Chapter 25

Noah drove them toa tiny lakeside restaurant that offered outdoor seating and a special dog-friendly menu. They were delighted to get a table right by the water, the rolling white-crested waves a brilliant Caribbean blue in the sunlight.

As she slipped into the seat across from Noah, Maggie could hardly contain the joy overflowing within her heart. Even with all the unbelievable things that had happened to them over the past weekend, for her, this was the most unbelievable and miraculous of all. She was sitting across the table, on a date, with the man she'd been in love with her whole life. And now she knew without a doubt that he loved her too.

She adored watching his dark curls dance in the breeze as he studied the menu. The way the warm sunlight caressed the angles and features of his handsome face whenever his gaze drifted out over the water. And above all, how her insides would ignite whenever his smoky gray eyes locked with hers, reflecting a deep desire that made her breath catch in her throat.

They ate and talked and laughed together as they watched Boon devour his special doggie dinner of grilled chicken and brown rice followed by a scoop of peanut butter ice cream topped with a peanut butter cookie.

They lingered over their own meals, their fingertips playing with each other across the table as they reminisced over past memories and shared future hopes.

When they finally rose to go, Noah asked if she'd like to take a walk along the beach.

Thrilled with the idea of prolonging their date, she quickly agreed. "But what about Boon?" she asked.

Noah grinned down at her. "I got a babysitter; it's under control."

Maggie was surprised when Noah led her and Boon to a fenced-in yard behind the restaurant that served as a small dog park for their doggie diners. A staff member supervising the area took their information and promised to watch over Boon until they returned.

"How did you know about this place?" Maggie asked, impressed. Her heart fluttered with delight when she felt him reach for her hand, the warmth of his fingers enveloping hers as they began to stroll along the silky sand.

"When you have two dog-loving brothers living in this town, you learn all the tricks," he said with a grin.

They strolled in silence for a bit, weaving their way past children splashing in the waves, couples lounging on beach towels, and snowy white seagulls strutting along, picking up scraps of food left by picnickers.

At one point, Noah stopped and turned, pulling her close into an embrace. They had removed their shoes and now stood at the edge of the water, the foamy waves sliding gently over their feet and swirling at their ankles. She felt warm and safe in his arms.

"The sun won't set for another hour or so," he said. "Should we—"

The rest of his sentence was cut off at the sound of a sharp whistle.

"Hey there, sugars!" They both turned in surprise to see Rita McKay seated on one of the benches the village had set up along the backside of the beach. Next to her sat none other than George Fairfax, with Rita's arm hooked possessively through his. And on the bench next to theirs, sat Gretchen and Margot.

Maggie and Noah walked over to greet the group, and Maggie noted the glowing smiles on the faces of Rita and George. They looked really happy, despite the fact that Rita's flamboyance and George's reserved nature made them seem like quite the mismatched pair.

George was dressed conservatively as usual, wearing a pair of khaki dress pants and a light blue cotton button-down oxford. Rita was a flashy jewel in bright white Bermuda shorts and a highlighter-pink top that hugged her generous curves. Large apple-green hoops bobbed from her earlobes.

Rita immediately rose to give Noah and Maggie each a warm embrace. Then she sat back down to instantly reclaim George's arm. He gave her a pleased smile, which she returned with a flash of her ruby red lips.

"Sooo, what's going on here?" Noah asked with a bemused smile, indicating their locked arms.

"What's goin' on is that McKay successfully snookered this poor guy," Gretchen said, jamming her thumb in Rita's direction.

Rita lifted her chin and patted her fluffy hair. "Actually, Georgie here just finally saw the light," she said, giving George a sidelong look. "He finally realized what a great catch I am."

George laughed, and his expression softened as he looked at her. "Honestly, Rita is absolutely right." He looked at Maggie. "Even after all this time working with you, Maggie, you know I never thought I'd date again after my Sarah passed away. I told you that over and over, didn't I?"

"You did," Maggie agreed.

"But I could never have predicted the force of nature that is Rita." He looked tenderly at her. "I guess there's room in my heart for more love in a lifetime than I thought. I mean, Sarah will always be in my heart. But I know she'd be happy that I found Rita."

"Oh, George, that's wonderful!" Maggie exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you guys."

Noah echoed her words.

"So now it's your turn to give us the scoop." Rita leaned forward, her eyes alight. "I heard y'all been busy roundin' up mobsters?"

"And kissin' at concerts," Gretchen tossed in, causing Margot to sigh dramatically.

"All true," Noah said with a grin.

"Really?" George said.

"Start with the mobsters," Rita said.

Maggie began explaining—with Noah interjecting bits here and there—until together they brought the small group up to speed on everything that had happened.

"Whew!" Rita said, shaking her head and making her earrings bump against her neck. "You two have been on quite the adventure."

"Definitely," Noah agreed.

"Now let's get to the good stuff," Gretchen said, her small dark eyes moving from Noah's and Maggie's faces to their joined hands. "What's the story with you two? Did you finally convince another innocent victim to go on a date with you, Noah?"

"Gretchen!" Margot cried, looking appalled. "That's so rude! Besides, you can't just pry into people's private affairs like that."

"But is it an affair?" Gretchen said, narrowing her eyes.

Margot let out another exasperated breath.

