by Somer Hayes
When we got to Maverick property, I turned under the wrought iron fence and drove to the main house, but rather than stopping, I turned right, east.
She looked over at me with the question in her eyes, but I just smiled and ran my thumb over her knuckles. Ten minutes later, I pulled the truck in front of my house and went to her side to help her out. I led her up the stairs of the front deck, but before I opened the door, I stopped and turned to face her.
“You told me once that you’d like to see my house,” I began. “I don’t know why I didn’t bring you before. I guess because this is my refuge. My favorite place on earth. I come here, and I’m happy. I love and protect it as I do my own life and privacy.”
I shifted my weight and forced myself to continue. “I have thought of nothing but you for the past month. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make things right by us. I think you give about as much value to material things as I do, so I bring you here today as a gesture. I’m inviting you into my life. I’m hopeful you’ll let me back into yours.”
Her blue eyes filled with tears, and they sparkled. “There’s more. Before we go in, I want you to consider something for me.”
“Consider what?”
“Consider coming here to live with me.”
Her mouth dropped open in shock. “I know it’s a lot to ask, and I won’t pressure you. But if you tell me yes, I will move you in today. If you tell me you want to take it slow, then I will do that, too. It’ll kill me, but I’ll do it.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she began.
“Don’t say anything. Just promise me you’ll think about it?”
“I promise.”
Then I opened the door to what I hoped was a future with Hannah.
43
Hannah
I stepped into Tripp’s home for the first time and immediately felt as though I’d found my place in this world. Every inch of the space reflected him. From the thoughtful layout to the attention to quality and detail, to the warm, rustic furnishings. There was nothing that wasn’t beautiful or that served a purpose. It was a comfortable, livable place, and I knew in my heart I never wanted to leave it or him.
But was I moving too quickly? Just that morning, I’d been afraid of what I would do if I ever saw him again and now he was asking me to move in with him. My brain told me the smart thing to do was slow down, take everything one step at a time, work through the chaos of the past month, and gain our footing together.
My brain was probably right, but my heart didn’t care. I’d spent these past weeks missing and aching for Tripp. I didn’t want to waste another moment without him. I turned to where he hovered just inside the door, his hands shoved into his pockets, I and felt my heart burst with happiness.
“I want to stay,” I told him, and smiled, feeling confident in my snap decision.
A slow smile claimed his face as he began to move toward me. “You’re sure?”
I nodded. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I have hated being away from you. All I’ve wanted to do is get back to you. I’d be insane to walk away from the chance to be with you now.”
He snatched me around the waist and lifted me up spinning me in a circle. I squealed and laughed and willed the moment into my memory forever. Then he let my body slide down his, and he cradled my face in his hands.
“I love you, Hannah,” he whispered.
“I love you, too.” It felt so good to finally say it out loud.
He wrapped his arms around me, and I held him around his waist. His forehead rested on my shoulder, and together we rocked gently. I breathed deeply, pulling his scent into me and relished the feeling of being safe and loved. I promised myself I would work every day to give him the same in return.
We stayed there until I felt my phone buzzing in my back pocket. I ignored it, but the second the caller hung up, it started ringing again.
“It’s okay,” Tripp said and released me. “You’d better answer that.”
I pulled the phone from my pocket and gasped when Beth’s number was on the screen. I answered immediately. “Beth? Is everything okay?”
“Everything is great. Your niece is here, and she’s dying to meet you.”
I laughed, and fresh tears sprung to my eyes. Just when I thought this rollercoaster of a day couldn’t get any better. “I’ll be right there,” I cried and hung up the phone.
“Beth had the baby. Come on,” I tugged his hand and practically drug him from the house.
“Are you sure you want me to come? Maybe you should have some time alone. I can always meet her later.”
I stopped in my tracks and pulled him in for a kiss. “I want you with me every minute, and I’m about to have a whole bunch of happy ones in a row. Of course, I want you to come.”
“You think Beth will mind?”
