He laughed as he took her hand and pulled her from the room. “Come on. The sooner we get your aunt settled, the sooner we can go to bed again.”
Chapter Twenty
Aunt Maggie was none the worse for wear but was very curious about the circumstances which had brought Jenna to Mystic Cove and why they were both there now. She wasn’t judgmental or angry, which Jenna wouldn’t have blamed her for if she had been. It was a lot to take in.
“I’m sorry I lied, Aunt Mags. I was worried that if you knew where I really was, it would make you vulnerable. That’s why I kept saying I was on the opposite coast. But they found out anyway.”
Aunt Maggie sipped her coffee. Noah had found decaf so Jenna had made that instead, which was probably better for everyone. Gem, Zany, and Muffin had dropped Aunt Maggie off with her belongings, and now they were outside with Noah, talking before they left.
Jenna thought maybe Noah had done it on purpose to give her time alone with Aunt Maggie. Whether or not he had, she was grateful to have the time to catch up and explain. She took a nervous sip from her own cup.
Aunt Maggie reached over and laid a gentle hand on Jenna’s arm. “I think it’s my fault, Jenna. I told you I upgraded the cable. A man came out Friday and said he needed to check everything. I let him in and didn’t think anything of it, but I don’t think that’s what he was there for, really. He didn’t go near the cable box, which I found odd, but I admit I was distracted a bit. The reverend came over to discuss the church bake sale, and I was busy with him.”
Jenna’s neck prickled. “Did he do anything else?”
“He left without telling me he was going. I found that odd, but who knows with people these days? But you said someone called you, and I had written your number on my notebook by the phone. I shouldn’t have put your name beside it, but I did. He must have seen it.”
“I shouldn’t have called you after I left Vegas. Not until this was sorted out,” Jenna replied, feeling guilty and a little sick inside. She’d put her aunt in danger by keeping in touch. She’d thought it would be okay, but it hadn’t been. She’d never intended to give Aunt Maggie her phone number, but she’d realized she had to. Jenna had asked her aunt to keep it somewhere safe and not to give it to anyone. She hadn’t thought that would be a notebook beside the phone, but maybe she should have been more specific.
“Oh, honey. No. If you hadn’t called me, I’d have been frantic with worry. I would have spent my days calling everyone I could think of to help me find you. I’d have ended up with an ulcer, make no mistake. Losing your parents was such a blow. You’re all that’s left of them, and I’d have turned over every stone I could find to look for you.”
Jenna’s heart glowed with love. “Still, I should have found a better way.”
Aunt Maggie leaned forward as if to impart a secret. “Those soldiers you sent are mighty pleasing to look at, especially your Noah. Makes me wish I was a few decades younger. I liked dating soldiers when I was younger. So handsome and strong. One of them asked me to marry him, but I wouldn’t do it. I sometimes wish I had. Who knows what might have been?”
“Noah and I aren’t in love,” Jenna blurted. She’d told Aunt Maggie they were engaged, but she’d already lied about too much to lie about this. “I mean I’m very fond of him, and I think he feels the same, but it’s more of a convenience thing really.”
Aunt Maggie arched a brow. “Well, dear, it’s your life and you may do what you wish. And, really, there was a time when people got married for many reasons besides love. My parents, for instance. They married to unite their families and land, but it turned into a strong, unshakable union that produced three children and much love. They died within minutes of each other, and they were holding hands when they did. I’d say that was a very good marriage, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes,” Jenna said past the tightness in her throat.
Aunt Maggie winked. “Besides, if you’re going to marry someone for convenience, make sure he looks like your Noah does. Not that looks are everything, but it’s clear he has a good heart from the way he’s taken in his niece and the way he’s looking after you. And me.”
The door opened and Noah returned inside to find two women staring at him. He hesitated.
“Come over here, Noah,” Aunt Maggie said, patting the cushion beside her. “Join us.”
Noah did as directed, ducking his head almost sheepishly. Jenna wondered at the change in him, but it wasn’t like she could ask him in front of her aunt.
“Jenna tells me you two aren’t in love. Is that true?”
Noah shot her a look. She shrugged as if to say, Hey, you didn’t really expect me to lie, did you?
“Well, ma’am—”
“Aunt Maggie—or Maggie or Mags. Whatever makes you comfortable.”
“Well, uh, Maggie… It’s true we haven’t been together long enough to really make that determination, but I think your niece is one of the best women I know. She’s kind and caring, and she makes my little niece happy. It hasn’t been easy for Alice to lose her mother, but Jenna has helped her come out of her shell since she’s been here. I don’t know what Alice would do without her.”
“And you? What would you do?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. And not just because of Alice.” His gaze met hers and he didn’t look away. “Alice depends on her, but I do too. I’m endlessly fascinated with her, and I want to know everything about her. I want to take away her fear and uncertainty and make this whole thing go away. I want to crush anyone who would threaten her, and I don’t want her to be afraid anymore.”
Aunt Maggie put her hand around Noah’s and curled it within her grasp. “That’s a very fine answer. If this was still the dark ages and you were asking for her hand, I’d approve it.”
Jenna’s heart throbbed, but she laughed anyway. “Aunt Mags, there are still men who ask a father’s permission to marry their daughter. That hasn’t gone away.”
“Well, it should. What are we? Sacks of flour? It’s a woman’s business who she marries and no one else’s. Like most things in life. Nosy people want to have a say in things that don’t concern them simply because they want to feel superior or be in control. I don’t have time for that nonsense.”
Noah lifted their clasped hands and kissed Aunt Maggie’s. “I hope you don’t mind me saying so since we’ve only just met, but I really like you a lot. You’re fuc—fricking cool, Maggie.”
She laughed as she patted him. “Thank you, sweet boy. And thank you for attempting to fix the language. Not that I mind a good filthy word for emphasis. They certainly have their place. But the fact you thought it might offend me and changed course endears you to me just a little bit more.”
Jenna was shaking her head. Leave it to her aunt to baffle Noah with her special brand of charm. Because she was charming. She was a bit of a cross between Dame Maggie Smith and Angela Lansbury. Downton Abbey meets Murder She Wrote. Sass combined with insatiable curiosity and affability.
“Do you need more coffee, Aunt Maggie? Or would you like to go to bed?”