Page 26 of Maggie’s Match

“Five years?” Maggie frowned. “Why?”

“I asked them the same thing. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Alaqua, recently moved back to Montana. They said they were run out of town by the law and the mayor earlier this year. They sold their home just outside of town to some friends of theirs. However, after an offer was put on the land that you’re looking at by the same people who ran them out of town, they held onto the plot, hoping someone else would come along.”

“The Tillersons?” Becca asked with a hiss.

“They want to be assured that the same people who forced them out won’t be able to get their hands on it anytime soon. Apparently, they’ve purchased up a lot of other vacant land and really want this plot as well, even though they aren’t willing to pay the market rate,” Savannah finished. “If you’re okay with that, I can send over the paperwork right now.”

Maggie looked between the two of them, then shrugged. “I’m okay if you are,” she said to Becca.

“I’m not going to let them run us out,” Becca said.

“What if you realize you don’t really like running a bakery?” Maggie asked.

Becca walked over and wrapped her arms around Maggie. “I won’t. We both know how much I love bookkeeping and baking, just like you. This was always what we were meant to do.”

“Okay,” Maggie said with a smile. “Send me the paperwork. I can head to the bank after I sign them.”

“Wonderful,” her mother replied. “I’m so proud of you, sweetie. There. I’ve hit send.”

Maggie’s phone made a chime sound. “Got it,” Maggie said.

“All the information is there. Let me know if you need anything,” her mother said before hanging up.

“I guess congratulations are in order,” Rick said. “How about we hit the town tonight to celebrate. There’s bound to be a place we can have a few beers.”

Chapter Ten

Maggie didn’t know why she’d let Becca talk her into wearing a short jean skirt, a tight white shirt that her boobs were bursting out of, and red cowgirl boots.

She felt like one wrong move and the outfit would burst into pieces, like the Hulk’s clothing always did when he transformed. Still, she had to admit, she looked damn good.

Good enough that when she walked downstairs, Rick’s eyes widened. For the entire ride into town, he didn’t say one word to her. When Becca jumped out of his truck, he reached over and took Maggie’s hand, stopping her.

“Tonight, all your dances belong to me,” he said.

She arched her brows. “My dances are mine to give away freely.” She tilted her head and smiled. “You’ll just have to earn them.”

She got out of the truck and was surprised at how quickly he moved around to help her.

“You look amazing,” he whispered next to her ear. His warm breath caused a shiver of excitement to race down her neck and settle at her core. “I’m afraid I’m going to spend the entire night fighting every single man in there for a moment of your time on the dance floor.” He motioned towards the bar.

“Would that be so bad?” she asked, feeling breathless.

His eyes turned a deeper shade of green. God, how did she never realize just how bright they were when he was turned on?

A low growling sound emanated from his chest, then Becca was pulling her arm.

“Enough, you two, you can get a room later.” She pulled Maggie into the bar.

Maggie glanced back at him with a smile. He was unable to ignore the pull he felt to her. He followed her and Becca into the Bullseye Saloon.

The bar reminded him a lot of the Rusty Rail back home. The music was too loud and the sticky old wood floors creaked and groaned with the weight of too many dancers. Beer flowed, laughter echoed in the large space, and a good time was had by all.

But after they’d settled with their beers at a table by the edge of the dance floor, he spotted the two men from lunch heading their way.

Royce’s eyes were eating Maggie up as he moved closer. Rick felt his back teeth clench, and he knew he had to do something quick to stake his claim.

He took Maggie’s hand the moment she set her beer down, pulled her onto the dance floor, and spun her around. Thankfully, it appeared that Maggie hadn’t seen Royce yet.