Then he remembered her contract and her singing, and he hoped she wasn’t missing something big ’cause he’d done something so dumb as to get kicked by a bull. If he hadn’t thought he’d won… He moaned and blinked again.
“Oh, of course.” Her beautiful eyes stared down into his. “Maverick, you won. And not just won, you beat your own record by so much no one will ever break it again, including you, I’m afraid.”
He grinned. At least his mouth worked. Then he moaned. Why couldn’t he speak? He cleared his throat and tried to form words.
“Ah, we aren’t really sure about your lack of speech. We are hopeful it isn’t a stroke or a sign of brain damage.”
The seriousness of that possibility descended on him like a bale of hay.
The doctor came in just then, followed by the voices of the twins, and the small, happy voice of Gracie Faith.
He smiled again. “Hello.”
“Hey! He spoke!” Gracie jumped up on the bed and peered down into his face as if she’d done it a hundred times. “And his eyes are open!” She studied him. “Hi, Maverick.”
“Hi, angel girl.” His words sounded muffled, but at least they made sense.
“Did you hear you won?”
“I did.”
“Just like me. We can show everyone our ribbons together.”
Something about that made him happier than a pig in mud. And he wished he could say so, but his throat was so dry, his tongue so thick, and his words garbled enough that he didn’t dare attempt anything more than simple phrases.
The doctor’s gentle hands started detaching the neck brace and the wires holding up his arms. “I want you to be very careful and follow my instructions to the letter.”
“Okay.” Maverick tried to stem the fear that surfaced every few breaths. He focused on the people in the room. Bailey and Gracie acted like they belonged. No one was talking about her running off to do tours. She’d come to see him.
The doctor gently lowered his head back down on the pillow. “Now I want you to try and turn your head. Once to the right.”
Maverick successfully passed all the tests the doctor put him through and at last was sitting up in bed.
Bailey smiled, but he could see the worry lines, the stress she’d been feeling. He reached for her hand.
Gracie sat up against his side, making herself comfortable around the IV tubes without a care in the world.
Nash, Decker, and Dylan stood at the end of the bed.
“How long have I been out?”
They all looked at Bailey. “Just a few days.”
“How many is a few?”
“Your speech is working better.”
He waited.
“Okay, fine. You were out five days. They weren’t sure if they could revive you, and because you weren’t responsive, no one knew if you’d be paralyzed or not.” Tears filled her eyes. “It’s been rough, but we are so glad you’re back.”
“I’m sorry.” Without permission, his own tears fell. Embarrassed, he tried to wipe them away.
Nash shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. The doc said you’d be weepy for no reason.”
Maverick chuckled. “Where’s Mama?”
“She’s resting. She wouldn’t leave your side until we told her Bailey had you taken care of.”
“Yeah, my mama wouldn’t leave either.” Gracie’s eyes were large and serious. Maverick knew there was more going on with her statement.
“And was that hard for you?”
She nodded. “I had to go back home.” She snuggled closer. “I wanted to stay too.”
“Well, I’m happy you got to sleep in a comfortable bed.” He lifted his eyes to Bailey’s. “Thanks.”
She nodded.
The guys joked with him some more, and the more he talked, the more comfortable his speech became. Until he felt almost normal, just tired. His brothers left with promises to bring back Mama. Gracie jumped down and ran with them after they offered her ice cream. And at last, Maverick was alone with Bailey.
She climbed up and sat next to him on the bed. Her fingers ran through his hair. “It’s a good thing you broke your own record ’cause I don’t think you’re getting back up on a bull again.” Her voice hitched like she was delivering bad news.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard so far.”
“Is it?”
“Oh yeah. Bailey, I couldn’t stand another minute of that lonely road. No one there at night, no one to see my success, nothing but one show after another.” He almost said, “I’m ready to come home.” But was he? Home wasn’t where he wanted to be, either, if Bailey wasn’t there.
She snuggled in closer. “I get that.” She yawned and then pulled the blankets up around her, turning on her side. In moments, she was asleep.
Tears fell again as he thought of her pain and her apparent exhaustion. He stayed as still as possible so he didn’t disturb her, and when the nurse came in to check on him, he shooed her out and shook his head. She smiled and gave them some time.
As he studied Bailey’s sleeping form, he hoped that no matter what came next in their lives, they’d be able to do it together.
Chapter 23
The stress of the past week finally caught up to Bailey. It hit her like a truck barreling down the highway, and she couldn’t keep her eyes open. She knew Maverick was next to her—she felt his solid rhythmic breathing beside her—but she couldn’t even stay awake to enjoy him. He was safe. He was healthy. He would recover. That’s all she needed to know before she let her body shut down.
When she awoke, it was to quiet whispers at Maverick’s other side. Mama had come back, and she was laying into Maverick like Bailey’d never heard.
“She’s done everything for you, son. Took over when you left, was worried sick for you while caring for her own daughter. If that’s not proving she’s in it for the long haul, I don’t know what is. And besides, you’re gonna need her. I won’t be around forever. Someone’s gotta be Mama, and do you think you can find anyone else the guys will respect? What about when they start bringing in their wives and their kids. Someone’s gotta keep track of all that nonsense.
