Page 61 of Secrets Bared
“I don’t do social media except to follow up on my nieces and nephews. I don’t know how to run a business page.” She lifted the fabric she was embroidering. “Cross-stitch? Sure. But computers…” She shook her head. “I’m a clueless old woman. My nephew set up the online booking for me.”
Maggie smiled. “I’d love to help.”
Virginia clapped her hands. “Wonderful! I’ll reduce your rate and we’ll call it a trade.”
“That sounds perfect.”
She finished her tea and stood. “Thanks for the tea, Virginia.”
“Anytime, dear.” She gestured at the tray. “Just leave it there, I’ll take care of it later.”
She set the delicate cup back down. “I’m going to go email Rosa like she asked me to.”
“Do you want to join me for dinner tonight? I made a whole meatloaf and it’s too much for just me.”
“That sounds lovely.”
Maggie took the box and headed upstairs to her room to email Rosa and set up a schedule for herself. With this many clients, she needed to be sure she could give them all the attention they deserved.
She remembered her purchase at Pandora’s Box and set her new figurines out on the little dresser that held all her clothes. She smiled as she petted their porcelain fur.
“I think I’ll call you Cheeky,” she said to the one on the branch, “and you will be Peanut,” to the other. Then she sat on the bed and pulled her laptop onto her legs and got to work.
Once her email was sent, she remembered the odd package. She didn’t feel like going back downstairs to ask Viriginia forscissors, so she mangled it while unwrapping it. Inside was a black velvet box.
“Oh my God, Kirk. Get a clue, buddy.” But when she popped the lid open, it was clear it wasn’t from Kirk at all.
Inside the box lay her wedding rings.
She froze, her mind spiraling with everything this meant. Sean knew where she was.
Sean knew where she was. He knew where she was.
Her heart beat in double time and her breaths came fast and shallow. No, she had to get a grip. She set the box down on the dresser, its demand clear.
Come home.
Maggie lost track of time as she tried to get a handle on her breathing. What could she do? Alex was in Oklahoma andSean knew where she was.
The knock on her door shocked her out of the spiral. “Maggie? Dinner’s almost ready.”
Somehow, she kept her voice steady as she answered. “I’ll be right down. I just have to make a quick call first.”
She glared at the rings she’d never liked, and snapped the box closed. No. Sean didn’t get to scare her away from this town.
After Virginia’s footsteps vanished, Maggie dialed Alex’s number. Since it was Saturday, she got her secure voicemail. “Alex, it’s Maggie. He knows where I am. He mailed my wedding rings to the place I’m staying. If I don’t hear from you otherwise, I’m taking them to the pawn shop Tuesday.”
She could sure use the money.
Luke’sphonerangwhilehe was working in the diner. They were pretty busy for a lunch shift in the middle of the week,but Mom had anticipated with the half-day at school, they’d see their teenage crowd today. She had Maggie, Katya, Luke, and Shorty all on deck. Thank goodness, because without Shorty here he wouldn’t be able to take Gabe’s call.
Luke stepped to the back door, propped open to let the heat of the kitchen vent into the cool spring day. He slid his finger to accept the call. “Hi, Gabe.”
“Hey, Luke. I have good news and bad news.”
Luke huffed a breath and leaned against the rough bricks. “Hit me with the bad news first.”
“Well, technically it’s the same news.” Gabe cleared his throat, and Luke’s stomach dropped. “Sheriff Metz says you’ve given us enough information to ask for a warrant.”
