Never Tell Your Dreams (11 page)

“I’m not sure what my plans are.” All eyes were on
Maggie. She wanted to make sure everyone heard her correctly, and repeated
herself. “Not sure. I’m having a wonderful time visiting though.”

If she was depressed, she had a great poker face,
which was one thing that made her a good lawyer. Even though her head and heart
were having a battle, she maintained her composure. Her head told her that she
should be upset with Grady, but her heart was pulling toward Mitch.

Still, she wanted to rip those cute boots right off
Beth’s feet and she didn’t care if the feet came with them.

“I was telling Maggie how we are going to stop in
Figure 8 and get some new clothes for tonight.” Belle picked through Beth’s
hair checking the coloring. She tightened the foil back in place. “You’re doing
a fine job. The color is blending nicely.”

The stylist smiled with pride, quickly turning to
get more foil. “I think the extensions are going to look fabulous.”

“Maggie, I look forward to fitting you.” A devious
smile crossed Beth’s lips. She owned Figure 8, and it was the only shop in town
that carried the latest fashion trends.

This was Grandberry Falls, not Hollywood. Maggie
grabbed another flute.

“You better be careful. You’ve got all day and night
to deal with curious citizens.” Jenna patted Maggie’s hand before Belle whisked
her away to the shampoo chair.

The water was warm, like Maggie liked it. Her hair
stylist in New York could never get the water right. Once Maggie’s scalp got
scalded and she lost a patch of hair, causing the stylist to keep the water
cool. She did get a free haircut out of the deal, only because she was a lawyer
and they didn’t want her to sue them.

Belle’s fingers scrubbed like she was cleaning a
burnt pan. Maggie winced.

“Don’t you mind Beth. She’s jealous, that’s all.”
Belle pumped more shampoo into her hand. Maggie was sure if she looked in the
mirror, she’d look like that bathtub filled to the brim with bubbles. “You keep
your chin up and we’ll have you looking spiffy in no time.”

Maggie closed her eyes, trying not to concentrate on
the pain.”

“That’s right, you go on and relax. I’ll take care
of it.” Belle pumped more stuff in Maggie’s hair, rinsed, twisted, toweled it,
and put Maggie in the other pink chair next to Beth.

Beth flipped the pages of the latest People Magazine
with Hollywood gossip on the front.

It was hard to concentrate on any of the pictures
Belle threw in front of her. She was dying for Beth’s boots, but wasn’t about
to dare ask where she got them. Who knew meek Beth Harrison would be the
fashion queen of Grandberry Falls. 

“They are great, aren’t they?” Beth held a boot up
in the air for Maggie to see. “Wait until you see the flip flops. I’ll be sure
to be there when you come by Figure 8.”

Of course she’d be there. Why wouldn’t she? Maggie
Greenlee was the talk of the town. She had a horrid feeling Beth would be
telling everyone about her.

“I’m looking forward to seeing your shop.” Maggie
said.

“Kill her with kindness,” Maggie repeated Hazel’s
mantra over and over.

They were friends once, they could be friends again.
Maggie tried to put the yearning to fit in into the back of her mind.
Unfortunately, her ego was bruised and needed a little more time to heal.

Why had everyone turned on her? She did repay the
scholarship back. Was it wrong she wanted to better herself?

“OH!” Beth swiped the stylist’s hand away and jumped
out of the chair, extensions flying in the wind. “Wendy, let me see.”

Wendy Owens stood in the doorway looking like an
angel. The grey one-piece short jumper showed off her tan legs all the way up
to her ears.

“I love the jumper, but the ring!” Beth gushed
holding her hand up to the light.

Maggie strained to see it, but there was nothing on
it. Curious, Maggie pretended to look at the magazine, but did all she could to
hear what Wendy was saying. She was sure Wendy was getting it resized or
polished.

Mitch’s grandmother’s antique ring was simple,
elegant, brilliant. Maggie had tried it on so many times before. She loved the
filigree design and the simplicity of the stone.

