Page 36 of The Locksmith's Promise

He smiled, his eyes soft with shared understanding.

“It’ll pass. The sergeant will shave off his moustache or Eric will sink another tractor in the lake, and everyone will talk about that instead of us.”

I snorted out a laugh at the memory. “It’s probably still down there.”

He grinned. “It is. Miller told me every time the water level drops you can see it.”

I laughed.

He reached across the table and rested one finger on the back of my hand.

It burned like a brand.

My smile faded as I met his eyes and whispered his name, “Bax.”

He smiled hesitantly. “Maggie. I can’t believe I’m sitting across from you after all this time.”

Frozen in place, I stared back at him.

“I missed you, Maggie,” he murmured. “I’ve missed you for all these years.”

“You never tried to contact me,” I blurted.

He grimaced. “At first, I couldn’t. Later, I thought it was best for you.”

“Best for me,” I echoed, my voice flat. I knew I should move my hand but couldn’t relinquish the painful pleasure of that simple touch.

If he’d wanted me, he would have gotten in contact.

Maybe not that first year, but after.

His mouth twisted. “Obviously, I was wrong.”

I shook my head and slumped in my seat at the reminder. “I should have made sure you knew about Corwin.”

He covered my hand with his and tightened his grip. “It’s not just about Corwin.”

If he’d wanted me, he would have gotten in contact.

A sweet, numbing relief settled over me.

“It’s only about Corwin,” I corrected softly. Gently, I dragged my hand out from under his and sat back as far as I could. “See, if it was about me, you would have reached out.”

He shook his head sharply and leaned toward me, his face flushing. “That’s not true—”

Corwin bounded over and slid back into the booth beside me. “Grandma says I should get a red one with flames. Grandpa says he prefers an acoustic.”

“We’ll get both,” Baxter declared as Corwin’s eyes popped out of his head.

I frowned.

“Maggie, I’m trying to save your eardrums,” he explained. “Nobody needs to hear the electric guitar at all hours of the day and night.”

I forced the frown from my face.

The truth was, I was envious.

Envious of Baxter’s ability to provide the things I never could.

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