“Don’t be dumb, Maverick. Now get in the truck. Let’s go.”
“I’m glad to see your leadership skills didn’t diminish in the time you were away.”
“If anything, they’ve just gotten stronger,” I told him and flexed my bicep at him.
“This is going to be fun.” He grinned.
On the way back to the main house, I asked for updates about the ranch. I was pleased to hear Rhett was resuming more and more of his old responsibilities, and that all of the repairs had been made from the storm.
“There’s only one piece of bad news,” Tripp said, tone somber.
“Oh no, what is it?”
“I’ve got a whole herd of skinny cowboys on my hands. Our new cook isn’t working out so well.”
“You don’t say.”
“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in the job? I know the guys would love to have you back, and maybe we can keep the new kid on as your assistant.”
I thought about that. If I had extra help at the bunkhouse, it would leave me plenty of time to build the catering side of things. “You wouldn’t mind if I still baked and catered on the side?”
“Absolutely not. I know how much you love it, and I love your passion for it.”
“Then I think we can work something out,” I grinned, repeating his words when I’d begged him for the job in the first place.
He reached over and squeezed my knee, and I knew he’d caught my joke.
“Let’s wait a few days, though, okay? I’d like to have you all to myself for a while.”
“It’s a deal,” I agreed.
Tripp pulled into a parking space at the hospital, and I was out the door before he’d gotten the truck in park. I ran to his door and pulled him out of it, then ran to the revolving doors. Breathlessly, I asked the receptionist for Beth’s room number. Tripp followed me to the elevator, and four floors later, we stepped into the maternity ward.
I felt as though all my emotions from the day had formed themselves into a ball and landed at the base of my throat. I found Beth’s room and knocked lightly.
“Come in,” she called softly.
I stepped into the darkened room and found Beth in the bed under a single light, holding a little bundle. She looked up and smiled, tears swimming in her eyes. “Hi, Aunt Hannah.” Then she looked behind me. “And Tripp.”
I went to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead before looking down at her precious baby girl. “Margaret Rose, after Ben’s grandma. We’ll call her Maggie.”
“Maggie,” I repeated in a whisper, immediately taken by the squishy little face and dark hair poking out of her cap.
“Want to hold her?”
“Very much so,” I nodded.
She lifted the tiny bundle and gave her to me. Tripp had sat down on the bench seat under the window, and I went to join him. “Maggie Rose,” I told him as though he hadn’t heard our entire conversation.
He reached over and pulled the blanket down so he could see her little face, and I thought I might cry at the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. “She’s beautiful,” he told Beth.
“Thank you,” she said with a sm
ile and rested her head on her pillow.
“Where is everyone?” I asked.
“They went to get something to eat. Ben stayed up with me all night. He’s exhausted but thrilled. I had to force him to leave.”
“I can imagine why,” Tripp said, his eyes still on Maggie.
I asked Beth how the delivery had gone, and she relayed the story with great detail and laughed every time Tripp cringed. “But she’s worth every second,” she said, her eyes dreamy.
Maggie began to squirm and cry in my arms, so I reluctantly stood to hand her back over to her mother. “I’m so happy for you,” I told her and gave her one last squeeze. “We’ll let you get some rest.”
Tripp followed me and congratulated Beth once more before we left and closed the door behind us. “Pretty incredible,” he commented.
“I can’t believe she’s here,” I said. “Or that I get to be somebody’s aunt.”
Tripp draped his arm over my shoulders as we headed to the elevator. “She’s a very lucky little girl to have you in her life.”
I smiled at the compliment and hoped it was true.
We left the hospital and walked back to the truck. “Ready to go home?” Tripp asked me.
Home.
How long had I been dreaming of a place to call home? My entire life. I wasn’t sure if Tripp realized the magnitude of the gift he was giving me.
I nodded. “Can we swing by my apartment and pick up a few things first?”
“You bet.”
I directed him to the address, and when we got out, he commented. “Cute little house.”
