Finding Christmas (11 page)

But Will was an unexpected surprise. If her heart had started to thaw, it was his doing. Everything about him, his quiet strength, his compassion, his humor, were like an antidote to the numbness that had consumed her. Combining him with a healthy dose of her family, and Maggie had started to feel like herself again.

Once he’d secured the boat at the town dock a block away from her house, Will helped her out, immediately wrapping his arms around her waist.

“Well, are you going to ruin my reputation?”

Maggie giggled. “Hardly. I had a wonderful day. Thank you.”

“I’m glad. I did too.”

“Your first game is this week, right?” She’d memorized the basketball schedule. Pathetic, but she didn’t care.

“Yeah. Are you going to be there?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I don’t think my brother would forgive me.”

Continuing to hold her tight, Maggie made no attempt to get away. He felt too good.

“I have a crazy week,” Will began, “but I’d love to take you out next weekend. Maybe dinner on Friday night?”

“Oh, um…” A date! He was asking her out on a real date. “I’d, ah, I’d love to.”

Will’s smile went wide, crinkling his eyes at the corners, melting Maggie’s heart.

“You just made my day, Maggie Benson.”

With her arms securely around his neck, Maggie pulled him close. Will had no idea that he’d made her entire year. “Thank you for everything. I can’t wait ’til next week.”

Will pulled back and his blue eyes picked up all the colors from the holiday lights on his boat. He was so handsome, with his dark hair and long lashes, Maggie’s body ached.

“Will you look at that?” Will nodded toward the sky, and when Maggie’s eyes followed, she saw a snowflake drift down from the sky. Then another and another.

“It’s snowing. Oh, my God.” Not being able to suppress her laughter, Maggie enjoyed every chuckle and giggle along with each and every flake.

It was magic, and Maggie couldn’t help thinking that being home, and meeting Will, was at the heart of it all.

‡

A
date. She
was going out with a really nice, really hot guy and she hadn’t told anyone except Bree, whose closet was a gift from the gods. There was no keeping it secret for long, because Will insisted on picking her up at home. That meant her mother, father, and her siblings were going to give her the business; hopefully, it would be some happy teasing. Hopefully.

One of the things she’d been looking forward to since being fitted for her first prosthetic was being able to wear beautiful shoes and boots again. With all the advances in biotechnology, it was no longer out of the question. Maggie may have been a naval officer, but she was also a woman—a woman who was a total shoe whore.

Finally, after an adjustment with her prosthetist today, Maggie got the go-ahead to wear a gorgeous pair of brown riding boots. They zipped all the way down to the heel, so getting them on was easier than pulling on her jeans. Thinking about it, everything was easier to get on than jeans.

Checking herself in the mirror, she had to say she didn’t look bad. The navy blue sweater dress fit her perfectly and showed off her figure enough that there was no doubt she was a girl. After curling her hair and putting on makeup, Maggie found a really nice wrap in the closet that had a riot of winter colors. A pair of dangling earrings were the final touch.

“Maggie!” her father called from downstairs. “Time for supper.”

Pulling her bedroom door shut, she had no idea what anyone would say, but she was fairly sure shock would be the primary emotion. And after that, there’d be a thousand questions.

Making her way toward the kitchen, she heard the familiar sound of her family sitting down to eat. Her father’s shifts rotated, but as a rule, her family ate dinner together, a definite oddity in this day and age.

As soon as she took a step into the kitchen, the conversation stopped.

“Wow,” Matt said. “You look nice.”

“Mary Margaret? This is, um…” Mom didn’t know what to say. “You look lovely, honey.”

“Thank you. Borrowed clothes. Except the boots. I bought those.”

Her dad looped his arm around her shoulders and grinned. “You didn’t need to dress up for dinner. It’s just meatloaf.”

“I kind of did. I, ah… I have a date.”

Whoosh.

All the air left the room. No one said a word. The only sign of emotion was when her mother brought her hand to her chest.

“A date.” Her father was in shock. The only dates she’d ever had when she lived home were in high school for formal dances or the prom. And then, she never had a boyfriend, just male friends.

This was a first for her dad. A boy was coming over to pick her up.

“When did this happen?” Her mother took a step closer and fiddled with her hair. “Is it anyone we know?”

Nodding, Maggie tried to remain calm. Nonchalant. This should be no big deal. “Yes, actually. It is.”

Right then, the doorbell rang.

“I guess he’s here. Whoever ‘he’ is. Time for me to be the dad.” Her father headed toward the front of the house before she had a chance to move.

Showtime.

*     *     *

Will was nervous.
He stood on the path leading up to the Bensons’ house and wondered how he was going to negotiate the situation with her family. He’d taught the twins, he was Matt’s coach and teacher, and here he was taking Maggie on a date.

And there was no denying, after the kisses they’d shared, after the time they’d spent together, this was definitely a date.

The Bensons lived in a grey-shingled three-story house that was placed halfway between the town square and the harbor. It was a good sized home, including the pretty front porch where he’d found Maggie on Thanksgiving, a yard that must have been full of color in the summer, and a load of character. It was a family home. A place where memories were made.

Thanksgiving had been very memorable, as had the parade, and every other time he’d seen her since. When she came to the two home basketball games this week, just knowing she was up there in the stands felt good. It was like being in high school again; knowing the girl you liked was up there sent a rush through your system. Even if you never said a word to her, the thrill was still there.

Figuring he had to get moving, Will climbed the three steps to the front door and prepared himself for the looks and questions. Once he rang the doorbell, it wasn’t long before he heard heavy footsteps approaching.