"Oh, it's definitely an affair," Noah said, smiling at Maggie. "I not only convinced Maggie to go out on a date with me, but now we've adopted a baby together."

"What?" Margot cried in surprise before covering her mouth with her hand.

Noah laughed and quickly explained about Boon.

"Awwwww, that's wonderful news," Rita said.

"Speaking of news," Margot said, looking smug and smoothing a hand over her dress. "I'm really glad we ran into you. I was going to call you tomorrow, Maggie."

"Really?" Maggie said. "Why?"

"I finally figured out the source behind all your mysterious bad reviews."

***

"I still can't believeit's her," Maggie said as Noah parked in front of the Little Lakeside Bookshop.

After learning about Margot's discovery, Noah and Maggie picked up Boon and immediately left the beach to drive to the quaint shop.

"Margot's research seemed solid," Noah said.

"But I've never even had her as a client. And I didn't really know her at all when we were at college together."

"Well, for some reason she's got it in for you, Mags," Noah said.

Maggie took a deep breath. "And I'm going to find out why. Wish me luck," she said, preparing to exit the vehicle.

"Uh, what do you think you're doing?" Noah said, laying his hand on her arm.

"I'm going to go talk with her. And I need to hurry before she closes the shop."

Noah gave her a look.

"This is about my business," Maggie said, looking back at him. "There's no need for you to get involved."

Noah sighed and shook his head. "First of all, I doubt you could have gotten any deeper into my business than you have this weekend. And second of all, I think we've already established the fact that I love you, Maggie. Your business is my business. Besides, we have no idea if this woman is some kind of psychopath. I'm not leaving you alone with her.

"Hmmmm," he added with a glance at the dog in the back seat. "I wonder if we should take Boon in with us."

Maggie laughed. "I'm sure dogs aren't allowed in the bookstore. It's tiny, and his tail is a weapon that could clear the shelves."

"All right, but I'm coming with you no matter what."

The bell above the door tinkled as Maggie pushed it open. Inside the tiny shop, the shelves were high and packed with books, all neatly labeled by genre. They made their way up one of the narrow aisles to the back of the shop where the register was located.

Amy Jude sat behind the counter, typing on a laptop. She looked up as they approached, her friendly smile melting away at the sight of them. "I'm closing," she said sharply.

"We're not here to buy anything," Maggie said, coming to stand in front of the counter. Amy's hazel eyes radiated hostility from behind her black-rimmed glasses as she looked at Maggie.

For the life of her, Maggie couldn't imagine what she had done to offend this woman.

"Look, I'm going to get right to the point. I know that your name is Amy Jude and that you're the one who's been sabotaging my business by leaving bad reviews under multiple pseudonyms." She paused a moment, letting it sink in. "I haven't gone to the police to press libel charges against you yet. But I plan to."

"I—I don't know what you're talking about," Amy said, but her voice quavered.

"There's no point in denying it," Maggie pressed on. "IP addresses don't lie. The...er, investigator I hired assured me that every one of the negative reviews, regardless of the reviewer's name, leads back to an IP address at this location.

Amy opened her mouth, then closed it. Maggie watched with interest as Amy's expression transformed from hostility to uncertainty to fear. The color had leached from her face, and she was now the color of paste under the fluorescent store lighting.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself before I go file a report against you?" Maggie pressed on.

Amy's lips tightened, her expression turning bitter. "Oh, go ahead and file it. It's not like you haven't already ruined my life."

"What are you talking about?" Maggie said. "How have I ruined your life? We barely know each other!"

Amy kept silent for so long that Maggie was about to give up and leave. Then Amy spat out, "You stole my love."

"What?" She looked at Noah. But he looked as surprised as she felt.

"Not him," Amy said with annoyance, following her gaze.

"Then who?"

"Jack."

"Jack? You mean Jack Knightly?"

Amy sighed and sat back on her stool, pushing a stray strand of her mouse-brown hair behind her ear. "We were on the chess team together in college," she said. "I'd been trying to get him to ask me out for months. Then you come along and introduce him to that...that blond bombshell!"

Maggie was shocked. "I had no idea."

"Yeah, well..." She shrugged. "Once Miss Barbie Doll was in the picture, it was like I didn't even exist anymore."

Maggie took a deep breath. "Amy, I'm...so very sorry."

At her simple apology, Maggie saw some of the anger leave Amy's face. She sagged on the stool, looking as if the air had been let out of her.

Maggie studied the woman across from her. She took in the rumpled blouse and the way her short hair was pulled back into a low, tight ponytail at the back of her head. She realized Amy could actually be pretty with a better haircut and more fashionable clothes.

She leaned onto the countertop, subtly closing a bit of the space between them. "Listen, Amy, I have an idea. Will you let me do something to make up for how I hurt you?"

"What can you possibly do?" Amy said. "He's happily married with a family now."

"Yes, he is," Maggie acknowledged. "But why don't you meet me for coffee tomorrow? I'd like to offer you a complimentary membership to Matches by Maggie. If you let me, I'd love to help you find your own happy ending."

Amy looked shocked. But Maggie could see the hope reflected in her eyes. "You'd do that for me, after everything I did?"

"I will," Maggie said. "As long as you promise to leave me an honest review afterward."

"But what if it doesn't work?" Amy said.

"Oh, it will work," Noah said, grinning down at Maggie. "If there's one thing this woman knows, it's how to help people find their happy endings."