Chapter 28.

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. ~ Robert Frost He couldn't find Maggie anywhere, not even under her usual tree. There was a family of five planted on a blanket, and they didn't look like they were going anywhere soon.

"h.e.l.lo." Mitch shook hands as he walked around the park, keeping one eye open for Maggie.

"Did you bring this beautiful moon, Mayor?" Butch asked.

Mitch looked up at the full bright circle. It gave off so much light, he had to look beyond the lake to realize it was the moon.

"I can't take credit for it." He smiled and gave a slight wave to Butch.

The park was crowded. Grandberry Falls used to have weekly movie night, but with the economy, it wasn't cost effective to have them but quarterly. It was great for the community, and for a small business owner like Butch, but the insurance was enough to take a small business down. With the growing population, maybe Grandberry Falls could make movie night more frequent.

Nonchalantly, he glanced over his right shoulder, took three steps backward and then whispered, "New moon, new moon, true and bright, if I have a lover let me dream of her tonight. If I am to marry far, let me hear a bird cry. If I am to marry near, let me hear a cow low. If I am to marry never, let me hear a hammer knock."

Unfortunately he didn't hear a cow, he heard a cackle. A very familiar cackle.

"I think you have to take bigger steps." Maggie's knees were pulled up to her chest underneath her shirt.

He'd never seen her there. She looked like a small child curled up.

Of all people to see him doing the "moon dance," Maggie would be his last choice.

"What are you wishing for? Dream, bird, cow, or hammer?" She took a drink of her latte.

"Down in front, Mayor." The crowd laughed at someone shouting out for Mitch to sit down.

He waved, and squatted down, doing his best duckwalk towards Maggie.

She laughed. "If you can't make it as mayor, you can definitely pull off impersonating a duck." She scooted over, giving him some room on her blanket. "I'm sorry about earlier."

He didn't want her to be sorry. We wanted the cow low.

"Don't be." He wasn't sure if he wanted to fess up about the broken engagement.

The outdoor screen flickered and static dotted it. Everyone started to take their seats in the gra.s.s or any spot that was available. He glanced over at her profile. It was as though she never left. His heart fluttered when her gaze met his. She broke into a wide-open smile.

"I can't believe it's so crowded. And I hardly recognize anyone." Maggie squinted trying to see through the dark. She strained her neck looking around.

"You wouldn't believe how much Grandberry Falls has grown." Mitch could've given her all the statistics, but it was boring. "That's why the state thinks it'd be good for the economy to put an outlet mall near the interstate."

Maggie picked up the folder. "I read the data regarding putting an outlet mall in remote counties, right off the major interstate has increased jobs and incomes in communities like Grandberry Falls. And I agree. But what about the families that are losing their jobs? Do you think that Butch's dad is going to be a cashier at J-Crew?"

Mitch understood exactly what she was saying. He's read all the stats and even walked several other sites over the past year.

"I just hope it's not too late." Maggie stared at the screen. "I should've been included from the beginning."

"I know, but..." Mitch looked to see why Maggie was sh-h-h-ing him.

He smiled. She loved this part of the movie where Marty and Dr. Emmett Brown are in the parking lot. Dr. Brown tells Marty, "If my calculations are right, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious s.h.i.t."

He watched her big brown eyes focus on the screen and the smile creep across her face, her teeth as white as the moon. He loved it. She looked memorized like the first time they watched it together.

It was definitely a magical night. The stars were bright, the moon was full, but was it the right night? Mitch wanted to tell her his engagement had been called off. He wanted to tell her that no matter where life was going to lead her that he'd always love her.

He was surprised she didn't already know-or she'd brought it up. From what Susie had been saying, the gang seemed to be spending a lot more time together since Maggie was back in town. He smiled. It was almost like old times.

Chapter 29.

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place. ~ Zora Hurston Mitch didn't mention anything about Wendy and Maggie didn't mention anything about what Wendy had told her. For some strange reason Mitch didn't want her to know, or he would've told her.

