“Luckily, this daughter went to college and graduate school out of town, only returning for holidays and continually disappointed her beautiful mother by not bringing home a quarterback, heck, not even a defensive end. Worse, said short, bookish daughter with the red hair—Margaret, you can have a variety of hair colors these days, darling, why don’t you let me make you an appointment at my salon—became a teacher! Are you aware how much money teachers make? Are you aware that that daughter will never marry an appropriate man if she hangs around a school all day?

“Doesn’t this all sound like I should be on some daytime talk show? It sounds bitter but honestly I’m not hindered by it. I’ve moved on and Cecelia Wright is a nice enough woman. I was just not what she expected. Anyway, now you know the whole sordid tale and you should feel free to run for your life.”

Enraged and utterly shocked, Kyle’s hands balled into tight fists. Why on earth would any mother act like that? Cece Wright should be proud to have a daughter as wonderful as Maggie. That she didn’t treasure Maggie made him sad.

“Honey, I’m not running anywhere and you know what? Red hair—your red hair—is incredibly beautiful and downright sexy. Plus, I love history and my house was always filled with books. Heck, you’d probably know that working with my momma on the Historical Society Board. Oh and I voted for Amylynne Jessup for homecoming queen.”

“Oh my, you flatterer you.” She laughed. Relief moved through him as he saw the strain leave her face.

“I thought that was you,” a female voice said. Kyle and Maggie both looked up to see Janie standing there.

“Hey, Janie.”

“Maggie.” Janie nodded her head at her sister and then looked to Kyle, her face breaking into a smile. “Hi Kyle. What are you doing here?” Janie looked at Kyle as if Maggie weren’t even there.

“Are you asking me?” Kyle was surprised and appalled at the way she barely spoke to her own sister. Of course, given the history he just heard, he shouldn’t have been.

“Yes of course. Who else would I be asking?”

“I’m here on a date with Maggie. We’re having dinner. What else would I be doing?”

“On a date with Maggie?” She sounded incredulous.

“Why do you sound so surprised, Janie?” Maggie asked with an arch of her eyebrow.

“I, uh, well I just thought that Kyle was a bit out of, well, not from your crowd.”

“My crowd?”

“You know, Kyle and I moved in different circles. You weren’t exactly in the popular crowd.”

“High school was ten years ago, Janie,” Kyle gritted out, wanting very much to be done with her.

“She means to say that you’re out of my league, Kyle. Isn’t that right?” Maggie asked, eyes narrowed in a way that Kyle had come to notice meant she was getting hot under the collar. He liked it, made him want to bend her over something and f**k her.

“Of course not!” Janie’s claim was utterly unbelievable, especially as she rolled her eyes.

“Well he is. But for some reason, he likes me, go figure.”

Kyle put his arm around the back of Maggie’s chair and looked up at Janie. “I do like Maggie very much. Moreover, Jane Marie Campbell, I had no idea you were such a snob, and toward your own sister. I’d have thought that out of all the people in Maggie’s life, you’d certainly be a fan. Your sister is a beautiful, intelligent and strong woman. Hell, she’s out of my league.”

“Hardly. I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be mean or anything, but Maggie knows more than anyone what her limitations are. How she managed to go out with two Chase brothers in a few months, well, I can’t begin to imagine.” She made it sound like Maggie was some two bit whore.

“My limitations?” Maggie snorted, choosing to ignore the last comment for the moment.

“Well at least you’re smart and pretty enough. And now look, you even have a good looking date. But you aren’t pageant material and you weren’t popular and this is not your kind of place. I’m just saying what’s true.”

Kyle’s mouth dropped open in shock. “You are truly the rudest woman I’ve ever met and you’ve been shamelessly bitchy to your sister. I think you’re jealous, Jane Marie. Now, if you’ll excuse us, our food will be here any minute and you are ruining my appetite.”

Janie spun around and stalked off without another word. He turned to Maggie and shook his head in disbelief. “My god, Maggie, has she always been like that?” No wonder she had issues about her looks.

“She comes by it honestly. It’s nothing my mother hasn’t said a thousand times.”

He didn’t even know how to respond to that. Their food came and luckily, he was able to joke, tease and coax her into a better mood and they ended up enjoying their dinner.

“Let’s go, gorgeous. I can’t wait to get you out on that floor and show you off.”

She snorted, following him outside into the fresh, Janie-free air. Truthfully, she hadn’t felt this good in a long time. She’d never stood up to Janie like that before. She knew she’d hear from her mother about it, but it was worth it to see Janie’s face scrunch up like she’d sucked a lemon when Kyle sent her packing. Maggie hoped she got wrinkles from it.

The Honky Tonk was packed. Wednesday nights were buck beer and two dollar well drinks night. Cheap booze was always an incentive to get out and dance and listen to music. She and Kyle had a beer and a shot and hit the dance floor. He was really a good dancer and despite the height difference, they seemed to fit well together. He twirled her gracefully and even managed to sneak in a few quick kisses while they were dancing.