"Listen, Wendy." He knew he had to say something to try to save it. "Is this about Maggie?"

"No, though I did see how you looked at her," she murmured half laughing, half crying. "You will always have that special place in your heart for Maggie. I'm just sad she can't see it."

"Are you sure?" Mitch held the box in the air. "I wouldn't have given this to you if I didn't think we'd make a go of it."

"I'm sure. I don't want to make a go of it. I want a love that I can never live without. Just like you feel for Maggie." She placed the gavel back on the desk. "I'm not mad. I'm just glad I figured out my feelings before we had this big wedding."

"So what next?" Mitch asked. Even though she was right, he still cared for her.

"I'm going to be doing a lot more traveling. Finding out who I really am." Wendy smiled. "We will always be dear friends."

Mitch was somewhat relieved when Wendy left. He had gone to the waterfall this morning to make a wish that his life wouldn't change, but got sidetracked by the little boy with the marbles.

Only it had. He was better off being alone instead of waking up to Wendy ten years later and both regretting they did what everyone else wanted them to do.

He wondered what would've happened if Maggie had come back after college. If Maggie had come back, there was no time for what-ifs, the town was divided and he was the one to piece it back together.

The meeting with Patricia Van Meter was less than a week away. He had to come up with an alternative to please everyone in Grandberry Falls.

Chapter 17.

Big sisters are the crab gra.s.s in the lawn of life. ~ Charles M. Schulz "Come on, sleepy head." Belle flipped on the overhead light in Maggie's bedroom, and then walked out, leaving the door wide open.

"No," Maggie groaned. It couldn't be morning already, she felt like she just went to sleep in her childhood room.

The sunlight, peeking through the blinds, dotted the b.u.t.terfly wallpaper and cast a light on her collection of miniature horse statues that were displayed on the wall shelf. The same shelf held the usual school honor roll ribbons, and various club certificates Maggie had received in high school.

Maggie yawned, wiped her eyes and pulled her hair away from her face. Maggie patted around the bed, feeling the quilt Hazel had made her when she was a little kid. She pulled it up to her chin.

She didn't recall going to sleep last night. The magazine she was thumbing through was still next to her. She must've fallen asleep while looking at it in attempt to stay awake in hopes of getting a look in the secret envelope Hazel had put on top of the refrigerator.

"Come on!" Belle screamed from the hallway. "It's eleven and we have to go to the Hair Pin. It's going to take a few hours to transform your zombie look you have going on, back into the Maggie Greenlee Grandberry Falls loves."

Maggie put the pillow over her head to help drown out some of Belle's banter.

"Plus I have a private appointment at Figure 8 for you. I was looking at those fancy New York clothes, just in case I found something in there to wear myself, and you have nada." Belle was good at not shutting up and Maggie had learned how to drown her out.

Belle held up Maggie's favorite sweat pants from NYU that were splattered with paint. "Seriously. I thought you were a fancy lawyer."

Maggie frowned. If she was going to face Grandberry Falls without Mitch, she might as well let Belle work her magic. Only it was going to take a lot of potions to help Maggie feel any better.

Chapter 18.

A friend is one who comes when the whole world has gone out. ~ Grace Pulpit "Hi, Y'all!" Belle threw her cowboy hat on the hook next to the door when they walked into the Hair Pin.

The hair bleaching agent odor filled the room, and the chairs were full of women getting their hair done. Belle picked up the mail next to the register.

Thumbing through it, she said, "We sure are busy today."

"Hoedown, girlfriend." Jenna Greenlee beamed. It was only one of the biggest events in Grandberry Falls and every girl in town was expected to look her best. Getting your hair done for the Hoedown was as important as getting your hair done on a wedding day. "Maggie, I'm so sorry about your engagement."

Maggie smiled. At least her aunt wasn't beating around the bush like everyone else they had run into.

"Better to find out now." One of the older ladies shouted out from underneath the hair blower. She must've had ears like a hawk or the gossip mill had already started.

If Maggie could have a penny for every time someone told her that, she'd be able to pay back her savings and live a little.

"Thank you." Without having to think, the words fell from her mouth. Never in a million years did she think she'd be in this position. Let alone standing in the Hair Pin waiting for her turn to get her hair done. "I'm glad to be able to come back home and find some comfort."

