So he did. He went home, packed his duffel, grabbed his rodeo gear, put his horse in the trailer, and took off for Mesquite, where he’d hole up and work out to get ready for the circuit.
He sent a text off to his brothers to let them know he was leaving. We can work things out long distance. Everyone do what we talked about last week. And listen to Mama. We gotta find ways to earn more money for the ranch.
Nobody answered yet. None of them were big texters. But they’d check in later, and he’d hear what they thought then.
Driving away from Dawson Ranch felt bittersweet. But it was nice to let the problems rest for a time. Was it hard to leave when he knew his heart resided in those hills? So hard.
He didn’t know if he could actually get on the freeway going east. But he did. And he survived.
Bailey sent a text. You really going?
Yep.
We’ll come watch as many as we can.
He responded with a thumbs-up. He’d wanted to say something snarky about them bringing Daniel. But that would have been just straight-up wrong. So instead of saying something stupid, he just sent the emoji. It might have seemed cold or too vague, but that’s all he had right now.
Was he overreacting about Bailey having Daniel over? Probably. But it bothered him that she hadn’t told him about it. It scared him like nothing else ever had. Daniel had some kind of sick power over her, some dangling carrot of success that Maverick couldn’t match. In the past, Daniel had offered adventure, a singing career. And Maverick had offered roots and loyalty. She’d gone with adventure. And now Daniel was sweeping back in with a tie as strong as blood. He gripped the steering wheel. Oh, how he wished Gracie were his daughter.
But he wasn’t gonna wait around while Bailey ran off with Daniel again. And he wasn’t gonna watch while a man who didn’t deserve a second of that young girl’s time weaseled his way into her life.
What did Daniel want with them? Maverick just couldn’t believe that a man who had treated them both so callously for years could suddenly have a change of heart.
He hoped Bailey would come to her senses. Even if Maverick wasn’t around to remind her of what they had together.
It was late at night when he arrived in Mesquite. His truck pulled into the training arena where he’d work with the team before the circuit started. His old boss, Jeremiah, was there to meet him.
He hopped out of the truck, and Jeremiah clapped him on the back. “Does this mean you’re in?”
“I’m in.”
His grin warmed Maverick. “Let’s get Thunder situated and have a talk.”
“Is there a trailer for me?”
“You know it. Right next to mine.”
Maverick nodded. If he didn’t think about what he was leaving, this new adventure could really get him excited.
Bailey couldn’t believe Maverick had just left. She had told him to go, but Willow Creek without Maverick was something she’d never experienced before. As she got ready to head into work the next morning, she dreaded leaving the house.
Daniel had decided to stay for two days, so he was still there. Bailey didn’t want to leave Gracie with him alone. Something didn’t sit well with her when it came to Daniel. He said all the right things. He seemed like a good and changed man, but she couldn’t shake her unease. So she’d put Gracie in her parents’ care. “Don’t leave her alone with Daniel.”
The concern in their eyes told her what she asked was not a simple task. But they nodded, determined.
“When is he leaving?” Her mama made no secret of the fact that she did not approve of Daniel.
“Tomorrow. First thing.”
Mama nodded.
Bailey headed off to work after a quick kiss from Gracie. Her daughter whispered, “I miss Maverick.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
“Who’s gonna help me with Nash?”
“We’ll figure it out. I could help you, you know. I used to show pigs myself.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, I totally won a ribbon one year.”
“Okay, then you’ll do.” Her serious pout was part amusing, part tragic.
Bailey missed him too, like she would a hand or an arm or her ability to sing. What did any of it mean without Maverick? She kissed her little girl goodbye again and then walked out the front door.
Daniel met her on the porch. “Hey, can we talk for a sec?”
She checked her watch. “Yeah, but I gotta get to work.”
“Okay, we can finish up when you get home. It’s just…have you considered letting Gracie have her dream?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re keeping her from it, Bailey. It’s like you’re afraid she’ll make it big.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“She’s a natural performer. You saw her on that sheep, with her pig, she’s a pro. Do we know if she can sing?”
This was the Daniel she remembered. The pushing, grasping, talent-hoarding, manipulative man who’d pretended to help Bailey try to make it big.
“That’s not the life I want for her, Daniel.”
He shook his head. “But is that the life she wants for herself? Don’t you think you should give her every chance now so she will be ready if she chooses to follow that dream later?”
“No, I don’t. I’ve lived it. You’ve lived it. You think I want that life for Gracie?”
“But she’s a natural. You had to struggle so much. Your voice just didn’t measure up. Your performance…we’ve talked about this. We know why things didn’t pan out for you. But Gracie! She could do it. She’s got everything you didn’t.”
“What are you even talking about?” Her heart clenched in memory of all her failures, of the times Daniel had talked her into giving up. When he’d convinced her that all her auditions and all her failures added up to one thing: proof she didn’t have what it takes.
“I’m just saying you’re holding her back. And as her father—”
“Hey, hold on. You are not her father.”
“We’ve been through this.”