She had to be careful not to stare back at him. She was finding it all too easy to get lost in the way he looked at her. The feeling she was having was not familiar to her. As a matter of fact she didn't ever recall having these emotions for Grady.

When Wendy told her about her relationship with Mitch, Maggie found herself replacing Wendy's situation with her and Grady. They were college friends, study buddies, and one was never without the other. She found an altogether different life in Grady's world. Though his rich c.o.c.ktail party world was enticing, she did find herself longing for the quiet sleepy life of Grandberry Falls on most nights. Sometimes she would stay back at the penthouse while Grady rubbed elbows with Hampton's finest.

Lillian told Maggie several times that she did fit in, when Maggie stormed out of a c.o.c.ktail party for the New York City mayor's council after someone laughed and called her a hillbilly.

In the end, Grady did what everyone expected, including Maggie-he proposed. Only she never expected the ring to beafake.

She's chalked up her feelings of nostalgia over the last couple of weeks, to being vulnerable and unsure where her life was taking her. But when she tried to explore her feelings for Mitch, there was no reasonable answer.

She couldn't help but giggle when Mitch threw his head back and let out a great peal of laughter-just like he had every time they saw this scene. Only this time she couldn't tear her gaze from his profile.

He had grown up. Become a man. A man worth exploring.

"Just as good as the first time we saw it." Mitch's eyes danced with delight.

When the movie ended, Maggie got up and dusted the gra.s.s off her shorts. All sorts of people she didn't recognize walked by and shook Mitch's hand and chatted a few minutes. Maggie reached for her ringing cell phone, figuring it would be Hazel wondering when she was going to be coming home. Even though Maggie was in her late twenties, she was still living under Hazel's roof-as Hazel often told her.

Fear and anger knotted her insides when Grady's name appeared across the screen. This was the first time he'd even attempted to call her. Why now? What did he want?

She had a good mind to answer and tell him she's going to the Globe about the fake ring, only Karma stood in her way.

Pushing the decline b.u.t.ton, she decided to send him to voicemail and see if he left a message. No part of her wanted to talk to him ever again. She might not have truly loved him as she should've, but she didn't deserve to be dumped by a letter. No one did.

The warm palm on her back shocked her into reality.

"I said are you okay?" Mitch asked, looking at her for answers. "Who was it?"

"Granny." Maggie took another look at the phone.

The red light that alerted her that she had a message was not on. She wondered if she should feel some guilt for the relief she felt. Now she didn't have to call him back. Nor did she want to.

"Just tell her you're with me."

She couldn't help herself, she burst out laughing. He was right. If Hazel knew she was with Mitch, she'd be home ironing a wedding dress.

"I had fun tonight. We need to get together soon." Maggie gathered her things.

Maggie wanted to get out of the park. She was still on overload from the phone call. She wondered if he'd try to call back.

"We do have a lot to go over about the case and we still need some options." Mitch greeted the pa.s.serby's with smiles and nods.

"I meant something other than business. Like tonight." Maggie searched his face for a sign, hint or any indication of being attracted to her like he used to. There was nothing there. "Or not."

She gave him another opportunity to tell her about his broken engagement, but he wasn't budging.

"I..." he stammered for words. "I'm not sure how much free time I'm going to have this week with the Grandberry Falls Jubilee weekend coming up and the parade. Big fireworks."

"Okay. I'll talk to you soon." Maggie took one last look around. Still, she didn't recognize anyone to talk to and take the uncomfortable silence between them away. "Bye."

She waved over her shoulder, and didn't turn to see if he was still surrounded by people or if he was watching her.

The street was filled with people walking or driving back from the movie. The Thirsty Turtle was hopping like it did every weekend. She was sure she saw Belle through the window. Belle rarely missed a big night out on the town. The Thirsty Turtle was what const.i.tuted a big night. Maggie would rather go home and go to bed. She only had a couple of days before the meeting and she needed all the rest she could get to go up against Patricia Van Meter.

Chapter 30.

