Page 50 of Rafe

Although she stayed with him for a few nights, she usually stayed at her apartment, but it was Saturday and once the day ended, she was more than ready to leave.

“Is it me, or is this day dragging on?” Vanna whispered.

“It’s not you. I’ve looked at the clock every five minutes.”

“Are you going to your apartment?”

“No, I’m going to Rafe’s. I just hope the snow doesn’t amount to anything.”

“I hope not. I like the snow, but not if I have to drive in it.” Vanna sighed as more customers came in. “I hate to say this, but I can’t wait for the tourist season to be over. I just want to relax on the weekends with my man.”

“Me too.”

“You want to relax with my man?” Vanna teased.

Maggie laughed. “As gorgeous as your man is, I think I’ll keep the one I’ve got.”

“Can’t blame you there.” Vanna looked at her watch. “One more hour.”

“And it’s going to crawl.”

The women got back to work and soon it was time to close. Vanna walked with her around the building.

“Have you heard from your ex?”

“No. He visited Fred, but I don’t know what went on and Rafe said he confronted him in the barn. Frederick threatened to fire him once he inherited the ranch. I just hope Fred didn’t change his mind about leaving it to Rafe.” Maggie shook her head. “Frederick would sell that ranch as soon as possible.”

“That’s a shame. I hope Frederick didn’t convince Fred to do that.”

“You and me both.”

They reached Vanna’s vehicle, and Maggie unlocked her door as Vanna did the same. They waved at each other then drove off. Since she knew she was staying with Rafe for the weekend, she had packed a bag earlier, so she didn’t have to go upstairs, then come back down to her vehicle alone.

She just didn’t understand what Junior was up to, then she grinned when she realized she thought of him asJuniornow.

Maggie’s engine idled at the stoplight, windshield wipers swishing away the first flakes of falling snow. Her heart fluttered with impatience—she hadn’t heard from Rafe all day, and that was unlike him. She frowned, pressing her gloved hand against the steering wheel, then spun into a nearby spot and tapped the call button on her phone.

“Hey, darlin’,” Rafe’s warm drawl crackled through the speaker.

“Is everything all right?” Maggie asked, scanning the empty street for ice patches.

“Yeah, why?”

“I just haven’t heard from you today.”

“I’m sorry about that. Joey took the day off, so I had to cover for him,” Rafe explained, chuckling. “Damn, I’m glad I’m not a ranch hand anymore.”

Maggie laughed into the phone. “I can imagine. Well, I’m on my way. I hope you’ve got the fire going.”

“Where you’re concerned, there’s always a fire going,” he teased.

She huffed out a laugh, her breath fogging the cold glass. “Good answer, cowboy. See you soon.”

“I’ll be here. Drive safe, the roads could be slick.”

“They’re clear in town, but I’ll take it slow.” She hung up and tucked her phone into the console, tension already loosening at the thought of Rafe’s cabin.

The drive out of town felt endless, streetlights disappearing behind drifting curtains of white. Maggie’s mind spun with both warmth and fear. She loved this man fiercely, and the thought that he might not feel the same made her chest tighten. But she was strong. Whatever happened, she’d treasure every moment they’d shared.

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