“I gave you the dog because you were lonely,” Nick insisted.
“But, Maggie,” Joan addressed her again, “you have to admit that Edison has been a joy. Yes, those first few nights were a trial, but we survived. We’ve both come to love this puppy.”
This was a truth Maggie couldn’t deny.
“Like I said,” Joan continued. “You two got off on the wrong foot. I would advise you both to reconsider your feelings toward each other. Knowing you’re living with me is a shock for Nick.”
“You can say that again,” Nick muttered.
“I know my son and he’s a great guy.”
Maggie lowered her gaze and rubbed her palms together. Joan was right. She’d handled it badly when Nick had asked her out and she regretted not accepting and telling him the truth earlier.
“And about the puppy,” Nick said. “My intentions were good. Edison had been abandoned at the construction site. When I found him, he was dehydrated and nearly starved to death. I brought him home with me and did what I could to nurse him back to health. But I work all day and I had to leave him in the crate. I was racing back to my apartment at noon and didn’t even have time to eat.”
Maggie remembered overhearing Kurt mentioning that.
“After a few days he was doing better,” Nick added, “but I hated leaving him in the crate all day. My mother hasn’t been herself since my dad passed, and I hoped this sweet little dog would help her. If you want to condemn me for that, then I’m grateful you turned down my offer for a date.”
Maggie looked away, unable to respond.
“Nick, you should know,” Joan said, “having Maggie live with me has been a blessing. I should have mentioned her earlier, but I hadn’t heard from you and decided you’d find out on your own sooner or later.”
“I wish you had said something.” Nick sighed. “What I want to know is which bedroom did Maggie take?”
Joan shared a reassuring look with Maggie. “I gave her the option of either room, and she chose yours.”
“No way…” Turning toward the stairs, Nick raced up, taking them two at a time. Maggie followed behind him and Edison attempted to follow, but his short, stubby legs wouldn’t let him. Maggie reached down and pulled him into her arms, tucking him under her chin as she followed Nick.
She arrived just as he opened the door to her room and went stock-still. “What happened to my Coldplay poster?” he demanded.
“It’s rolled up and stored in Steve’s bedroom. I believe your mother put it in the closet.” The puppy wiggled in her arms, wanting down. She set him on the carpet, and he happily bounced his way into Maggie’s room.
Nick’s gaze remained focused on the room. “And my Russell Wilson autographed football?”
“It’s there, too, along with your soccer trophies.”
He continued to stand just outside her bedroom, his shoulders slumped in defeat. He was acting as if she’d personally deprived him of everything important from his childhood.
Maggie sucked in a deep breath, deciding it was up to her to make things right with Nick. “Your mother is right. Perhaps we could start again?” she asked hopefully.
Nick hesitated, shrugged, and then agreed. “Is it true what you said about the company frowning on dating customers?”
“No…I made that up as an excuse.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Rather than hash over her babbling response to his invitation, she said, “I want you to know how much I admire your mother. She’s been a godsend to me.”
“I haven’t been around as much as I should have been. I knew she was lonely without my dad, but I didn’t know how to make that better for her. I considered moving back home and would have if she’d asked, but I was afraid I’d become a crutch. Mom needs to find her own path.”
“And she is.”
He agreed with a half-smile.
“I’m hoping we can be friends, Nick. I’m sorry I turned you down. I figured out you were Joan’s son when you mentioned the puppy and I didn’t know what to do because you didn’t know I was living here.”
“I’d like for us to be friends, too,” he admitted. “When I saw you here, I didn’t know what to think.”
“Your mom is wonderful. I owe her a great deal, and I promise you I’ll do my best to be a good tenant.”
“I’d appreciate that.” He gave her a genuine smile.
Maggie felt a wave of relief. At least they were both of the same mind when it came to Joan. “Let’s go assure your mother we won’t be at each other’s throats,” she suggested.
“Let’s. Can I hold Edison?”
“Of course.”
Nick tucked the puppy into the crook of his arm. “Where did he ever get that name?”
“Your mother and I came up with it.” True, Maggie had been the one to suggest it, but the idea had come from Joan.
“I like it. It suits him.”
“Your mother said he brought light into her life.”
“Which was exactly what I hoped would happen.” Nick sounded pleased with himself.
Joan was busy in the kitchen. She turned when Maggie and Nick joined her. “Did you two settle your differences?”
Maggie glanced toward Nick to discover he was watching her.
“Yeah, all good,” he answered. He set Edison down on the floor, and the puppy raced over to a chew toy.
“Excellent. Will you stay for dinner?” Joan looked to her son.
“What are you making?”
“Nick!” Maggie chastised.
“What?”
“You should be happy with whatever your mother has planned.”
Nick snorted softly. “Okay, fine. I’ll be happy, even if it’s liver and onions.”
“It isn’t.” Joan seemed amused at the banter between the two. “You stopped by for a reason?” She directed the question to her son.
“Can’t I come see my mother anytime I want?” he challenged, grinning.
“Of course, but it’s rare enough to pique my interest.”
Maggie sent Nick a knowing glare, which he ignored.
“I came to see how you were faring with the puppy,” he said, and added, “and if you needed anything.”
“That’s thoughtful of you,” Joan said, as she opened the refrigerator door. “And seeing how worried you are about what’s for dinner, I’ll tell you. We’re having crispy chicken salad with fresh tomatoes, olives, and shredded cheddar cheese.”
“Sounds good. By the way, the yard is really taking shape.”
“I hired a maintenance company, Harrison Lawn and Landscaping.”
“It’s a bit early to get started on dinner, isn’t it?” Maggie asked.
As if unaware of the time, Joan glanced toward the kitchen clock. They didn’t normally eat until after six, and it wouldn’t take long to assemble a salad.
Joan thought about that for a moment. “It is earlier than normal. I was hungry. I hadn’t felt that way in a long while,” she said, and cocked her head to one side as if the realization had surprised her.
“That’s good, Mom. You’ve lost a lot of weight since Dad died.”