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“Hope so. What did you order?”
“One of everything,” he said, pulling her against him as she laughed. He was right. She’d get through this.
“Thank you. For always looking out for me.” Maggie caressed his smooth cheek. She missed the usual friction of his whiskers, but her insides turned into goo, knowing he’d gone to all the trouble to make tonight special. To make her feel special. He stared at her lips and his eyes darkened. She whispered her thanks against his lips before thanking him with a kiss.
“You’re welcome.” Lucas’s smile brushed her lips. “Did I mention I ordered the red bean buns and pumpkin pancakes, too?”
“Sounds like I need to thank you again. With interest.”
Chapter 22
Lucas leaned back in his chair, grateful he’d worn his dressy sweatpants, the dark ones without elastic at the ankles but lots of stretch in the waist. “I didn’t think it was possible for leftovers to be this good,” he said to Barbara.
“It wasn’t me. Maggie worked her magic on what was left from the other night. A tough task since you boys didn’t leave her much,” she lightly scolded. His phone pinged, and he snuck it out of his pocket. It was a text from his mom, telling him they’d miss seeing him and to take care of his fingers. He should feel relieved his mom wasn’t upset that he’d chosen to spend Thanksgiving with the Buchanans, but it left a hollow ache in his chest.
“You okay? Do you need something for your hand?” Maggie asked him.
“I’m fine,” he said, placing his bandaged hand on her thigh. “Just wish I could trade in this left hand for a better model. Back-to-back injuries isn’t good. I’m getting too much wear and tear on this one.” The trainers had taped his three outer fingers together since casting wasn’t an option. If they were immobile and he didn’t put any pressure on them, he was fine. Unfortunately, leaning on his hand was part of the job.
“Bash, what are you doing after the season?” Barbara asked.
“I’m not sure, but hopefully I have plenty of time to figure it out.”
“If the team keeps playing like you have been and it stays relatively injury-free”—Four pointed at Lucas—“you’ll have lots of time.” Everyone at the table murmured their agreement.
“I’m actually envious of Cal and Lucas already having a plan.”
“You’re welcome to join them out here,” Three said.
“I have a few options open to me, but none of them are in Cascade City.”
“Well, if things fall through, Lucas can always use a shit-shoveling partner,” Three said.
“Unless you’ve changed your mind?” Barbara, Three, and Five looked at Lucas with a mix of fear and hope in their eyes. They were counting on him, and he’d given his word. He wasn’t going to disappoint the people who treated him better than his own family did.
“No. I’m looking forward to it. I like to stay busy and I’m sure I can handle everything if Scotland works out for Five.”
“Well, let’s just make sure we synchronize our watches so we’re on the same schedule. Lucas should get some time off, too. Go somewhere warm and stick your toes in the sand.”
“Yes, sir.” He wouldn’t argue with that. I wonder where Maggie wants to go? he thought, glancing at her, hoping for a reaction. But she was a blank slate. Not good.
“You sure your folks don’t need you at their place?” Barbara asked.
“Positive. They haven’t wanted my help since I graduated from college.” He’d called and texted his dad about Brewster’s’ space being sold, but he’d never responded. The only time his dad had texted him in the last few weeks was to remind him about the new truck they wanted to buy. Lucas sent him the name of the salesperson who’d sold him his truck last year and told his dad there were lots of financing options. He hadn’t heard from him since.
He’d be lying if he said he was okay with everything. But he didn’t have a choice. He couldn’t force his dad to let him in, and he knew none of his other family members would push the issue. As far as he was concerned, from here on out, they were on their own with the farm. If they asked for his nonfinancial help, he’d be there in a heartbeat. The only financial obligation he intended to keep was his promise to pay his younger sister’s tuition.
“Well, then, a toast.” Three stood and raised his glass. He looked around the table and met everyone’s eyes, saying, “To the family we’re born into and the family we make.”
“You didn’t need to come out here with me,” Maggie said as she turned on the barn’s overhead light.
“I know I didn’t, but I wanted to. Although I still don’t know why Barbara wants you to check on Mac and Beth.” Maggie shrugged. She’d been hot and cold with Lucas since Jack burst her bubble, and she was tired of feeling this way. None of this was Lucas’s fault. He’d been nothing but kind, supportive and patient, and she couldn’t figure out what her problem was. Penny could tell you, she thought, but she didn’t want her sister poking around in her head.
The llama stuck her head out of her stall and Maggie rubbed behind her ears. Lucas joined in and the llama leaned toward him. You like him better, too, she thought at the same time Lucas asked, “You planning on telling me what’s wrong?” He sounded harsh and demanding, like his patience was up.
“I’m what’s wrong.” She sighed heavily and forced herself to look at him.
He hooked his good fingers in her belt loops and pulled her toward him. She didn’t resist. “That’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever said.”
