Page 24 of Rafe

With a small nod, he admitted, “Yes. It was actually his idea for me to come here and talk with you.”

A mischievous grin spread across Maggie’s face. “I’ll thank him the next time I see him.”

Rafe smiled briefly before frowning. “What is Maggie short for? Margaret?”

“Magdalena.”

“Really? That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” Rafe remarked.

“Is Rafe short for anything?”

He chuckled. “Nope. Just plain ole’ Rafe.”

“There is nothing plain about you,” Maggie said softly. “I remember the day I met you, I thought you were the most handsome man I’d ever seen.”

“And I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on, and you were with that… prick,” Rafe said, his tone shifting from adoration to irritation as he frowned. “You’re going to explain that to me, Maggie.”

Her eyes softened in apology. “I will. I promise, just not yet.”

“Alright,” he conceded, the warmth in his tone mingling with a trace of seriousness. “But I want no secrets between us.”

After a brief pause, Maggie countered with an invitation to share more: “Tell me about your parents and how you ended up with Fred.”

Rafe let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the cool porcelain of the tub as memories began to unfurl. “My parents... they were never good people. They drank constantly—so much so that I can’t recall a time when they were sober. I remember my father’s hand all too clearly; he used to hit me, and because they were always too drunk, I ended up doing everything around the house. My mother never stepped in to protect me. One night, when I was just seventeen, his blow knocked me out. When I came to, I knew that I had to escape that toxic environment. I packed a duffle bag with the little belongings I had and silently slipped out through my bedroom window. I had no plan or destination in mind, but somehow, I ended up at Nate’s place. His parents understood my struggle and allowed me to stay as long as I continued with school. I did, though I always knew I needed to carve a future for myself. My parents went there looking for me, but Nate’s parents told them they either let me stay with them or they’d call the cops for child abuse.” Rafe shook his head. “Nate’s mother wanted to anyway, but I told her I’d end up in foster care, so she agreed not to call. I’m glad she did. Nate’s parents are wonderful people. They’re the kind of parents every kid wants. I still love them and see them when I can.”

The water in the tub flowed steadily as Rafe continued his story. “One day I was in The Feed Store, browsing a board filled with job postings. I had planned to post that I was looking for work for the summer until I saw Fred’s posting, seeking part-time help. I called him up, and he invited me to his ranch. Themoment I met him, I felt drawn to the opportunity. Fred was the kindest man I’d ever encountered. He gave me the job for that summer, and after I graduated, I kept on working for him. I’ve never regretted that decision.”

Curiosity led Maggie to ask, “When did you actually meet Frederick?”

Rafe’s tone grew wry. “That first summer was when we met. Despite being a year younger than me, Junior had a way of making me feel insignificant. One day in the barn, when he got smart with me in front of everyone, I called him out and we got into it. He threatened to fire me. I told him that if he hadn’t hired me, he certainly couldn’t fire me. He didn’t appreciate that at all. He stormed over, probably expecting me to cower, but I stood my ground. He swung, and missed, so I countered with a punch to his chin that sent him sprawling onto the barn floor. He scrambled up, threatened that his father would fire me, and then hastily fled. The other guys all clapped me on the back; they’d secretly wanted to challenge him too. The next day in the barn, I saw Fred enter and braced myself for his anger, yet he merely smiled, winked at me, and walked out. I knew in that moment I’d never leave his side. I’ve had more confrontations with Junior since; I can’t stand him, and I know he harbors a similar animosity toward me. When Luke McCallister showed up about the horses missing, I had no doubt in my mind that Junior was the one who stole Fred’s horses—what a fucking asshole.”

Maggie’s eyes softened as she murmured, “Yes, he’s truly awful. Do you ever see your parents?”

Rafe’s voice dropped into a quiet resignation. “I haven’t seen them in a long time. They came to my cabin about a year ago, asking for money, but I told them to stay away and let me be. I haven’t set eyes on them since.”

“I’m sorry they treated you that way,” Maggie whispered, her tone filled with genuine sorrow.

Rafe’s gaze turned inward as he murmured, “You were treated the same way by Junior, Maggie.”

Maggie couldn’t help but laugh softly at his comment. “You do love calling him Junior, don’t you?”

Rafe chuckled. “Yep, because he absolutely hates it when I do.”

Maggie shook her head. “He’s an evil man. I sometimes wonder how he turned out like that when Fred is such a sweetheart.”

“Yeah, me too. He thinks he’s above everyone.”

“Well, he’s not. I hope I never see him again.” Maggie sighed. “Let’s get out and get some sleep. I’m exhausted.”

“Me too.” Rafe stood and the water cascaded down his body as he reached for a towel. He motioned for her to stand and when she did, he couldn’t help but run his eyes over her body. He knew she was the woman he wanted in his life. He always had, but since she was married, he never let her know. Things were different now, and he planned to spend as much time with her as he could and hoped she’d eventually feel the same way about him.

Chapter Six

The following Saturday, Maggie perched on the edge of the sofa, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she waited for Rafe to arrive. The evening promised excitement, and she couldn’t suppress her eagerness at the thought of spending time with him. The possibility of him staying the night lingered in her mind, adding a layer of thrill to her thoughts.

She smiled as she remembered telling Vanna about her and Rafe…

“I’m sorry. Did you just say you and Rafe had sex?”

---