by Somer Hayes
“I’m working on knowing that.” I reached out to wipe away a smudge of flour resting on his cheekbone, and he caught my wrist kissing my knuckles.
I leaned into him and rested my cheek against the soft flannel of his shirt. “This is the most fun I’ve had at work in a long time.”
His arms came around me, and he rocked me gently. “You should come with me sometime. Baking cookies has got nothing on pulling calves.”
I smiled against his hard chest. “I think I’ll leave the ranching to you.”
“And I’ll leave the baking to you. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Not for the first time, I pictured a future with Tripp. I’d never been to his house, but I pictured it as warm and inviting as the main house, but on a smaller scale. He didn’t seem the type to need much in the way of material possessions. How I would love to prepare meals for him, making his favorite treats as little surprises, waiting for him to come home at the end of a hard day’s work.
I knew he’d come home hot, sweaty, and tired, and I wanted to spoil him in the evenings. Have tea on the porch, pour us a bath, talk late into the night in front of the fireplace.
I sighed deeply, and he pulled his head back to look at me. “What was that about?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. Just thinking.”
“Good thoughts, I hope?”
“The best thoughts,” I admitted and hoped he didn’t ask for specifics. Instead, he tipped my chin up and kissed me gently. I pulled in a deep breath, his piney scent filling my nose. I reached my hand up to his face, my fingertips brushing against the day’s worth of stubble growing on his cheeks.
His big hands drew up the length of my back, and he deepened our kiss. My arms snaked around his neck, and I reached up on my toes to taste more of him. His lips held a hint of sweetness, and I realized he’d been sneaking bites of cookie dough. For as big, strong, and capable as Tripp was, he also held something that felt like innocence.
It made me want to love and protect him. Even as I thought it, I knew it was silly. No hardened cowboy of his caliber would ever need someone like me to protect him. But I thought maybe, just maybe, if he’d give me a piece of his heart, I could care for it.
His hands moved to my face, and his thumbs ran along my jaw. I opened to him, and his tongue swept against mine. I moaned and arched my back to get closer to him. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me up on the countertop. I wrapped my legs around his middle, and his hands reached for the hem of my shirt. He groaned as he filled his hands with my flesh. Reaching between us, I unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans. His hardness was waiting for me. I ran my palm along the velvety smooth skin of his shaft and circled my thumb around the growing wetness on his tip. In reaction, he groaned into my mouth and pulled my pants from my body.
He entered me with an urgency, and I accepted him willingly. I wrapped my legs around his waist and let him set the pace. One of his arms wrapped around me, holding me in place. The other grasped my jaw so he could kiss me deeply.
His big body moved against mine, filled me completely, and made me feel whole. I never wanted him to stop. I never wanted to be without the pleasure he provided. My release came unannounced, hard and fast. He never slowed his pace, and soon I felt him pulsing deep within me.
He held me tight and rested his forehead against mine until our breathing steadied.
“I’m so glad I stopped by,” he said with a crooked smile.
“You’re welcome anytime.”
“Because I’m such a good baker?”
“No, but you’re good at the other thing we did.”
“Glad you think so because I’d like to do it some more.”
“Like I said, anytime.”
“Deal,” he whispered.
27
Tripp
I left Hannah on a high. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d enjoyed a day as much as I had this one. Between the conservation meeting, baking with Hannah, and sex on a counter, it didn’t get much better.
I was planning an evening full of Hannah’s good home cooking and maybe a beer on the porch afterward when my phone rang. I looked down, but the number looked only vaguely familiar. I answered on the third ring.
“Hey, Tripp, it’s Pete over at the Circle K.” Great. Gage’s favorite bar.
“Yeah, Pete. What’s up?”
“I’ve got Gage here. Came in for the lunch special and decided to stick around. He’s had a few to drink, and some guys from the bull-riding circuit showed up. Nothing’s happened yet, but he’s getting pretty lippy with them, and I thought I’d call you before the cops.”
“Appreciate that, Pete. I’ll be right there.” I hung up the phone and cursed. Leave it to Gage to ruin a perfectly good day.
The Circle K was a dive bar on the outskirts of town known for the cowhands and bull riders who frequented it. Lots of testosterone and ego, but not usually too much trouble. Unless Gage was there, of course.
I pulled into the gravel parking lot and spotted Gage’s oversized truck parked near the front entrance. My mood soured with every step I took toward the front door. Gage was a great guy, one of my favorite people, but he’d struggled finding his way in the world as a Maverick, and it had gotten worse after Mom died. Still, I needed him to grow up. We all did.
I stepped into the bar, an open space with wood paneled walls, orange shag carpet, faded rodeo posters, and old country wailing from a jukebox. Visitors liked it for its kitchy, vintage vibe. Little did they know Pete just hadn’t updated it since opening day back in the seventies.
I found Gage on a barstool at the end of the U-shaped bar. He was drinking a beer, and when he spotted me, he looked at the bartender.
“Dammit, Pete.”
