Page 81 of A First Sight

“Well, I only know she was Stellan’s niece.That I look like her, and you loved her very much.” Maggie shrugged. “She was such a big part of your life. I’m curious.”

If she wanted to talk about my late wife, we would. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt as much as I thought.

“I was visiting Uncle Ben when I went to the Tuscany Grill in Brooklyn. That was where I saw her with Stellan.”

“And that’s where you saw me the first time.” Maggie quickly made the connection.

“It was fate. I go there every year on the anniversary. January 4th. It’s how I prefer to remember her. Laughing that brash, loud laugh.” I gave Maggie a squeeze. “You resemble her in appearance, but your personalities are quite different.”

“Was it love at first sight?”

I chuckled. “For me. I ended up taking a leave of absence from my family’s business back in Inverness to stay here. We were inseparable. I proposed on our year anniversary, and we married six months after that.”

“And then you lost her.” Maggie hugged me.

I kissed the top of her head. “January 4th. Same date, three years later. I knew her for only three years, and until meeting you, the only person I’d ever loved.”

She looked at me, eyes wet with tears. “I understand why seeing me must’ve been such a shock.”

“Thank you,” I said, “but it doesn’t excuse my actions. I should have left you alone.”

She settled against my side once more, quiet for several long seconds before saying, “I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Maggie?”

She looked up again, just for a moment, before putting her head back on my chest. “I don’t think I would’ve gotten away from Dale…not before he killed me. You made me strong.”

She brought the subject back to Belle.

“You said my personality isn’t like hers. Isn’t that weird? Seeing Belle and yet I am not like her?”

I didn’t want any misunderstandings, and tipped her chin up so she could see my face. “I don’t see her anymore. All I see is you, Maggie. All I want isyou.”

“So if I cut my hair and dyed it red…?”

“I’d still want you.” I smiled as I brushed the hair from her face. “Your appearance may have been what caught my attention, but who you are is what’s kept it.Youare who I’ve fallen for.”

The tears were back, and she put her hand on my cheek. “I forgive you for all of it.”

The knot that had been in my stomach for weeks finally eased.

She pushed herself up, and we were at eye level. “I want to see where this goes, see what we can have together.”

I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. “Are you certain?”

She smiled and leaned in, brushing her lips across mine. “Absolutely.”

I crushed my mouth against hers and pulled her underneath me. The time for words was done for the moment. Right now, I needed to show her how happy she made me.

FIFTY-EIGHT

MAGGIE

I waitedfor the familiar panic and anxiety that always came with Dale to set in. But it never did.

With Drake at my back—literally—I felt calm and in control as we walked toward The Smith Diner.

Reaching the entrance, I clutched the strap of my purse tighter. Inside was my phone, already recording. Getting Dale to say anything I could take to the police was slim. Still, it wouldn’t hurt.

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