by Somer Hayes
“That’s a great family story,” she said wistfully.
“We’ve got plenty. I can share more if you’d like.” I guess it was my way of gauging if she was interested in more than just a physical relationship.
She nodded immediately, and the muscles in my neck relaxed. “I’d like that very much.”
“Okay then.” I smiled and took her hand. I used her pointer finger to point at different places the Maverick boys had visited and most likely terrorized. I told her stories of family outings that ended up with all five of us brawling. Showed her our favorite pastures to ride horses until late in the day. Riverbeds we’d camped next to. I told her how our mom taught us the importance of family, to love Montana, and to care for both.
On our way back to the house, I told her the story of how my parents met. How fiercely they had loved each other. How hard losing her had been on my dad. And finally, how I’d always hoped to find something for myself similar to what they’d had.
Feeling unusually shy and vulnerable, I risked a look at her. She was watching my face, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“It’s such an amazing story. I didn’t know that could happen in real life.”
I brushed my thumb across her knuckles. “Didn’t know what could happen, baby doll?”
“A love like that, one that can produce a happy family. One that sticks together and protects each other.”
My heart ached for her. “Maybe someday you’ll tell me your family story.”
She nodded and smiled weakly. “Maybe someday.”
We landed gently in the meadow. I thanked the pilot and helped Hannah out of the chopper. I kept her hand in mine and led her back to the house. Before we went inside, she stopped me.
“Tripp, thank you for this. It was the most incredible experience of my entire life.”
I squeezed her hand. “We can go again anytime you want. Just say the word.”
She shook her head. “I can’t imagine a life in which I just decide I want a ride in a helicopter and then go on one.”
“If you hang around here, I’ll do my best to make sure you can.”
She smiled wryly up at me. “I’m afraid it would take some of the magic away. Seeing those views, experiencing that rush, the uniqueness of it all,” she shook her head. “I don’t want it to feel like it’s something common.”
She continued to surprise me. I don’t know if I’d ever met another woman who wouldn’t jump at the chance for access to a private helicopter, and all because she wanted to keep the experience as something special.
I realized then how truly special she was.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” The question was out of my mouth before I realized I was going to ask it.
She nodded up at me. “Of course.” I led her through the house to the wing I’d adopted and to the bedroom. “Been a long day. Let’s get some rest.”
She peeled off her jeans and shirt, sliding into my bed in a tank top and panties. I did the same, leaving my boxers on then curling my body around hers.
“I’ve never felt so safe,” she told me.
I squeezed her. “You’ll always be safe when you’re with me.” I felt her sigh deeply, and it wasn’t long before her gentle breaths came in a peaceful rhythm that told me she was sleeping.
I traced my fingers up and down her slim arm breathing her cinnamon and vanilla scent deep into my lungs, and for the first time in a long time, I looked forward to waking up in the morning.
20
Hannah
I awoke the next morning cocooned in the warmth of Tripp’s strong embrace. He was curled around me just as we’d fallen asleep. I allowed myself a few moments to relish his heat and listen to his steady breathing.
How had I found myself here? A month ago, we were strangers. Now, I felt at home nestled in his arms. Safe, secure, even cared for. I thought back to the events of the previous night, and my mind reeled. I’d ridden in a helicopter. A helicopter Tripp owned. He’d taken me on a private flight to see his beloved mountains.
Again, how had I found myself here?
I wasn’t sure the answer mattered. All I knew is that I wanted to stay. My watch beeped, and I groaned hating the thought of leaving Tripp and his enormous bed. But, if I wanted to continue to work here, then I’d need to drag my butt up to the bunkhouse.
I tried to slide myself out from under Tripp’s heavy arm without waking him, but when I started wiggling away, he tightened his hold on my waist and pulled me back to his body.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his voice muffled with sleep.
“I’ve got a bunch of hungry cowboys I need to feed,” I whispered.
“Screw ‘em. They can fend for themselves.”
“I hope not. I need the job security.”
He chuckled and released me. “Fine. Leave me here all alone. Cold. Lonely. Sad.”
I bent down to press a kiss to his temple. “See you at breakfast.”
I got dressed and slipped out the door hoping I could remember how to get out of the massive space. I thought I was headed in the right direction when I heard a booming voice say, “Good morning.”
I spun and there stood Rhett Maverick, a knowing grin spread across his face.
“Mr. Maverick. Good morning. I was just, uh…”
“I know what you were doing, honey.”
My face flamed, and I looked at my feet. How humiliating.
He took a few more steps toward me and tipped my chin up to look him in the eye. “He could stand to do a whole lot worse than you.”
His eyes held nothing but warmth and kindness when he winked at me, then he turned and wandered off whistling a happy tune.
Well, that was unexpected. I felt something warm begin to bloom and unfurl in my chest. Rhett thought I was good enough for his son? I carried that light with me all the way to the bunkhouse.
Bill was already there when I arrived sipping on a mug of coffee.
“Hannah, I wanted to give you a heads up. We’ll have some temps with us for meals for the next few weeks.”
