A Mum For Amy

Maggie stepped away abruptly, returning to her suitcase. “Really, Al. You’re too romantic to be believed. Will told me flat out that he hoped he’d never see me again. That the danger I exposed Lisa to was unforgivable. Do you honestly think he would have been thrilled by the idea of having a baby with a woman he despised? First he would have accused me of getting pregnant on purpose—which I didn’t—”

“You were always so careless about keeping track—”

Maggie made a face at her, more comfortable to return to this testy camaraderie. “You don’t have to point that out. I know. But I’m much better about it now, I assure you.”

“Sorry.”

“And then he would have been furious. Forced to share custody for the rest of his life with someone he hates? Never able to file me away in some compartment of his tidy little mind labeled Finished Business? Trust me, that definitely wasn’t an option back then.”

“I suppose we’ll never know,” Alaina said. “Isn’t it funny how both of us, in our own way, always give in to fear?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m always afraid of doing something that will disappoint someone. Mom and Dad. Gil. And you’re frightened that people will think you can’t manage your own life. That somehow they’ll think you’re weak. Too much pride, Maggie.”

She didn’t want to talk about this. She let Alaina take the blouse from her hands and slip it onto a padded hanger. Then she kicked off the heels she’d worn for the meeting with Teddy and began massaging one instep.

“What do you want to do about dinner?” she asked. “I feel like steak. Should I make a reservation for three at Maldanado’s? Or is Gil still boycotting red meat?”

Alaina emerged from the closet, then headed for the door. “Gil’s in Boston this week. He’s giving a couple of speeches at a pediatricians’ conference.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t go with him,” Maggie said with a frown. “You love Boston.”

Alaina shrugged. “Not this time. Now I’m going to fix us some lunch.”

“Al…”

Alaina turned back.

“Why haven’t you asked me about Zack? I’ve mentioned him twice now. Don’t you want to know how he is?”

Her sister didn’t miss a beat. “Okay. How is he?”

“He’s great. Still the best friend a girl could ever have. And he’s really my right arm when it comes to the business. I’m afraid I’m going to lose him next year.”

“Lose him?” Alaina’s brows rose. “Why?”

“He keeps talking about opening up his own shop. Nothing to do with aquariums, so I don’t have to worry about competition. But his cabinetry work is so remarkable. I’m sure his talent has had a lot to do with the success of Sapphire Seas.” She gave Alaina a curious glance. “Don’t you want to know if he ever talks about you?”

Alaina bit her lower lip, and Maggie wondered if that was the only way she could keep it from trembling. Then she tilted her head back a little, all trace of discomfort gone. “No,” she claimed succinctly. “Why would I? What we were in high school…what might have been…what difference does all that make now?”

Maggie grimaced. “Mom and Dad really did a number on both of us, didn’t they? Trying to convince me that you could raise my child, until I just got fed up and ran away. Brainwashing you into thinking that Zack wasn’t good enough. That you weren’t head over heels in love with him.”

“Maybe I wasn’t.” She sighed a little. “Like I said, it doesn’t matter now. Eventually you have to leave behind all that foolishness.”

“So you can become exactly who you’re supposed to be,” Maggie said, reciting Alaina’s earlier words.

“That’s right,” Alaina replied. Then she frowned a little. “This is who I am now. I’m a married woman with a very successful husband who loves me. I have a beautiful home. Lots of friends. And parents who, unlike you, I get along with. What more do I need?”

“Sounds fantastic.”

“It is. Now let me go fix lunch.”

“Al?”

Again Alaina stopped, but this time there was a touch of exasperation in the look she gave Maggie. “What now?”

“You just said you were a married woman. How come you didn’t preface that with the word happily?”

Alaina looked surprised and, for just a moment, Maggie thought her sister might actually give her hell for that question. Instead, she paused then shook her head. “Honestly, Maggie,” she said softly. “Now who’s being a silly romantic?”

CHAPTER FIVE

BY TEN THE NEXT MORNING, Will had finally tracked down the Sapphire Seas crew at their current project—a bar and grill near Coconut Grove called the Blue Reef.

It had taken him the better part of an hour to get a name and address. The flunky in Key West who had answered the phone knew almost nothing and provided even less—until Will had told him that Sapphire Seas stood to lose a huge contract if he didn’t get in touch with someone immediately.

Relieved that he wouldn’t have to travel half the state to see Maggie’s team in action, Will parked on the street and headed toward Blue Reef’s front entrance. The place was closed, but he noted two large trucks parked near the wide double doors. He assumed they were rentals since neither of them carried the Sapphire Seas logo. The company bank account had probably never been flush enough to allow for that kind of heavy-duty equipment purchase. Understandable, but another clear sign that the infrastructure of Sapphire Seas didn’t go very deep.