When Jim opened the door, his jaw dropped. “Coach?”

“Nice to see you again, Mr. Benson.” Will shook hands with Jim, hoping this wouldn’t continue to be awkward. He didn’t hold out much hope for it, but you never knew.

“You’re Mary Margaret’s date?”

“Yes, sir. Is she ready?”

“Yes, I am.” Maggie approached from behind her dad with a broad smile and looking prettier than he’d ever seen her, if that was possible. It was a stark contrast from the woman he’d met just a few weeks ago. “Hi.”

“Hey. You look beautiful.”

Color stained Maggie’s cheeks. “Thank you.”

The two of them exchanged smiles, but around them—silence. It was like the calm before the storm people always talked about.

“Well,” Will said, rocking back on his heels when he noticed they had a very attentive audience that even included two cats who perched on the steps. “How is everyone?”

“You’re dating my sister?” Matt’s voice shocked Will. Even during the most trying times, be it Maggie’s recovery, a tough game, or personal problems, the kid was level and easy going. Not tonight. That moment, the only thing he’d heard from his star player was anger.

“We’re going out to dinner,” Will said flatly. He hoped if he didn’t make a federal case out of it, the shock would die down. It didn’t seem to matter; Matt walked out.

Maggie caught Will’s gaze and he could see that they were having similar thoughts. This wasn’t good. Her family had definite opinions. “I’m going to get my purse.”

Will stuffed his hands in his pockets and wondered if he should try to make small talk with her parents. Mary Pat was twisting her fingers, Jim’s arms were folded.

“She’s been through so much, Will,” Jim said sadly. “I don’t know if she’s up to this.”

“We’re going to dinner. That’s all.” That was the only reason that really mattered, and the only thing he would share with her parents.

“But what about Matt?” Mary Pat was stunned by her younger son’s behavior, and while Will understood teenagers being self-absorbed, he didn’t completely get where her parents were coming from. He wasn’t a serial killer. Everyone in the family seemed to like him well enough. He was respected in town. He was even considered a good catch.
Maggie liked him
. And shouldn’t her feelings matter in all this? Above all else?

“What does this have to do with Matt?”

Before either of the Bensons could answer, Maggie returned with a warm wrap draped over her arm and a purse in her hand. “I’m ready.” Her face was tight, her lips narrow, her eyes flat. Without so much as a look at her family, she yanked open the front door. “Don’t wait up.”

“Mary Margaret…” Jim warned, his tone a bit softer.

“Dad…” She tugged on a pair of leather gloves as she spoke, while Will took the wrap from her arm. “I’m thirty years old, and it’s not 1955.”

Jim was a good father who was only trying to protect his daughter. But Maggie, for all her problems, didn’t need protecting. Will figured she never did.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “Have a nice time.”

By the time Will had helped her on with her wrap, he could feel the tension in her shoulders. She wasn’t done letting her father know what she thought of his objection.

“Thank you,” she began. “And, you might want to tell
Prince Matthew
that young men who intend to be army officers shouldn’t be throwing temper tantrums.”

“I heard that!” Matt yelled from the other room.

“Good!” Maggie called back. “Stop being a spoiled brat.”

Will almost laughed at the exchange between the siblings, loving that Maggie wasn’t afraid to give her brother a hard time like any older sister would. He kept quiet and managed to squelch his laughter.

Once she was settled in the car, he could see that the apologies and banter didn’t take away the sting. She may have spoken up for herself, giving her brother a piece of her mind, but her family’s reaction had bothered her. He knew he shouldn’t try to fix anything, not that he’d know where to start. Ultimately, that would just get him in trouble, along with everyone else.

Buckling his seat belt, she reached over and took the hand he’d rested on the console between them. “I’m sorry about that. I should have met you at a restaurant.”

“No. I’m glad I was there, but what the hell got into them?”

“I have no idea.”

His fingers wrapped around hers and he gave a little squeeze. It was all he had for her at the moment. If she needed to talk, she would, but for now, he was going to give her time to wrap her head around what had gone down. Maggie was used to getting her family’s support and understanding. Not this time.

The restaurant where he’d made reservations was in the tiny hamlet of Port Jefferson, on Long Island’s north shore. It was close to an hour’s drive, and he hoped it would give Maggie time to calm down.

“It’s a bit of a drive, so get comfortable.”

Nodding, Maggie offered a weak smile, and turned toward the window as he pulled out of her street.

For the first twenty minutes of the ride, the holiday music station was the only sound filling the sporty BMW. She kept hold of his hand, but her eyes were focused at the darkness on the side of the road.

That is, until Maggie started telling her story. He had no idea what made her do it. Maybe it had to do with him sharing a little about himself, maybe she needed to vent. He didn’t really care about the reason. He’d listen to her as long as she needed him to.

“I have a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I worked my ass off, graduated with honors. I was in Navy ROTC, and after I was commissioned, I went to Pensacola, and graduated at the top of my flight school class. I worked hard. Pushed myself. All I wanted was to be the best. My classmates called me ‘Summit’. It stuck.” The shuddering breath let him know this wasn’t easy for her. “It was more than just flying. I wanted to go fast. I’m so competitive, it’s almost a little sick. But the power of flying something like an F-18? There’s nothing in the world like it; sure it has risks, but that wasn’t even a consideration for me. I received the assignment I’d dreamed of, and started jumping off carriers for a living.” She chuckled. “I must sound crazy.”