“Any idea how many?”
“Five or six.”
“Okay, that won’t be a problem. Thanks for letting me know.”
He flicked the rim of his hat in my direction and went to the living area with the rest of his coffee. I pulled out a couple of breakfast casseroles I’d prepared ahead from the freezer, then started on eggs, bacon, and sausage. These guys were pretty easy to please when it came to breakfast, and for that, I was grateful.
I was humming happily to myself when everyone began arriving for breakfast. “It’s almost ready, guys,” I called.
“Smells good,” said a voice from behind me. I immediately recognized the voice and froze, then turned slowly around.
“What are you doing here?” I hissed at my father. How had he found me twice in as many weeks? How had he snaked his way into the Maverick’s world? Would I truly never be rid of him?
“Answered an ad for some manual labor. Lo and behold, it was for Maverick Enterprises.” He grinned at me, and something felt wrong.
“You knew good and well who you would be working for. Answer me. What are you doing here?”
He splayed his hands in innocence. “I needed a job, that’s all.”
“So go find one somewhere else,” I demanded.
“No one else in town pays as well as the Mavericks. Everyone knows that.”
“Fine. But you keep your head down and stay away from me, understand?”
He winked and turned heading toward the dining room.
I was still standing there fuming when Tripp walked in. He took one look at my face and asked me what was wrong.
“Nothing.”
“Hannah.”
I met his eyes. “I’m fine.”
I wasn’t ready for him to know that part of me yet. For so long, my identity had been that of my father’s—a liar, a thief, and a drunk. And I was his poor, hapless daughter. Pitiful Hannah.<
br />
I had only just begun to imagine I could have a future as someone other than Robert Price’s daughter. Tripp had seen something in me and given me a chance to succeed, and finally, I was.
Tripp came from such a respectable, amazing family that he would never understand. He would look at me differently. I couldn’t stand the thought of him pitying me.
No. I could tough this out. Let my father work his few weeks, get his paycheck, and then get out of my life again.
I went through the motions that morning but felt like a zombie. I felt both Tripp’s and my father’s eyes on my every movement, and by the time breakfast was over, I was ready to scream. Or cry. Or both.
When Bill stood to leave, the five temps did too, and I was so relieved to watch my father walk out of that building. Tripp was the last to go that morning, and before he did, he came over to me, eyes keen.
“I won’t push, but I hope you know you can talk to me.”
It was the exact right thing to say. I nodded and smiled up at him. “I do know.” Then I stepped into him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He didn’t hesitate to return the hug I so desperately needed at that moment.
He kissed the hair on the top of my head and asked, “See you tonight?”
“I’ll be here.”
He took his hat and jacket from the peg by the door, gave me a wink, then went to work.
I cleaned the kitchen in a rush, anxious to get to the bakery. I needed to keep my hands busy that day.
It was barely after nine when I arrived, and I went straight to work. I had several deliveries to prepare for and a gluten-free princess birthday cake to make. Plus, I happily noted, I needed some more inventory in the front of the bakery.
I’d been working for a few hours when the bell above the door jingled, and Beth waddled in dramatically. “My mother-in-law is in town. Hide me.”
“Hey, looks like you were busy around here.”
She took one of the stools and pulled her sweater off. “I was. Lots of foot traffic for some reason.”
I raised my eyebrow. She caught my meaning.
“Obviously, the reason is that you’re an amazing baker, and they can’t get enough of your goodies.” She grimaced.
“Too late. The damage is done. And just for that, you’re on crust-pinching duty.”
“Anything but that!”
“Muah-ah-ah.” I passed her the hand pies I’d been working on, and she begrudgingly began folding their edges over just so. Beth had a low tolerance for tedium but was a good sport.
“So how is pulling double duty going?” Beth asked me.
I sighed. “I have so much to tell you.”
I started at the beginning from Tripp finding me in bed upstairs, to the flood, to moving into the bunkhouse, to the incredible helicopter ride.
Beth was silent several minutes pinching crust with a thoughtful look on her face. “What aren’t you telling me?”
I looked down at the dough I was rolling and considered lying. But she’d already picked up on the fact I was leaving something out. She’d know I was lying too.
“I slept with him.”
Her jaw dropped, and her hands stilled. “Oh, Hannah.”
“I know.” My relationships had been few and far between, and none of them serious. She knew I didn’t take sex lightly.
She watched my face for a few moments, and her eyes went soft. “You love him.”
My shoulders slumped. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
“Because I’m right?”
I looked back up at her and could feel tears threatening. “I’m afraid you are.”
She stood and came around the counter to wrap me in a hug. “Why does it scare you so much?”
I sniffled into her shoulder. “Because it’s going to hurt.”
“Says who?”
I pulled back so that I could look at her. “Beth, he’s the most incredible man I’ve ever met. He’s smart, kind, funny. He loves his family. He protects those he cares about. He’s a Maverick.” I rubbed my nose. “I’m basically an orphan from the wrong side of the tracks. No education, no home, nothing to be especially proud of.”
