Maggie's Match

By Jill Sanders

Margaret Jackson has had enough of Ricky's games. The boy has been leading her on since they were in diapers. It was past time she set out on her own and discovered just who she was outside of the small town of Fairplay, Texas.

 

The last thing Rick had expected was to return home and discover Maggie wasn't there. Hell, he'd los

• Language: English
• Publisher: Idealist LLC
• Release date: May 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9781945100680

Jill Sanders

Jill Sanders is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Pride series, Secret series, West series, Grayton series, Lucky series, and Silver Cove romance novels. She continues to lure new readers in with her sweet and sexy stories. Her work is available in every English-speaking country and in audiobook form, and her books have been translated into several languages. Born as an identical twin in a large family, Sanders was raised in the Pacific Northwest and later relocated to Colorado for college and a successful IT career before discovering her talent as a writer. She now makes her home along the Emerald Coast in Florida, where she enjoys the beach, hiking, swimming, wine tasting, and—of course—writing. You can connect with Sanders on Facebook at http://fb.com/JillSandersBooks, on Twitter @JillMSanders, and on her website at http://JillSanders.com.

Book preview

Prologue

Maggie sat in the bleachers and cheered along with everyone else as the Fairplay Bulls went on to another victory. Of course, most were cheering for the entire football team. Maggie, however, was cheering for one player in particular.

Her entire life she’d had her eyes on just one boy. One boy who had treated her like a sister her entire life. Richard Johnathan Graham. Rick, as his friends called him. The boy of her dreams in every dream she’d had for her entire life.

He was the only one that would ever hold her heart. Only, he didn’t know it. If he did, he sure didn’t show it.

Currently, he was dating Amber Lester, the head cheerleader. That made total, as Rick was the star quarterback.

Not that Maggie wasn’t popular or into sports herself. She’d tried out for cheerleading, but she wasn’t as coordinated as the other girls. It might have had something to do with her huge mega boobs. Whenever she tried to do anything strenuous, they would hurt or throw her off balance.

That didn’t stop her from enjoying sports though. She’d settled into softball and was by far the best pitcher Fairplay had ever had. She hated running bases, but at least she could throw.

After the game, she remained seated in the stands as everyone else left. She was too busy watching the team celebrate. Watching Ricky.

When Amber rushed up to him and flung herself around him, Rick caught her with ease and spun her around. It was a scene Maggie had dreamed of happening to her so many times.

When she looked around and realized she was the only one still there, she finally left the stands and headed to the front of the school stadium to wait for one of her parents to come get her. She sat on a bench near the concession stand, staring at her phone.

She was a year away from getting her own driver’s license and being able to drive herself to and from sports events. And she loved to watch them all—basketball, football, hockey, even golf.

Hey.

She jumped at the voice, only then realizing it had grown quiet around her. Quiet and dark. While she’d been lost in scrolling through a social media app, everyone else had left, leaving her alone in the dark parking lot.

Thankfully, it was Ricky who stood over her. There wasn’t a lot of crime in Fairplay, but she’d watched enough scary movies to jump at shadows.

Hey, she said with a sigh, trying to sound bored and get her heart to settle down again.

Your folks haven’t come yet? Ricky asked, glancing around.

Nope. She frowned down at her phone and opened her chat app. Her face flushed when she realized she had forgotten to hit send on her message telling them she was ready to be picked up. She often forgot things like that when she was deep in dreaming.

If you want, I can give you a ride, Ricky offered.

She was about to deny him and send her parents the message, but then she realized it would be ten minutes before they could get there. And, in truth, she wanted Ricky to give her a ride.

Okay, she said, standing up and throwing her book bag over her shoulder.

Cool. He reached over and took her heavy bag.

It was then that she realized he’d changed into jeans and a T-shirt. His hair was still wet from the after-game shower that he’d probably taken in the locker room.

Where’s Amber? she stupidly asked when he opened the passenger door on his truck.

We broke things off, he said, then he rolled his eyes. She went home.

She climbed in and waited for him to get in behind the wheel.