Pete tossed a towel over his shoulder and shrugged unapologetically. “Figured this was better than ending up in the clink again.”
“I wouldn’t end up there if you didn’t let guys like that in here.” He pointed a thumb at a trio of men playing darts.
“For the last time, Gage, I’m running a business here. I’m not turning people away just because you don’t like them.”
“Well, you should,” he muttered.
“Do something with him, will ya?” Pete asked me.
“Come on, Gage. Let’s head home.”
“Nah. I’m good.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I indicate you had a choice?”
“Piss off, Tripp.”
“That’s it.” I put him in a headlock and pulled him off the stool.
“Dammit,” he muttered and tried landing a few punches to my kidneys.
“Can’t hurt steel,” I told him and started dragging him toward the door.
“You are such an idiot.”
“You are. Thanks for the call, Pete,” I called, then drug Gage to my truck and shoved him in.
“This is getting really old,” I told him when I got behind the wheel.
“Yeah, well, no one asked you to come.”
“Pete did.”
“That doesn’t count.”
I grunted in response. There was no reasoning with the most bullheaded of the five Maverick boys.
We made most of the drive back to the house in silence. I was wrapped up in thoughts of Hannah when Gage spoke again.
“I think I’m going to go away for a while.”
“Away where?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. Just feel like I need to get out of the cycle I’m in.” I was shocked to hear him say it but tried not to react. “Thanks for not gloating,” he said.
“You’ve always said you wanted to travel. Now’s as good a time as any.” When he wasn’t bull riding, he spent most of his time working on the ranch, but he’d never loved it as I did. Rather than joining the team for meals or spending the weekends with them, he would head into town. Most often he was at a bar. I had no idea what he did with the rest of his time. Wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I wondered if this was a sign he was ready to make some muc
h-needed life changes.
“The ranch will be okay without me?”
He was a capable hand, but I’d never relied on him for much more than part- time work. “Yeah. No worries there.”
“Okay then,” he said, and I could tell the wheels in his mind were turning. I wondered where he would go, what he was trying to find, but I left it alone.
I pulled into the driveway and past the main house. Once he realized we weren’t stopping, he looked at me with the question written clearly on his face.
“You’re having dinner with me at the bunkhouse tonight. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“You make a new hire?”
“Something like that,” I said and parked out back. Hannah’s new Jeep was already there.
Gage followed me into the kitchen where Hannah was pulling some casseroles out of the ovens.
“Hey,” she called in greeting. When she noticed Gage with me, she added, “You must be another Maverick.”
He pulled his hat from his head and extended his hand. “Gage.”
“You two look more alike than Beau,” she commented.
“Beau always took more after our mom,” Gage told her. “You’re cooking here now? What happened to Marty?”
“He retired. So I’m filling in for now until my new bakery downtown is running a little more smoothly.”
“Bet the fellas love having you here,” he told her and cocked a hip against the counter. He made a point of looking at her from nose to toes. In response, she looked at me and laughed.
I moved to her side, put my hand on her waist, and pressed a kiss to her lips. Looking back at Gage, I enjoyed the momentary look of shock on his face. Then realization dawned.
“So this is why you wanted me to meet her.”
“I’m Hannah,” she told him with a warm smile.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Miss Hannah. And you,” he pointed at me. “Could have given me a heads up.”
“It was more fun this way.”
“Ass,” he called me with a grin.
“You want any help in here?” I asked Hannah.
She shook her head. “Nope, it’s an easy one tonight. You guys feel free to go sit down.”
Gage went to the fridge and pulled out two beers. He handed one to me on the way to the dining room. I accepted it and followed him. Hannah had already placed several baskets of sliced bread on the table, and I felt an odd sense of pride that I’d had a hand in making it.
“Try the bread,” I told Gage. He pulled a piece from the basket nearest him and covered it with butter.
“Mmm, good stuff.”
“That’s because I made it.”
“You did not.”
“Okay. I helped make it.”
He chuckled. “My brother the baker.”
“I don’t think I’ll give up my day job, but this isn’t half bad,” I said after trying a piece of my own. Not long after that, the hands started arriving, dirty and sweaty. Most seemed pleased to see Gage. The temps were some of the last to arrive, and they ignored him completely, but he didn’t seem to notice or care as he went back for another beer. I kept an eye on the more suspicious of the temps and noticed him watching Hannah with a lingering gaze that made me want to punch him in the dick.
She, however, seemed oblivious, or at least appeared to seem that way. She refused to look in his direction as she brought out plate after plate of food. She sat the last one in front of me and lightly touched my shoulder. “I’ll be in my room if you need anything else.”
Huh? That was odd. She’d been joining us to eat more often than not. I tried not to jump to conclusions, but it felt like her absence had something to do with the man at the opposite end of the table.
I made a mental note to ask Bill for an update on the work and how much longer we’d need the extra hands. I heard the back door open and was surprised to see my father walk in. He went straight to the kitchen and made himself a plate, then brought it into the dining room. I could tell the moment he saw Gage was there, and the smile it brought to his face warmed my heart. The guy next to Gage scooted down so Dad could have his seat.
