Chapter 7
Sitting on the front porch, swinging back and forth, Magnolia felt her world start to right itself. She folded her arms over the back of the swing and rested her chin on them. One of her legs was tucked up underneath her, and she swung the other back and forth, moving herself gently. The hooks above creaked with each motion, and she couldn’t help but wonder if her swing had been neglected the whole time she’d been gone. A cool breeze ruffled her hair as she turned her face to the sun. The rays warmed her cheeks.
When she’d first arrived, she’d felt like her world was coming to an end, and up until this morning’s trough bath, she hadn’t realized all the things that had been wrong with that life. Even now, swinging gently, surrounded only by the sounds of the farm, she realized she hadn’t had a moment of silence in years, or time to just lie back and think. Up north was a different way of life—people didn’t pause or stop, it was always go, go, go. And now that she wasn’t constantly on the go, she could see how she’d grown used to being unhappy.
In the distance, the sound of tires rolling over gravel drew her attention to the road leading to her house. A large Ford pickup rolled into view. It was bright red and shining like it had just been washed. Magnolia stood and leaned up against one of the posts, waiting to see who it was. All the Triple R employees had been there since morning. Even her Uncle Mike was out and about, still working.
The passenger door flew open and two children only a year or two older than Hayden came tumbling out. Both blue-eyed and blond-haired, the little girl who was slightly older than the boy looked startlingly familiar. They darted past her going straight for the barn. “Uncle Dax! Uncle Dax!”
Uncle Dax? Dax didn’t have any brothers or sisters that she knew of. Then a friendly voice she hadn’t heard in nearly ten years came from behind the truck. “Freeze.”
Both the children stopped dead, giggling yet not moving. When the little girl gazed up at Magnolia, she sucked in a breath, knowing those blue eyes. “Calla Lily Turner!” she called out, waiting for the driver to make her appearance.
“I’m a-comin’,” the woman called back.
Magnolia raced to the steps and leapt off them. She jogged past the bed of the truck around to the driver’s side. Calla Lily’s legs hung from the open door like she was reaching for something. Her cowboy boots were nearly a foot off the ground, and the hem of her yellow dress fell just above her knees. Magnolia fought the urge to pull her from the truck. “Hurry up and come give me some love!”
“Give you some love, after ten years of no lovin’ from you.” Calla Lily popped up, holding a plate full of cookies and a large, teasing smile.
When she hopped off the seat like a kid, Magnolia wrapped her arms around her and pulled her in tightly. Maggie stood at least four inches taller than Calla. When she wrapped her arms around her, she felt as though she was tucking her friend into her. “I missed you.”
The plate of cookies jostled in Calla’s hands as she tried to hug Magnolia back. “Missed me so much you couldn’t keep in touch.”
“Calla, I—"
“Hush, now. We’re gonna have us a visit.” She wrapped her arm through Maggie’s and steered her toward the porch. She called out to her kids who still hadn’t moved but were giggling like crazy. “Y’all turn around and say hi to Miss Magnolia.”
Calla Lily Turner was exactly as Magnolia remembered her. Physically she was all voluptuous curves and softness. Deep down, the woman was hard as nails with a tough love attitude her mother instilled in her. Though she was the shortest, Calla had always been the sensible strong backbone of their group of friends, making sure Magnolia didn’t drift too far and keeping Zinnia’s wild side in check. If anyone would forgive Maggie for her absence, it would be her.
Calla pointed to the little boy, wearing ripped overalls, a white t-shirt and beat-up boots. “That there is my son, Adam junior. He just turned four.” Then she pointed to the little girl. “And that is Poppy. She’s five now.”
“Oh, Calla, they’re beautiful.”
They both waved and unison and said, “Hi, Miss Magnolia.”
Calla nodded and smiled. “Okay, y’all go on.” The moment she told them to go, her son, Adam, ran off, but Poppy stayed behind.
Twirling her finger around one of her pig tails, she stared at Magnolia. “Momma?”
Calla stopped at the foot of the steps. “Yes, baby?”
“She has a flower name, too.”
Letting go of Maggie’s arm, she walked over to Poppy and bent low enough to be face to face with her daughter. At this angle, Magnolia could see just how far the similarities went. They each had a cute sloped nose, bright blue eyes, light blond hair, and heart-shaped faces. “Why, yes, she does.”