Why? she asked.

Ricky shrugged. I caught her making out with Joey when I came out of the locker room.

Ouch, she said as her heart leapt. At least he was single again.

Ricky shrugged. It was past due. We didn’t really have that much in common.

Oh? Like? she asked.

He glanced at her as he pulled out of the school’s parking lot.

Like, she and her family just moved to Fairplay from California. She doesn’t even know how to ride a horse. He rolled his eyes again.

Who doesn’t know how to ride a horse?

Exactly. He chuckled. She can’t stand dogs.

Who doesn’t like dogs? she asked, adding strain to her voice for good measure.

Exactly, he said a little louder. He chuckled, and then they grew quiet as he drove. How long have we known one another? he asked suddenly.

She thought about it for a second. Since we were born, I guess.

Right, he said softly. Then he glanced over at her. I plan on being a vet, like my dad and grandad.

She nodded. I know.

Do you still want to open your own bakery?

She nodded. For as long as she could remember, she’d loved baking and had dreamed of owning her own place in Fairplay.

In middle school she’d started baking goods for all the bake sales. She’d even taken a few special orders for birthday parties or events. Her sugar-cookie decorating skills were the best for at least a hundred miles. Or so everyone always told her.

Every penny she’d earned from orders she’d saved so she could open up her own bakery after graduation.

I don’t plan on sticking around town, he added as he pulled into her driveway. She remained silent. I have less than a year left in school before I head out to college. He surprised her by shutting off the truck and turning towards her. Are you going away to school?

I planned on taking online business classes, she admitted. She didn’t like the faces some of her friends gave her when she mentioned that she planned on sticking around town after school. Most of her friends planned to travel or move to the city.

It was then that his eyes moved down to her lips, and her heart stopped.

Maggie, I… He shook his head and then totally shocked her by leaning in and kissing her.

Chapter One

Ten years later…

Rick stood in front of the clinic and sighed. He was back. Home.

This time, for good.

That sinking feeling he normally got in his gut when he returned was no longer there. Instead, the only thing he felt was guilt for having left his father to fend for himself for so long.

Luckily, his dad had been wise enough to hire Rick’s college friend Clay Dawson to help out around the veterinary clinic. But when his father had been seriously injured a few months back, he had finally retired. Partially, at any rate.

Rick doubted anything would slow Chase Graham down for too long. He’d even tried going back to work with his injuries. His mother had finally talked his dad into stepping down from the clinic in town and focusing more on the animals on Saddleback Ranch, his family’s home. And his mother had also convinced Rick to return home and take over the clinic.

Rick didn’t think the small town needed two vets, but he was thankful to get away from the city and his last employer, who had treated him like he didn’t know what he was doing. It was the first time he’d ever been treated like he was ignorant due to his age. But he was a third generation veterinarian and had started learning how to tend to animals even before he learned how to multiply.

There had been little doubt in his mind what he’d grow up to be, though he’d taken a few detours along the way. He’d briefly dreamed of being a football star, but that dream had been cut short when he tore his ACL during one of his last games in high school.

But deep down in his gut, he’d always know that he’d follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.

The only other steady thing in his life had been his feelings for Maggie.

Don’t just stand there collecting dust, his grandfather said, slapping his shoulder and almost knocking him over. Even though he was as old as the hills, the man was still stronger than an ox. Head on in. It’s about time you took the reins.

Rick smiled over at John Graham. The man had built the clinic with his bare hands back when he was Rick’s age, if you believed his stories.

Rick stepped up onto the porch of the building, which he could probably navigate with his eyes closed. He had spent more time in the clinic than he had his own home. When he and his grandfather stepped into the clinic, waves and waves of memories hit him, like they always did.

Welcome back, his grandfather said, slapping him on the shoulder again. Now get to work. He chuckled as he shoved him towards the back of the clinic, then he turned and left.

Since it was early morning, the lobby was void of humans and would-be patients. Only his cousin Laura was standing behind the counter, smiling at him.

Welcome back, she said, holding out a file towards him. Clay’s checking on our overnight guests, which means you get to head out on the first call of the day.

