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Chapter One
The late October wind nipped at veteran Maggie Major’s sleep-deprived body. Wrapping the tattered quilt, she’d grabbed on her way out of the Victorian bed and breakfast tighter, she hugged her knees to her in the green Adirondack chair. The chilly early morning shouldn’t bother Maggie. She’d endured far worse than the small Kentucky town’s cold snap. Her gaze lifted to the dancing-in-the-wind red, white, and blue flag waving proudly in its spotlit place of honor just beyond the empty firepit.
Pine Hill, Kentucky. What was Maggie doing in an apple pie and baseball, everybody-knows-everybody town? Not that she didn’t recall the events that led to her stay at the bed and breakfast’s free Bed for Vets. She could no more forget than the waning night could prevent the rising sun’s pink, orange, and purple streaks painting the dawn sky. For too long, she’d preferred the darkness. But just as the horizon couldn’t remain in its shadowy cloak, neither could Maggie. Life moved onward even when her heart remained in the past.
Maggie sighed, her breath puffing in a white cloud that quickly dissipated in the crisp morning air. She’d royally messed up. iSecure owner, Lukas Kincaid, a former high-ranking Army Ranger turned international businessman, had given her a job at his security firm and a second chance at life. All she had to do was go to Kentucky to keep an eye on the cheeriest woman Maggie had ever met after a data breach had revealed her husband’s identity on a job he’d pulled a few years prior.
She wanted to have purpose again. Lukas was giving her the chance that she probably didn’t deserve. He believed in her. She wouldn’t disappoint him. More importantly, she wouldn’t disappoint herself. Over the past eighteen months, she’d done enough of that to last a lifetime. Wallowing in self-pity and grief had changed nothing but led her down a destructive path she’d been fortunate to survive.
That was Maggie. A survivor. Even when she’d have chosen to not awaken to the bleakness of what had happened the last time she’d sat at the controls of a Black Hawk UH-60M. She had lived, but the life she’d loved had died that day. Shivers prickled her skin. Maggie pulled the quilt tighter, wishing it could veil her from the fragmented memories assaulting her senses with blinding pain and the stench of heavy smoke.
From behind where she sat, the Victorian’s back door opened, jarring Maggie’s mind from the past. Footsteps crunched across the frost-coated grass leading to the garden bench. Every sound was precious. The wind beating the flag lanyard against the metal pole. The footsteps of the man walking toward her. The crow of a rooster somewhere off in the distance. Her own breath. Dragging the edge of the quilt with her, she touched the tip of the tiny hearing aid in her right ear. She knew it was there, but the advanced model Lukas had her fitted with was so different from the standard one she’d previously had that she occasionally had to reassure herself the fancy model was still in place. Not that she wouldn’t immediately know with the difference the device made in her ability to hear the world around her.
“Up early, again?” Bodie Lewis paused next to Maggie to stretch his hamstrings prior to his morning run.
The sheriff’s deputy had once served in the Army Rangers with Lukas. An IED explosion had ended his military career. In some ways, their histories weren’t that dissimilar. They’d both been sole survivors. But Bodie had been innocent of the deaths of his brothers-in-arms. Both the Safety Investigation Board and the Accident Investigation Board found Maggie negligent. Why did she have such a difficult time accepting that? She squeezed her eyes shut, willing memories to come forth that her brain wouldn’t let her access except in useless bits.
“I recall those days.” Bodie’s tone was calmer than it should be for what he alluded to. “Those nights.” He took a deep breath. “Fortunately, they’re rare these days. Time doesn’t erase the past, but it does help.”
“Glad to hear.” Knowing Bodie had found peace, whether from the picturesque small town, his wife and daughter, or just with the passage of time, gave Maggie comfort that at least some did move on beyond the trauma they’d endured. Cupping her icy fingers, she blew into them. “Is that what Lukas is hoping for by sending me to this cozy little Christmas-crazy town? That it’s going to cure me with garland and twinkly lights that are already in some shop windows when it’s not even the end of October yet? Have these people not heard of Halloween and Thanksgiving?”
Glancing her way, Bodie arched a brow and focused on the part of what she’d said that she’d rather him not have. “Do you need cured, Maggie?”
“I’m a realist. There are some things that can’t be cured.” Maggie shrugged, causing the quilt to slip. The cold air instantly cut through the long-sleeved black T-shirt she wore. Shivering, she adjusted the blanket back over her shoulders, then tucked her hands beneath the soft material. Her quivering was from the wind, not his question or her answer. Lukas had said the Pine Hill job was perfect since it also kept her on the down-low while he made inquiries regarding her crash.
“There are things that can’t be cured. But bad things can go into a”—he hesitated, obviously searching for the right words—“sort of remission. You know the negative is there, the pain, the loss. It never goes away.” He stared up at the flag they’d both been willing to lay down their lives for.