“Good to see you here, son.”
Gage nodded. “Good to be here. This is awesome,” he said and gestured to his plate.
“Yep, we’ve all enjoyed having Hannah on staff. That right, Tripp?” he asked, his blue eyes twinkling.
I flipped him off, and he threw his head back and laughed. It was so good to hear the sound.
He clapped Gage on the back and started asking about the circuit and what he’d been up to. I dug back into my meal and tried not to worry about Hannah. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear my dad say my name until Gage elbowed me in the ribs.
“Sorry. What?”
“I asked if you’re ready for the staff meeting tomorrow.”
I groaned. I’d forgotten all about it. “How ‘bout you do it this month?”
Disappointment settled in my gut when he shook his head. “Nah. You’re more caught up on things than I am. You should do it.”
I noticed the tightness around Gage’s mouth and didn’t want to cause an issue. It had been too good having both of them there. So I nodded. “Okay. I’ll be there.”
“Good man. Let me know if you need anything for it.”
I scoffed at that. I needed him there to do it, but I didn’t say it. He’d already gone back to Gage listening to a story about a guy getting his balls stepped on by a two-thousand-pound bull.
I finished my plate, then took it to the kitchen to rinse it and put it in a dishwasher. Then I went to Hannah’s room and knocked softly on the door.
“Come in,” she called.
I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me. She was curled up in an armchair under a blanket with a book in her hands.
“Hey. Was dinner okay?”
“Real good, thanks. You okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just tired. Been a long day.”
“Beginning to feel that way myself.” I sat in the chair adjacent to her. “I’d hoped to spend some time with you this evening, but Dad just reminded me I’ve got a meeting tomorrow I can’t miss and need to prepare for.”
“That’s okay. I understand.”
“You’re sure you’re all right?”
“Yep, I’m good. I’m going to finish this chapter, lock my door, take a bath, and go to bed.”
“Ugh, now I really don’t want to leave.”
She laughed. “We’ll have plenty of other nights.”
“You’re right about that.” I stood, then bent down to kiss her forehead. “Rest well.”
“You too. Night.”
I left her room, and as I walked back through the dining room, I sent a wave to Dad and Gage, then eyed the temp l didn’t like. He glanced up at me, gave me a slight nod, then looked back down at his plate.
I hoped it was his last meal with us.
28
Tripp
I took my seat at the head of the table in the boardroom, hating that I was in it rather than my father. I’d at least gotten him to agree to come with me this month, but he showed no interest in leading the staff meeting.
The heads of each of our departments would be arriving soon to give monthly reports and updates. For the most part, Maverick Enterprises was a well-oiled machine, but even the most productive machines needed maintenance.
That’s where my father had excelled. He saw opportunity everywhere and could turn a profit in the most unlikely of scenarios. I had no patience for it. I expected everyone to do their jobs, and do them well, and leave me the hell alone on the side of my mountain.
I looked over at my father sitting next to me idly twirling a pen. Was I doing him a disservice by being here? Should I have found someone more qualified to act as interim? I sighed. No. He never would have allowed it. So there I sat trying my best until we could get things back to the way they should be.
Men and women in sharp suits began arriving and taki
ng their places behind their nameplates. I knew most of them by face but only a few by name. When everyone had arrived and found their seats, I nodded to our Chief of Staff to begin.
Her voice droned on as she took us through the facets of the business. Bottom line, profits were up even with the hit we took from the storm. Good enough for me, but Rhett had long ago established that each director would provide a report. The voices droned on, and my interest level tanked until it was Bill’s turn.
“We’ve made good progress since the storm. All the repairs are almost complete, and we should be back to normal operation within the next few days. I did, however, want to bring up an issue.”
“Which is?” I asked.
“We’re missing several pieces of equipment. Some of it very expensive equipment.”
I leaned forward in my seat. “What do you mean, we’re ‘missing’ equipment? We lost it? It was stolen? It grew legs and ran away?”
Bill shifted uncomfortably. “I asked around with some of the guys, but everyone swears they don’t know anything.”
“How much equipment are we talking?” Rhett asked.
“Roughly twenty-thousand dollars’ worth.”
“And you’re just now bringing it to our attention?”
“It didn’t happen overnight. In fact, I don’t know how long it’s been going on. They aren’t tools we commonly use, and we hadn’t done an inventory check until we needed them for the storm cleanup. I started asking around to find out if anyone had used them, moved them, or otherwise. No one seems to know anything.”
“Someone does,” I said. “It wasn’t an easy job removing that much equipment with no one noticing.”
“Best I can tell, things started to go missing during the cleanup. Roughly the same time the new cook and temps started.”
My eyes jogged to my father. Surely, he had vetted the men he’d hired? “You spoke with them as well?”
“I did. Two in particular that I’d found working in the storage unit.”
“And?”
“And they said the cook had asked them to organize it so she could have more space.”
