Page 38 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
What must he think of her? Disgusted with her loosened morals, she focused all her time and conversation on Maisie for the rest of their journey together and refused to let him catch her eye. Wouldn’t let him touch her except in a very prosaic way.
Instead, she set up a mantle of cool indifference to hide her breaking heart.
***
Arriving at the hospital, they found Angie in good spirits. She’d been waiting for what seemed like days to have her family close. “I’m sorry about the accident, Jack. You look like you went four rounds with someone who didn’t like you.”
Once he’d kissed her hello, Jack winked, relaxed back against the side wall and crossed his arms. “I won the battle though. The damage to the truck was negligible, and they had us back on the road this morning right after breakfast.”
“So, everything worked out fine then?”
Both Jack and Mia nodded.
“Yep,” said Jack.
“Yes, great,” said Mia.
Maisie piped up and added, “Mama Mia is mad at Jack ‘cause he’s been weally bad.”
“Maisie!” Flustered, Mia turned to the child. “I am not. Mad at Jack. Don’t be silly.”
Angie looked at the flushed man seeking escape and yelled, “What did you do?”
“Nothing. I—”
Mia interrupted. “He was a perfect gentleman.” The argument escaped her mouth before her brain had a chance to edit. Suddenly, her face coalesced with various colors of mostly reds.
Angie pointed a finger his way, a warning in the gesture and in her words. “You and I have to have a talk.”
Obviously, having had enough, Mia stomped her foot. “No one is talking to anyone. We’re all happy. Okay?”
Three okays rang out, but she didn’t hear them. Breaking down in a flood of tears, Mia fled into the bathroom and slammed the door.
Maisie looked close to tears herself and turned to Jack’s arms for comfort. Angie, seeing his ready welcome and the way he handled her youngest family member, perked up.
Things couldn’t have been that bad if Maisie and Jack were friends. She watched him, saw him eyeing the room where Mia had disappeared. His discomfort shone like a beacon. Something must have happened. She’d never seen him so lost for words.
Deciding to give the guy a break, she changed the subject to one she knew he’d be glad to follow. “What did you and Mia decide about the casita? Does she need more room? I’d love for her to stay in the main house with me and use it for her workshop, but I understand her need for privacy.”
Relief for the change of subject, Jack reluctantly turned to her. “As far as I know, she’s willing to stay in the big house until we get the renos done on the casita, but then I believe she plans to move in. She’s also mentioned us redoing that old barn in the back so she can use that as her workshop. One of her employee’s came with her. He’s already in Maricopa waiting for her to give him the word that they can get started.”
“Okay. Let me think.” Angie straightened, sitting up higher and motioned for Maisie to come and join her. “Come to Auntie, sweetheart. I haven’t seen you for weeks and weeks. I need a hug.”
Maisie lifted her head from Jack’s chest and grinned at Angie, wriggling for Jack to lower her on the bed. She hugged Angie and lay happily beside her, quiet, not interrupting, her eyes glued to the bathroom door.
“You know, Jack. That large entertainment room in the basement I never use could be stripped of most of the furniture and Mia could use that area for a workshop for now.”
“I wondered if you would think of that. I was going to suggest it myself. You’re right, it would do for now.”
When the door opened, Mia stepped out, her head in the air and her attitude making everyone aware there was to be no discussion about her earlier breakdown. Angie reached for her hand, hauled her beside them on the bed and stated, “Jack and I have come up with a brilliant idea.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Until you’ve checked over the barn and have decided on your preferred renos to the casita, we were hoping you’dbe happy using the recreation room in the basement for your temporary workshop.”
Mia looked relieved. Angie wasn’t sure if it was because of the change of subject or not.
“That’s fine, Angie. It will give us room to spread out and get caught up on the orders we have pending. Every day, they seem to double. I need to find a few other seamstresses in the area to interview also.”