“I just wanna rest. I wanna sit on the porch and love on my grandkids. At least she brought me one of those. Not a single son of mine has even thought about such a thing. Well, besides you, of course, and that isn’t your fault. But she’s yours now. She is. Can’t you see that? That child loves you. And there isn’t a contract in the world that’s gonna take either of them away from you. If you don’t grab hold of this chance and love her like she deserves, I hope your dad comes back from the grave to give you the talking-to you deserve.”
Bailey tried not to, but she couldn’t help a little laugh and then another. And then Maverick started shaking beside her, and the two of them were laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world. Mama stood crossing her arms and looking none too pleased.
“I don’t find any of this mess funny.”
Bailey sat up and came around the bed. “Oh, Mama, I love you like my own mother. Truer and more important words were never spoken by any woman.” She winked over her shoulder at Maverick. “But there’s a couple things I gotta say. And one of them is there’s no way I could ever do anything for this family half as well as you’ve already done it. But if you’re offering me a position in the Dawson family lineup, I’ll take it.”
“Wait, what?” Maverick opened his mouth.
“Well, sure.” Bailey grinned and then shook her head. “I’m just kidding—a little.”
Maverick’s face turned completely serious, and she saw the proposal on his lips. Maybe, at last, they could do this again, the right way.
Mama leaned over and kissed his forehead. “You think long and hard about what I said.”
“I could never forget a word of it.”
“That’s a good boy. Because I don’t want to be getting after you again. You’re old enough to not need these talks anymore.”
She found her way
back to her seat at the side of the bed. “The doctor came in while you were sleeping, Bailey, and he said that tomorrow, as long as Maverick keeps improving, he can make his way back home.” She held up a finger. “To bed rest.”
“Oh, that’s great news.”
“So you can clear out of his room, or we can put him someplace else. Or you can stay in there with him for all I care.”
“What!” Bailey felt her face go crimson. “I’ll be just fine moving to the guest bedroom.”
“You been sleeping in my bed?”
“You don’t need to smile so big about it.”
“He’s just imagining how good his pillows are gonna smell.”
It was Maverick’s turn to blush crimson. And Bailey laughed. “Oh, it’s so good things are getting back to normal.”
The day and night passed quickly, and everyone else went home except for Bailey. She pulled the truck up to the outpatient door and helped the nurse load him into the back seat.
“I’m fine. I can climb into my own truck.”
“We’re just being careful so you don’t pass out on the pavement.”
He rolled his eyes but submitted to the hospital rules. When at last he shut the truck door and Bailey pulled out of the parking lot, he let the relief wash over him. “Let’s go home.”
“Yes sir.”
But she didn’t take him straight to the highway. Instead, she made her way through downtown Fort Worth. They pulled up alongside the Cowtown Coliseum at a red light.
“What are we doing?” he asked.
“Just looking.”
He stared out the window. The truck moved forward, and signs for Billy Bob’s flashed in neon. Bailey pointed at the signs. “See that place?”
“The dance place?”
“Yep. I sang there once.”
“You did?”
“Yes, and I thought I saw your truck out back. That’s the first night I thought I might be brave enough to come back.”
“Oh yeah, why’s that?”
“’Cause all I could think of was running to you and jumping in your arms. I knew if I could feel that again, I’d be okay.”
His eyes held pain, and she felt it in her core.
“And then I felt the same thing when you were lying there with your eyes closed, not responding to anything we were saying. I knew that if I could just see your eyes open and feel your arms around me again, everything would be okay.”
Her eyes stared into his through the rearview mirror. He looked shaken. “I know what you mean.”
“I’m not gonna sign the contract.”
“What! Bailey—”
She shook her head. “You think I want to be that lonely person traveling from state to state, doing a concert tour all by myself?”
He looked away. “But what if you need to try?”
“I don’t.”
“What if all you did was record an album?”
“It’s never all you do. They’re gonna want a tour to sell the album.” Her mind was made up.
He nodded. Then he grimaced.
“What? Are you in pain?” She heard her own anxious tone and didn’t care how overprotective she sounded.
“A little.”
“I’m sorry. Let’s wait to talk about this stuff until you’re settled back in and rested.”
They drove the rest of the way joking lightly about the passing landscape, about Texas, even about Billy Bob’s.
“So you sang there?” Maverick looked impressed, and she had to laugh.
“Yes, I did. Would you have been at the stage, reaching for my hand?”
“Did people do that?”
She smiled at the jealousy in his expression. “We both know I wasn’t a big sensation. It was one gig. And I felt lucky to open for another band.”
He nodded.
“You didn’t answer the question. Would you have been at the stage reaching for my hand?”
“Yes, and backstage, and in your dressing room.”
She smiled. “That would have been nice.”
“We can still do that.”
She didn’t answer.
At last, they pulled into his front yard, and Gracie Faith came running out. “Daddy!”
Maverick sucked in a breath.
