They crested the top of the ravine at last, and they both turned to face the valley. Maverick looked toward his father’s land, like he always did. He was proud of the neat patchwork fields, the beautiful homestead. The Dawson ranch had been around since his great-grandfather helped settle the valley. And he was proud to be a part of that, proud of his dad and the work he’d done to make the ranch a thriving entity.
Bailey watched him. He felt her gaze, his body humming in response. But when he turned to her, he was surprised by the intensity of the feeling he saw in her face. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Maverick. I’m sorry for what I did to you.” Her eyes welled up.
“Hey, now, I thought we got through this.”
She shook her head and turned away.
He stepped closer. “Come here.” He pulled her into his arms, his hands running up and down her back. Oh, he’d missed this, missed her. Everything seemed to click back into alignment with her at his side. “We’re a good team, you know.”
She nodded against him. “I should have never left. I ruined the most perfect thing I may ever know.”
“It’s not ruined. Look at us now.” His heart pounded against her. Did he dare tell her what he longed to say? Could he risk his heart again with the woman who had all the power over his happiness?
She lifted her chin. “I want to be as good a friend to you as you are to me.”
He brushed a piece of hair from her face. “Friends.” His eyes held hers, and he stared deeply, comfortably, into the face of the woman he thought he’d known. “I’m sorry for underestimating you. Sorry I never championed your dreams.”
“I’m sorry I never told you what they were.”
“Hey, we were kids.”
She shook her head. “I’m gonna grow up and make it up to everyone. I’ll do right by Gracie and my parents, and you…” Her face crumpled as if the weight of it all might press her into the ground.
“No, no, hon. That’s not how it works.”
She lifted her chin. “That’s what my parents said, too, but…”
He tightened his arms around her, wishing he could hug away all the worry of her heart. “What you did broke a lot of hearts. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. But you were hurting too. And you came back. We all just need to take some time to heal. We’re not doing this alone you know.”
She sniffed. “You talking about letting God in.”
“Yeah, remember what it says in Isaiah in the Bible. “He was bruised for our iniquities. He carried our sorrows.” He tucked a flyaway hair behind her ear even though the wind was bound send it flying again. “You don’t have to run around trying to fix all our wounds. You just need to do what you’re doing, reaching out, loving. I’m sure your parents are just happy to have you back in their lives and to know Gracie Faith. And God does the rest.”
She nodded. “Does He?”
“He sure does. The best part about that verse is the end. With His stripes, we are healed.”
“And we’re supposed to just give it all to him?”
“Well, you repent, right? You try to do good. But if you accept Him as your Savior, if you have Faith in His love for you, then yes, you’re supposed to give it all to Him.” As he said the words, he know he was talking right to himself, that every word was meant for him just as much as Bailey.”
“When did you get so smart?”
He laughed. “I’m not. But give yourself a break. I’ve got to work through my own stuff with all this.”
“I know. I think it’s gonna take me some time for both of us.”
“Yep. I think so too.”
“And you, trying to make me feel better about something terrible I did to you. It just isn’t fair, Maverick. Something good’s got to come your way too.”
He stared down into her wide and caring eyes and then shook his head. “I’ve already got lots of good pouring down on me. I’m happy as a pig in mud.”
She laughed. “You sound like your dad.”
“I’ve never heard better words of praise.”
“I miss him.”
He nodded. “You know, there is something you could do to make up for all the pain you caused us.”
She lifted her head. “What?”
“There’s these candies with pecans and caramel…”
“Maverick.” She whacked him. “You want me to make you some turtles? Is that it?”
“Well, yeah, no one makes them like you do, and you’ve been gone for five years. How much longer does a man have to wait?”
She laughed, a soft, comfortable sound, and Maverick started to feel a bit better hearing it.
“I’ll bring them to dinner tomorrow, along with whatever else my mama says we should bring.”
“She’ll bring boysenberry pie.”
“And how do you know?”
“Because she knows it’s my favorite.”
“She been spoiling you while I’m gone?”
“I can’t help it if the woman loves me like her own son.”
Bailey rested her cheek against his chest again. “I think she looks at you that way.”
“Just like my mama thinks of you as her daughter.”
As they stood at the top of the ridge, looking out over everything Maverick loved, his heart began to hope. Maybe, finally, things were coming back together.
Chapter 11
A lodestone. Bailey frowned on their way over to the Dawson house for dinner. Not having his dad in his life tore at Maverick. He felt lost without him. Is that what Gracie would feel? Bailey replayed Daniel’s conversation in her mind over and over. She wasn’t any closer to figuring out what to do about him. Was it better to have a dad, no matter how crummy? Had Daniel changed any?
Bailey and her mama carried half their kitchen into the Dawson house.
“Not sure the Dawsons need to cook at all with what you women brought over.” Bailey’s dad shook his head. “You sure they’re needing all this food?”
Maverick’s mom stepped into the entryway. “Of course, we’re needing all this, Earl. Have you seen all these mouths to feed?” She grabbed a couple trays. “Nash, come help the Hempsteads.”
