“You promise?”
Maggie smiles and takes her hand. “Have faith,” she says. “It’ll all work out.” She takes a quick look around. “Have you seen Erin?”
“She was with Mark a few minutes ago. I think they went into Julia’s house.”
Great,Maggie thinks.
“Hey, everybody,” Sean calls. “I’ve got a bunch of hot dogs and burgers ready here. Who’s hungry?”
“Me!” yells Ben, making a beeline for the barbecue.
“Me, too,” echoes Leo, chasing after him.
“Me, three,” Julia says, grabbing a paper plate and holding it toward Sean.
“How are you feeling?” Olivia asks as the older woman is applying mustard and relish to her burger. “I understand you were in the hospital last week.”
“It was nothing,” Julia tells her. “I stood up too fast, got dizzy, and fainted. My grandson, bless him, overreacted and called 911.”
“WhereisMark anyway?” Maggie asks, joining them. “I haven’t seen him.”
“I believe he went inside to check on his apple pie.”
“Your grandson made an apple pie?”
“Only the best apple pie you’ve ever tasted,” Julia says proudly.
“Sounds heavenly. Do you mind if I go have a look?” Maggie asks.
“Be my guest. Door’s unlocked. Just follow your nose.”
Maggie walks up the pathway to Julia’s front door.
“Where are you going?” Leo yells after her.
“Be right back, sweetie.” Maggie pulls open the door and steps inside Julia’s sweet-smelling house. “Erin?” she calls, walking toward the kitchen. “Erin, are you in here?”
“Shit,” Erin mutters, pulling out of Mark’s embrace. “It’s my mother.”
“What’s she doing here?”
“Snooping. What else? Do I look okay?”
“You look great,” he says with a grin. “Your hair’s a little messy.”
“Shit.” She tries smoothing it down. “Now?”
“Better.”
“What’s going on in here?” Maggie asks from the doorway.
“Just checking on my apple pie,” Mark says, refusing to meet her gaze.
“It smells wonderful.”
“Something you want?” Erin asks.
“Sean’s starting to serve the food,” Maggie tells her. “I thought you might be hungry.”