Page 8 of Moonlight Over Montana

She sank back on the cushions. Just this once she could let someone get her coffee, couldn’t she? “Thank you.”

He held up a box of cocoa mix. “Susie, any interest in a mug?”

Her face brightened for a brief moment. “Sure.” It fell again.

“Hey, you don’t have to have cocoa if you don’t want it.” Jed’s voice was soft and empathetic.

“No, it’s not that.” She looked at him. “It’s just that I shouldn’t be happy about cocoa given our situation.”

Maggie nodded in the direction of the kitchen hoping Jed would take the hint so that she could talk to Susie. All her attention was on her daughter even as the sound of his boots walked over the hardwood floor.

She tipped Susie’s face up so she could look in her eyes. “In situations like this, we need to take pleasure in the simple joys in life. We can’t change what happened last night and if a mug of hot chocolate puts a smile on your face for even half a minute, then let’s take it. I for one am going to savor the mug of coffee Jed is bringing to me.”

At this moment her daughter’s face reminded her of the little girl who used to climb into her lap whenever she needed a momma moment. It had been a long time, but if Susie could still fit, Maggie bet that’s where she’d be. But at five-eight and all legs, she definitely wasn’t going to be on her mom’s lap. With a sigh, Maggie tweaked her nose.

“I promise no matter what happens today, we’re going to be okay.”

Jed cleared his throat and held out two mugs for them. “Mind if I join you for a cup too?”

Maggie took the mug and inhaled deeply. She was going to take any small measure of comfort she could too. “Help yourself.”

After he handed a mug to Susie, he went back to the kitchen and returned with his mug and sat in the chair across from the sofa, tentatively sipping the hot coffee.

Once he was settled, she said, “Any chance you’ve heard from Sheriff Blackstone?”

“No. I expect we’ll find him at the diner once we get into town.” He eyed her over the rim of his oversized mug. “I was gonna drive and if there’s anything you need, we can get it while we’re there.”

Susie said, “We’re hoping to get some of our clothes and stop at the laundromat.”

His brow cocked, but to his credit he didn’t say what Maggie was thinking—there wasn’t going to be any clothes to find.

“I’m good at carrying baskets or whatever else you might need. But either way, I’d like to help out.”

She held up her coffee cup. “I accept your kind offer.” Even though the last thing she wanted to do was lean on anyone, in this case it was necessary, and she wasn’t looking for a handout, but rather just a little help to get back on her feet.

“What time did you want to leave?” he asked.

“After breakfast.” Suddenly, she realized she was famished and there was plenty of food, thanks to Mary, in the efficiency kitchen.

“Headin’ up to the main house, then?” He set his mug aside. “I happen to know there’s waffle batter just waitin’ for the griddle.” Now his gray eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief.

Susie sat up from her spot on the sofa and said, “Waffles? Do you think there’ll be bacon or sausage?”

“This is a ranch, and we’re known for hearty fare at every meal. Does that mean you’re interested?”

She flung back the blanket and jumped up. “I’m going to find something to wear and I’ll be ready to go.” She hurried down the hall and her bedroom door slammed shut.

“So much for relaxing with my coffee.” Maggie got up and looked down at the clothes she had on. “I didn’t grab anything before we left last night. All I took was my laptop, the money pouch, and my shoulder bag, all items I deemed essential. Oh, and my keys. Fat lot of good they’re going to do me. Probably no building or car to unlock.”

Jed had slowly risen to his feet. He seemed to hesitate on how to reply to her comment. But there wasn’t anything he could say that would change the facts.

“Annie mentioned there were other clothes in the closet last night, not just the sweats, and if you want a warm flannel shirt to wear, I’ve got plenty. They’ll be long but you could fold back the cuffs and tie up the bottom like I’ve seen Daphne do when she’s out and about.”

This man, who was normally more confident, suddenly seemed shy around her. What was that all about? The circumstances of last night, or the fact she was standing here alone with him? Now that she thought about it, this was probably the first time they had ever been alone, even though they’d been friends for almost ten years.

“Thank you, Jed. Let me see what Annie brought down and if I think I’m going to be cool, I’ll take you up on your offer.”

His crooked smile slid from one side of his face to the other and the deep crinkles around his eyes were more pronounced. She had never noticed how devastatingly handsome he was, especially with his hat off she could see his entire face.

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