Without love, the rich and poor live in the same house. ~ Unknown The earlier the better was Maggie's mantra. She repeated it every morning before arriving at Van Meter and a.s.sociates when she lived in the city, and saving the farm was no different.

Quietly, she got ready so she wouldn't wake Hazel or Belle. Generally by six-thirty am, the tractors had already started up, the roosters had crowed, and the cows were ready to eat. Maggie glanced out of the bedroom window where she saw only one farmhand tending to the cattle.

Yes, we have to save the farm, she thought turning to decided what she was going to wear. Her clothes that dangled off the wire hangers were bunched up in the tiny closet.

Sigh, Maggie pulled the light blue silk blouse off the hanger, noticing the b.u.mps on the each shoulder seam. Her poor clothes were use to the nice wooden hangers and much larger s.p.a.ce in the penthouse she had shared with Grady.

One by one, she pushed each hanger to see what she could wear with the blouse. Normally, she'd pair it with a nice suit that included a short skirt, but not here. She wanted to fit in. She wanted everyone to take her seriously.

The black slacks and matching blazer would be perfect. Maggie held the jacket up to the blouse. Perfect, she thought, looking into the mirror and brushing her long brown hair behind her shoulders, shaking her bangs out of her eyes.

Without making too much noise, she quickly got dressed, was out the door, and then headed toward town.

The Fatted Pig was the only place that she remembered that would be open this early. Mamie opened early so the farmers could fill their bellies before work began, plus they loved meeting up with their buddies to shoot the breeze. And you couldn't go wrong with Mamie's home cooking, not to mention the biscuits and gravy.

"Where did the weekend go?" Maggie smiled when she saw Mamie.

"I'm so glad to see you!" Mamie hurried from behind the counter and wiped her hands on her ap.r.o.n. "I hear you might straighten out this mess."

Mamie embraced Maggie, and Maggie loved it.

"I have a feeling he's trying to save the farm too." Mamie pointed towards a table where Mitch was hunched over a stack of papers. He hadn't noticed that Maggie even stepped into the place.

Maggie smiled.

"Poor boy." Mamie shook her head. She took out a pad of paper from her ap.r.o.n pocket and slid the pen from behind her ear. "What can I get you, before you find a seat."

"Biscuits and gravy, of course." Maggie could already taste them. She pointed over to Mitch. "And keep the coffee coming."

"I should take a picture." Mamie winked. "Hazel would be so proud to see you two having breakfast."

"It's just business, Mamie." Maggie glanced back over at Mitch.

She couldn't help but notice the fine man he'd turned out to be. He was writing away, every muscle in his fore arm flexing with each stroke of his pen.

He turned.

As their eyes met, she felt a shock run through her.

He stared. There was complete surprise in his face. The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of his mouth.

That was all Maggie needed.

"Good morning." She studied his expression as he got up and pulled the other chair out. She put her briefcase on top of the table, and sat down. "Thank you."

Mitch sat down next to her and looked around. "I'll get Mamie to bring us a cup of coffee."

Maggie waved her hand. "I ordered us a pot when I came in." She smiled.

She remembered how they always used to be in sync, with a shiver of vivid recollection.

"I. . .I, um. . ." She rested her chin on her hand with a bemused smile on her lips. "I completely forgot what I was going to say."

Mitch's face split into a wide grin. "Well, I sure hope you don't do that in front of Patricia Van Meter."

Maggie playfully smacked Mitch's bicep.

"Now, kids." Mamie set down a family size order of biscuits and gravy, plus a pot of coffee. "Don't make me separate you two like I did when you were kids."

"It's all her fault." Mitch pointed to Maggie, and then stuffed a biscuit in his mouth.

"I plead the fifth." Maggie threw her hands in the air.

Mamie just shook her head, smiling as she walked away.

"I was thinking," Maggie began, and then pulled some papers out of her briefcase. She pointed to a map of Grandberry Falls. "Here is the farm and here is the interstate. That's pretty far apart."