Free Wayward Hearts by Susan Anne Mason Page B

the same roof for an indefinite period of time. The last thing she needed in her life was another complication.
    Peg set a plate of steaming beef stew and a basket of hot biscuits in front of her, and Maxi gave herself over to the pleasure of a home-cooked meal. Peg poured her a large glass of juice and then sat down across the small table with her own plate.
    “Thank you so much for taking us in,” Maxi said between bites.
    “Pishposh. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Bernice can have the spare room, and I’ve fixed Jason’s up for you.”
    Maxi swallowed a groan. Sleep in Jason’s bed? What had she done to deserve this kind of torture? “I don’t want to put Jason out. I can sleep on the couch.”
    Peg paused, her fork in mid-air. “Jason wouldn’t hear of it. He’s very much a gentleman, if I do say so myself.” She grinned the smile of a proud mother. “Besides, we have a perfectly good spare bed in the basement. He’s already moved his things down there.”
    Sometimes Maxi envied Peg and Jason their close relationship. Since Jason’s father left, it had been the two of them against the world. Jason was devoted to his mother, enduring endless ridicule from his friends for still living at home. Only Maxi knew he couldn’t bear to think of his mother all alone—that the scars of his father’s abandonment ran far deeper than he would ever admit.
    Jason returned just as Maxi finished her cherry pie and tea. His presence in the small kitchen seemed to suck the very air out of the room. A hum of tension returned to her veins as she struggled to let on that everything was normal.
    Peg stood at the sink washing the dishes. Jason grabbed a plate from the cupboard and ladled the stew out for himself. He sat down, still not looking at her, and attacked his plate. She grappled for something ordinary to say, but there was nothing ordinary about this situation.
    She finished her drink and rose to take her cup to the sink. “That was wonderful, Peg. Best food I’ve had since…”
    “Since New York?”
    “Since my mom’s cooking. She hasn’t felt up to it…lately.” Maxi picked up a towel to dry the dishes.
    “Give her some time. She’ll come around.” Peg nodded toward the living room. “You go and relax. You’re still recovering from your ordeal.”
    Maxi shook her head. “If I’m going to impose on you, I’m at least going to do my share of the work.”
    A chair scraped the floor. Jason thrust his plate, already empty, into the sink and took the towel from her hands. “Go and sit down.”
    Strained emotions vibrated between them, and for once she obeyed without arguing.
    “I’ll go call the hospital and check on Mama.”
    Back in the living room, Maxi retrieved her purse and took out her phone. She spoke briefly with her mother, reassured that she seemed to be faring well. She was about to put the phone away when it rang in her hands.
    Lily’s concerned voice came through. “Hey, I just heard about the fire. Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine.
    “Where are you now?”
    “At Peg’s. She’s offered to put Mama and me up until the house is fixed.”
    There was a chuckle on the other end. “This is an interesting twist.”
    “Let it go, Lily,” she hissed in a low voice. “It’s very temporary.” She pushed all thoughts of the kiss out of her mind just in case Lily had some latent psychic ability.
    Lily only laughed louder. “I can’t wait to see how this pans out.” She turned serious again. “You sure you’re OK? I can come over if you want.”
    “No. I’ll see you soon.”
    “OK. Call if you need anything.”
    “I will.”
    Maxi clicked her phone off. Sudden exhaustion hit her like a two-ton truck. The onslaught of emotion earlier in the day must’ve taken a lot more out of her than she realized. She looked at her watch to see if it was too early to retire for the night. She didn’t want Peg and Jason to think she was avoiding them.
    “You look beat.” She jumped at