Chapter 28 Part 28
Maggie
She sat on the examination bed, watching Dr. Carmichael as he cut the cast off her lower leg. Eden sat on a visitor chair with Melody on her lap. There had been an emergency with a lame cow and Asher had rushed out of the house to help Blair.
“Stand on up, Maggie, put your full weight on your ankle,” the doctor said.
Maggie got to her feet slowly, and put all her weight on the leg. She took a few steps forward, and smiled. “It feels good.”
“We’ll take another X-ray and make sure everything looks like it should,” he said.
An hour later, Maggie left the hospital with a clean bill of health. She felt great, and she couldn’t stop smiling. Asher had said that her leg would be fine, and that he was taking her out on their first official date that night.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror as she smiled. She’d straightened her hair, and had put on the nicest dress she owned. Her makeup was flawless, but she still put another coat of mascara on her lashes. She’d heard Asher return 30 minutes earlier, and she knew he’d knock on her door at any moment.
“Come in,” she said with a smile, when the expected knock came.
Once Asher opened the door, her eyes took him in. He was wearing jeans, and a long-sleeved shirt that screamed cowboy, with boots, and he smelled divine.
“You look really pretty, Maggie,” he said, as she stood up from the small vanity.
“Thank you.”
He offered her his arm, and together they walked down the stairs. Eden had agreed to take Melody for the night, and Thomas was in his element at having her at their house for a change. Downstairs, all four brothers and Eden stood waiting. Asher chuckled, and Maggie smiled.
“Keep to the speed limit,” Finn said.
“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” Colt said, as Dylan grinned.
“Remember it gets cold out, so I put a blanket in your truck,” Blair said, winking at them.
“Have fun, and don’t rush home,” Eden said.
“You guys do realize, I’m the oldest, and should be the one giving you lot, advice,” Asher said.
“First dates are important, you know; impressions and all,” Finn said.
“I think we’re past the first impression stage,” Maggie said.
They finally left ten minutes later, as the Fitzgerald clan stood on Asher’s porch, and waved goodbye. Asher was in no rush, and he drove down the dirt road slowly.
In town, he parked his truck in front of Meadow Manor. It was the only restaurant in town where you could have a romantic dinner. Asher had made the reservation two weeks earlier, in anticipation that her cast would be removed. She felt excited, smiling when Asher opened her door, and took her hand.
A young girl welcomed them to the restaurant, and Maggie was convinced that everyone knew Asher. “Welcome to Meadow Manor, Mr. Fitzgerald. Your table is ready.”
“Thank you, Molly,” Asher said.
Molly showed them to their table, where Asher pulled her chair out. He nodded at several people in greeting before sitting down across from her. The ambiance of the restaurant was romantic, a flickering candle on the navy blue tablecloth. Soft music was playing, as a waiter appeared, and filled their water glasses.
They ordered drinks and entrées, and Maggie felt a little self-conscious. Another man was walking toward them, greeting people as he drifted from table to table. He seemed important, and he had an easy-going smile on his face.
“Glad you could make it, Asher. You must be Maggie. It’s lovely to meet you,” he said, kissing the back of her hand.
“Maggie, this is Winchester; he’s the owner of this restaurant,” Asher said, as the two men shook hands.
“The chef has a magnificent new dessert with roasted nuts, honey, and nougat. I definitely recommend it,” Winchester said.
“We’ll make sure to try it,” Asher said. Winchester smiled, and left them, walking toward another table.
“You really do know everyone in this town,” Maggie said.
“Winchester and I went to school together, all the way from kindergarten. He’s also the man that got engaged to Lorelei.”
Maggie looked up at Asher at that moment, but she could detect no jealousy in his eyes, or his voice. “And you’re still friends with him?”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
They made small talk as they ate their meal. Asher had ordered steak, which came as no surprise to her. She’d ordered the lamb chops and a side salad. The dessert was magnificent, just as Winchester had promised it would be.
At times, Asher held her hand, and they talked a lot. She laughed at Asher’s stories, loving every detail of his life on the ranch. He told her a little about his days in the Army, the training, and how he became a sniper.
A lot of people glanced at them, but every time Maggie looked up, someone smiled at her. It felt like acceptance, and she would be lying if she said she didn’t like the feeling. After their meal, Asher took her hand again, and they crossed the street to the park, where they walked down the little path.
“I really had fun tonight, Asher,” Maggie said.
“I’m glad you liked it. Meadow Manor is kind of it for a romantic dinner, but next time, I’ll drive us over to Three Forks Valley. They have an amazing Korean restaurant.”
The wind was chilly, and Asher draped his jacket across her shoulders before they headed back to his truck. The drive back to the ranch was quiet, and Maggie kept wondering what he was thinking about. She felt nervous suddenly, wondering if tonight was the night.
Back at Asher’s house, he led her inside, never letting go of her hand. Upstairs in the hallway, Asher moved in closer to her and cupped the side of her face. Maggie’s eyes fluttered closed, and she closed the distance between them. Their lips fit perfectly, and soon, Maggie’s back was pressed against the wall. Asher’s hands moved, and she was lifted. Her arms encircled his neck, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, just as he closed his bedroom door.