AYDEN
said, holding out his wineglass. They’d finished the wedding rehearsal about twenty minutes ago and had made a few toasts. Soon they would head over to the dinner being held at the winery where Dylan’s brother, Cameron, worked. Sara had worked with him to organize the event.

Kyle refilled Hayden’s glass with the garnet-red wine. “Not too much of a French wine snob now to drink our local pinot?”

“Hell no. If anything, it’s made me love it even more. France is great, but the wine we make here is unparalleled.” He toasted Kyle before taking a drink.

Kyle splashed more wine into his glass—he needed a buzz to power through this joy-fest, which was at complete odds with his black mood. So far he’d done a good job of putting on a happy face the past few days, but he didn’t know how much longer he could last. A wedding was just about the worst place to try to get over a breakup. He mentally shook himself:
pull your head out, Archer; she said it was for the best, and she was right.

He pushed thoughts of Maggie to the back of his mind but knew they wouldn’t stay that way. “Thanks for not being pissed about the best-man thing.”

“No sweat. It was always your gig.” Hayden glanced around the interior of the wedding cottage. “It’s good to see everyone here for something happy.”

It was, even if some of them weren’t exactly on the best terms. Liam and Tori were over near the windows chatting, probably plotting their next steps toward world domination. Evan was standing nearby with Sara and Dylan. Chloe and Derek were with her family—her parents, brother, sister, and three grandparents—as well as Mom and Dad, plus an old friend of Chloe’s from Pennsylvania who was in the wedding party. Mom and Dad seemed to be getting along pretty well. It wasn’t yet the happy warmth he recalled from his childhood or even from four years ago, but the air was less stilted. He only hoped the joy of this occasion would linger for a while. Too bad it wasn’t doing shit for his state of mind.

The spectre of Maggie rose once more, as did the weight of his gambling addiction and when he planned to spill the beans. He’d found a GA group and attended a meeting yesterday, which had helped. At least on that front. As for the Maggie problem, it had only reminded him of her—the way she cared about him. The way no one had ever cared about him before and maybe never would again.

“Dude, you look way too serious. What’s up?”

Hayden’s question prompted Kyle to come up with a reasonable explanation for his air of gloom. No way was he revealing the real reason. “I was just thinking about Natalie. I’m glad they arrested her this morning. Makes tonight even more of a celebration.” The drugs from her desk had been OxyContin. Upon investigating her medical records, the police found a pattern of drug-seeking behavior. She was obtaining drugs and then selling them—and she’d lied about stopping after Alex died.

Hayden raised his glass in a toast. “Right on. I’m still shocked it was her. And so pissed. I hope she goes to jail for a nice long time.”

That would depend on a lot of factors, but the prosecutor planned to swing for the fences, despite her lack of a criminal record. She’d certainly have to pay penalties, and Dad was considering a civil suit for negligence. None of it made up for anything, just as Maggie had said it wouldn’t, but it did offer a small bit of closure.

Sipping his wine, Hayden scrutinized Kyle. “I get the sense there’s more to your mood, but I won’t bother asking since you’d just change the subject. Tell me about this year’s Oktoberfest plans.”

Relieved to turn the conversation to something that wasn’t about him and would distract him from thoughts of Maggie, Kyle gladly launched into an overview of the annual fall festival hosted by Archer Enterprises in downtown Ribbon Ridge.

After a few minutes, Dad interrupted everyone with a gentle clink on his glass. “Time for us to get to the winery. Sara’s put together a great dinner.” He lifted his glass toward Derek and Chloe. “One more toast for the bride and groom.”

Cheers sounded around the room as glasses clinked. All eyes were on Derek and Chloe as he pressed a kiss to her lips. They both smiled, love shining in their eyes and practically blinding everyone around them with its brilliance. Or maybe that was just how Kyle felt. He turned away and set his glass on a tray, then went around collecting glasses, preferring to be a worker instead of a participant.

Tray full, he took the glasses into the kitchen and carefully loaded them into one of the dishwashers.

Sara peeked her head in. “Need any help?”

“Nah, thanks.”

She flashed him a smile. “ ’K. See you over there.”

“Yep.” Even as he said it, he thought about how he could simply not go. He’d done his best-man duties at the rehearsal; did he really need to go to a dinner and pretend to be happy?

He could hear Maggie telling him he had to go, that he’d be sorry if he didn’t. Maybe he would be. He was more sorry that she wasn’t here with him. Was there a chance she might want to be? He’d thought so, but then the other night she’d told him to choose his family over her. Maybe she didn’t feel the same way about him as he felt about her. Maybe she’d been ready to let him go.