“I know, and somehow you’re not getting it. You gave up your rights as her father when you wanted her dead. You’re only what I say you can be. And right now, that’s not her father.”
He shrugged. “But we could make something of her. She could be huge. It’s the break I’ve been waiting for.”
Bailey felt her fear rising. “No.” All of the pressure, the promises, the hints of fame, and then the disappointment and the failures came crashing back around her. “No. And if that’s what you want here, you can just leave.”
“You’re kicking me out of my own kid’s life?”
“You kicked me and her out when it mattered. I’m just helping you stay out.”
“If that’s the way you want it.”
“That’s the way I want it. Stay one more day ’cause she is expecting to show you her pig and pony and all of that. But then I want you gone. And I don’t want you to come back.” She couldn’t bear letting the poison he’d spread in her heart spread to Gracie’s. She was precious just the way she was, whether or not anyone ever wanted to sign a deal with her.
His eyes darkened, and for a moment, she was afraid, but then he nodded and turned to walk back into the house.
Gracie’s happy squeals only heightened Bailey’s worry. At least her parents were going to stay at her side the whole day.
Chapter 19
Bailey didn’t call at all the first day Maverick was gone, or the second, or any day after that. He turned off his phone most of the time to avoid checking for her number. Days turned into weeks. Maverick worked hard to get back to what he once was. The coach had him doing his two best events. The bull riding, of course, and the bronc. Which reminded him of Bailey. All of it reminded him of Bailey.
He had survived two weeks without any news from her. He hadn’t asked, and she hadn’t offered. This wasn’t what he’d imagined when he’d left. He’d never imagined Bailey would
stay behind. He hadn’t assumed she’d be welcoming visits from her ex-boyfriend, nor had he planned to leave on bad terms with the only woman he had ever loved.
He climbed down onto the back of their meanest bull, wrapped his hand around the ropes, and then nodded at the staff to open the door.
Maybe the Old Iron Scare would shake the misery out of him. As he clung to the animal, his brain rattling in his skull, he knew that nothing could rid him of this misery, nothing except himself. When he picked himself up out of the mud, he waved off any help or further training for the day and went to find his horse.
Sitting astride Thunder brought things into perspective. He looked at what he knew. He wasn’t happy, but he was helping the ranch. He already had two additional buyers for his beef cattle.
He missed Bailey. But she didn’t appear to miss him. He would likely beat his own record this year. And he didn’t even care.
As he took off over the miles of pastureland next to their practice arena, Thunder raced with a freedom Maverick could never feel. Maverick knew that what he thought would help him deal with his problems had only delayed his having to face them. But he had to see this through. He’d finish out the circuit, win his medals, earn more visibility for his ranch, and then possibly hand the lot of it over to Decker. He seemed the most inclined, perhaps the most interested.
The state fair was this weekend. He would be leaving for home any minute. And he wasn’t sure how he felt about seeing everyone. He wanted to see Bailey like he needed air to breathe, but he didn’t think he could handle her disinterested eyes or seeing Gracie with Daniel again. He didn’t want to be home if Bailey wasn’t part of it. He’d done that already.
But he had to go back. Like his dad said, he’d put on his boots, wear his best buckle, and face the worst life had to give with the nod of his hat.
When he rode back to the trailers, Jeremiah was there to meet him. “You headed to the fair?”
“Sure am. I’ll be announcing my circuit and team of course.”
Jeremiah waved his hand as though it didn’t matter. “Are you gonna go see your woman?”
“I don’t know if I have a woman. But she’ll be there.”
“Are you gonna make things right?” His no-nonsense frown gave Maverick pause.
“Well now, sometimes the man’s not the one who decides these things.”
Jeremiah shook his head. “That’s where you’re wrong. Plain and simple. It’s always the man who needs to make these things happen. If things aren’t right, can you think up a few things you could do to make them better?”
When expressed like that, Maverick felt some guilt tug at him. “Yes sir.”
“And do you think that doing even just those few things will help her know how you feel?”
“Yes sir.”
He nodded as though enough had been said.
And Maverick knew he was right. No matter what Bailey needed to do or not do, he, Maverick, had a long list of things he could do better. Maybe the fair was just the place to start doing them.
As long as Daniel wasn’t there.
He wasn’t going to marry the woman until the issues with Daniel were settled. If he was going to be involved in this duo, or possibly trio, he felt like he should have some sort of voice in it. And he wasn’t sure how happy he was about marrying into a trio that included Daniel.
But marriage or no, Maverick could make sure he didn’t contribute to the problem. And as he reviewed his behavior and thoughts, he knew he could improve.
The drive felt long, even though it was only about an hour to the fairgrounds from Mesquite. As he drove into Fair Park’s living grounds for the fair participants, he made his way to the Dawson Ranch group of trailers. He knew they were to be housed in the northwest corner of the fairgrounds and that everyone from his town would be near each other. He could house his horses and all his livestock in the stockyards or in their arena. He’d keep his horse with him in the horse trailer, but the cows, the pigs, and the other horses could all go in their own separate stalls in the barns.
