Page 32 of The Locksmith's Promise

I thought I knew the man he was, and I was wrong.

Giving my head a shake at my foolishness, I stepped back. “Come on in.”

“Thank you,” he murmured, his long legs stepping over the threshold as I backed up further. He nodded down at my toes. “Blue today?”

I flushed and admitted, “It’s my one guilty pleasure.”

His low voice wrapped around me. “You only have one? We’ll have to do something about that.”

Before I could formulate an answer, Corwin bounded into the kitchen and bounced up and down on his toes with a broad smile on his face. “You’re here!”

Baxter’s sweet smile broke through the remaining sadness on his face. “I’m here,” he agreed.

“Why are you early?”

He shrugged, hands still tucked in his pockets. “I thought you might want to go out for dinner.”

His question ripped open my ribcage and sucker punched my heart. I swallowed the gasp brought on by the shock of him cutting me out. Which was ridiculous because I’d just suggested it myself. Of course, they needed to get to know one another without me tagging along.

I forced a smile. “Good idea.”

Baxter brightened, his eyes lighting with hope. “You think so?”

I nodded firmly. “I do.” Spinning on my heel, I turned to Corwin. “Grab your coat, bud. You’ll need it later.”

September in Moose Lake was like November where we used to live. Lots of sun during the day, but once it slipped below the horizon, the temperature dropped rapidly.

“You too, Maggie,” Baxter added.

“What?” I spun back around to face him, hope and fear dancing around in my heart like boxers waiting to throw the first punch. “That’s not necessary. You guys should get to know one another without me hanging around.”

Baxter’s eyes narrowed on my face before turning to our son. “Cor, has Mom eaten dinner yet?”

Mom.

“Nope!” Corwin chirped.

Tilting his head with a small smirk, Baxter challenged, “What do you say, Maggie? Will you let me treat you to the best burger this side of Moose Lake?”

“Mom said The Loose Moose has the best hamburgers in all of Ontario!” Cor exclaimed.

Baxter laughed, the sound squeezing through the gap in my ribs and expanding to fill my chest with a light so bright I couldn’t bear to look at it.

I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “All right. I’ll go with you guys for a burger.”

9

The Missing Years

Maggie

I couldn’t have felt more conspicuous if I’d shown up in my birthday suit with a giant red bow on my naked ass.

Scanning the restaurant for threats, I immediately clocked Baxter’s old friends Eric and John at one table, my parents at another.

My heart sank. How could I possibly sit here and pretend everything was okay with half of Moose Lake there to bear witness?

Baxter’s soft touch to the small of my back beckoned me to curl into his chest and hide away from the world.

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