He’d seen his brothers-in-arms do just that. So had Maggie.
“But the bad subsides enough to let life be good again.” He paused, took a deep breath. “There was a time when I would have laughed at anyone who told me that. I was wrong. My life is good, and yours will be too.”
Life had been good. She’d had the career of her dreams, a body that had been whole, and been in love with a man who’d said he loved her back. Now, good seemed as unattainable as the ability to step back in time. If only she could do that, step back and undo whatever it was she’d done wrong that fateful night her life had detonated.
“You’re right about the Christmas-crazy town too,” Bodie continued. “There are those who have Christmas trees in their store windows, but don’t think they slack on the other holidays. They don’t, as you’ll see with Hamilton House’s Halloween party Friday night. It takes some getting used to, but Pine Hill’s holiday joy is genuine and contagious. You’ll quickly learn that with your job at Harvey Farms.”
Part of the requirements for staying at the Bed for Vets suite was to work a minimum of twenty-five hours a week. As Maggie’s real purpose in being in Pine Hill was to keep Bodie’s family safe when he wasn’t around, Maggie wasn’t keen on the idea of a job away from Hamilton House. But since she would only work part-time, perhaps the farm wouldn’t be too bad. She’d learn what she had to do when she started the Monday following Sarah and Bodie’s Halloween party.
Sighing, Maggie wrinkled her nose. “I don’t foresee myself catching on to Christmas trees prior to jack-o’-lanterns and cornucopias.”
“Perhaps not.” Bodie’s gaze cut toward Maggie, his eyes not wavering from hers as he said, “But never underestimate the effect of spending time with my wife. Be warned, Sarah is a major source of spreading holiday cheer. Before you realize what’s happened, you’ll be hit with dancing sugar plum fairies and flying reindeer. Sarah can’t help herself.”
Maggie snorted. She wouldn’t be catching the Christmas crazies. Having grown up with being bounced from one foster household to the next, Christmas had never held much meaning other than a stark contrast between Maggie’s childhood and the other children at whichever school she’d currently attended. She’d joined the military immediately after graduating from high school and being deployed over the holidays had never bothered her. She’d been with her only true family—her brothers and sisters in arms.
“Christmas is just another day.” Every day of life was just another day.
Bodie chuckled. “I believed that once. Sarah always says that Christmas is the best day of the year. Now, I know she’s right.” He half-smiled as he added, “She became my wife on December twenty-fifth.”
“Which doesn’t make it the best day of the year for the rest of the world.” Maggie was yet again amazed at how the tough soldier Lukas had told her about had softened. Lukas spoke of some of the missions they’d served together and given Bodie the highest praise. “I appreciate what you and Sarah are doing with your Bed for Vets program.” Not everyone cared if those who’d served their country were able to transition back to civilian life. “Sarah is the kindest person I’ve ever met. I won’t burst her sparkly holidays-are-everything bubble.”
Maggie wouldn’t have tried, anyway. Just because her life had gone to shambles didn’t mean she wanted to gift the dreary wearies to the rest of the world. Quite the opposite. She’d always wanted to protect others from bad things, from bad people. When she went to work for iSecure, she’d get to do that again, just in a very different capacity from what she’d been used to. Hopefully, someday, she’d get her wings back. Lukas believed he could help her. His belief in that would have her donning white fur-trimmed red velvet and skipping down the street bellowing ho, ho, ho if need be. She missed flying that much.
“I’m not sure you or anyone could. Sarah’s tougher than you think. She just gets her way with smiles.”
Maggie’s lips twitched. No doubt the bubbly woman who looked at the world through red and green hued Christmas goggles got her way with her husband through smiles. From what Maggie had seen, in the few days she’d been at Hamilton House, the once fierce soldier would do anything for his wife and young daughter. Good for him that he had found joy in the civilian world. For a brief time, Maggie dreamt she someday would too. But her happiness had been no more than a mirage, as far-fetched as the idea of a jolly old man living at the North Pole surrounded by toy-making elves.
“Smiles are fine for you, but she can coax me with homemade cookies.” Sarah’s cookies were the stuff dreams were made of.
Good dreams and not the horrific ones that tormented Maggie’s sleep. Just thinking of the warm goodies Sarah baked made Maggie’s mouth water.
“Yeah.” Bodie chuckled. “Those cookies have swayed me to her way of thinking a time or two.” He leaned back, his gaze going to the flag again.
Maggie got the impression that despite the lightness of their cookie conversation and his good life claims, the patriotic banner took him somewhere far from Pine Hill. That flag meant something to them many could never understand.
