The space between them became too close. Heat rose from Maggie’s body. Nothing she could tell herself cooled her heels, not even trying to remind herself that he was using her so he could have the job—the job she deserved. Maggie focused on the objects in the room, like the oversize family photos of generations of Archibalds. She moved closer to the wall to admire the years of similarity. “You know,” she said over her shoulder, “as a recovering socialite, I would think the pageant would be an ideal time to announce my retirement.”
“Then why call people in town for a meeting?” Caden joined Maggie at the black-and-white picture of a man and woman in tattered clothing. The picture, smaller than the rest, spoke volumes and sent a shiver down her spine. Despite their clothing, their smiles said everything. “Those are the earliest Archibalds,” Caden explained, pointing at the wall. “We believe it was before the Civil War.”
“I think you favor him,” Maggie said quietly.
Caden bumped his shoulder against hers. “Wait until you see me in uniform.”
While the military was not an organization Maggie thought Caden would ever join, she still imagined him looking sharp in a pair of dress blues. “Boarding school uniforms?”
“I—” he began puffing out his chest “—am a proud product of the public school system, thank you very much.”
“Ah yes,” said Maggie with a droll eye roll, “in the mean streets of affluent Isle of Hope.”
“Whatever.” Caden playfully pushed her arm. “But to answer your question, there were occasions during the summer when I was in high school where you’d find me in my Union blues at Fort Pulaski or Fort Jackson.”
Somehow Maggie had a hard time believing him. The man was GQ ready every time, meaning he always looked like he stepped off the cover of a magazine, not a Civil War reenactment battlefield. Kenzie, the history buff of the family, would get a kick out of this.
Whatever, she thought, shaking her head. She and Caden were not on the same side of the pageant. Did he really think he was the better person for the job? This invisible rift grew between them, even though neither of them knew Kit was ready to step down.
“Look,” said Caden, breaking Maggie out of her train of thought. “I had no idea you were interested in the pageant. I thought you were done with pageants.”
An array of emotions flooded Maggie’s senses. The first one she recognized was anger, because her blood boiled right now. Seeing the jerks who laughed and joked about her future in the beauty queen world reenergized her desire to take over the pageant. Because of Caden’s brothers, she’d allowed their comments to affect her choices in life. After being crossed off the path of becoming the next Miss USA, she refused to settle down behind a desk or a dead-end job and most certainly never became someone’s trophy wife.
“You’ve been a party girl, a blogger and a cupcake decorator,” said Caden. “What in your résumé says you can run a pageant?”
“Have you ever been a beauty queen?” Maggie countered. “Do you know how to relate to any of the women? You can’t even work with women. You’ve admitted that.”
“I worked with you this weekend,” he reminded her once again.
Outside, Auntie Bren pushed Ms. Kit around the gardens. Cars began lining the street. Maggie knew Kit had clout, but she didn’t realize this much. “Regardless of how dumb you think I am—”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
?
??—I am still the perfect person to take over. There’s a reason your mother wants me here.” Maggie squared her shoulders and faced him. “I promise once I’m named her successor, there will still be a place for you on the board. I can’t say as much for your brothers, though.”
* * *
Like with most things, Kit made a spectacle about her dinner party. She invited the press to her backyard for a luncheon and music provided by a young violist. The summer weather held up beautifully, and the breeze from the rivers cooled any seasonal heat.
All the media coverage this afternoon reminded Caden of college signing day for high school students, an event A&O did not participate because they represented professionals. But just like when the college signee sat penned their name to their letter of intent, a social media swarm stood around to watch. Today wasn’t any different.
Caden sat to his mother’s left. Auntie Em sat to her right. The rest of the children fanned out from youngest to oldest. Because of the placement of everyone, Caden placed his guesses that his mother planned on naming someone from the family. Too bad for Maggie. She looked so lovely sitting with her aunt. Kofi even sat at Maggie’s table. Kofi had brought Michele, who leaned in, probably to give Maggie an earful. And somehow, while Kit gave her speech about her legacy with the Southern Style Glitz Beauty Pageant, the only thing Caden thought about was Maggie. Well, he corrected himself. He thought about the way Michele looked at Kofi when he spoke. It was as if Kofi walked on the moon. His best friend was great, but Caden didn’t know if he was that great. Nonetheless, for the first time in Caden’s life, he wanted something like what Kofi had, and somehow he knew the key to it was Maggie.
When he was named the successor to the pageant, Caden realized he was going to have to bring Maggie on board for consultation. This way they’d still see each other. Satisfied with his future, Caden went back to giving his mother his undivided attention.
“...and so I thank you all for coming out here to break bread with me and my family,” Kit was saying. She placed a hand on Aunt Em’s shoulder. “My sister has been by my side since the beginning of time. Some people tease us about marrying the Archibald boys just so we could stay together.” The comment sparked a round of laughter from the guests. “But we’re coming to the end of our journey here with the Southern Style Glitz Beauty Pageant. We would love to see it stay in the family, but we both know with this crew we have here—”
Kit glanced to her left and right and didn’t finish the thought. “So I want to put everyone on notice—if you’re interested in becoming the next president of SSGBP, Em and I wish it will be someone from the family. But we understand the pageant life isn’t for everyone. So we’re at least hoping to spark interest from any of you who have helped influence and shape the pageant over the years. We have a pageant at the end of the summer. You know I love a good shakeup. Everyone bring your ideas, and those of us who’ve been on the committee since day one will consider each and every one of them and see what we can work into the show. The more ideas, the better your chances.”
Out the corner of his eye, Caden saw his brothers put their heads together. A slight rush of blood went to his head. He needed to think quickly. Standing, he took hold of his champagne. “Mama, on behalf of everyone here, I think this is a brilliant idea. You and Aunt Em have provided a legacy my brothers and cousins admire. We hope to do you proud.”
Kit reached up and patted Caden’s hand.
“And that’s why I hope to ease your fears with one of us stepping up. I am throwing down the gauntlet, and I’m bringing along my secret weapon—my partner.” Caden took a deep breath and smiled over at the table where Kofi sat with his eyes stretched wide and a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “My partner in life, your favorite beauty queen, Miss Magnolia Swayne.”
Chapter 7