Purgatory Masters(27)

Maggie gripped her cell phone and willed her hand to quit shaking. Relieved that Tucker wouldn’t be coming through the door any minute, she tucked the phone into her pocket and stared into the coffee. She wasn’t much of a java drinker but she loved the smell and the heat felt divine. Too bad her insides couldn’t appreciate it.

As soon as she had cleared the sight line to Tucker’s house she’d pulled over and hastily put on her clothing. It wouldn’t do much for her already tattered reputation to get pulled over by some county cop for driving in the nude. Maggie laid her head down, pressing her forehead to the cool tabletop. She really was losing her mind.

Her thoughts had fractured in every direction the minute Tucker had told her to come and she’d never recovered. For someone who claimed to be an expert in the field of alternative lifestyles, she suddenly felt woefully inadequate to handle her own situation.

Minutes after she’d cleared the gates of the Lewis estate, she’d had to swallow her pride and admit she was in no condition to drive all the way home. Her legs were shaking and her heart pounded erratically. Her system was in overdrive and her thoughts were off the rails.

Tears burned at the back of her eyes. She sucked in a deep breath and willed them away. Things were bad enough without embarrassing herself in a public place. Especially one owned by Tucker’s sister. Jesus hell. How had she escaped that information all these weeks? And of all the damn places to end up today of all days.

“Can I offer you a refill?

Speak of the devil.

“I’m good. Thanks.” Maggie didn’t lift her head. She couldn’t face Nina at the moment.

“You don’t look so good to me.” Nina set the coffee pot down on the table and slid into the seat across from her.

She groaned inwardly. No. No. No. Small talk was not her forte to begin with. In her current state of mind it was totally out of the question.

Reluctantly, she lifted her head. “Look Nina, I don’t mean to be rude, but now is not the time for catch up. It’s been kind of a rough day.” Her breath hitched as she smothered a sob in her throat.

“Fair enough. Does it help to know that Tucker is worried about you?”

“Oh my God, seriously. He talked to you?” She had to get out of here. This was turning into the most embarrassing day of her life and that was saying something, considering the year she’d had.

“Maggie, don’t look so horrified. I called him when you arrived. Honestly, the minute I saw you I knew something was wrong. Your eyes were glassy, your hair’s a mess and your hands haven’t stopped shaking since you came through my door.”

“I’m—I don’t—” Maggie took a deep breath and tried to think through what she wanted to say instead of the jumbled mess of nonsense that kept coming out of her mouth. “It’s a pretty big leap from my being upset to assuming your brother is somehow involved.”

Nina smiled. “Under normal circumstances sure. But I happened to be out back when you pulled in and saw what direction you came from.” She covered Maggie’s hand with her own. “There’s only one thing in that direction for thirty miles.”

The sound of rushing blood filled Maggie’s ears. “I still don’t want to talk about it.” She might be acting like a two year old on the verge of a tantrum but there was a lot to be said for solitude around here. It’s way too easy to forget how much everyone knew about everyone else in their small town. “Like I said to Tucker after I left, I need some space. In fact…” Maggie stood and grabbed her purse from the back of the chair. “I think it’s time for me to head home. Thank you for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome.” Nina stood as well. “I know I sound like a busy body trying to but into your business and all, but it’s not how it’s meant. I was truly concerned for you and am fully prepared to kick Tucker’s ass for you if it comes to that. Brother or not, you say the word and I’ll take him down a peg or two. God knows he needs it sometimes.”

Shocked by Nina’s words, Maggie stared dumbfounded. What was she supposed to say to that?

“I don’t know the details about what happened, but I’ve always indulged in a hot bath and a glass of wine or three after a rough day. Tomorrow’s bound to be better than today. Lord, I hope so.”

Maggie barely smothered a giggle at Nina’s strange southern charm. “How do you do that?”

Nina turned. “Do what?”

“Make it sound so easy.”

The other woman scoffed. “Because it is that easy. Everyone has bad days and good days. And we all have our coping mechanisms, don’t we?”