Poppy wrapped her hands in the hem of her dress and swung back and forth. “It’s a pretty name.”
Magnolia peeked over Calla’s shoulder, making eye contact with Poppy. “Why, thank you. I think Poppy is a lovely name, too.”
The little girl giggled as Calla tapped her on her nose. “A long time ago when I was about your age, I met Magnolia at school, and we became friends for that same reason.”
“Because you were named after flowers?”
“That’s right. Me, Magnolia over there and your Aunty Zinnia.” Calla stood up straight and patted her daughter on the head.
“Ooohhhh.” Poppy turned to look at Magnolia. “Aunty Zin doesn’t like you much.”
Calla pressed her hand over her daughter’s lips. “Hush, now. If we don’t have anything nice to say…?”
“We don’t say anything at all,” Poppy finished for her.
“Okay, now you go on and play with your Uncle Dax. Make sure those rowdy boys don’t go gettin’ into much trouble.” She turned her away and patted her on the bottom, sending her in the direction Adam had run.
A pang of hurt stabbed Magnolia deep in her chest. Now being back at home, she couldn’t imagine a life without the three of them being together. Hell, they’d been inseparable right up until she left for college. She shoved her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. When Calla turned to look at her, she said the only thing she could think to say. “I guess it’s my fault.”
With a deadpan look, Calla nodded. “Yes, it is.” Leave it to her to be completely honest.
“Oh, Calla.” A tear spilled over Magnolia’s cheek. “I-I’ve messed up so many things.”
“Well, don’t start crying just yet.” She waved her toward the swing.
Magnolia folded herself back down into the same position she’d been sitting in before Calla arrived. With her arm draped over the back of the swing, she made enough space for Calla to sit beside her. It was like no time had passed between them at all when they sat like this. “I’ve made such a mess of things.”
Calla patted Magnolia’s knee. “Maggie, I know you had this idea of what your life should be. Hell, when you left for college, I could already see them big city eyes of yours sparkling.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you tell me I was a fool?” Magnolia whispered.
“Because you needed to find out for yourself.” Then Calla muttered, “I didn’t think it would take this long, but better late than never.” She unwrapped the plate of cookies and handed one to Magnolia.
“Are these peanut butter sugars?” She snatched the cookie from Calla and shoved it in her mouth, then moaned around the flavor.
“That’s right. Momma’s own recipe. She says hi, by the way.”
A genuine smile spread across Magnolia’s face. Not the one she’d had plastered on the past few years, but a real one. “How’d you know I was here?”
Calla rolled her eyes. “Dax called me this morning. Told me you could use a friend.”
“And you came here? Just like that, after I’ve behaved so badly?” Magnolia looked down at her hands and knotted her fingers together. She’d never had true friends in New York. Yes, they were mom friends, but not real ones who would drop their plans and come just to visit. In her blinded state, she’d forgotten what truly mattered—friends like Calla. Guilt hung heavy with her, settling low in her stomach. She’d been such a bad friend to them all. Magnolia knew she didn’t deserve their love after the way she’d acted. But, oh, how she wanted it and needed it more than ever. “Should’ve never stayed away this long, Calla. Y’all deserve so much more than what I’ve done. I think I was just running.”
“I suspect you had your reasons for stayin’ away. And I’ll forgive you this time because we were family and still could be.” She bent down her head, catching Maggie’s eyes. “Next time, though, I won’t be so forgiving. But Dax said you’re going through a rough patch.”
Maggie nodded and sighed. “You heard about that?”
“Yeah, I heard. I think the whole town heard.” Her face grew solemn. “Only thing Dax said was your man stepped out on you, and it wasn’t pretty. But I reckon the other workers on the ranch been gossipin’ like old women.”
“You know, the longer I’m away from Eric, the clearer things become. I feel like I’m thinking for myself and doing what I want. I can’t explain it, but when I was with him, I think I lost sight of me and just became an ‘us’.”
“Oh, honey, sometimes when you’re with someone for so long, you forget where you begin and they end. Sometimes, I think Adam and I share one brain.” She rolled her eyes.
