Page 58 of Combust
“And you didn’t try to contact him?” Malia demanded. “And he hasn’t gotten in touch with you, either?”
Maggie had spent the past couple of weeks enveloped in a fog of heartbreak and sleeplessness. Every time she’d glimpsed Cade in the distance, on horseback or driving one of the ranch’s ATVs, her bear had strained at her self control, urging her to run to him and patch things up.
But the words had choked in her throat.What if he’s done with me? Am I going to come across as a pathetic stalker? The sad, needy one who can’t take a hint?
She’d been rejected so many times in her dating life. Deep down inside, she desperately wantedhimto be the one who reached out first. That would mean there was still a possibility of working things out.
“I’m a coward,” she confessed to her friend.
And she was. She’d been using the holiday baking frenzy to avoid her friends and cousins.
And shehadbeen busy. The usual morning rush for cinnamon rolls and coffee had extended through lunchtime, with locals and tourists alike lining up around the block to buy Mom’s famous boozy fruitcakes, Stollen, Bûche de Noël, and a dozen different kinds of cookies, all beautifully decorated, fragrant with spices, or filled with locally-made huckleberry or raspberry and chokecherry preserves.
Maggie and Mom had been baking non-stop in the back, often staying several hours past closing time to prep the ingredients and doughs for the next day, while Maggie’s cousin Ellie staffed the front of the house and filled in as barista.
Only her parents knew that Maggie and Cade had had an argument. She hadn’t shared any details with them, and Mom hadn’t pressed her, though Maggie sensed her concern and her curiosity about what had gone wrong between them.
Now, feeling defensive under the weight of Malia’s silent judgment, Maggie added, “I know it’s stupid, but as long as there’snonews, it’s not really bad news, is it?”
Malia’s expression showed exactly what she thought of this. “You need to talk to him.”
“Yeah.” Maggie sighed.
The prospect of Cade telling her that he no longer wanted her roiled her stomach, making her queasy. But Malia was right. Ithadto be faced, sooner or later.Preferably later.
“You know I’m going to hound you until you two sit down and actuallytalk.” Malia’s voice dropped into a conspiratorial murmur, though the bakery was enjoying a rare mid-afternoon lull. “And we wolf shifters are better athoundingthan anyone else.”
Maggie smiled weakly at the threat. She knew Malia never made empty threats.
And if Cade rejects me, at least I’ll know. And I’ll be able to move on.
No! No moving on!Her bear had been silent for days, its presence huddled deep inside her, radiating wordless misery. Now it sprang to urgent life.I want him. Only him. No others!
Well, tough cookies, Maggie answered.We can’t always get what we want. But I’ll do my best.
Aloud, she said to her friend, “I’ll talk to him. Tomorrow.”
“You’d better,” Malia told her sternly.
* * *
The next day dawned clear and cold. When her alarm went off in the pre-dawn darkness, Maggie considered stopping by Cade’s cabin and getting The Talk over with before she headed to work.
The prospect made her want to throw up with nerves, so she told herself that she shouldn’t show up at his place empty-handed.I’ll pick up a dozen of his favorite coffee-pecan cookies from the bakery when I close this evening, and then I’ll go talk to him.
Procrastination achieved, she managed to force down a few bites of scrambled egg and toast.
Mom had already departed to start the day’s first batch of Stollen, and Dad was still asleep for another hour, so at least she didn’t have to deal with the weight of parental concern this morning.
After lunch, Maggie loaded up her station wagon with a Strawberry Chocolate Celebration cake inscribed with “Happy 15th Birthday, Liam” and left the bakery. She headed south to Cody Miller’s ranch, which was located at the base of rocky bluffs that towered over a long, narrow strip of river-bottom pastures.
After dropping off the cake and wishing an excited Liam the happiest of special days, Maggie began the drive back to Bearpaw Ridge.
It was a beautiful day to be outside. The afternoon sunlight gilded snowy meadows and sparkled off icicles hanging like ornaments from bare branches as she followed the black ribbon of highway through a winter wonderland.
The countdown to Christmas was normally one of her favorite times of the year.
But right now, she couldn’t summon up the energy to be excited. Especially when she knew that without Cade, it would be the same ordeal as Thanksgiving. Even if Matt, Sophie, and Chris actually showed up as promised, it wouldn’t be enough to save this from being the worst holiday season ever.