When Grady had given Maggie the five carat ring,
disappointment settled in her stomach. She’d always made over the simple
antique designs, but he had obviously paid little attention to her desires.

“Hey, Maggie.” Wendy flopped in the chair next to
her with a sigh. “Are you coming to the hoedown tonight?”

“Mitch said something about all of the guys going.”
Maggie looked over, and noticed Wendy’s fingers were tense in her lap.

Maggie should keep her mouth shut. She bet Mitch
hadn’t told Wendy he ran into her.

“When did you see Mitch?” Wendy’s face clouded with
uneasiness.

Maggie felt the tension, but couldn’t determine if
it was the situation or the players in the situation making Wendy so
uncomfortable.

“Yesterday when I came into town. He was at the
waterfall.” Maggie wondered what Wendy really thought about Mitch believing in
the wonders of the falls.

“Good. I’m glad he invited you because if he didn’t,
I was going to. Plus I need help with the Jubilee next week. I expect to see
you volunteering.” Wendy jumped out of the chair. “I’ll see you over at The
Figure 8. I just got back from the market in Atlanta with some new jewelry that
you are going to love.”

“I bet we are,” Belle muttered under her breath
clipping away at Maggie’s hair. The more Wendy talked, the more Belle cut, and
lots of hair fell to the floor.

Maggie held up a piece. “Please don’t make me bald.”
It floated to the ground when she opened her fingers.

Belle swiveled her around to see the mirror. “Don’t
you worry. You’ll be the queen of Grandberry Falls before you know it.”

Belle created blunt cuts around Maggie’s face,
making it frame her delicate features. Her eyes popped more and her cheek bones
stuck out, giving her a mysterious look. Belle quickly added a few touches of
eye-liner and gloss completing the package.

“You look great, Maggie.” Jenna took the seat across
form Maggie and Beth. “I hope you come out with all of us tonight.”

“I’m not sure what I’m doing.” Maggie needed a
drink. That was the only sure thing she did know.

Going to the hoedown with her ex-best friend and all
her old girlfriends, where she wasn’t welcome, wasn’t her idea of fun.
Especially if they were going to make fun of her.

“Of course you’re coming.” Belle twirled her around.
“Let’s go to Figure 8.”

Jenna raised her eyebrows. “New hair cut, new clothes.
I’d have to wonder who you’re trying to impress.”

The hair dryers were in full force leaving no room
for casual conversation. The line of customers was steady the entire time they
were there.

“I’m so proud of you, Belle.” Maggie looked at
Belle, whose smile broadened in approval.

There was no doubt that Belle Greenlee was going to
make it in the hair design business one way or the other. Maggie was happy to
be a part of it today.

“Thanks, sis.” Belle laid her arm over Maggie’s
shoulder. “Let’s go find that killer outfit so we can win Mitch Dozier over.”

“Belle,” Maggie shuddered. “I’m not ready for a
relationship. Besides, Mitch is getting married to Wendy.”

Belle flung her purse over her shoulder and darted
across the street to Figure 8. Her curls blew in the wind. She lifted her face
to the sun and laughed.

“We’ll see about that.” She turned and winked.

Chapter 19

Love is the magician that pulls man out
of his own hat. ~ Ben Hacht

Another drink might do. The ice cubes clinked on the
sides of the glass and slid down once the Jack Daniels poured over them. Mitch
hadn’t recalled being this nervous since taking Maggie Greenlee to senior
prom—as friends.

There was too much at stake with her in town. He
couldn’t risk her finding out about the Greenlee farm under eminent domain, nor
let his heart continue to ache for her. Mitch wasn’t good at playing the part.
Hell, he’s never had to play the part until now.

Mitch squinted and coughed as the liquor burned at
the top of his throat, making it go down a little smoother.

Tommy slammed the empty bottle in front of Mitch
causing him to jump back into reality. There was disapproval written all over
Tommy’s face.

“Man, you’ve got to get her out of your mind.”
Tommy’s eye brows dipped in concern. “If she weren’t dumped, she’d still be
there.”