That’s it? he asked, his eyes narrowing at his cousin. No donuts? No celebration that I’m back?

Laura laughed. You were only gone for a few months, she pointed out.

Yes, but… He frowned down at the folder, then shrugged and opened it. A huge paper donkey popped out at him. The card made him smile. Under the laughing mule were the words, Welcome back, jackass.

He smiled up at his cousin as she laughed and motioned. Donuts are in the break room.

He made his way down the hallway and stepped inside. Not only were there donuts, but the room was filled with balloons.

Welcome home, cuz, Laura said, walking up and hugging him. It’s about damn time, she whispered.

His first official day back at the clinic was so busy that he skipped lunch, and by the time they closed, he had a layer of dust and dirt on his clothes and his skin.

After work, he headed to the ranch house on Saddleback Ranch that he had moved into so he could shower off and change. Then he headed back into town to enjoy dinner at Mama’s Diner. He knew that Jamella would skin him alive if he didn’t come see her right away.

Jamella, aka Mama, was the one person besides his own mother that he never wanted to let down. The older black woman ran the town like she ran her restaurant, with love and a very commanding tone.

Jamella was Mama to everyone. Everyone. Even the ones who wanted to be haters. Everyone loved her. Respected her. Adored her.

Jamella was married to Stephen Miller, the town’s ex-sheriff. The couple had been married later in life, not long after Rick had been born. According to his parents, it had shaken up some of the people in town.

Their grumblings about the marriage hadn’t been due to the difference in race. The pushback came because everyone wanted to protect Jamella. Most knew her past and wanted nothing but the best for her.

Not that everyone in town didn’t love Sheriff Miller. According to Rick’s parents, it had just taken a while for the secret relationship to sink in. Now, twenty-some years later, the couple was a staple in Fairplay. They had one of the strongest relationships in town outside of his own family.

There he is, Mama said the moment he stepped inside the diner.

He was immediately engulfed in a warm embrace that went on longer than even the hugs he’d given his own family. This was Mama, the woman he’d thought of as his grandmother his entire life.

You’re home, child. Finally. Lord, thank the stars. Mama laughed and patted his back. Back to stay?

Yes, ma’am, he answered with a laugh. I am.

’Bout time. Mama motioned towards a table. Sit, I’ll get you your favorite.

Rick took a seat at the counter and glanced around. He knew everyone inside the diner and even noticed two of his ex-girlfriends. Both of them were now happily married. One had three kids and the other was very pregnant with her first.

He was also friends with their husbands. Hell, he’d gone to school with all of them and had probably partied with everyone in town that was around his age.

That was one of the reasons he’d left Fairplay the year before. He’d felt like he’d let all of them down by not immediately settling down and having a handful of kids.

As he waited, he glanced around for the one person he hoped to see while still wishing to avoid her. When Mama set a plate heaped with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans in front of him, she made a deep noise in her chest and shook her head.

She ain’t here, she said with a disapproving tone.

Who? he asked, trying to sound innocent.

The look Mama gave him told him clearly that he hadn’t fooled her.

Child, you know who.

Where is she? he asked, picking up his fork.

Up near Austin. She turned and walked away, but not before throwing over her shoulder, You’re too late.

What the hell did that mean? His entire body stilled. He was too late? He wanted to yell across the diner and ask Mama what she meant but knew better. Mama had boxed his ears many times in his youth for yelling in her diner.

Instead, as he ate, he pulled out his phone and stalked Maggie’s social media. It was all there. Updates about her bakery in town. Her social life. Her family life. The trip to help her cousin Becca open up her very own bakery in Bottle Creek. According to one post, it would sort of be a branch of Maggie’s Bakery.

He’d been so proud of her, as had everyone else in town, when she’d purchased the old gas station across from the Grocery Stop shortly after graduating from high school. It had taken her less than six months to turn it into her bakery and open the doors.

The sign, Maggie’s Bakery, hung in bright teal letters over the building in a strong but feminine cursive. He’d expected the inside to be