Page 16 of Moonlight Over Montana

“Mack, hey, I am so sorry. I should have called.”

“Stop right there, boss lady. You had a few things on your mind today, and I didn’t need to be at the top of your list, but I did want to make sure you and Susie-Q were okay. Rumor has it you were taken by ambulance to the hospital along with Jed and some people had ya at death’s door with third degree burns and others said you were right as spring rain. Instead of lettin’ rumors swirl, I decided to come straight to the horse’s mouth.”

“I’m glad you did and I’m happy to report other than being checked out for some smoke inhalation, we’re fine. Jed got to us before the fire was completely out of control.” She rubbed the goosebumps that raced down her arm. It had been pretty close to being really bad, but she didn’t want to worry her old friend.

“That’s a relief. Any idea what started it?”

His question came out as a drawl so that indicated he’d heard rumors there too. “An arson investigation is under way. Sheriff Blackstone says he’s pretty sure it wasn’t an accident.” She wasn’t going to give anything away until they knew something more certain. “Do you know if I’ve made anyone angry enough to do something like that?”

“No. I mean other than that guy who was looking to buy up the diner and the rest of River Junction. But with all the other noes being bandied about, I’m certain he wouldn’t change his tactics and start burning businesses down now.”

She propped up her boot clad feet and nodded her head and then realized he couldn’t see her. “That’s what I thought too. I’ve spent a good portion of my day replaying yesterday from the time we opened until I locked up for the night. I can’t remember anyone lurking around, like an angry customer. I’m coming up blank.”

“I’ve been trying to think back over the last few days and Maggie, this just doesn’t make any sense. Maybe it was electrical, like you left the coffee station on?”

She heard the hopefulness in his voice, and she got it. It would be better to know it had been a simple mistake and not something far worse. “I’ve walked through closing up last night, I can’t tell you how many times. I’ve been shutting down the diner for twenty-five years and nothing like this has ever happened.”

“I hear ya. So where do you go from here?”

“I’m going to rebuild. You should apply for unemployment and when I can figure out my next steps and a timeline, I’ll be in touch. And Mack, if you need to find another job, I get it. Don’t pass up an opportunity on account of loyalty to me. I wouldn’t hold anything like that against you.”

“Are you firing me?”

The hurt tone of his voice was unmistakable. “No, but you have a family, and I don’t want to hold you back from taking care of them.”

“You focus on getting this investigation finalized and when it’s time to start rebuildin’, I’ve skills with power tools and I’m ready to work. The sooner we get started, the sooner we reopen.”

She was at a loss for words. Why was it after every conversation, people were being supportive and ready to help? “Mack, that means the world to me, and I know you mean every word.” She blinked away grateful tears that pricked her eyes. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

“You take care now and don’t you worry about a thing. It’ll all work out; I just know it will.”

“I love your optimism and if I need a pep talk, I know who to call.” She smiled into the phone as he chuckled and said goodbye.

Sitting on the stool, she decided instead of starting dinner, she’d go in search of Jed and Susie. Maybe he’d even want to hang out and have supper with them. Whipping up dinner was going to be the easiest part of her day.

Crossing the driveway, the late afternoon air was much cooler than she expected. The next time they were in town, she’d need to buy her and Susie heavier jackets. What they bought today were good layers, but winter was coming fast and it could snow anytime and she knew a person needed to be prepared for the cold. Heck, it wasn’t even too early for a blizzard. She picked up the pace and jogged toward the horse barn. The last thing she needed to worry about tonight was any kind of storm. Before she went inside the barn, she looked up. A few rain clouds were rolling across the sky. If the temperature stayed above freezing, that’s all it would be. She didn’t need one more thing to happen today.

The minute she closed the heavy barn door, she heard Susie’s voice; it was laced with excitement even if she couldn’t hear what exactly her daughter was saying. She jogged down the wide center aisle as horses casually turned to look at the newcomer. An occasional snort greeted her and she grinned. Despite the awful day, being around these magnificent creatures seemed to bring her heart rate down.

“Now run the brush over her flank like this,” Jed said.

Maggie didn’t speak but watched from a few steps away lingering in the shadows. Susie was cautiously doing exactly what he had said and demonstrated on the other side of the horse. The horse picked up its back hoof and set it back down again, nickering softly.

“He likes this,” her voice was filled with awe.

For a moment, Maggie regretted not letting Susie have a horse of her own, seeing how happy she was. But maybe when things settled down for them, she could change that. Maybe Annie would let her keep a horse at the ranch for Susie. The scenery was nice out here.

Jed caught sight of her and winked. The blood that hummed through her veins every time he did that was enough to push Maggie from her comfort zone and flirt back. But Cash had doused any romantic thoughts she might have had when he left her with a baby to raise and support on her own.

Jed cleared his throat. “Mags. Did you get all those calls made?”

She said, “Yes,” as Susie twirled around and beamed.

“Mom, you are never going to believe how fantastic this afternoon was. Jed taught me how to saddle a horse. Her name is Nahla and she’s so sweet. She just stood there while I got her ready, and then before I got on, I walked her around the paddock. Jed calls it making friends.”

Maggie stepped up on the fence rail and leaned into it so as not to fall back. “Did you get to ride too?”

She nodded so fast it was as if her head was a bobble. “I trotted. Can you believe that? And Jed says I’m a natural. I must get that from my dad.”

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