He ran up and picked up a couple items from Bailey’s hands. “Oh, someone’s gonna be as pleased as we’ve ever seen him.”
“Oh?” Maverick’s mama looked over then smiled. “You made the turtles.” She nodded. “Now that’s the way.”
Bailey grinned. Maverick’s mama always said the way to win over her boys was through cooking them something special. And in some ways, Bailey guessed she was right. The Dawson Mama had certainly mastered keeping her boys well fed, healthy, and happy. Bailey wished to be even a tiny bit of the mother this woman was.
They spread everything out on the serving bar just as Maverick came in with a tray full of steaks. “Well, if that isn’t the prettiest picture I’ve ever seen.”
Mrs. Dawson called out, “Nash, ring the dinner bell.”
Bailey smiled in anticipation, waiting. The clanging rang out over the valley. And she heard her heart pound in response. When the Dawson dinner bell rang, you knew good things were about to happen.
Everyone gathered in and found a place at the table. They’d added a couple leaves so every person had a place. They even brought in a beautiful wood stool for Gracie to sit on. When at last the group was settled, Bailey looked out over everyone. She sat at Maverick’s left at the head of the table. Gracie sat next to her. Bailey met his gaze, and everything shifted one more notch toward being all right in the world as she looked around at everyone she loved all in one place. Except for Maverick’s dad. It was hard for her, being here and not seeing him. Everyone else missed him too, probably worse than she did, but she hadn’t had time to mourn him yet. Mr. Dawson’s mighty presence was notably absent in this great family meeting. She reached over and placed her hand in Maverick’s big one. “I miss your dad.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
Everyone was gathered. The twins—Decker and Dylan—Nash, Bail
ey, her parents, Maverick, his mama, and now Gracie Faith. And it felt like one giant family. Her smile grew, and she didn’t even try to dim it, no matter that she felt silly.
Maverick grinned in response. “This is pretty great having everyone here together like this, isn’t it?”
“It sure is,” his mama called out from the other end of the table. “And now, I just want to say a few words. We’re so glad to have the Hempsteads with us for Sunday dinners again. It feels like everything is as it should be once again.” She looked up to the picture above the mantel, the last one taken before Mr. Dawson had passed away. Bailey was in it. Her hand squeezed Maverick’s again.
His mama continued. “We always miss your father when we gather like this. And we know the family just isn’t complete without him, but it will be much more so when each of these boys finds himself a good woman.”
The guys all made middle school noises about the idea of girls until their mama hushed them again. “Now, I’m serious about this, boys. It’s high time you were settling down.” She adjusted her fork then looked up with a big smile. “We’re so happy to have the newest member of the Dawson-Hempstead family. Gracie Faith. Welcome to the family, my dear.”
“Thank you.” Her wide eyes took everyone in.
“Maverick, will you pray?”
“Yes Ma’am.”
Maverick’s deep confident voice turned humble as he bowed his head, his words steady and sure. “Dear God….”
When he finished, Bailey wiped her eyes. She loved this man.
“And now.” Mrs. Dawson smiled. “Let’s eat.”
“Let’s eat,” they all chorused.
In the quiet while everyone took their first bite, little Gracie Faith said, “I like these people, Mama.”
The whole room burst into laughter.
“We like you too, Gracie.” Maverick held out his fist, and Gracie fist-bumped him.
Bailey exchanged looks with her parents. Their love for little Gracie was so evident, Bailey knew she’d done the right thing. Things were working out better than she’d hoped. Everyone was together, they’d forgiven her, and they were happy. With so many good men in her life, did Gracie really need someone like Daniel?
Long after dinner was cleaned up and Gracie had dozed off on the couch with her grandpa, Maverick and Bailey sat together on their favorite porch swing. Both of their houses had the same swing sitting on the back porch, filled with pillows. Maverick had brought a blanket outside for them to share, and they swung together gently, watching the stars come out one by one.
“That was awesome.” Bailey shook her head. How could she have left something so incredible?
“What? Having everyone together like that?”
“Yeah. And for Gracie Faith to have that…” She couldn’t speak for the emotion that welled up in her throat. “Oh my word, Maverick, in all the time you’ve known me, have I ever teared up as much as you’ve seen in the last week?”
He shook his head. “Nope. But I don’t know what kind of woman you’d be if you weren’t getting emotional at all the beautiful things going on. Did you see Gracie playing with my brothers?”
“I did.” She watched him for a moment. “But the best thing I saw today was you and Gracie sitting together by the fireplace, reading books.”
He chuckled. “That little girl loves her books.”
“She does. It was our time together. When I had two jobs and auditions and all the other stuff that kept me from spending time with her, reading books was our time. And I’d read as long as she wanted, most of the time she’d have to nudge me awake to turn the page, but I sat there and loved every second until she fell asleep.” She shook her head. “It made my heart happy, seeing you two reading together.”
“You’re a real good mama, Bailey, just like I knew you’d be.” His fingers brushed along her shoulder, absently running circles over her skin. The motion sent a rush of tingles through her.