“I can’t believe y’all ended up together.”
“What? Why wouldn’t we end up together?” When Maggie didn’t answer right away, Calla playfully poked her in the arm, prodding her.
“Okay, okay.” She squirmed in her seat. “Because he was so goofy in high school, always following around Dax and Finn.”
Calla tilted back her head, laughing. “That’s true. I forgot about that. Well, a lot’s changed now.”
“That it has.” The smile dropped from Maggie’s face as she gazed off into the distance. “I didn’t think I’d ever end up like this.”
“Like what?”
“A single mom, with no job and no income, no way to take care of myself or Hayden. Thank God for my family. If I didn’t have my father, I don’t know what I’d do.” Magnolia paused, thinking about her next sentence. “I can see why some women decide to stay and work things out.”
Calla’s eyebrows shot up. “Would you do that? Stay with him?”
“Calla, I chased him and his mistress out of my house with a bat.”
They sat in silence before fits of laughter overtook them. Calla hunched over and wrapped her hands around her stomach, laughing so hard tears ran down her face. “You went Carrie Underwood on his ass! Good for you.”
“Not quite, but I hit a home run using a lamp.” Just the thought of how crazy she must’ve looked in that moment had her laughing even harder.
Calla sucked in a breath and brushed at her cheeks while smiling. “Oh, well, you know what they say?”
“No, what’s that?”
“If you didn’t go Carrie Underwood on his ass, then you didn’t really love him.”
Magnolia was beginning to think that same thing. Maybe she hadn’t loved him enough. “You know, my momma said that.”
“Well, she was probably right.”
“I’ve been home for only four days, and I’m starting to feel better. Almost like Eric had his claws so deep into me that I couldn’t think with him around me. I needed this time to get away.” She brushed her hair from her face.
“What have you decided?” Calla sat stone still, waiting, her face a mask of calm, though Magnolia could see the concern in her eyes.
“I haven’t decided anything. I called a lawyer this morning, though.” She hadn’t even told her father she’d made that call. There was no way she could afford a big time city lawyer, but Mr. Williams, the lawyer her family used for years, had been more than helpful.
Calla’s mouth fell into a shocked O. “What’d they say?”
“He said to call him in six months because most couples start off mad as cats and dogs, but then after a while they calm down. He’d rather I be sure I wanted a divorce than spend money I didn’t have on something I wouldn’t want.”
What kind of lawyer wasn’t ready to go for the kill in court and burn through money? The honest kind, though they were few and far between. But Magnolia understood his point.
“Seems like sound advice.” Calla nodded as if she were holding back what she was really thinking.
“What?”
“Nothin’.”
“Calla. You’ve got that look about you.” Magnolia grabbed another cookie and took a bite.
“What look? I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.” She turned away and ran her fingers though her shoulder length waves.
“Just spit it out.” Magnolia poked her in the elbow.
“I don’t have to. A few more days home, and you’ll be the Magnolia I know. I already see her lurking beneath the surface. You’ll make the right decision when it’s time.” She then plucked one of her own cookies and took a bite. “No one can force Magnolia Reed to do something she doesn’t want to do.”
It was Maggie’s turn to smile. “Is that so?”
Just as Calla was about to answer, the three children ran screaming into the front yard, each of them scattering in a different direction. Dax was hot on their heels, growling like bear and chasing them. He looked so relaxed with a large smile spread across his face. It was so free and easy, Magnolia couldn’t help but smile as she looked on. He was very much how she remembered him—free, full of life and completely attractive. Calla turned serious. “No matter how bad anyone wanted you to stay, you didn’t. So, no. No one can convince you to do something, Magnolia.”
Magnolia sighed. “I had this idea in my head of what life was supposed to be. Too many chick flicks I suppose, but when I was younger I pictured myself living in New York. Having days spent in small cafes and walking through museums. Living some kind of fantasy life. When I met Eric, he offered it to me on a silver platter. I was so, so stupid.”
“I’m not gonna disagree there.” Calla chuckled. “But you lost sight of what’s important. Have you found it now?”
Looking out over the grass as Hayden ran into Dax’s arms to be swung up, she sighed. “Yeah, I think I’ve found what’s important.”