She pounded on his door, and when he opened it, she jumped in the truck and threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
His eyes found Bailey’s.
And she didn’t know what to say. There was too much goodness in that scene for her to even know how to handle it. This was home. No matter where they went, this, right here, was home.
“This is all I need.” Maverick scooted out, trying to hop down with Gracie wrapped around his waist.
They made their way into the house. It smelled delicious. “Your mama is a saint.”
“She’s your mama, too. More yours than mine, sounded like, last time we chatted.”
They both laughed again about the talking-to she’d laid on him in the hospital.
They relaxed with family—all the brothers were home again. Bailey watched Maverick, and as soon as she noticed his fatigue taking over, she stood at his side and offered to help him up the stairs.
And it was further evidence to his exhaustion that he didn’t moan about her babying him or complain that he knew how to walk in his own house.
As they neared his bedroom door, she had to wonder if maybe there was another reason he wasn’t complaining.
She laughed to herself as the door opened. His huge mahogany bed, with fresh new sheets, looked more inviting than ever.
“Wanna come in for a while?” He wiggled his eyebrows, and she laughed.
“I’m here to put you to bed, mister.”
“You heard my mother. She’s given up on her house rules for you. Now that’s something.”
Bailey shook her head. She knew Mama considered them as good as married and was just waiting for the wedding. “I don’t think she’s given up on God’s rules though.”
Maverick sat on his bed, leaning back against the headboard. “Let’s talk for a minute.” He scooted more toward the middle and patted the spot next to him.
She snuggled up against him. “I’ve imagined moments like this one for years.”
“Me too.” He kissed the top of her head. “I got something to say. And this might not be the most romantic way to do this, but just remember back on the first time I asked you, on top of the water tower with the sun setting behind us.”
Her heart leapt. She held his hand in her own, tracing lines up and down his fingers.
“I want to marry you, Bailey. Really marry you. As in, you walk down the aisle, I meet you in front of the preacher, and we say ‘I do.’”
She winced a little, but she knew he needed reassurance.
He held up his hand. “I want to grow old with you, Bailey. I want you in this spot on the bed every night for the rest of your life.”
She turned to look up into his face.
“But what do you want?” His kind eyes, his open, caring expression made this one of the most special moments of their relationship.
She tried to think of a way to express herself that he could fully trust. “I want to finally walk down that aisle. I want to be yours every day from now until forever. But…”
“But?” He lifted her chin so he could study her eyes.
“But this isn’t my spot.”
He tilted his head in question.
“Nope.” She leaned over and pointed to his other side. “That’s my spot.”
“Whoa now, I’ve been sleeping in that spot for years.”
“Well, me too, so what are you gonna do about it?”
“Is this a deal-breaker?”
“It might be.”
He seemed to give it some real serious thought, then he wrapped his arms around her and rolled her over to that spot, covering her body with the length of his own. “Then how about we share?” His eyes were laughing, teasing, tempting, but as
he waited for her response, they darkened. He adjusted his position so that he rested on his arms. “This is probably a little too nice for the kind of conversation we’re having, but I’ll just wait here until I get an answer.”
“About sharing our spot?”
“Yes, that, and other things I’m about to ask.”
“You’re gonna ask right here?”
“Why not? I like it.” The twinkle of enjoyment on his face made her grin.
“We can share.”
“What else do you want, Bailey? Do you want to sing? To travel? Do you want to stay here and help run the ranch? Do you love Willow Creek? Me?” The last, hopeful lift of his voice warmed her heart. He knew she loved him, but she didn’t blame him for his insecurity in that area. She vowed to spend the rest of her days trying to wipe it away.
“I told you the truth. I still have the contract, and I look at it every now and then, but I don’t want a big singing career anymore. I think I might be happy singing here in Willow Creek and at our local county fair.”
He nodded and kissed her forehead. Then he lifted himself up and fell to his knees at the side of the bed. “Bailey, I just can’t wait any longer. Will you marry me? We’ll figure out all the rest later.”
She rolled off and knelt down beside him. He turned to her. She lifted a finger and ran it along his forehead. “I love you, Maverick. Whatever we do, let’s do it together. Yes, I will marry you as soon as we possibly can.”
“Praise be.”
She laughed. “What?”
“Oh, come here.” He pulled her close and kissed her like he meant it, short, meaningful pressure. Then, as he continued, the kisses slowed and lingered, his love pouring into each one until Bailey hardly knew how to respond, so full of Maverick and his love and this beautiful feeling between them. Her fingers rose up into his hair, and she pulled his face closer as he rolled her down onto the carpet beside the bed. Then, with his hand on her hip, he said, “I love you, too, Bailey. Stay with me.” He rested his head back. “I’m exhausted, but I don’t want you to leave.”
“Right here on the floor?”
“Sure.” His eyes closed, and his breathing steadied.
“No, wake up.” She nudged him. “Let’s get you back in bed.”
Barely coherent, he crawled back up onto her side of the bed and closed his eyes. “Stay,” he mumbled.
Coming Home to Maverick Page 18
