Page 59 of Fumbling for Affection

He’s the one with superpowers. She swiped to the last picture, blinking her eyes. “This one looks bigger.”

“Cal said Penny and Elspeth have always kicked around the idea of adding a small cafe, but they never did it because you were at Brewster’s. But with Brewster’s gone, we could knock out a wall. You’d gain space and the rent you paid them would help.”

“You pushed me when I wouldn’t push myself and”—she placed her finger over his mouth to silence him—“you listened to what I said, but you also looked into my heart, something I was too afraid to do. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

“Never,” he whispered around her finger before kissing her palm. “One more question?”

“Sure.” Maggie was exhausted and exhilarated and could think of lots of better things to do with Lucas than play twenty questions, but she owed him. She loved him.

“Is there magic in your baking?” Maggie pondered the question as she sat taller. She couldn’t think with Lucas so close to her, filling her senses—smelling like the forest by Big Falls, feeling warm and solid under her hands, and tasting like her holiday whiskey.

“No? At least not intentionally. When I bake, I think of all the people who will enjoy it, and that makes me happy. So maybe some of the happiness sneaks into it? I’m not sure. Is that a bad thing?”

“I think it’s a wonderful thing. We just need to make sure we hire happy employees and keep you happy, sweet bean.” He smirked, and she was afraid she knew what he was thinking.

“We are not calling our bakery Sweet Bean. That name’s between the two of us, and I’d like to keep it private.” That’s the closest she’d get to admitting that the name had grown on her. Like fungus on an excellent blue cheese.

“Maggie’s magical muffins,” he suggested, palming her breast. She snorted, causing him to laugh.

“Absolutely not. It sounds like I’m baking with THC.” She had more complaints, but Lucas dragged her into a kiss that melted every bone in her body. Maggie stretched out underneath him as his hands skimmed across her soft belly. His lips followed, peppering her with kisses. “I’ve wanted to kiss this spot since I first glimpsed it when you were having your coughing fit at the farmers’ market.”

“I felt so stupid with my arms up in the air in a tight T-shirt and my belly exposed. You looked at me like you were disgusted,” she said, worried that he still was.

“Never. I was shocked, not disgusted. Your skin looked so soft and creamy. It was everything I could do not to reach out and touch you. But I didn’t think that would go over well since you were barely being civil to me.”

“I’m glad we figured it out.” Maggie rubbed her thumb across his prickly jaw. “Thank you for being patient with me.”

“I’m glad you caught up. It’s better when we’re running the same play,” he said, kissing her.

“Much better,” she agreed, as she slipped her hands under his sweater and felt him shiver at her touch. Lucas nipped at her belly as his hands slowly inched up her sweater, his lips never far behind. Maggie slipped off her sweater as she watched his eyes heat. He continued his excruciatingly slow exploration of her body, and Maggie had never felt so cherished. So worshipped. So loved.

Whatever life threw at them, they’d figure it out together.

“I’ve got it,” he whispered against her skin. “The goddess bakes.”

“I love that,” she breathed, and he lifted his eyes to hers.

“The name?” he asked.

“That, too.” She smiled and pulled his mouth to hers. “But I love you most of all.”

Epilogue

“Maggie, your mom and I can finish setting up. Why don’t you head on down to the honey house and get Lucas,” Nanna said, pulling the paper plates and heavy-duty plate holders from the pantry.

Alison huffed. “I just settled in with this lovely whiskey cocktail Cal made me. It’s almost as nice as the colored-macaroni necklace he made for me in preschool.” Maggie snagged her mom’s tumbler and sipped as she hauled her off the old kitchen chair. The drink was better than the last one she’d had. She didn’t know if her baby brother was a better mixologist now or if the adjustments he’d made to the old distiller had worked. Either way, she wanted one.

“I thought you said dinner wouldn’t be ready for another thirty minutes. Dad hasn’t even started the steaks yet,” Maggie said, looking at the platter of meat at the end of the island, grateful they’d added another grill.

“Well, briquettes are fussy. Your mom can help and drink.” Nanna handed Alison an apron. “But better leave me your recipe so I we can finish the salad.”

“It’s on my phone, but I’ll send it to you.” Maggie opened her recipe app and shared it, catching the weird look on their faces when she looked up. “Why do I feel like you’re trying to get rid of me?”

“Because we are, sugar. Go get your man and take your time coming back.” Her mom waggled her perfect eyebrows and Nanna gave her a thumbs-up. Maggie felt the heat crawl up her neck, but she didn’t argue with them as the screen door slammed behind her.

Grandad, Cal, Bash, and her dad stood around the grills. Bash held a bottle of water while the Buchanan men each had a tumbler of dark liquid, most likely the same cocktail her mom had. Cal set his glass on the table as he turned to open the grill’s lid, and Maggie picked it up. She saluted the men with it and was almost at the end of Nanna’s new stone walkway—the one they’d finally installed in the side yard—when she heard Cal’s groan, followed by deep laughter.

She sipped and savored. Cal’s skills were improving. He’d spent several weeks in Scotland with their uncle’s family, and they’d invited him back next year for an extended visit, including an internship at their distillery.

---