Page 62 of Maggie’s Match

“Come here.” Rick pulled her into his arms after shutting the door. Then he held onto her while she lost what control she had left.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Rick was surprised that Officer Johnson allowed them to clean up and head to the hospital before questioning them. He did, however, follow them all of the way in his patrol car.

When they stepped inside the ER, Maggie rushed to be by her family’s side while he turned to the older officer.

“Why don’t I answer what I can first?” he said, motioning towards the chairs. “I’d like to sit. My leg isn’t completely healed from the fire.”

The man nodded and followed him to a row of chairs.

“Where do you want me to start?” Rick asked.

“How about you tell me in your words what happened, then we’ll go from there.” Officer Johnson took out his notepad.

By the time he was done telling the story, everyone else had gathered around them and added their bits of evidence. They also let him know that Bentley was in surgery to remove the bullet that had gone through his side.

After the officer left, everyone disappeared into the bathrooms to clean up and change into the clothes Maggie had packed for them.

Neither Bridget nor Becca had even had shoes on. Then everyone huddled together, drinking hospital coffee until the sun came up.

Sometime before noon, the rest of Maggie’s family showed up. Someone went down to the cafeteria for food, but most of the family didn’t even touch it.

It was just past one when the doctor finally came out and talked to Bridget and Bryson. Everyone held their breath until Bridget let out a happy sound.

“He’s going to be okay,” she told everyone with a smile.

“He made it through surgery. He lost part of his spleen and has a couple broken ribs. But the doctor says he should make a full recovery in time,” Bryson said with a smile as tears rolled down his face. “Thanks to you.” He turned to Rick and engulfed him in a hug. “The doc says that if you hadn’t been there, he would have most likely bled to death.”

“Thank you.” Bridget wrapped him in her arms, then Becca and Maggie joined them.

“Can we all talk about how Becca came in all Rambo like?” Rick said with a chuckle. “Seriously?”

Everyone laughed and then just held onto one another for another moment.

Just then, Colton came rushing through the front doors. His eyes flew around the waiting room, and when he spotted Becca, he flew towards her and held onto her tightly.

“My god,” he said over and over.

“I’m okay,” Becca assured him.

Maggie took Rick’s hand and chuckled. “Looks like we may have two weddings this year,” she said with a nudge.

“If he’s smart this time,” Rick added with a laugh.

* * *

Her cousin was in the hospital for almost a month. By the time he was released, Birdie’s Bakery was ready to open its doors.

Maggie stood behind the counter in her soft blue apron and nodded for Becca to unlock the doors.

The very first customer inside was Bentley, who was wheeled inside by Rick, followed by Bridget, Bryson, and the rest of Maggie’s family. Rick’s parents, sister and brother-in-law, aunts, uncles, and several of his cousins, were also there.

Rick joked that the entire town of Fairplay had driven a few hours to support her and Becca’s new venture.

By one o’clock that day, she believed it. She’d seen most everyone she knew in Fairplay walk through the doors of Birdie’s, and her heart was full.

They sold out of almost everything. All the donuts had disappeared within the first four hours. The breakfast quiches were next, followed by the kolaches, until all they were left with was the sweets.