Page 56 of The Weekend Crashers
She’s going to have to find a way to convince her mother to go camping tonight. Without her.
Maggie is deep into her explanation of the knit stitch when she hears the distinctive bell of the hot chocolate cart. The guys don’t know what the ringing signals and she doesn’t volunteer the information. If they leave, she suspects some won’t come back. And now she feels invested in seeing how many of them, if any, will leave the class knowing how to get stitches on the needle.
Belinda pops her head in.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she says. “But if you feel like a little break, the hot chocolate cart is in the lobby.”
The guys run out like kids at the recess bell.
“That might have been a mistake,” Maggie says.
“A little sugar never hurt anyone,” Belinda says, passing her a hot Genevieve takeout cup. Maggie knows from yesterday it holds the nuttiest, earthiest, most delectably sweet cocoa imaginable. By the end of the weekend, she’s going to be addicted. “How’s it going in here?”
“I think at least a few of them are getting the hang of it.”
“Good!” Belinda says. “But how are you? I actually wanted to give you a break in case you needed it.”
“You didn’t have to call in the heavy artillery just for me,” she says, raising her cup. “But I appreciate it.”
“I can’t take all the credit. Max summoned the cart.”
“That’s sweet,” Maggie says. “Literally.”
“Yes, well, he can be charming. I’ll give him that.” But she doesn’t look charmed. “Do you mind if I sit in for the remainder of the workshop? I won’t say a word.”
“Oh. Sure.” The idea of it makes Maggie feel self-conscious, but she can’t say no.
“I just ran into Barclay Cavanaugh. He asked me to officiate this little exercise here—to check in on the guys’ progress. He’s quite enthusiastic about the competition you’ve started.”
Technically, Aidan started it. “I didn’t really expect it to become this whole big thing. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? It’s delightful. You know, I’ve been doing these retreats for so many years now, but every one somehow surprises me. They’re all fun in their own ways, all unique. But today was definitely a first.”
Maggie smiles. “I’m glad you’re okay with it.”
“This weekend is a happy accident. Like I said, the double-booking was a mistake. I’m just relieved it turned out this way.”
“Maybe you can plan double weekends like this in the future. It could be a public service to dispel the myth of the granny-in-the-rocking-chair knitter.”
Belinda’s expression clouds. “I wish I could.”
Before Maggie can ask what she means by that, Belinda checks the time on her phone and offers to round up the guys so Maggie can finish the workshop.
“I’ll go with you,” Maggie says, hoping she might catch Piper. But as they’re walking out, Aidan appears at the top of the stairs.
“Do you have a minute?” he asks.
“Um, sure,” she says, glancing at Belinda, who reaches over and gives Maggie’s arm a gentle squeeze.
“I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
When she leaves, Maggie turns to Aidan and asks, “What’s up?”
“Cole and I had an argument at the axe place. That’s why he’s not here.”
She’d been so caught up in what she was doing, she hadn’t noticed Cole was missing. Maybe because Piper didn’t come along, either.
“Before that happened, he told me about inviting Pipercamping. But now he’s not coming. So I wanted to let you and Piper know the plan is off.”