"I heard you got fired." The pink swivel chair swirled with a pair of high-heeled leopard print cowboy boots leading the way. Beth Harrison sneered, "Or at least that's what I read on Facebook."

Beth even looked fabulous with foil in her hair. She'd definitely come a long way since high school. It was hard for Maggie to look away. Beth was a dead ringer for Ashley Simpson in her long crimson hair days. And her flawless pale skin made her stunningly beautiful.

"Facebook?" Maggie had a Facebook account, but never used it. Since when did she become an important topic for everyone to discuss?

There was no reason to skirt around the issues, if everyone must know, she'd rather them hear it straight from her.

"I guess that's what happens when your life falls apart and you can't get out of bed." Maggie grabbed one of the flutes of champagne. The enticing bubbles looked refreshing next to the chocolate covered strawberries.

"Oh, take one of these." Jenna held up the silver tray of strawberries. "Straight from the Johnson farm. You don't get any fresher than this." She popped one in her mouth. "Mmmmm."

"I'm sorry to hear it." Beth's toes danced her chair back around to let the stylist finish brushing on the dye. "Do you think you'll be staying in Grandberry Falls very long?"

Maggie took another swig. Beth's voice made her cringe and if she'd known the Hair Pin was the gathering place for gossip, she would've stayed at Hazel's. . .in bed. Plus she knew Beth would go back and tell Wendy and Susie everything she had to say.

"I'm not sure what my plans are." All eyes were on Maggie. She wanted to make sure everyone heard her correctly, and repeated herself. "Not sure. I'm having a wonderful time visiting though."

If she was depressed, she had a great poker face, which was one thing that made her a good lawyer. Even though her head and heart were having a battle, she maintained her composure. Her head told her that she should be upset with Grady, but her heart was pulling toward Mitch.

Still, she wanted to rip those cute boots right off Beth's feet and she didn't care if the feet came with them.

"I was telling Maggie how we are going to stop in Figure 8 and get some new clothes for tonight." Belle picked through Beth's hair checking the coloring. She tightened the foil back in place. "You're doing a fine job. The color is blending nicely."

The stylist smiled with pride, quickly turning to get more foil. "I think the extensions are going to look fabulous."

"Maggie, I look forward to fitting you." A devious smile crossed Beth's lips. She owned Figure 8, and it was the only shop in town that carried the latest fashion trends.

This was Grandberry Falls, not Hollywood. Maggie grabbed another flute.

"You better be careful. You've got all day and night to deal with curious citizens." Jenna patted Maggie's hand before Belle whisked her away to the shampoo chair.

The water was warm, like Maggie liked it. Her hair stylist in New York could never get the water right. Once Maggie's scalp got scalded and she lost a patch of hair, causing the stylist to keep the water cool. She did get a free haircut out of the deal, only because she was a lawyer and they didn't want her to sue them.

Belle's fingers scrubbed like she was cleaning a burnt pan. Maggie winced.

"Don't you mind Beth. She's jealous, that's all." Belle pumped more shampoo into her hand. Maggie was sure if she looked in the mirror, she'd look like that bathtub filled to the brim with bubbles. "You keep your chin up and we'll have you looking spiffy in no time."

Maggie closed her eyes, trying not to concentrate on the pain."

"That's right, you go on and relax. I'll take care of it." Belle pumped more stuff in Maggie's hair, rinsed, twisted, toweled it, and put Maggie in the other pink chair next to Beth.

Beth flipped the pages of the latest People Magazine with Hollywood gossip on the front.

It was hard to concentrate on any of the pictures Belle threw in front of her. She was dying for Beth's boots, but wasn't about to dare ask where she got them. Who knew meek Beth Harrison would be the fashion queen of Grandberry Falls.

"They are great, aren't they?" Beth held a boot up in the air for Maggie to see. "Wait until you see the flip flops. I'll be sure to be there when you come by Figure 8."

Of course she'd be there. Why wouldn't she? Maggie Greenlee was the talk of the town. She had a horrid feeling Beth would be telling everyone about her.

"I'm looking forward to seeing your shop." Maggie said.

"Kill her with kindness," Maggie repeated Hazel's mantra over and over.

They were friends once, they could be friends again. Maggie tried to put the yearning to fit in into the back of her mind. Unfortunately, her ego was bruised and needed a little more time to heal.

