Saving Margaret Read Online Free Page A

whole stalking the bathroom thing is not helping.”
    “I didn’t mean to scare her. I just want to talk to her.”
    “She’s not scared…well…we’ll just say overwhelmed. Give her a day or so and give her a call.” She turned and walked back, pausing just before she opened the door. “Take it down a notch or two, okay, teddy bear.”
    “A day or so?”
    “Yes,” she answered and disappeared back inside.
    He glanced down at the shiny white card. It read Margaret Taylor, VIP Lounge Manager | Mirage Casino and Hotel. Impressive. Her email and an office phone number were on the back.
    A deep sigh slid from his chest. If time was all she needed, he could do that. It hurt that she wouldn’t even talk to him, but at least she hadn’t sent him away completely.
     
    ***
     
    “Is he gone?” Margaret asked.
    The door clicked shut. Hallie turned. “Yes, chicken. He’s gone.”
    “I am not a chicken. I just need to have a clear mind. That wasn’t going to happen with my wolf screaming at me to do whatever he asked.”
    “Don’t lay the blame on me.”
    Whatever. You weren’t helping.
    Hallie and the other girls laughed again.
    “Let’s get you home then, so you and your wolf can dream about all the naughty things you want to do to that fine specimen of a man you just sent packing,” Maggie said, a smirk growing on her face.
    Margaret knew she’d never live this moment down. Maggie would tease her forever, but it didn’t matter. She assessed and read people for a living at the casino. It was her job to make sure guests had everything they needed before they knew they did. Time away from the pull of the rapidly growing mate bond should give her perspective on the situation. At least, that’s what she hoped it would do. It might just drive her over the edge instead.
    They left the bathroom quietly and walked to the parking lot. Hallie had texted her father and the Demakis limo was waiting at the end of the sidewalk. She and Maggie had ridden to the wedding with Sam and her sisters, and the girls insisted that they ride back with them, too.
     
    ***
     
    After dropping off Maggie, it only took a few more minutes to reach her street.
    Her heels clicked on the concrete sidewalk and up onto her porch. The motion spotlight blinked on and her patio was flooded with a warm yellow light. She turned and waved at the limo before slipping inside and locking the door behind her.
    She kicked off her heels by the door. They landed softly on a pile of discarded shoes. Over the course of a week, most of her shoes would end up there. When it became a nuisance she’d ceremoniously load them all into a hamper and haul them upstairs to her closet so the whole process could begin again.
    Her purse she tossed onto the oversized red suede sofa and then sank into the matching chaise lounger at the end of the sectional. Her feet hurt and she was hungry, but a glance at the dimly glowing clock across the room told her it was nearly one in the morning. She could wait a little longer and eat breakfast after she slept a few hours.
    Peeling her body from the comfy chair, she started for the stairs when the phone on the counter shattered the peace and stillness of her house. “Mom,” she groaned, twisting in midstride and walking quickly into her kitchen. One pressed button put the base on speaker. “Mom, it’s one o’clock. I’m going to bed.”
    “How was the wedding, honey? I just wanted to check on you. I saw your porch light come on. Why didn’t you just have your dad or brother come pick you up? You didn’t need the Demakis’s to make a special drive all the way out here.”
    “Mom, seriously. The wedding was good and the girls wanted me to ride with them. They took Maggie home too, so it wasn’t just me.”
    “Oh.” Her mother paused. She could tell more questions were coming. “How is Maggie? I guess the Michaels think they are a little higher on the food chain now? Do they think they will be over your father