Later that day, Maggie wiped down a bar stool lining the large kitchen island. Everything at Hamilton House was fairly clean, but Maggie wasn’t one for just watching while her hostess worked. Plus, helping Sarah gave Maggie an excuse to stay close since her hostess didn’t know Maggie’s true reasons for being there.
“Dressing up in a costume isn’t my thing.” Not much around Pine Hill was Maggie’s thing. Bodie and Sarah’s hometown seemed off to Maggie, like something from an alternate universe where everyone was a happy do-gooder.
“You have to dress up.” Sarah poured milk into a measuring cup, then placed the jug on the granite countertop. “The party is at Hamilton House. You can’t live here and not attend a party that’s being held here.”
“I don’t really live here.” Maggie finished wiping down one chair with the lemon scented cleaner and moved on to the next. “Besides, I’ve not been here a full week. No one has to know I’m here.” Other than the people around town Maggie had met when she’d accompanied Sarah running errands. Bodie’s wife seemed to know everyone, saying hi and introducing Maggie to this person and then that one. “I can stay in my room until the party is over.”
Her room. The comfortable upstairs room with en-suite bath was a neutral, homey, blend of comfort. Considering that the room was a free-of-charge Bed for Vets suite, no doubt the unobtrusive colors were meant to relax and not trigger bad thoughts. Maggie didn’t need triggers for that to happen. Sometimes just thinking the word trigger had her breath quickening. Sometimes she counted to pull her mind from where it could so readily slip. One. Two. Three. Sometimes she went through her version of the alphabet. Alpha. Bravo. Charlie. Delta. Echo. Foxtrot. And so forth until her pulse calmed, and her breathing didn’t feel so labored. Sometimes nothing helped, and the pain just rolled over her in waves.
From where Sarah was now pouring the measured milk into the mixing bowl, her pretty face contorted with a horrified look. “You can’t stay in your room, Maggie. That’s not how we do things in Pine Hill. I’d be worried about you if you didn’t come to the party. You have to be there.”
Worried about her because she’d rather stay in the privacy of her room than wear a silly costume for a Halloween party? That was almost enough to make Maggie laugh. Almost. Still, Sarah was right. Maggie did have to be at the party—to keep an eye on her hostess.
“I’ve never been to an adult Halloween party and have nothing to wear.” She’d arrived at Hamilton House with little more than the clothes on her back.
Maggie didn’t need much. She’d always traveled light. Her childhood had taught her not to get too attached to things. She’d brought all her worldly possessions to Pine Hill, but a costume had not been one of the items in her well-worn ruck sack.
“Is that why you didn’t want to attend? That’s an easy fix.” Sarah visually sized her. “You’re a bit taller than me, but we can alter—Oh! I have a better idea.”
Her voice brightened so much Maggie could visualize the light bulb flashing above Sarah’s head. It was probably an alternating Christmas red and green that blinked in sync with a Christmas song. Despite the fact Sarah was planning a Halloween party, her hostess had been humming Christmas tunes all morning.
“Remember Sophie, my friend who owns the quilt shop? You met her this morning,” Sarah reminded her of the dark-eyed brunette who overflowed with joy almost as much as Sarah. “She’ll have a costume that I know she wouldn’t mind you borrowing. You look to be about the same size and height.” As impossible as it seemed with as big as her smile already was, Sarah’s expression brightened even further. “Plus, Sophie is a whiz if anything more is required. She’s a sewing genius.”
Sarah had shown Maggie her sewing area and she seemed a sewing pro herself. Maggie was no expert, but the quilt Sarah was working on looked to be a patriotic work of art.
“Your party is this weekend. I don’t want to be any trouble. Can I just wear a mask?”
“Just a mask?” Laughing as if Maggie had made a joke, Sarah slapped her hand against her I love Christmas apron, its ruffled edges brushed her thighs. “You’re in Pine Hill, Maggie. We can do better than just a mask. Leave everything to me. You’re going to have a fantastic costume at your first adult Halloween party.”
Friday evening, Maggie wouldn’t say what she wore was better than a mask. It wasn’t. She felt ridiculous in her theme-park princess costume. No one who had known her would buy that tough girl Chief Warrant Officer Margaret Majors wore a fluffy silvery white gown covering one dark slip-on shoe and one “glass” slipper of the exact same height that were surprisingly more comfortable than they’d looked. Fortunately, no one in Pine Hill knew the woman Maggie had once been or would care about seeing her in the silly make-believe princess costume that Sarah’s friend had loaned. Sophie had insisted upon her mother, Darlene, a local beautician, pulling up Maggie’s hair and aiding with makeup as Maggie hadn’t owned any. Where she’d spent most of her adult life, sunscreen was the extent of what she’d used on her face. Makeup had no place when deployed in a Middle East desert. She itched to wash her face clean.
