Free Back to Texas by Amanda Renee Page A

Adam. Only this time it would be to run from family.
    “How are you doing?” Maggie stood in the doorway.
    “Is he gone?”
    “Yes, and I don’t think he’ll be back anytime soon.”
    “I’m sure he’ll stop in tomorrow, acting pathetic...if not, it’ll be the day after.” Bridgett sighed. “He won’t go away until I give him what he wants.”
    “After the way Bert chased him down the street with the soup ladle, I disagree.”
    Bridgett’s laughter echoed throughout the kitchen. “Seriously? I’m sorry I missed it.”
    “Oh, you would’ve been proud. Who knew Bert could move that fast.” Maggie’s face remained serious as a smile began to curl the outer edges of her mouth.
    “Thank you, Maggie, for standing up for me.” Bridgett hugged the older woman. “I need to do something nice for you and Bert this week.”
    “You’ll do no such thing.” Maggie withdrew from her embrace and squeezed Bridgett’s shoulders. “My offer still stands if you want to take a week off and get away from here.”
    “You have no idea how tempted I am. I can’t really afford to go solo, though, and my car won’t get me very far.”
    “I’ll give you the money, and if you feel you need to repay me, fine. But I wish you’d accept it as a gift. Go somewhere tropical and fun. Fly down to Cancun or Belize and clear your head. They’re relatively short flights from here. I think Adam’s nice, but I’m not necessarily sure if getting involved with him is the best escape. Don’t jump into anything too quickly.”
    Yet another warning. It wasn’t exactly what she wanted to hear, but Bridgett also knew her friends meant well. She loved Maggie, who she knew had her best interests at heart. However, Adam had been the best part of her life recently.
    “Maggie, I’ve already questioned my own intentions.” Bridgett tried to find the words to convey how she felt, but if she couldn’t describe it to herself how would she describe it to her friend?
    “Well, he means something to you. You call it whatever you want.” Maggie’s brow rose. “Take your time. Breathe.”
    “I moved out of my mother’s house so I could breathe. But I come to work and I still face the daily drama of this whole secret-sister, hidden-paternity nightmare. If it’s not Darren, it’s somebody else asking personal questions or staring me down. I’m not on display for the world to gawk at. If I leave for a week, it’ll just start again when I get back. I’d have to leave town for good.”
    “You’re planning on leaving us?”
    “What choice do I have?” Bridgett had wanted to wait until she had a new job lined up before she told Maggie she was leaving. “I’m a constant source of gossip. Abby’s a novelty, but I’m the one who’s lived a lie in front of everyone. Don’t you hear what they say? How they remember me waiting on my father while he pretended I was just another waitress.
Poor Bridgett
. If I hear it once more—” Bridgett balled her fists and paced the room again. “Now his other daughter rolls in and suddenly Darren wants to play daddy. And please, explain why the minute his wife walked out people started to feel sorry for him? He’s not a hero for finally doing what he should’ve done twenty-eight years ago.”
    Maggie folded her arms and grinned. “There’s the fire I’ve been waiting for. Get mad, Bridgett. You keep trying to bottle it when it’s okay to let it out.”
    “You don’t want me to let it out, Maggie. It won’t be a pretty sight.”
    “I’d rather have you vent on me than leave town. Don’t you waste another thought on leaving us. I need to head back downstairs. Lark’s working the front alone. Stay up here as long as you want. And remember, I’m always here for you.”
    “Thanks, but I’m right behind you.” Bridgett tightened her ponytail. She should have known Maggie wouldn’t take her leaving seriously. “I’m done feeling sorry for myself. If I keep my mind occupied it doesn’t