Claiming Her

For a moment, I was caught in the way Maggie inhaled deeply, taking in the lingering scent of what I was smoking. "That's not tobacco, is it?"

Smiling, I shook my head, explaining how her sister made me give up tobacco almost as soon as we became a thing. How she'd been okay with this stuff because I never chain-smoked it like I did the tobacco. Holding out the pipe to her, I offered her some.

"I'm good with my wine, thanks." She lifted her glass at me. "I actually like the smell of that. I just can't chance the random testing they do at the hospital where I work."

Peering at her because I didn't remember her ever saying it, the words were out without thought. "Maddie liked the smell too."

Unable to look at her anymore, I glanced out into the night sky. Talking about this was a reminder of why I was certain it took a chance meeting for Maggie to ever be reminded of my brothers and me again.

"I don't think Mama blames you for her death."

Pulling out of my thoughts, I turned to fac