Page 28 of Rafe

“Let’s change the subject, please,” Maggie pleaded, her tone desperate for a reprieve from the heavy discussion.

“Alright,” Rafe nodded, his gaze shifting as the conversation moved on.

Soon their meals arrived, a colorful display of dishes that added vibrancy to the table, and the group began eating amid bursts of laughter and continuous chatter. The evening was wonderful, with every word and gesture painted in the warm glow of camaraderie. Maggie found herself truly enjoying the night, noticing the evident closeness between Rafe and Nate.

As the evening wound down, they settled the bill and left the restaurant together, stepping out into the night air. Together, they ambled toward their vehicles, promising to meet again soon. Rafe opened the door for Maggie and helped her into the truck before driving back to her apartment so she could gather her belongings.

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Rafe maneuvered his truck into the spot beside her stairs, the vehicle’s tires crunching softly on the gravel. He swung open the driver’s door and stepped out, the evening air brushing against his skin. As he made his way around the front of the truck to the passenger side, he saw that Maggie had already exited. Her hair caught the light, shimmering in the soft glow of the streetlamp.

“I could have gotten the door for you,” he said, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

“I want to pack a bag and go.” Her eyes twinkled as she smiled, a hint of mischief in her expression.

“Alright, let’s go.” He clasped her hand gently, the warmth of her skin a comforting contrast to the night and led her up the metal steps. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly as theyclimbed, and he waited patiently while she fished out her keys and unlocked the door.

Inside the apartment Maggie turned to him, her expression eager.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” He nodded, watching her as she moved toward where her bed sat, the soft fabric of her dress swaying with each step. “Hey.” She paused, glancing back at him with curiosity. “Don’t change that dress.” His grin widened as her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

“Oh, I won’t. There’s a surprise under it.” Her words were teasing, and he groaned in playful exasperation, eliciting a laugh from her.

Rafe eased himself onto the sofa, while she moved swiftly about packing a small bag with precise, fluid motions that spoke of both urgency and calm. When she reappeared with her bag in hand, Rafe gently took it from her, and together they left the apartment. The truck’s engine growled to life, and as Rafe drove them away beneath a velvet, starlit sky, the road meandered like a ribbon of possibility, guiding them toward the quiet sanctuary of his cabin.

Upon arriving at his place, Rafe shut off the truck and swung open his door, retrieving her bag from the back. Closing the door behind him, he glanced back to see Maggie waiting at the front of the vehicle. Reaching for her hand, he led her toward the door, pausing for a moment as he looked deeply into her eyes.

“My dog, Booker, will be all over you, so if you’d prefer me to go in first to let him outside, just say the word,” he offered.

“Oh, no. Don’t do that. I love dogs,” Maggie replied, her voice warm and reassuring.

“Okay,” Rafe said as he inserted his key into the lock. He couldn’t help but let out a small shake of his head when the excited barking of Booker reached his ears. With a gentle push,he opened the door, nodding for Maggie to step inside before following her in.

He carefully set her bag on a sturdy table near the entry, then removed his cowboy hat and hung it on a hook. His eyes followed Booker, who bounded over with exuberance, his small yet powerful frame quivering with energy as he wagged his tail in wild delight.

“Oh, my goodness! How adorable are you?” Maggie cooed as she dropped to her knees beside the happy dog to pet him tenderly.

“Please don’t tell him that,” Rafe teased, a playful glimmer in his eyes.

Maggie looked up at him, her smile lighting up her face. “He’s so pretty.”

“He’s part Australian Shepherd and Border Collie. Smart as hell,” Rafe replied.

“I’ve always loved Aussies, and that one blue eye is just gorgeous,” Maggie said.

“He’s a pain in the ass sometimes,” Rafe admitted with a chuckle that made Maggie laugh.

“You never bring him to the barn. This is the first I’ve seen of him. I did hear him the day I came here for Fred, though. How old is he?” she inquired curiously.

“He’s three, though I only take him out occasionally. He loves running with the horses, and somehow, they seem to have taken a liking to him as well,” Rafe explained with a relaxed shrug.

“Have you had him since he was a puppy?” Maggie pressed on with genuine interest.

“The vet said he was about three months old. One day, while out riding, I noticed him trailing me in the pasture.” Rafe recounted. “I couldn’t leave him behind, so I brought him home.”

“You’ve given him a good home,” Maggie observed.

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