Maggie Moves On(122)

“Now let’s get ready to party!” she yelled over the celebration.

He didn’t come to her in the ensuing chaos as close to fifty tradespeople dispersed to show off the work they’d done to their families. And she didn’t seek him out either. But she got the sense that they both knew it was inevitable.

Maggie was swept into a conversation with Kayla and two of Cody’s teachers and then was handed off to Jim to meet Mrs. Jim. It went on like that for at least an hour until Dean waved her into the sunporch. “This is Jeanie Lacruz from Atwood Publishing.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Maggie said, shaking the woman’s offered hand.

“The pleasure is mine. I hope you don’t mind me practically crashing your party,” Jeanie said.

“The more, the merrier,” Maggie told her, scanning the terrace, looking for Silas. She found him in conversation with his dads and Roy from the plant.

“I must confess. I come with ulterior motives. My company is the one that holds the publishing rights to A. Campbell’s books. They’ve been experiencing a revival of sorts because of you. The town is going to be very happy with the royalties for the last quarter,” she predicted.

“That’s good to hear.”

“Have you ever considered writing a book?”

Maggie blinked. “A book?”

“You have an innate talent for discovering and showcasing potential. Atwood Publishing does plenty of nonfiction titles a year. I’m confident we could find a market for a design book by Maggie Nichols.”

“I’ll let you two talk,” Dean said, bowing out politely.

Behind Jeanie’s back, he mimed a freak-out.

“That’s an interesting proposition, Jeanie,” Maggie confessed, doing her best to keep a straight face. “And I think I’ve got something else that might make your night.”

Ten minutes later, her head was still spinning when Dayana approached. “Don’t hate me,” she said.

“Oh God. Did Keaton flush another action figure? Did you try the plunger?”

“It’s not a plumbing problem. It’s Dad.”

Maggie frowned. “Is he okay?”

“He’s here.”

“Here?” Maggie parroted. “As in Kinship?”

She winced. “As in in the study. I invited him without consulting you, and you can be mad at me later.”

“Day! Why would you do that?” Maggie felt panic clawing its way up her throat. She wasn’t mentally prepared to see her father. She hadn’t seen the man in years. They’d barely spoken in a decade.

“You two need to talk,” Dayana insisted.

“I’m kind of busy here,” she said, gesturing at the party happening around them. “What if someone recognizes him?”

“That’s part of what you need to talk to him about,” Dayana said, pushing her down the hall.

Maggie’s heart thumped harder the closer they got to the study. She wished she had Silas to hold her hand or to drag her away and throw her in the river again.

But there was no Silas waiting for her in the study. Only her father. Billionaire investor and philanthropist Sebastian Spencer. He was tall and trim. His dark hair showed more salt than it had the last time she’d seen him. He was dressed casually in slacks and a shirt with the sleeves rolled up. But the clothes still screamed wealth.

He was holding Keaton in one arm and the photo Maggie had placed on the mantel only an hour before in his other hand. He looked up, the smile freezing and then dimming just a little as his gaze roamed her face.

Dayana took her son and gave him a loud kiss. “Come on, little man. Let’s get you a snack while Grandpa and Aunt Maggie talk. Talk nice, you two.” She gave them both a pointed look before she left the room.

Maggie didn’t know what to say, and frankly, she didn’t feel like the burden of hospitality was on her, since her sneaky sister had done the inviting.

Sebastian was the first to break the silence. He turned the photo to face her. “Your mother was a beautiful woman.”

She looked away. There was something so odd about her father, a man she barely knew, looking so tenderly at an image of the mother she’d loved so desperately. She focused on the framed needlepoint she’d returned to its place of honor above the fireplace.

WHERE IS THE ADVENTURE IN FINDING ONESELF IF ONE USES SOMEONE ELSE’S MAP?

Next to it was an old topographical map. Both had been here the day she purchased the house. On the mantel. Above the gold coin…

“Maggie?”

Sebastian was looking at her expectantly.

“Sorry. What?”

He put the photo back on the mantel. “I’m sorry to drop by unannounced like this.”

“It happens more often than not in these parts,” she said wryly.

“I know you’re busy, and I understand that tonight is important to you, so I’ll keep this short.” He sounded all-business now, and it annoyed her.

“You don’t have to worry. I haven’t told anyone you’re my father.”

He looked pained. “That’s actually why I’m here. Dayana told me about the NDA.”

“What do you mean she told you about it?” she asked.

“I’m embarrassed to say that I had no idea that Rebecca, my ex-wife, forced you to sign something like that.”