She wished it were true, that she was a real good mama. “I think I’ll get there. We’re doing much better since I came home.”
“And that’s what it’s all about, right? Getting better, doing better. Gracie is one amazing kid, and that’s all because of you.” He started kneading out the knots in her neck.
“Oh, that’s heaven.”
“Did you forget my talent?”
“No way. I longed for this.”
He worked on her neck, and Bailey thought she might pass out from the awesome sensation that ran through her. “When I look in her eyes, I see you. In her voice, I hear you. She’s so beautiful. She’s her own person and so much of you all at the same time. It’s awesome to see.”
His warm thoughts washed over her. Her body came alive with desire, craving his hands on her. She searched his face and suddenly felt a little bold and a touch brazen.
She leaned into him. “Hey, wanna go see if the moon is out back behind the barn?”
His gaze flitted to hers. He paused, eyeing her. “Yeah, I sure do.” He reached for her hand. “Do you?”
She laced her fingers in his. “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
He stood and then knelt down. “Here, climb up on my back.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely. I’m in no mood for you to go changing your mind. Let’s hurry.”
She laughed and climbed up on his back. As soon as she was situated, he took off running, tossing the blanket over his shoulder for her to carry. She wrapped her hands around his neck and clung to him. Could it be possible for them to have a healthy relationship? Oh, she hoped so. It wouldn’t be what they had before. But maybe something more. Something better.
He tore across their yard, raced around the back side of the barn, and climbed up into the loft. He laid the blanket out so they could sit on it. And they stared out the back of the barn, waiting.
“It should be rising any minute.” Bailey pointed to the sky.
“Oh, I’m in no hurry.” Maverick leaned back on his elbows, eyeing her like he had when they were young.
“You aren’t?” She leaned back so she was right next to him.
“Nope.” He lifted himself up on an elbow so that their faces were close. She could see every well-known freckle and the soft smile lines that had shown up since she left. His jawline was strong, his teeth beautiful; his eyes sparkled at her. But there was something there besides just his goodness. A yearning she only now noticed. Seeing his pain so bare in his eyes, she wanted to replace all his sorrow with something good, with her love, with happiness, with anything she could give him.
He lifted her hand in his. “When you look at me like that, I feel like I could do anything in the world.”
“How am I looking at you?” She ran her fingers down along his jawline.
“Like you love me.” He pressed his lips to the tips of her fingers. “Like you’d do anything for me. I see it all in your face. And I don’t deserve it.” He pulled one of her fingertips into his mouth. “But I’ll take it.”
She shifted closer. “You can see all of that just by looking?”
“Yep.” He reached out and teased a piece of hay out of her hair.
“What else do you see?” She widened her eyes and tried to let him see into her heart.
“That you’re wanting to be kissed by someone who knows how.”
“You can see that too?” Her voice sounded breathless even to her own ears. But she couldn’t deny it. She’d never wanted to kiss Maverick Dawson so much in her life.
He lightly ran a hand down her hair, pulling pieces back, shifting them behind her shoulder. Every touch sent a ripple of pleasure through her.
“You loved me before.”
She closed her eyes against the pain of his words. “I’ve never stopped loving you.” She knew what he wanted to know, to understand.
“But you left anyway.”
She opened her eyes.
His hands continued playing with her hair, and she would have done anything in that moment to er
ase all the sadness she’d ever caused him. “I won’t leave ever again.”
He studied her face, searched deep into her eyes.
“I’m not asking for anything from you. I’m happy to be back in your life, to be friends, for my little girl to know so many good people. But I’m not leaving, either, and you should know that.”
He moved closer and pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’m happy to hear that, ’cause nothing around here is special unless you’re a part of it.” A soothing warmth spread through her. This was right. This was Maverick. This was everything she’d been missing.
Then he wrapped an arm around her back and cradled her underneath his chin. “So, what happens if I do what we both want to do right now?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you start talking about everything? We’d have been making out with the moon overhead by now—”
He pressed his lips to hers. And that ended any plans she had about trying to keep things platonic. Whatever he did, whatever he wanted, she was in. And that was that. She wrapped her arms around his back, pulling him as close as he could go. He started slow, caressing her with his soft, velvety mouth. He tasted the same as she remembered. He smelled the same. He kissed the same. And all of it filled her with longing for more.
She responded to his insistence, trying to capture his lower lip, pressing her mouth to his over and over until everything else went away and all she wanted was him. He shifted, rising above her, and his kisses became more urgent. It was all she could do to not call out for more.
But he slowed. She caught her breath. And at length, he breathed out against her with his forehead resting on hers. “Wow, Bailey.”
“Yeah.”
“Why did you go, again?”
“I was an idiot.”
He nodded. “So, um. Friends?” His stomach shook.
“Yeeaaah. Friends.” She laughed with him. “Hey, we can be whatever you want us to be. Call it what you like. I’m not going anywhere.”
He grinned. “Well, now I know what I want us to be doing.”
Coming Home to Maverick Page 9