“What has gotten into you?” she asked a little sharply. “I’ve never heard you talk like this before. You can’t help who your family is. You’ve worked really hard to make something of yourself, and I, for one, am very proud of you.” She searched my eyes. “Did he say something to make you feel this way?”
“No, not at all. It’s just been such a surreal experience seeing the difference between my life and his. He could have any girl he wants. I just don’t see it lasting very long with me.”
“Sounds to me like he’s chosen you.”
“My fear is that he feels sorry for me.”
“You have to stop thinking that way, you hear me? You are incredible, and clearly he sees something in you he likes.”
I nodded. “I know you’re right. I guess I’m just still working on stepping outside of my father’s shadow.”
“Pfft,” she scoffed. “I wouldn’t worry about that guy.”
“Actually, I have to again.”
Her face was immediately wary. “Why? What do you mean?”
“He’s back.”
“Back where? I didn’t think he’d ever left town?”
“Back in my life. He stopped by here a few days ago, and I asked him to leave, but then he somehow weaseled his way into a temp job up at the Maverick Ranch. I saw him there this morning.”
The color had drained from Beth’s face. “Nothing good can come from this.”
“Believe me, I know,” I wailed.
“You should tell Tripp,” she warned.
I shook my head. “I just can’t. I don’t want Tripp or his family to judge me based on who my father is.”
“If they’re as good as you say they are, then it won’t matter.”
“He’s only a temp there to help with the cleanup after the storm. My hope is that I can avoid him for a couple of weeks, he’ll take his paycheck, and get back out of my life.”
“Do you really think that’s likely?” Her question was fair. She’d watched him manipulate me for too many years.
I shrugged. “I just have to hope.”
The bell above the door sounded, and a woman walked in towing two small children. “Hi, I hear you can make gluten-free birthday cakes?”
I shook myself inwardly, willing my worries and concerns away, then gave her my brightest smile.
“Yes, I can.” I looked down at the two little girls. “Which one of you is having a birthday?” The smallest one shyly raised her hand. “What’s your favorite kind of cake?”
“Chocolate,” she whispered.
“You’re in luck. Chocolate is my favorite, too.” I gave her a little wink. “You want to try a slice to see if you’d like it for your birthday?”
She looked up at her mom for permission, who nodded with a grin.
“Hop on up here, guys.” I motioned toward the counter and barstools.
“I was so relieved to hear about you,” the woman said. “I was worried I’d have to try to bake her cake myself and that would be a disaster.”
“I’m glad you heard about me, too. Can I ask how you did?”
“I work at the insurance agency at the end of the street. We got muffins from you for our last monthly meeting, and I noticed on your card you can cater to food allergies.”
A-ha. My plan was working. My heart thrilled at the knowledge.
“That I can.” I offered my hand. “I’m Hannah.”
“Kelly.”
I pulled a chocolate cake from the display cabinet and cut three slices, then placed them in front of each of my guests with glasses of milk for the girls and a cup of coffee for Kelly.
“Mmm, this is wonderful,” Kelly said. “What do you think, honey? Want this cake for your birthday?”
The little girl nodded and shoved another piece of cake into her mouth. I couldn’t help but giggle at the little c
hocolate mustache forming on her upper lip.
“How do you want me to decorate it?”
“Mermaids,” she yelled.
Her big sister rolled her eyes. “You only like mermaids because I do.”
“Girls,” Kelly warned.
“I can do mermaids,” I promised.
Kelly and I worked out the details for the cake, and she asked how much she owed me for their treat today. “It’s on me if you promise to tell your friends.”
“I was planning on doing that anyway,” she told me with a warm smile. I thanked her, and they left, the little girls chattering excitedly.
I turned back to Beth who had been waiting patiently but now had an ornery smile on her face.
“What?” I asked.
She held up my phone and waggled it at me.
“What are you doing with that?” I asked and snatched it away from her. I checked the notifications on the screen and found a text from Tripp.
Tripp: Get out of my head.
I looked up at her smiling like a goon.
“Told you,” she said in a sing-song voice.
“This is one time I don’t mind you being right.”
“You need any more help around here?”
I shook my head. “Nope, I’m good.”
“Good, because it’s my nap time. Have fun sexting.”
“Shut up. But thanks for your help and stuff.”
“You’re welcome and stuff.”
I picked up my phone and texted him back.
Hannah: Don’t tell me what to do.
My phone dinged back almost immediately.
Tripp: I thought I made it clear I’m the boss.
Hannah: Shouldn’t you be working?
Tripp: I could ask you the same.
I laughed. He had me there.
Hannah: I’m trying, but a certain pest keeps texting and interrupting me.
I held the phone a few minutes longer hoping for a response, but when none came, I got back to work arranging the display cabinet with my newly baked goodies. When the door jingled again, I assumed Beth had forgotten something, but when I looked up, it wasn’t her.
It was Tripp.
“So I’m a pest, huh?”
I laughed. “I wasn’t complaining.”
