Episode 2.17

210 Shavano Court

Maggie and a realty agent walked into the three-bedroom house, directly into the spacious living room. “Oh, this looks way too big for my price range.” Maggie immediately said, even though she knew she was falling in love with the house.

“Actually, its not.” The realtor told her as she took out the information sheet, “The owners lived her for twenty five years, they’ll be moving to Florida in two weeks, which will be when you can move in. The major thing is, they don’t want to give up the house yet, there is an option to later buy the house. They’re only charging what it will cost to maintain the house.”

Maggie took the information sheet and looked it over, “Wow, this isn’t too expensive at all.” She looked around, seeing the hard wood floors, the large fireplace, the sliding glass windows leading out to the patio and a large backyard. This was only the living room and she was in love with the house, “What’s the kitchen look like?”

“This way,” the realtor lead her into a large kitchen, with plenty of storage area and work space, “And the bedrooms and bathrooms are all very well spaced as well.”

As they walked up the stairs, Maggie got a glimpse of what her view would be, the mountains towards the west, and downtown towards the east. It was perfect. “When do you think I could sign a lease?”

The realtor smiled, “I think we can get one arranged this afternoon, how does that sound for you?”

“Perfect, absolutely perfect.”


Hallow Hills—The Study

“No Mr. Jackson, I just want her body cremated and then delivered to me here at Hallow Hills. No service of any kind. This is what my sister would’ve wanted.” Adel spoke into the phone as she tapped her pen on the desk, “This afternoon would be perfect. No, nothing special for the urn, she wanted her ashes scattered in a specific place, that I was only trusted with.”

Doug entered and over heard Adel’s phone call, “Disposing of Carla so quickly?”

Adel smiled, “Of course.” She hung up the phone, “Why prolong it. She’s dead, no need to continue to treat her as though she’s very much alive reeking havoc on this family.”

Doug leaned over the desk and kissed his wife, “I’m glad you’re handling this, I wasn’t sure how well you’d be able to deal with it.”

“Yes well, she acted as though she was dead for Kip’s entire life, only to try and come back into OUR son’s lives when they were grown. No thank you, I might not have been able to conceive a child, but I love those boys as if I had, I would love any child we would adopt.” She began going through the caller ID and stopped when she saw an unfamiliar number, “Doug who called from Paris last night?”

“Laura, there is something she can’t handle so I need to go out their and deal with it. I’ll only be gone a few days. No long term visits I promise.”

Adel nodded, “Alright, but I want you to call when you get there, and let me know you arrived safely, when do you leave?”

Doug sighed, “I’m having the company jet fueled right now, Gretchen is packing my things. I was coming in here to tell you.”

“So no chance of getting you to stay huh?”

Doug nodded, “If Laura can’t handle something you know its bad, She’s not Jeff, she won’t screw up the way he tends to.”

“I know, I just hate that you have to go to Paris all the time.”

“I know, but I really won’t be gone long.”

Adel stood up and put her arms around Doug, “You better not be gone for long at all.”


The Java Jet

Siobhan and Becker sat down at a table, each with their respective coffee drinks, “How’s your brother doing now that Maggie’s left him?”

“He’s handling it pretty well actually, he said they spoke and decided to get a divorce. He’s having the papers drawn up and sent to her. He didn’t mention if she was still in Nashville or if she’d gone home to her father.”

“The trials and tribulations of being married. Reminds me why it took me so long to even think about admitting to myself how I feel about you.” Becker brought the coffee cup to his lips and caught the blush coming over Siobhan.

“Well, I’m glad you finally admitted it, I was suspicious and it was a little weird at first, but then I started to realize that I liked the attention…a lot.”

Conner came in with a sheet of paper and spotted Siobhan, “Hey Siobhan!” he came over and gave her a squeeze. “What’s new with you?”

Siobhan looked up and gave him a very warning glance, “I’m in the middle of something McKay.”

Conner looked over at Becker, “Are you two on a date?”

Siobhan nodded, “Yeah, we are.”

Conner pulled a chair up, “So, what were you two talking about?”

“Siobhan was just telling me about her brother’s impending divorce.” Becker said as Siobhan kicked him under the table.

Conner looked over at his best friend, “Kevin and Maggie are getting a divorce?”

Siobhan nodded, “Yeah, that doesn’t mean she’ll come back to Pinõn Hallow though. She might stay in Nashville or just go back to Durango.”

“Yeah, probably Durango, where Larry will have her locked up and away from men until long after Cassie is married.” Conner got up, “I better get these orders filled, I left Eric alone in the store.”

Siobhan shook her head; “If your so afraid he’ll burn the place down why don’t you send him for coffee?”

Conner laughed, “I want to make sure I get my coffee and not some weird drink his little, ‘I think I’m a Hippie’ mind will come up with.”

“Good point, good luck.” Siobhan said as he left.

Becker looked over, “Alright, explain why you kicked me?”

“Conner’s in love with Maggie, if she and Kevin are really over she’ll come back to town, and probably right into his arms, unless theirs someone to stop her. Yes I think they belong together but they both need time to heal, from everything.”


Hallow Hotel—Room 6

Maggie entered her room and found Luke wasn’t there. His bags and clothing was still around but his body was missing. She tossed her bag on the bed and begins to change into a sundress.

The door opened and Luke came in, wearing Khaki’s and Hawaiian print shirt. “Hey Magpie, so I was thinking we could go out for dinner, or do you have a hot date?”

Maggie looked up as she hooked the back of her dress, “I was thinking you and I could go to dinner, is that such a bad thing? I’m in a really good mood for the first time in months, I think we should celebrate.”

“Great! Where should we go?”

“How about Nebraska’s, we’re both dressed for it. Let’s go.” She said grabbing her purse as Luke closed the door behind them.


Nebraska’s

Maggie and Luke had finished their meal, and were working on their final glasses of wine as they sat in the dark corner.

Luke took Maggie’s free hand in his, “Maggie, you are an amazing woman you know that?”

Maggie blushed, “Luke, come on now, I’m just a simple Colorado girl, that’s all.”

Luke shook his head, “No you’re not just a simple Colorado girl. You’re the kind of girl a man falls in love with and then later compares every other woman he meets to you.”

“I am not, what makes you say that Luke?”

Luke looked down and swirled the last bits of his wine before replying, “Because Maggie, that’s what I do.”

Maggie froze and just started at Luke, “What are you saying Luke?”

Luke released her hand and sat back, letting his hazel colored eyes focus on her blue ones, “I’m saying that I never stopped loving you.”

Maggie was quite for a few minutes before nodding, “I never knew Luke, I never even imagined. I mean when we broke up all those years ago, we vowed to be just friends. Is that why you never said anything?”

“Because we said we’d just be friends. Besides, I was graduating and going to get my PHD, and you were transferring to Metro. After that, I moved to Florida and started at Heaven Beach. None of it added up for us to be together.”

“Luke, you know I love you, but I haven’t even gotten divorce papers.” She lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip, “of course Kevin was just a band aid when I couldn’t have Conner.”

“The ever illusive Conner, oh how I’d love to meet him.”

Maggie thought for a moment about seeing Conner with the redheaded woman. It made her blood run cold to even think of them kissing, was this how it felt for him to think of her and Kevin making love?

“Earth to Maggie.” Luke said snapping his fingers.

“Sorry, I just zoned out for a moment, thinking of something.”

“Conner?”

Maggie looked up, “You.” She stood up and went to his side of the table and leaned down and kissed him.