“All right, man.” Hawk slapped his hand down on Caden’s shoulder. “We’ll catch up with business on the bus.”
“And we can discuss y’all’s wedding,” Corie added. “You know Maggie caught my bouquet last year. I was afraid with Auntie Bren bucking the line, the old saying wasn’t true. But I guess she really is next in line to get married.”
Caden shoved his hands in the pockets of his tan slacks and waited for Maggie to return. The space beside him felt empty. He liked her near him, next to him. Dear God, he huffed to himself. W
hat was going on with him? Before he had the chance to answer his own question, another hand slapped down on his shoulder.
“Glad to see I’m not the only one in love with one of these Hairston gals.”
“Mr. Blakemore,” Caden said, turning to face the old man and extending his hand. “May I offer you an early congratulations?”
“You sure can,” Oscar said and beamed. “I guess you’ll be the next one in line, eh?” Oscar, decked out in his military uniform, puffed out his chest, then shook Caden’s hand. “Thanks for coming and bringing Maggie. We weren’t sure if she made enough to get here, considering the whole nest thing.”
“Any time,” said Caden, wanting to ask what that was about. No one spoke in hushed tones about the financial crisis the Swaynes were in, not that he expected them to. Caden planned on having a man to man talk with Mitchell Swayne before the weekend ended. He wanted to let Maggie’s father know, that no matter what, Maggie would be well taken care of.
“Well, hopefully,” Oscar chuckled, “this is my last time ever walking down the aisle. I never congratulated you on your engagement announcement at your mother’s house. You and Maggie will be making this trip soon.”
Tightness gripped his lungs. “Sure.” He needed to either get out of here or change the subject. Guests stepped in his path to introduce themselves to him, so he accepted he wasn’t going to see Maggie anytime soon. “Are you guys going any place special for your honeymoon?”
“Last week in Savannah felt like a honeymoon, if you know what I mean.” Oscar elbowed Caden in the ribs while he laughed at his own joke. “Seriously, though, we’ll fly out tomorrow after the reception. Tonight I have special plans.”
Caden offered a tight grin and a silent plea the old man did not feel comfortable enough to give him the details.
“After the rehearsal dinner, we’re going down to Vaughn’s.” Oscar flashed a smile, clearly proud of himself.
“Well, all right now,” said Caden. “You kids have fun.”
A round of applause interrupted their conversation. The future bride exited the building dressed in a soft pink dress printed with yellow and white flowers. While everyone’s eyes were on Auntie Bren, Caden’s heart filled with...happiness at the sight of Maggie. She was dressed in a gauzy, flowy skirt the same yellow as on her aunt’s dress. So were the other ladies who came out of the room with her. Maggie floated to Caden’s side, fitting against him like a glove. A satisfied feeling came over him, much like when he and his brothers used to put puzzles together on rainy days. Caden always pocketed a piece so he could have the satisfaction of putting in the last one.
Everyone filed in two lines and boarded the bus chartered for the evening. Erin sat across from Caden and Maggie. Paula and Mitchell Swayne sat in front of them. Mitchell only shot the engaged coupe a glare before taking his seat. Maggie’s sister and niece were in front of Erin, and at the front were Kenzie’s husband, Ramon, the mayor of Southwood, and Richard. Oscar and Auntie Bren stood at the front of the bus, making an announcement.
Since she left the room to speak with her parents, things felt different. Maggie had been silent with him. She sat beside him on the cool bus twisting her ring so the solitaire diamond faced her palm. “You do realize you’re the only woman who hasn’t flaunted the jewelry I’ve given them,” Caden whispered to her.
“Are you trying to point out I’m doing something wrong?” Maggie turned her face up to his. “Or are you bringing up the fact I’m not the first person you’ve given jewelry to?”
Damn, he thought with a goofy grin. He should have just kept his mouth shut. “Never an engagement ring, though.”
Maggie leaned close to him. He inhaled her sweet, intoxicating fragrance. “Yes, but this is a fake engagement. The gifts to other women were sincere. This one isn’t.”
“Shh,” Erin leaned over and hushed them. The noise caused Mrs. Swayne to turn around and give the two of them a glower. Mr. Swayne might not have killed Caden on the spot, but his wife’s disapproving stare may as well have.
Maggie pressed her lips together to fight back a laugh and shook her head. At that moment the happy couple finished their speech with a kiss, and the passengers erupted with applause. Despite not hearing a word that was said, Caden clapped his hands, all the while staring at Maggie. An image of the two of them crossed his mind—them standing at the altar and the round of applause was meant for the two of them. Caden had always thought he’d have to be under a magical spell in order to consider marriage. He shook his head and took a deep breath. So this was what falling in love was like. Huh. That was something he never thought would enter his mind. Strange, he thought with a twitch of his left eye. He didn’t feel as happy when she wasn’t near. It was as if...he was under a spell. Damn.
Chapter 10
Maggie had been to Dooky Chase before with Kenzie. Having a history buff for a sister meant a lot of traveling. They’d visited with Ms. Leah Chase before she passed, and now the torch had been passed on to her sister, Ms. Stella. Back in the day African Americans could find fine dining in this establishment. Still could.
Two long tables were set up in the center of the room with a few scattered four-and two-top tables along the side of the wall with Ms. Leah’s portrait. Most of the Hairston and Blakemore family members filled in the long tables while Auntie Bren and Oscar sat at different tables but still across from each other.
Because Caden let everyone on the bus off before them, they were last to get a seat. Maggie didn’t complain. The two of them sat at their own private table. Maggie smoothed her hands over the pristine white linen cloth. Four glasses sat between them, two waters and two Arnold Palmers. Caden took several gulps of both drinks before focusing on her.
“Are you okay?” she asked him. She wondered if being around her family was a bit too much. Over the last few days, Maggie had learned that Caden didn’t enjoy being around his own family. Somehow she was comforted with the knowledge he especially did not get along with Chase and Jason. They were pigs, but the world didn’t know how juvenile they really were. At least with Caden’s family they were in Savannah. Poor Caden was stuck here with hers.
Ever since she caught up with him with Mr. Oscar, he’d been on the pale side. Maggie studied his face. A faint five o’clock shadow was beginning to grow, making him even sexier. The flowered tie was still knotted at his throat, but the cut of the collared shirt stretched across his broad chest. She’d chosen the combination to complement what she knew Auntie Bren was going to wear and to match her skirt and flowered top as well.
“I’m good. Just thinking about a lot of things.”
“Like the pageant?”