“Fate.” Mitch whispered loud enough for Tommy to
hear.

Tommy burst out laughing, swinging his hair to the
side. “Fate? Don’t go all sensitive bullshit on me, Mitch.” Tommy filled the
peanut bowl to the top and threw some in his mouth. He muffled, “its reality,
and Wendy Owens was one hot chick that was willing.”

Willing? Mitch didn’t want willing. He wanted
Maggie. He had an obligation to this town, and to Hazel Greenlee. Not to
Maggie. But had obligation ever overruled the yearning in his heart?

“Wendy broke it off.” Mitch threw back another shot.

He didn’t understand why she hadn’t told anyone yet.
Mitch certainly wasn’t the kiss and tell kind of guy, so he left it up to her
to tell the community what she wanted to. Truth or not, she’d always been an
honorable gal.

“Do you blame her? Look at you.” Tommy shook his
head and headed down the bar to get a drink order.

The Thirsty Turtle would definitely be hopping in a
couple hours. The hoedown ended at the Turtle with the same rowdy group every
year. His group. This year he’d have to watch his step, being mayor.

The crowd was beginning to gather around all the
tables and the smell of the roasting pig, set up in the square, was filling the
air. His stomach rumbled to life.

“I’ll be back.” Mitch dropped some cash on the bar.
He had to go out to the waiting public. If he had another drink, the waiting
public would see their mayor three sheets to the wind.

People milled about with mason jars filled with
Hazel Greenlee’s sweet tea. He glanced over at the Greenlee booth and smiled.
Hazel didn’t disappoint. The line was worth standing there just to get a taste
of the delicious concoction. She greeted everyone with a hug and a bit of
superstition tales to add to the sweet flavor. The bangles on her wrist rang
over the crowd’s laughter as she clapped her hands in amusement. Hazel was the
only one at the booth. Seeing this gave him a little relief. He wasn’t prepared
to see Maggie there. Maybe she wouldn’t come.

“Hi.” Wendy yelled from the other side.

Mitch nodded. Wendy bounced across the street, her
blonde hair bounced with every step. Her ice blue eyes shone with delight as
she got closer. 

“Well.” Wendy spun around on her heels. “Have you
seen Maggie yet?”

“No, Wendy. Maggie is the last person on my mind
right now.” Mitch felt he needed to tell a little white lie to spare anyone’s
feelings, even though Wendy didn’t want him either.

“Mitch,” she said, taking him by the hands. “Maggie
is a once in a lifetime love. Don’t let her slip through your fingers. You
haven’t told her have you?”

“Told her what?” Mitch caught a glimpse of Maggie
and Belle walking toward them. He pulled his hands away from Wendy.

“That we aren’t engaged.” Wendy stood with her mouth
wide open. A little shocked.

“Hey.” Maggie walked up beside them.

Mitch shot Wendy a look.

“You look nice, Maggie.” He made sure his tongue was
still in his mouth.

The short white shorts looked amazing along with the
red and white checked button down. The red cowboy boots and scarf topped off a
New York look to die for. It only made Mitch want another drink. Need another
drink.

He swallowed hard. The only way to get Maggie out of
his head was just that—get away.

“Mitchell,” Maggie’s eyebrows dipped, and laughter
sparked in her eyes. “Have you been drinking whiskey?”

There had been two times Maggie had seen him drink
hard liquor and both times was about her.

“Yee haw!” Belle screamed and waved her hat in the
air. Wendy followed after.

“Yes. I’ve had a couple shots.” He tried not to
stare, but couldn’t take his eyes off her. “I must say, I didn’t realize how
much the mayor had to do with this hoedown.”

“Blame it on the hoedown.” A smile curled up one
corner of her mouth. “Wonder what the President drinks.”

He loved bantering back and forth with her. It felt
like old times.

“You think you should go out and dance with Wendy?”
Maggie gestured toward their group of friends that had already taken over the
street, using it as a dance floor. Right in front of the band—of course.

He should tell her, but tonight wasn’t the night to
bring up anything.