He pulled closer. There was a fire already going at one spot, with a group of people gathered round. They were laughing. Someone had a guitar out. The closer he drove, the more familiar the group became until he recognized Decker and Dylan, Nash, and his mother. Gracie Faith came running around another trailer, and he held his breath until Bailey joined her, laughing and creating a stream of bubbles out behind her as she ran. She dipped a bubble wand again and waved it through the air. He watched, a sort of wistful desire clenching his stomach. So far, Daniel was nowhere to be seen.
He pulled in the rest of the way, the crunch of the gravel announcing his arrival.
Almost everyone in the group smiled, Gracie Faith’s being the sweetest of all. But Bailey’s face went blank.
He hopped out of his car. Gracie ran to him, and he laughed then swung her up into the air. “And how’s my most favorite pig charmer?”
“So good! And Nash is the most obedient pig ever.”
Nash snorted. And Maverick couldn’t help his own enjoyment. “I love the sound of that.”
“We are gonna win first prize! We washed him in milk and everything.”
“It’s Mama’s secret recipe for the most perfect pig bath.” Maverick grinned at Mama. “How are you?”
“Just fine. But it’s so good to see you, son.”
“You too.” He looked at Decker. “Brothers.”
“Maverick.” Nash grinned. The others nodded.
Then he turned to Bailey. She looked away, and Gracie ran to her. “Look, Mama! Maverick came back!”
“I see, honey. Thank you.”
Maverick’s boots moved in a steady path to stand in front of Bailey. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She glanced at him and then looked away again.
“I was wondering if we could run through our show tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
He turned to the others. “You all ready for the Dawson Ranch showcase?”
“Yes sir,” Nash answered for all of them. “We convinced Bailey to barrel race too.”
“Did you now?” Maverick raised his eyebrows.
She shrugged. “Yes, I thought it only fair that I do my part.”
He nodded. And then he didn’t know what to say. She looked away. And in their whole on-again, off-again history, things had never felt more awkward.
Bailey shifted. “Hey, look, I’m gonna go get some sleep.”
“Oh, okay. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“We better practice early.”
“I’ll come by at first light.”
She nodded. “Good night. Come on, Gracie. Time for bed.”
As soon as she was out of sight, he joined his family at the fire.
“Well, that was the dumbest apology I’ve ever heard.” Nash dug a stick into the fire.
“Who said I was apologizing?”
“Weren’t you? I thought for sure that’s what you would be doing.” Nash glanced up, his eyes serious.
“Oh yeah? And just what do you think I should be apologizing for? For leaving? I was under the impression that she wanted me to leave.”
“For not speaking to her or us for all this time. For leaving on such a negative note. For not trusting her or appreciating the fact that she’s there for you.”
Maverick narrowed his eyes. “Sounds to me like someone has feelings he didn’t have when I left?”
“Oh, stop. No feelings you need to be worrying about.”
Mama patted the chair next to her. “Come and sit, Maverick.”
He joined her. “What’s wrong with everybody?”
“Oh, nothing’s wrong with them.” She looked into the fire.
Nash snorted.
“I just didn’t think there was anything to say. I left, and she was mad. She never tried to call me, and so I figured she was making her own happy way with Daniel and didn’t need me in her life.” There, he’d given his most convincing excuse, but it sounded w
eak even to his own ears.
“And do you wonder where Daniel is now?”
“A little.” Maverick hated that he wanted to know.
“Not here.” Mama smiled. “And that’s all that matters. She threw him out. He pressured her to let him represent Gracie as a talent, and finally she just had to say no. He was unhappy, said some things, and she threw him out of her life.”
Maverick nodded. “Good for her.”
“But she could have used a friend, a support, the man she loves.”
“That would have been helpful to know.”
Nash snorted. “You would have known if you were in her life at all.”
“I don’t expect you to understand.”
Nash shook his head. “From what I see, I understand much more than you at this point.”
Maverick sat back and crossed his arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Then he stood up. “And you know what? If I can’t sit at the fire with my family at the state fair and have an enjoyable conversation, I guess I’ll just hit the sack too.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow, dear.” Mama reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He’d been dismissed.
“Well, all right. Good night.” He made his way over to his trailer. As he walked by Thunder, he clucked. “Easy, boy. Let’s have a good sleep, shall we?”
Then he opened up the door to his own sleeping quarters, fell in his bed, and lay awake for hours.
Chapter 20
Bailey had known Maverick was coming. She knew he would arrive any minute. All day, she’d been watching the stream of trucks pulling into the fairgrounds, preparing herself for the moment he would hop out of his truck and his blue eyes would capture hers. But nothing had prepared her for the jolt of familiarity, the desire, or the irrational urge to throw her arms around him and kiss away whatever was keeping them apart.
She had been frozen to the spot when he finally arrived. And then she’d been filled with such a poignant longing and desperate worry that she didn’t trust herself to speak. So she ran and hid. And now she lay in bed in her trailer, Gracie’s soft breathing giving her a measure of comfort, agonizing over Maverick.
Coming Home to Maverick Page 15
