Chapter 9 Part 9
Maggie
The recipe for the blueberry pie currently baking in the oven was copied from the internet. After church, she’d gone to the store to buy the ingredients. She wanted to do something nice for Asher. He’d included her in their row at church, not letting her sit by herself, and she truly appreciated it.
It was nice to be included; it wasn’t something she was used to. Melody really liked him, and if she was honest, she really liked him, too. There was nothing she didn’t like about him. She’d been in two minds about going to church, but she knew how small towns worked. If she wanted to be accepted, she needed to go to church.
An hour later, the pie was wrapped in a dishcloth on the floor of the passenger side, and her car was bumping down the dirt road to the ranch. She drove past the entry to the main house and followed the road for another two miles to Asher’s house. She hoped it was his house.
She parked the car, got Melody out, and grabbed the pie. On the porch, she placed the pie on a wooden table near a swing chair, and knocked on the front door. It felt eerily empty, but she knocked again.
The sound of hooves behind her had her turning around. Asher was sitting atop a large horse, the sun behind him, casting him in a halo of light as he got off the horse, and walked closer to the porch. He looked exactly like she pictured a cowboy to look, all rugged handsomeness and sweat, making his shirt stick to his chest.
“Hey,” Asher said, and Maggie felt stupid all of a sudden for just showing up at his house. He could have plans!
“I…uhm…brought you a pie,” she said quickly. “To say thank you.”
Asher smiled at her. “You didn’t have to do that, but I never say no to pie. Go on in; the door’s unlocked. I’ll just be a minute getting One Star back to his stall. Make yourself at home.”
As Asher disappeared with the horse around the corner of the house, Maggie opened the front door as Melody babbled, then looked disappointed at Asher’s disappearance. She took the pie inside and looked around.
His house was open-plan, spacious, and comfortably decorated. His kitchen was modern with stainless steel appliances, whitewashed cupboards, and dark gray marble countertops. He had a large double-door fridge with a walk-in pantry, and mudroom near the back of the kitchen.
Maggie placed the pie dish on the counter, and pulled one of the kitchen chairs out to sit down. A few minutes later, the door to the mudroom opened, and Asher hung his hat on a hook, before walking into the kitchen.
He opened the fridge, and took out a jug of sweet tea, and two glasses. “Sorry, it took so long; I had to give One Star some apples.”
“He’s a beautiful horse,” Maggie said, as she accepted the glass from him.
“The upside of living on a ranch: lots of space to ride,” Asher said, as he opened a cupboard, and got two plates out. In a drawer, he pulled out two forks, and a large knife. “Will you do the honors?”
Maggie pushed her chair out as he unbuttoned the flannel shirt and took it off, the T-shirt below molded to his upper body. She cut off a big piece for Asher, placing it on a plate. He took the plate from her with a smile, and sat down at the kitchen table.
She watched as he took the first bite before cutting off a smaller piece for herself. She pulled Melody onto her lap as Asher kept eating his piece of pie. She smiled, and took a bite of her slice. Her eyes widened, and she spat the piece of pie out of her mouth, and almost emptied her glass of sweet tea.
“It’s terrible! Don’t eat that!” She grabbed Asher’s plate away, and took another sip from her sweet tea. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Asher chuckled, as he lowered his fork to the table. “It’s not that bad.”
“Not that bad? It’s inedible! I can’t believe I fed you this pie!” Her cheeks heated, and she groaned out loud when Asher laughed.
“Was this your first time making a pie?” Maggie looked up at Asher, the truth reflected in her eyes.
“Yes. I wanted to do something nice for you, but instead, I nearly poisoned you,” she said.
“It’s the thought that counts, and I do appreciate it,” Asher said. “But yeah, you’re going to need some lessons for that pie.”
Maggie laughed, despite herself. “Oh yeah? Who’s going to teach me? You?”
Asher laughed loudly, a sound that got Melody’s attention as she crawled toward him. “Not me. Eden, probably. She cooks all our meals. I can make basic stuff, but she’s the chef of the family.”
“I’m really sorry about the pie,” Maggie said, and stood up. “I also didn’t mean to just barge in here. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“You’re welcome any time, Maggie. In fact, I was going to get some steaks out. Would you like to stay for dinner? I can get the eating chair from the main house for Melody.”
“I don’t want to impose. You fed me last night, too,” Maggie said.
“In all honesty, I can do with the company.” Asher looked around, and something stirred in Maggie.
“That sounds good, but only if you let me help.” Maggie crossed her arms over her chest, and Asher chuckled again.
“I’m sure you can’t mess up a salad,” he said, to which Maggie swatted his arm.
“That was just mean, Mr. Fitzgerald. I can cook; I just can’t bake,” she said, defiantly.
“Fine, fine, I’m sorry. Give me ten minutes to shower and change, then I’ll light up the grill. Everything you need for the salad will be in the fridge. Make yourself comfortable, please,” Asher said, as he stood up from his chair.
“We’ll be fine,” Maggie said, with a smile, as Asher left the kitchen. When she could hear his footsteps on the stairs, she looked around again. She had no idea what she was doing here, but she liked being in Asher’s company, which was probably a mistake. He was too nice to get involved with the likes of her.