Jake lifted his mug of beer and drained half of it in one long gulp.

Across from him at the booth at the Rusty Anchor, Dahlia’s eyes widened. She exchanged glances with Garrett next to her.

“Whoa, bud, slow down.” Garrett took a small sip of his own beer. “This is craft beer, you’re not supposed to down it like it’s a Coors Light.”

Jake hung his head. “I don’t know what’s going on with Maggie. She won’t talk to me at all.” He looked hopefully at Dahlia. “Has she said anything to you?”

She smiled sadly. “Sorry. Maggie plays things pretty close to her chest. If something’s wrong, it takes a while to pry it out of her.”

His spirits plummeted even further and he drank the rest of the beer and held out his empty glass to the passing waitress. She nodded and dropped off a refill of the local craft beer he’d been drinking.

The frosty glass felt cold in his hands, further enhancing the numb feeling. He’d thought they really had something going. Sheesh, he’d even had dreams of marrying Maggie, not that he’d admit that to her friends. He felt Dahlia and Garrett’s eyes on him.

He’d checked in at To Be Read the morning after Christmas to see if Dahlia had any clue about what was going on with Maggie. She’d invited him for drinks with her new husband that evening, and he’d accepted because he hadn’t really wanted to be alone. Now, watching Dahlia and Garrett sitting close together on the bench seat across from him, practically finishing each other’s sentences, he wondered if he’d made a mistake. It hurt seeing how happy they were together.

“Oh,” Dahlia said, and then pressed her lips together in a firm line.

“What?” He leaned forward and set his drink on the table. “What is it? Did you think of something that could be bothering her?”

She squirmed on the seat and even Garrett gave her an odd look.

“Well, I remember last year around this time, she was acting strange. The week before Christmas was her and Brian’s wedding anniversary and then spending Christmas without him really affected her. She once told me that although she loved the holidays, this time of year was extra hard for her. Could that be why she’s acting oddly?” Her eyes met his.

“I don’t know.” He set his glass on the table.

He wasn’t sure whether to be glad there was an explanation for her behavior or for it to further fuel his concern that Maggie wasn’t over his brother’s death yet. If she wasn’t over Brian, he understood, but he needed to know if she wanted to explore a relationship with him. For the sake of his heart and hers, they couldn’t keep going like this.

“You should talk to her, man,” Garrett said. “I know Dahlia and I had some misunderstandings that threatened our relationship. We wasted so much time worrying about stupid things that we could have spent together.”

“I would if I could.” He left his unfinished beer on the table and pulled some cash out of his wallet. “I’ll try again. Thanks, guys.”

They nodded and he felt their eyes on him as he threw on his jacket and exited the building. Outside, he looked up the hill toward the Bluebonnet Café. Was she there right now?

* * *

He checked the lobby of the café to see if Maggie was working the hostess desk. She wasn’t there. At this time of the evening, very few customers were present in the restaurant. He poked his head into the back kitchen area and a crabby-looking septuagenarian glared at him.

“You’re not supposed to be back here.”

“Sorry.” He gave her what he hoped was a smile that would charm an elderly woman. “I was looking for Maggie. Is she in?”

Apparently he was off his game, because the woman just scowled at him in response.

Everyone in the kitchen looked tired. It was quiet as the staff cleaned and the space lacked the usual energetic vibe he’d encountered when he’d been there in the past with Maggie. A younger woman beckoned for him to enter the kitchen. She was rolling dough on the counter, but smiled to let him know he was welcome. Was this the famous Angel? He couldn’t tell what color her hair was because it was wrapped up in a hair net, but she was friendlier than the older woman.

“Hi. Are you Jake?”

He nodded.

She removed her gloves and walked over to him, sticking out her hand. “I’m Angel. That’s Velma over there.” She motioned to the older woman. “I just started here last week. Maggie talks about you all the time though.”

A humph sound came from Velma’s direction. He ignored her and shook Angel’s hand.

“Nice to meet you. I wondered when I’d have a chance to meet Maggie’s lifesaving baker.”

She blushed and retreated behind the counter.

He looked around the kitchen. “Is Maggie here? I’ve been looking all over for her.”

Angel’s lips turned downward. “Sorry, she left to go home already. She’ll be back in the morning though. I’m just finishing up here myself. Maggie wants us to meet at five tomorrow morning for a marathon baking session. She’s such a slave driver.” She smiled to show she was joking.

“She left already?” Now what? He’d hoped to catch her at the café where she couldn’t avoid him so easily. If she was at home, she probably wouldn’t answer the door. He was starting to feel like a stalker, but he needed to get some answers from her.

“Yes,” Velma interjected. “She needed to go home to her son.” She shook her head. “That woman is always leaving at the most inopportune times.” She motioned around the room. “Look how messy it is. She was supposed to stay until closing time. Now we’re stuck with that incompetent assistant manager. Humph. Well, at least she’s home with her son where she belongs. Why, when I had a young child at home, you wouldn’t find me working somewhere out of the home. All these career women nowadays. They think they can have everything.”

Angel stared at her as though she’d grown wings. Jake’s jaw dropped open, but he quickly recovered. He may not be high on Maggie’s list of favorite people right now, but he wasn’t going to let anyone talk badly about her.

In calmly measured tones, he said, “Maggie is the finest woman and mother that I’ve ever met. She’s done amazing things with her life after going through one of the worst things a person can experience. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk about her that way.”

Velma glared at him. His fists clenched and he felt anger boil up through his veins, but he pushed it down. As much as he’d like to take the older woman to task, as a member of the Candle Beach police department, he had to maintain a good image for the department.

“She went home,” Velma said flatly, and left the room.

Angel and Jake watched her leave.

“I’m so sorry about that.” Angel walked over to the sink to wash her hands and then regloved. “I don’t know why she would have said that. In the week I’ve been here, Maggie has been the best boss I could possibly ask for. And she’s always telling stories about Alex. I can tell she loves being a mother. I don’t know what she’s been through in the past, but she seems to be making being a career woman and a mother work for her.”

He smiled at her. “Thanks. I appreciate the support.”

“No problem. I can tell you’re a good guy and you care about her.” She laughed bitterly. “I’ve dated some real winners and I’d marry the first one who came to my rescue the way you just did for Maggie.”

He chuckled a little. “I hope she feels the same way about me. She’s come to mean a lot to me in the small amount of time we’ve been together.” He turned to leave. “It was nice to meet you, Angel. I’ll check to see if Maggie’s home now.”

She waved from her station and he left. In this day and age, he was surprised to meet anyone who still thought a woman couldn’t work outside the home and be a good mother.

He drove to her house, hoping that she’d finally give in and talk to him.

He knocked on Maggie’s door. Although there was a light on in her bedroom, no one answered the door. He waited a few minutes and then left. When she was ready to talk to him, she knew where to find him.