Page 24 of Moonlight Over Montana

Maggie took a cookie and broke it in half, setting both sides on a napkin. “I take orders every holiday season for pies and other baked goods to make extra cash. It’s my holiday spending money.”

“I know. Mary likes to buy your huckleberry and pumpkin pies.” She patted her midsection. “They’re the best.”

Maggie smiled. “I’m glad you think so highly of my pies, but that’s part of the problem. I have a lot of orders to fill and no kitchen to bake them.” It was easier to rip the bandage off so to speak and tell Annie what was going on instead of beating around the bush.

A slow grin spread from one side of Annie’s face to the other. “No need to say another word. Once we finish our coffee, we’ll pop into the dining hall, and I’m sure with some gentle persuasion, Quinn will be happy to share his space with you.”

“Happy wasn’t the word I thought of, but I’m going to offer a bribe of baked goods for the ranch hands.”

She clapped her hands together and chuckled. “Dessert is the best way to anybody’s good side.”

Maggie grinned. “That’s what I’m banking on.”

12

Jed climbed the steps to his cabin, bone-weary from packing a full day’s worth of chores into the afternoon. The guys had been busy keeping tabs on a mare in labor. The health of a foal was always the most important part of the job. He noticed the lights were on in cabin six, Maggie and Susie’s temporary home. He wondered what they were up to tonight, but the last thing he wanted to do was become a pesky neighbor and drive a wedge into their friendship. He often wondered what it would be like to ask Maggie out on a date, maybe a trail ride or a movie and dinner. But it wasn’t something he felt confident about. His dating skills were lacking with a woman who was amazing and could have her pick of any guy.

The door to the cabin burst open and Susie rushed down the steps, running in the direction of the construction site. He hesitated. Should he go after her to make sure she was okay or at the very least careful around the construction or allow Maggie to handle whatever was going on? He dropped to the bench outside his door and waited to see what might happen next.

Less than a minute later, Maggie walked onto the porch and looked left and then right. She hadn’t noticed Jed sitting in the shadows. Tugging a towel from her shoulder, she wiped her hands and stamped a foot. He’d seen that gesture before and knew her frustration was high. Not that she’d ever say a word to anyone about what was going on.

Clearing his throat, he said, “She ran toward the new cabins.”

She didn’t seem startled that he was there, almost as if she sensed him. “Thanks. I’m trying to decide if I go after her or wait until she cools down and comes back before I try to talk to her.”

“Sorry I can’t help with this one, bein’ I was never a teenage girl.”

A snort escaped Maggie. “Well, I’ve been one and live with one and this kid has a hot temper and one she doesn’t get from me.” She slapped the towel back on her shoulder. “Sorry for the ruckus.”

He nodded, understanding that even with Susie’s father had never been in the picture, some traits were inherited. “Not a problem. I just came up from the barn. We have a mare in labor.”

“Is this for Annie’s breeding program?”

“Yeah, Annie was down at the barn when I came up. As you can imagine, she’s pretty excited.”

Maggie looked in the direction Susie had fled. “Too bad someone decided to take off; she might be interested in witnessing that.”

He stood up and crossed the small porch and stood next to the railing, closer to her and he could smell her light floral shampoo. “There’s plenty of time before the foal will put in its appearance. Unless she is the kind of person who stays mad for hours.” Should he ask what they fought about? He pushed that question aside. It wasn’t any of his business what happened between a mother and her daughter.

“She burns hot and gets over it pretty fast. Give her a half hour and she’ll be back.” Maggie gave him a quick smile. “Interested in something to drink?”

“Come on over and let me entertain you. I’m sure there aren’t many nights where you have sat down, kicked back, and relaxed.”

“Between checking on the supper crowd in the diner and making sure a certain someone’s homework is finished in plenty of time before bed, relaxation is just a word in the dictionary,” she said. “I’ve got some munchies we can nibble on while we wait for Susie to find her way back.”

Her grinned, “I like having you next door especially if you’re wiping up tasty treats. Would you like a beer or something softer?”

“Only if you’re joining me. A beer does sound like it will hit the spot, and I can fill you in on the rest of my day if you’re up for it.”

He pointed to the chairs behind him. “Meet you there in two minutes.”

She pulled open the door and disappeared from sight, and he did the same. Two cold beers and he’d even bring out a soda for Susie just in case she came back sooner than later.

Taking the bottles from the icebox, he had a passing thought of what life would have been like if he’d put effort into finding that special someone earlier in life. Would he have a son or daughter storming off while he and his wife waited for them to get over it? More than likely, given as a young man his temper had been legendary. Probably explained why he was approaching forty and single.

He heard the soft thud of boots on the porch, and he went back outside to discover Maggie had pulled a small table across the porch and set up a mini feast, artfully arranged bitesize pizzas, mini quiche, and a few other items he wasn’t sure what they were.

“I see you’ve been cooking.” He twisted the top off one bottle and handed it to her after she took a seat that faced the direction her daughter had run off in.

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