Why had everyone turned on her? She did repay the scholarship back. Was it wrong she wanted to better herself?

"OH!" Beth swiped the stylist's hand away and jumped out of the chair, extensions flying in the wind. "Wendy, let me see."

Wendy Owens stood in the doorway looking like an angel. The grey one-piece short jumper showed off her tan legs all the way up to her ears.

"I love the jumper, but the ring!" Beth gushed holding her hand up to the light.

Maggie strained to see it, but there was nothing on it. Curious, Maggie pretended to look at the magazine, but did all she could to hear what Wendy was saying. She was sure Wendy was getting it resized or polished.

Mitch's grandmother's antique ring was simple, elegant, brilliant. Maggie had tried it on so many times before. She loved the filigree design and the simplicity of the stone.

When Grady had given Maggie the five carat ring, disappointment settled in her stomach. She'd always made over the simple antique designs, but he had obviously paid little attention to her desires.

"Hey, Maggie." Wendy flopped in the chair next to her with a sigh. "Are you coming to the hoedown tonight?"

"Mitch said something about all of the guys going." Maggie looked over, and noticed Wendy's fingers were tense in her lap.

Maggie should keep her mouth shut. She bet Mitch hadn't told Wendy he ran into her.

"When did you see Mitch?" Wendy's face clouded with uneasiness.

Maggie felt the tension, but couldn't determine if it was the situation or the players in the situation making Wendy so uncomfortable.

"Yesterday when I came into town. He was at the waterfall." Maggie wondered what Wendy really thought about Mitch believing in the wonders of the falls.

"Good. I'm glad he invited you because if he didn't, I was going to. Plus I need help with the Jubilee next week. I expect to see you volunteering." Wendy jumped out of the chair. "I'll see you over at The Figure 8. I just got back from the market in Atlanta with some new jewelry that you are going to love."

"I bet we are," Belle muttered under her breath clipping away at Maggie's hair. The more Wendy talked, the more Belle cut, and lots of hair fell to the floor.

Maggie held up a piece. "Please don't make me bald." It floated to the ground when she opened her fingers.

Belle swiveled her around to see the mirror. "Don't you worry. You'll be the queen of Grandberry Falls before you know it."

Belle created blunt cuts around Maggie's face, making it frame her delicate features. Her eyes popped more and her cheek bones stuck out, giving her a mysterious look. Belle quickly added a few touches of eye-liner and gloss completing the package.

"You look great, Maggie." Jenna took the seat across form Maggie and Beth. "I hope you come out with all of us tonight."

"I'm not sure what I'm doing." Maggie needed a drink. That was the only sure thing she did know.

Going to the hoedown with her ex-best friend and all her old girlfriends, where she wasn't welcome, wasn't her idea of fun. Especially if they were going to make fun of her.

"Of course you're coming." Belle twirled her around. "Let's go to Figure 8."

Jenna raised her eyebrows. "New hair cut, new clothes. I'd have to wonder who you're trying to impress."

The hair dryers were in full force leaving no room for casual conversation. The line of customers was steady the entire time they were there.

"I'm so proud of you, Belle." Maggie looked at Belle, whose smile broadened in approval.

There was no doubt that Belle Greenlee was going to make it in the hair design business one way or the other. Maggie was happy to be a part of it today.

"Thanks, sis." Belle laid her arm over Maggie's shoulder. "Let's go find that killer outfit so we can win Mitch Dozier over."

"Belle," Maggie shuddered. "I'm not ready for a relationship. Besides, Mitch is getting married to Wendy."

Belle flung her purse over her shoulder and darted across the street to Figure 8. Her curls blew in the wind. She lifted her face to the sun and laughed.

"We'll see about that." She turned and winked.

Chapter 19.

Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat. ~ Ben Hacht Another drink might do. The ice cubes clinked on the sides of the gla.s.s and slid down once the Jack Daniels poured over them. Mitch hadn't recalled being this nervous since taking Maggie Greenlee to senior prom-as friends.

There was too much at stake with her in town. He couldn't risk her finding out about the Greenlee farm under eminent domain, nor let his heart continue to ache for her. Mitch wasn't good at playing the part. h.e.l.l, he's never had to play the part until now.