Calla snapped her fingers in front of Magnolia’s face. “No, Maggie. You leave that man alone.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Remember that time in high school right before you and Dax got together?” She narrowed her eyes at Magnolia. “He was datin’ that Lulu Griffin girl, and with one look you had that boy knockin’ on your door. You’re givin’ him that same look now.”
Magnolia wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Oh, yeah, I remember her. When Dax and I got together, she was always waitin’ for her opportunity to swoop in. Still annoys me just thinking about it.”
“Yeah, I remember too, and I see the way you’re lookin’ at him now. Dax is off limits. Do you hear me?” She was deadly serious. She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Um, okay… Is he taken or something?” The thought of that shouldn’t bother her so much.
“Or something. You’ve been gone a long time. Things have happened. Don’t you come back into his life like a wrecking ball when he’s finally okay.”
Calla made it sound as if Dax had nearly died. Threads of worry ran through Magnolia. She’d always thought Dax was the strongest one of the group. In her mind, he’d be just fine without her or anyone else. “What happened?”
“It’s not for me to tell. Just listen to me and stay away.”
“Okay, I will.”
What had happened while she was gone? Had Dax gone through his own round of shit? Even when they were kids, she’d suspected he’d go to work on a ranch somewhere and make his life that way, and here he was. What could’ve happened that was so bad or different?
When she opened her mouth to ask, Calla held up her hand. “I’m not tellin’.”
Magnolia wrapped her arms around Calla’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry I didn’t keep in touch.”
“It’s fine.” Calla looked away.
“I mean it. I will never let our friendship go again.” Magnolia squeezed her.
“Well, we aren’t there yet,” Calla teased.
It hurt Magnolia knowing she’d lost a good friend like Calla. “How can we get back to where we need to be?”
Calla waved her away. “Give it an hour or two.”
A laugh burst past her lips and Dax turned toward her. “Good to see you smile.”
She called back to him, “Feels good to smile.”
Then all three kids barreled toward him, and even though he was as strong as a bull, he toppled over, letting them tackle him. “Ohhhh, y’all got me.” He peeked up at Calla. “See, told ya you’d be just what she needed.”
A red blush crept up Calla Lily’s cheeks. “Thanks for that. And on that note,” she stood up and opened her arms for a hug, “I gotta get goin’.”
“So soon?” Magnolia couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice, but she didn’t want to sound ungrateful for the visit. She stood, giving Calla another hug.
“Don’t you worry. We’ll be seeing each other soon.” She turned to Adam and Poppy. “Okay, y’all, time to go. Leave Uncle Dax be.”
“We don’t wanna go,” Adam called back.
“Adam Turner, I know you aren’t sassin’ me.” She put her hands on her hips and pointed her finger at him.
“Best listen to your momma, so you can come back and visit.” Dax came to his feet and directed Poppy and Adam toward the front porch.
Calla walked to the edge, leaving Magnolia to watch. “Oh, do you want your cookie plate?”
“Nah, you keep them. I made ’em for you.”
“Are those peanut butter sugars?” Dax barreled up the the porch and headed toward Magnolia just as Calla walked down and collected her children.
As she made her way to the truck and loaded up the kids, she turned back once more, calling out, “Maggie, we’re going to The Hole tonight, if you want to come?”
Dax reached for a cookie; Magnolia smacked away his hand. He gave her a sour look and muttered, “I’m gonna get your cookie eventually, Maggie.”
Was he flirting with her? She jutted her chin. “Not if I can help it.” She turned toward Calla. “Okay, I’ll stop by.”
“Okay, I’ll see y’all later.” Calla walked around the truck and hopped in, disappearing out of sight.
Hayden charged up the stairs and ran at Dax. He reached up, tapping Dax’s hip. “Up, up, up.”
Without hesitation, Dax lifted him as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Magnolia raised her eyebrows. “You’re good with kids.”
He shrugged. “I spent a lot of time with Adam and Poppy. You get used to it after a while.”
A pang of jealousy went through Magnolia. All the things Hayden had missed out on living in New York. Sure, he’d had play dates, activities, and was busy all day long, but when had he gotten to be a kid with a family of kids growing up around him? She was about to ask Dax how he’d learned so much when he snagged a cookie from the plate and wagged his eyebrows. “See? I told ya I’d get your cookie.”
