I’m so pissed off that I didn’t immediately tell her off and put her in her fucking place. But she could cause so many waves for Maggie and me, and I know she doesn’t need that right now. Not with the Major still missing with no sign of him.
“Fuck!” I shout, and hit the steering wheel with my hand. I take off toward work and feel so angry with myself. This is why I’ve been keeping Maggie at arm’s length. We haven’t done anything, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get asked.
It’s not like I’m seventy years old for Christ’s sake. I’m only twenty-six, but to someone seeing me with an eighteen-year-old, they assume I’m after one thing.
By the time I get to my office, I’m somewhat calm. No one can prove anything, especially a lie. It would all be hearsay, and when Major comes home, he’ll back me up. When.
It’s been two weeks and nothing, but I’ve still got hope. If there is a chance left, he’ll take it, and he will make it home. I have to believe that. For myself and for Maggie.
Chapter 19
Eli
“Mr. Strong?” the voice on the other end of the phone asks.
“That’s me,” I say, leaning back in my office chair.
“This is Superintendent Roger Dale. I’d like to speak to you about a few things if you have a moment.”
I sit up in my seat, and a chill runs down my spine. It’s been a week since Rose’s threat, and I’m guessing she finally made good on it.
Maggie and I have been really careful not to even touch while we are out in public. Although Maggie has been less than thrilled about my lack of affection outside the home, after I told her what happened, she understood. Rose Petty is a conniving snake, and she’s trying to use this opportunity to get back at me because I turned her down. What makes me the angriest is that she’s using Maggie as a weapon, and it’s disgusting.
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Mr. Strong, I’d like you to know that it’s been brought to the school board’s attention that there might be an inappropriate relationship between you and your ward. We’ve done some preliminary investigation, and while we do have the documentation that you are the guardian of Miss Maggie Drummond, there has been an indication of an abuse of power.”
“And let me guess, those allegations were made by a Rose Petty.”
“We are not at liberty to discuss who brought these allegations forward, but we want you to know that we take them seriously and want to pursue an inquiry.”
I grit my teeth. I want to tell him to fuck off, but I don’t think that’s in Maggie’s best interest. So instead, I explain the situation to the best of my ability, hoping to cause as little damage as possible.
“Mr. Dale, let me be frank with you.”
“Please,” he says.
“Ms. Petty came onto me, and I turned her down. I’m First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, and I’ve been put in charge of a very precious young woman. The man who gave me this honor is like a father to me, a man I respect above all others. I’m in charge of protecting his daughter, of loving her as if she were flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood. There is no distance on this earth that I wouldn’t go to keep her safe and out of harm’s reach. There have been no lines crossed between Miss Drummond and me, and I can provide witness to this. People who live with us will swear in court that no law has been broken. I am an upstanding citizen in this community and a decorated veteran of this country. If you have any further erroneous and scurrilous allegations to make, you may do so with my attorney, but until then, I would appreciate it if you offered me some respect, and didn’t assume that every little story brought to your lap is the truth.”
He pauses for a moment before he clears his throat. “Mr. Strong, we will need to speak with Miss Drummond—”
“Negative,” I say, cutting him off. “If you wish to speak with Maggie or myself again, it will be through my attorney and while one is present. That is her right, as well as my own. Good day.”
I hang up the phone in my office, slamming it down on the receiver so hard, I’m surprised the plastic doesn’t crack. I’m not sure what the outcome of this will be, but I know that I can’t handle this shit much longer.
One more week and we won’t have this bleeding into our world.
Chapter 20
Eli
“He should be here for this,” Alice says as she wipes away a tear.
I take the paper flower out of her hand and tape it to the door for her.
Alice has been a mess since the Major went missing. I know why, but sometimes when people are hurting, you need to give them their space. Alice may be small and innocent, but she’s got a heart stronger than any Marine I’ve ever met. She cries a lot, but I know that she’s missing a piece of our family like we all are.
“When he comes home, we’ll do this right. We’ll have a big party and make him jump out of the cake,” I laugh, and give her a small hug.
She sniffs a little but nods and wipes away the tears. She straightens her shoulders and grabs another flower, taping it on.
She made a big garland for the kitchen, and we’ve been down here decorating since before the sun came up. She even helped me make breakfast that wasn’t completely terrible, and I’m so nervous and anxious to see if Maggie likes it.
Today’s the day. Maggie is finally eighteen, and I’ve got a day planned for us. After I pick her up from school.
I debated waking her up last night at midnight to wish her a happy birthday, but I knew what would happen. I didn’t want this hurried through. I wanted to enjoy this moment. I didn’t want our first time together to be something hidden in the dark. I wanted to see every inch of her. I want to take our time. I want Maggie to go into this with eyes wide open.
I hear a squeak come from down the hall. I listen to her feet on the stairs, and Alice starts giggling. I barely turn around and Maggie is flying at me. I catch her in my arms just as her mouth lands on mine. My hands go to her ass, keeping her held to me so she doesn’t fall.
The kiss is deep and sweet and holds so much more to it than anyone would ever know. This is our moment. We can finally be together. She pulls back to look at me, her smile bright, and fuck if something deep inside of me doesn’t move, knowing she’s mine. Will always be mine. I don’t know how she does it but she makes me feel hope, something I’ve never felt before. A real belonging.
“Happy birthday, sunshine.”
“Happy birthday to us,” she says, leaning in for another kiss before she jumps out of my arms.
“What the hell?” I try to grab at her, but she’s already headed for the living room.
“Love the decoration,” she calls over her shoulder.
Alice giggles again. “What are you doing?” I ask as she starts picking up all my stuff that I have stacked neatly in the corner of the living room. I’ve been living out of my bag since I came back but made an effort to limit the space I took up—old habits die hard, I guess.
“Putting it where it belongs.” She heads toward her room, and I follow her, not sure this is a good idea. But she throws my stuff inside and shuts her door.