Chapter 36 Part 36
Maggie
Eden, Colt, and Dylan drove in the truck in front of them. She rode with Blair. She had wiped her tears, knowing that Thomas would never tell anyone what she’d told him. She felt lighter now that someone knew her secret.
“Sometimes, letting your hair down, and just letting go is the best medicine there is,” Blair said.
“You’re right, Blair. I haven’t gone out in ages. Thank you for inviting me.”
Blair chuckled. “Damn, Maggie, it’s just some dancing at McCreary’s, nothing fancy.”
“It still counts. I haven’t had a night of fun in so long. With you lot, I’m sure there will be lots of shenanigans,” Maggie said.
As Blair kept to the speed limit, Maggie was very aware of his presence. He drove them through town, almost to the edge of it, before turning into a lot. The building was brightly lit, and the parking lot was filled with cars.
It seemed everyone was there, which made Maggie feel a little nervous. She hadn’t been in town much, and now she felt apprehensive. People would look at her. They would wonder where Asher was. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to show her face in public.
“Don’t look so nervous. It’s just some dancing,” Blair said.
He was out of the truck before she could say anything, and the next moment, he’d opened her door, and was holding his hand out to her. She took it, gratefully, and smiled up at him. Blair tucked her arm in his as they met up with the rest of the family and headed inside.
Lively music was playing, people were dancing, shooting pool, and the tables were crowded. Laughter bubbled over, and Blair grinned at her. People greeted them as Blair ushered them to a booth in the back, where she felt safer once she was seated.
She’d seen the looks some of the women had given her, women she’d never met before. She wasn’t blind. Blair was an attractive man, just as Colt and Dylan were attractive. All the Fitzgerald men held a certain allure. They were gentlemen, rugged, hard workers, and they were always willing to lend a hand.
“You might have to dance with a few other women before I get lynched in the bathroom,” Maggie said, when Blair returned with two pitchers of beer.
“Lynched? You’ve been watching too many cowboy movies,” Blair said, chuckling.
She danced with all three brothers, and watched as they danced with almost every woman in the bar. The men didn’t seem to mind, and Maggie could feel herself relax. Eden barely had time to drink her beer. She was on the dancefloor almost permanently.
Maggie excused herself and headed to the restrooms at the back of the bar. Inside a stall, she took a few deep breaths, and did her business. She could still hear the music and people laughing. The only person she really wanted to see was Asher.
At the basin, she washed her hands, and started drying them just as the door opened, when Lorelei walked in with two other women. They gave her scathing looks, but Maggie didn’t care at that moment.
“So, one Fitzgerald brother isn’t enough for you? Are you working your way through them all?”
Maggie shook her head, turning to face Lorelei. “Does it really bother you so much that Asher moved on, or is it because you don’t have any control over him anymore?”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” It was one of Lorelei’s friends, but Maggie didn’t know her name.
“I’m the one Asher chose.” Maggie smiled at them, and walked out of the bathroom. She hadn’t missed the glare Lorelei had given her.
Back at the table, she smiled, feeling better. She watched as Eden danced with a handsome cowboy, her smile genuine, and her eyes bright. The man was looking at Eden the way she looked at Asher.
“Why doesn’t Eden have a boyfriend?”
Colt grinned while Dylan chuckled. “Every man in this county wants Eden’s hand in marriage. She’s particular, and says she’ll know the right man when she sees him. Eden doesn’t really date. She had a boyfriend just after high school, but it turned out he wanted to marry her to get a piece of the ranch. She’s been skittish ever since.”
Maggie smiled sadly. “Eden deserves a great man. Whoever wins her over will be a lucky man.”
“I’m not sure if there’s a man good enough for her,” Dylan said, and Maggie laughed.
“Typical, coming from an older brother.”
“We feel the same way about you. We’d take you out every weekend, but no man would get close to you,” Colt said.
“I’m not sure if that’s sweet or not,” Maggie replied.
“Do you have any idea what Asher would do to us if we let you out of our sight?”
“He won’t do anything. Your hides are safe. Asher doesn’t even want to talk to me.”
Colt reached over, and clasped her hand in his. “He’s just going through a rough time right now. He’ll come back.”
“What do you mean?”
“With Mark’s death, and him having to shoot One Star, I think his scars opened up again, and it takes him to a dark place. Mark was like a brother to him in the Army. Asher gets quiet, and withdraws, but he always comes back.”
Maggie’s eyes had widened. “He shot One Star?” She closed her eyes briefly, grief piercing through her heart. Asher loved that horse. She couldn’t imagine him shooting his horse.
“That night he left with One Star…a pack of coyotes attacked the horse. There was nothing Asher could do for him but put him out of his misery. He nearly didn’t make it back to the house, with that snowfall, and walking down the mountain with that saddle on his shoulder,” Blair said.
“And then he got a phone call because he left that same day,” Maggie finished.
“Yeah.”
Maggie looked down briefly. Now she wished she had reached out to him, but her own pride, and the hurt she carried in her heart, made sure she didn’t. He’d been right there on her porch, struggling with his emotions, and fighting his own battles, and she’d been clueless.
Finn appeared, and slid into the booth next to Blair. “Pops said you were all here.”
“Did you swim in a bottle of aftershave?” Dylan asked.
Finn ignored him, glancing at Maggie. “Pops said Asher’s back. Got home about an hour ago.”
“Asher’s back?”
“Yeah, apparently he didn’t look too pleased when Pops told him Maggie was out with you,” Finn said, as he looked pointedly at Blair.
“Oh, no,” Maggie groaned.
“Chores will be fun tomorrow,” Blair said, dryly. The other brothers laughed at him, and Maggie frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means Asher will find some way to hurt Blair,” Finn said, laughing again.
“I have to go,” Maggie said, and Blair chuckled, but handed her the keys to his truck.