Before he took a bite, Hayden reached out his tiny toddler hands. “Cookie, please?”
With no hesitation, he handed it over, then looked at Magnolia. “Are you going to make me steal another, or are you going to take pity on me?”
The man was so damned charming, and having Hayden in his arms did nothing to lessen the attraction she felt toward him. Eric would’ve eaten the cookie first then handed Hayden a second cookie. It was the little things she’d ignored all this time, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized Eric was a selfish man. And she’d fallen for it. She plucked a cookie from the plate and handed it to him. “I’ll share my cookies with you… because you asked so nicely.”
When his eyes locked with hers, they were liquid heat. “Thank you.”
They stood like that, eating cookies and smiling, until Hayden started squirming to get down. Dax let him slide down his leg and run off. “You sure you want to go tonight?”
“Yeah, it’ll be good to get out.” She hesitated. “Should I not go?”
For a second she thought he might not want her there. That momentary hurt was a shock to her. He shifted from one foot to the other, running his hand over the back of his head the way he did when he got nervous. “Well, ah, Zinnia will be there.”
“So?”
“So, she’s not as forgiving at Calla. And is definitely angry at you.”
Magnolia looked away from him before she admitted, “She has a right to be angry at me.” Then as if he drew her back to him, she met his breathtaking gaze. “You all do.”
This close to him she could appreciate his honey skin, the smell of nature clinging to his shirt, and his roughly honed features. Silence hung between them, and she fought the urge to step closer to him. As if sensing her thoughts, he stepped back from her. “I gotta get going. I need to get cleaned up before I head out.”
“Are you going to The Hole too?” A flicker of excitement sparked with in her.
“Yeah, I told Finn I’d be his wing man tonight.” Then he grabbed one last cookie and turned from her.
Wing man? As in picking-up-women kind of wing man? She wasn’t jealous, not in the least, not even for a second. Denial is not pretty, Maggie. “Okay, then I guess I’ll see you there.”
He leapt off the porch and patted Hayden on the head as he walked by. He called over his shoulder, “See you.”
Once Maggie regained her thoughts after watching him walk away in those jeans she was beginning to love, she had to wonder. When was the last time she’d gotten jealous over Eric? Even after finding out about the affair, she hadn’t been. Was it a sign of maturity at the time or a lack of feelings? She called out to Hayden, “Time to go in.”
She took one step and walked right into her father’s barrel of a chest. “Dad! You startled me.” She grabbed her chest and gave a light chuckle.
“Thought I’d come check on ya. See how you were doing.” He gazed off in the direction Dax had gone as though accusing her of something.
Hayden ran up into her arms. “You mean since you dunked me like we was at a state fair?” She patted his shoulder. “I’m fine, Daddy. And you were right. It was time to start pickin’ myself up.”
“Yep. Listen, I saw you lookin’ at Dax.”
She stepped around her father, heading toward the front door. “We were just talkin’.”
He followed behind her. “Magnolia, stay away from him. I don’t like to step into your business, but in this case, I’m going to.”
“Why does everyone keep tellin’ me that?” She opened the door and stepped through.
“Never you mind why. Just listen.”
“Okay.”
“I mean it.”
“I got it.”
“Magnolia Reed.” His voice held a warning tone.
She turned to look over her shoulder. “I heard you.”
He walked past her, heading to his office while she stood by the front stairs. “Yeah, we all know how well you listen when you want to.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She put her free hand on her hip.
When he reached the door to his office he paused, giving her a stern look from down the hall. “Means even though you’re down on your luck, I still see the old Magnolia, and I know that Magnolia is always heading in the direction Dax is heading in. And I am telling you not to.”
“Dad, my marriage ended less than a week ago.”
“Yeah and you spend four days fretting on it. But I can see now the winds have started to change, and darlin’, you are dangerous to that man when you’re at your best.”
“Dangerous to Eric?”
He shook his head. “To Dax.” He opened the door and walked through, leaving her alone in the hall to wonder what the hell she was missing and why everyone didn’t want her near Dax. Like she was such a bad person. Tonight will be fine.