Page 8 of Angels and Skulls
When Maggie remains quiet, I glance at her. Her brows are pulled together, and she’s rubbing her forehead. “Rachel was …” Her words trail off.
“Maggie are you okay?” I wrap my arm around her.
She has tears in her eyes. “It’s just been a long and surprising week.”
“Yeah, I bet. Let’s see that ring,” I say, in an attempt to lighten the mood. I pull her hand in front of my face. “Wow. Look at that rock.” I whistle, and she blushes.
“I told him it was too much.”
“Blasphemy,” I say.
She fans herself. “He’s a big spender.”
We both laugh, and I’ll admit it feels good.
Again, I’m reminded how much Jenny has given me in this life … she’s given me an entire family.
Chapter Three
Maggie
“Did you tell Raffe about the call you got from Lexie?” Ray asks as he drives me home.
“No. I don’t want to worry him.”
“I just don’t know what Rachel would have written to you that couldn’t be shared right away. Her request for it to be delivered two years after her passing is a bit mysterious.”
I wave him off. “Others have been given letters. We’re making more of it than what it is.”
“But those make sense. They were given at special times.”
“Well, this is a special time.” I twirl the ring he’s given me on my finger.
He laughs. “It is, but I don’t think Rachel could have predicted our engagement.”
When he sees I’m not really in the mood to talk about the letter Lexie says she has for me, he changes the subject. “So, what do you say we take the bike out tomorrow morning and watch the sunrise over the lake?”
It makes me chuckle. “You’re never going to give in, are you?”
“Not until I get you on the back of my bike.”
“I’m too old to ride on a motorcycle. I can barely walk most days.”
“All the more reason to ride.”
I roll my eyes at him, but I did promise Rachel I would live life to the fullest. She’s the one who encouraged me to give in to Ray’s advances to begin with.
“Fine. I guess we all have to go sometime. If I die on a motorcycle, so be it.”
Ray barks out a laugh. “Miss Maggie, are you saying you don’t trust me?” He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it.
His small gesture makes me squirm in my seat. Ray’s a bit different from my Harold. Don’t get me wrong. I loved that man with every fiber of my being, but he didn’t show his emotions much. He was very quiet and stoic. I knew he loved me in his own way, but he wasn’t the most affectionate fellow.
Ray is a burst of energy, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. One minute we’re dancing in the kitchen and the next we’re cuddling in his truck, watching the sunset over the mountains. He keeps me … well, I guess he’s keeping me young. I’ve never felt better.
“I trust you, otherwise I wouldn’t even entertain the idea.”
He shakes his head and turns into the parking lot. “I never thought I’d talk you into it. I’ll pick you up at 5:30.”