And to free her hair to hide her ear. Her hearing aid was barely perceptible to the discerning eye. But Maggie couldn’t help thinking that everyone’s gaze went directly there as if the tiny device gave off a neon glow. Inside her ear canal with only a tiny clear external stem, no one could see it in the porch light, but she preferred her hair styled to hide the visible evidence of her biggest failure.
Maggie had hoped Sarah’s party would be small, something to where it would be relatively easy to keep an eye on guests. Sarah must have invited half the town. Hamilton House was packed to overflowing to the porch and yard. The cold snap from earlier in the week had relented, and the evening was a balmy sixty-five degrees. With the firepit and a few outdoor heat lamps fired up, there were as many guests enjoying themselves outdoors as there were inside the brightly lit bed and breakfast. The night air carried the scent of the crackling fire and late autumn. Standing near a porch post, Maggie did her best to keep to herself despite every soul in Pine Hill thinking they needed to welcome her to town. She sipped on apple cider and prayed she didn’t spill the hot liquid onto Sophie’s fancy dress. In the yard, Sarah laughed with a bright blue haired granny who batted her fake lashes at every male, regardless of age, who stepped within her line of vision.
Unfortunately, Maggie’s line of vision kept returning to a particular guest standing with a group of men in various costumes, chatting near the fire pit. Six foot one, broad shouldered, easy smile, gleaming brown hair, too long for Maggie’s taste, and dressed in a royal getup that matched the one Maggie was wearing, he was difficult to miss. As Sophie had custom-made the princess costume, Maggie assumed that she, or her husband Cole, had loaned the costume to the man. Which made sense since she recognized one of the men Prince Charming was talking to as Sophie’s husband. Reading their lips, something she’d learned out of necessity prior to Lukas aiding with the fancy hearing aid, they were joking about a prank a few firefighters had played on … she couldn’t be sure if they’d called the prince Walter or Walker. Whichever, his smile and relaxed demeanor said he hadn’t been bothered by their foolery.
Perhaps sensing Maggie watching him again—only because she was keeping an eye on everyone—Prince Charming glanced up, met her gaze, and smiled as if he didn’t have a care in the world. As if he really was royalty and she should be dazzled by those gleaming white teeth framed between his deep dimples.
Puh-leeze. He was wasting all that royal wattage. William had had dimples. She needed no reminders of the only man she’d ever trusted with her heart and the deep pain that now dwelt there.
Since Prince Charming was Sarah’s party guest and, for that matter, so was Maggie, she restrained her eye roll to just in her mind. She was wearing a costume that matched his, so he probably thought nothing of the flirty acknowledgement. Obviously expecting a return smile, the friendliness shining in his eyes morphed into curiosity. He arched a brow, then surprised her by winking.
Pulse kicking up, heat flooded through her. Wondering if she’d spilled her cider, she glanced down at Sophie’s sparkly ball gown. Thankfully, none of the hot liquid had spilled onto the delicate material. It had been His Royal Highness that caused her heat wave. That annoyed her even more. She’d just as soon never be affected by another man.
The men standing with him had noticed the wink and were ribbing him. As he’d done with whatever prank they’d pulled, he just took it in stride, grinning, and not looking even slightly concerned that they’d witnessed his wink and her surly rebuttal. When he went to look back toward her, a dark-haired young woman wearing a lab coat over scrubs costume and who was walking toward him caught his eye. She carried a crying baby girl of around one who was wearing a soft orange pumpkin costume with green tights, undershirt, and a hat with a stem and a couple of leaves. Maggie’s gaze zeroed in on the baby, her heart squeezing with an ache that she doubted would ever ease. Spotting the man, the red-faced baby cried louder, held out her hands, and squeezed her little fingers back and forth as she reached for him. With pure adoration on his face, he took the baby with an ease that said doing so was a familiar motion. Snuggling against his chest and with her two middle fingers poked in her mouth, the little girl instantly calmed and closed her eyes while the woman smiled indulgently at the duo.
The woman leaned in, kissed the top of the baby’s head, patted the man’s cheek, then made her way back to the porch where she smiled as she passed Maggie, then went into the house. Was he an uncle or family member? Or was the baby his? He wasn’t wearing a wedding band but that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
Unbidden, Maggie’s gaze returned to him and collided with his. Her cheeks flushed when she realized he’d been watching her while she’d been focused on the departing woman. Heart pounding, she held his gaze.
Actually, Prince Charming being married with a kid would be a good thing. Only, why did part of her hope he wasn’t when either way didn’t matter since Maggie wasn’t interested? When she’d given her heart to William, she’d given it for forever, through good times and bad. Unfortunately, William hadn’t meant the same when he’d told her he loved her. He’d abandoned her when she’d been hurting the most.
Yeah, regardless of whether Royal Dimples and a Baby was single, he didn’t stand a chance.
End of Excerpt
