Free Maggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters) by Lena Dooley Nelson Page B

. . Charles, you’re embarrassing me with your flattery. Actually, I’ve never met my grandmother. She made this dress for my mother when she was younger.”
    Interesting. Charles had to clamp his lips tight to keep from telling her that it looked better on her than it ever would have on her mother.
    “I want to go to Arkansas and meet my grandmother. I’m trying to convince my father to let me go, but my mother is against it. She doesn’t want me to become what she calls a working woman .” One of her feet beat a staccato against the Persian carpet.
    He cringed at the change in her tone when she mentioned Mrs. Caine. So there really was something going on between them. He hadn’t just imagined it.
    “Don’t you think a person should utilize the gifts God gave them?”
    At her pointed question, he glanced up at her. “I don’t think He gives us talents without a definite reason.”
    His heart warmed as he read the emotions flitting across her face—surprise, hope, then satisfaction.
    “Margaret Lenora Caine!”
    The sharp words shattered the comfortable conversation. He whipped around to see Mrs. Caine standing in the open doorway.
    “What are you doing hiding in here? Shouldn’t you be mingling with your guests?” She glared at her daughter.
    Maggie visibly wilted, and the hope in her eyes flickered out. “I’m sorry, Mother.” She started to rise.
    He jumped to his feet and stepped between Maggie and her mother. “Blame me, Mrs. Caine. I watched your daughter dance so long that it made me tired. I thought she would enjoy a respite for a few minutes.”
    “Thank you for your kindness, Charles.” Maggie pushed past him and walked around her mother, heading for the center of the crowd.
    Her mother grimly stared at her back.
    Charles didn’t know what was going on, but he decided in that instant to be available for Maggie whenever she needed him. He wouldn’t make a very good knight in shining armor, but he could be her friend. And it might allow him to get to know her lovely Aunt Georgia, a woman who greatly intrigued him.

Chapter 6

    The rest of the party stretched on for an eternity. Maggie continued to mingle until they cut the birthday cake. While everyone was enjoying the special dessert, maids entered with their arms filled with parcels. Soon the table in front of the sofa held a multicolored jumble of wrapped presents. Maggie hadn’t expected so many. Everyone must have brought something.
    Unwrapping all the packages took quite a while, because after she saw what each one contained, she made eye contact with the person who brought it and expressed her thanks verbally. What an array of gifts—colognes, decorative combs, scarves, gloves, trinkets, jewelry, and a box of chocolate, along with books, a sketch pad, charcoal, and paints.
    Soon people began to leave, each stopping by where she sat on the couch and wishing her a happy birthday. When only Charles was left in the room, her eyes were drawn to him. She wanted to get to know him better, but what would he think if he knew she wasn’t really the daughter of a wealthy family? For years she’d hidden a secret desire to fall in love with this handsome man. But what did he think of her, other than as an old school friend?
    “Maggie, I’ve really enjoyed your birthday party.” He lifted her hand and brushed his soft lips against the back of her fingers. “I believe my coach has arrived to take me home.”
    Maggie stood. “I’m so glad you came. I enjoyed every minute we spent together.”
    She watched him exit the room and claim his coat from the maid beside the front door. The place where his lips had touched her hand tingled.
    Finally, the door shut behind him, and Maggie started packing her presents into boxes for transport to her bedchamber. Even though she didn’t look up, she sensed the exact moment Florence came into the room. The air vibrated with her presence. She knew she would have to face the music sometime, and now was as good