“It is,” I agreed. “But I live there.” I pointed to the single window above the garage. His face clouded, but he didn’t comment.
I led him up the stairs and started packing my clothes into my suitcases. Then I pulled my quilt from the bed and went to find a box for my newly replaced kitchen gadgets.
“This is so depressing,” Tripp said as he stood in the middle of the tiny living room. His hat nearly touched the ceiling.
I had to laugh. “I can’t disagree with you there.”
I found a box and moved past him to go to the kitchen, but he snatched me and drew me in for a kiss. “I’m so happy you’re coming home with me.”
I smiled into his lips. “Believe me, so am I.” I wriggled out of his grasp and packed the rest of my things. He helped me carry them out to the truck and then we were headed back to the ranch.
My mind spun the entire way there. Things seemed to happen so fast with Tripp in my life, but I loved every crazy, spectacular, wonderful minute. We made it back to the ranch and gave his dad a wave as we passed the main house. We drove straight to Tripp’s place and unloaded my things. But rather than unpacking, he poured two glasses of iced tea and led me back out to the front deck.
There were two Adirondack chairs and a table between them. He took one, and I sat in the other. Then he took my hand and sipped his tea. “I’ve dreamed of doing this exact thing with you so many times.” He looked over at me. “Silly, huh?”
I gazed out over the gorgeous land, the proud mountains, and the handsome man next to me and shook my head. “No. It’s not silly at all. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Everything?” he asked.
I looked over at him. “Did you have something else in mind?”
He smiled. “Seeing that baby today may have given me an idea.”
I laughed. I’d always wanted a family of my own, and I knew how important it was to Tripp too.
“Funny, I’d had the same thought.”
He squeezed my hand, and we looked out over the land.
I’d finally found my way home.
The End
Sneak Peek
Beau
Mavericks of Montana Creek Book Two
1
Grace
“You can’t be serious,” I said.
“I’m afraid I am, Grace.”
I shot out of my chair and began pacing.
“Please sit down,” my grandmother said, voice as cool and emotionless as ever. I ignored her.
“How can they do this to me after everything I’ve done for them?”
“They’re doing this because of everything you’ve done for them,” she replied, droll.
I stopped in my tracks. “Someone has to make the difficult decisions around here. Heaven knows none of them are capable.” I began pacing again.
“No one is saying you’re ineffective. They’ve just decided they need someone more…” She waved her hand in a circular motion as she chose her words. “Tactful.”
I snorted. “You mean a pushover. They want a politician, not a director.”
I was aware the board of the Manchester Philharmonic in New Hampshire had given me this chance not because of my own accomplishments, but because my father and grandmother were not only two of the longest standing members of the orchestra, but also amongst their biggest donors. I’d grown up in this world. I loved the orchestra more than anything and my drive was born from that passion. At 26, I was the youngest ever director, and had made some unconventional and unpopular decisions in my time in this role, but I stood by them. If this organization wanted to remain relevant then we needed to embrace change.
“Granted, our board of directors is more conservative than others in the area, but you knew that when you took the job. I warned you to take it slow.”
I stopped long enough to put my hands on my hips and level her with a glare. She had the audacity to laugh.
“I know. You’ve never done anything slowly. But unfortunately, in this case, the board feels your differences are just too great.”
“So that’s it? I’m out? Fired?” I could barely say the word without the all-too-familiar feeling of anxiety associated with the thought of failure. As a perfectionist born into a family of overachievers, it was something I’d struggled with my entire life. I tried to swallow the rising panic.
“Not fired, dear. Reallocated.”
“Reallocated?” I screeched. “Like I’m nothing more to them than a surplus of office supplies?”
“The board feels as though your particular talents would be put to better use elsewhere.”
My eyes narrowed as realization dawned. “The Foundation.”
She inclined her head but said nothing. Her silence was my answer. My hands found the back of a chair and my chin fell to my chest. The Philharmonic is the administrator of a charitable foundation that funds symphonies in, ahem, less cultured areas. They’d been known to send misfit employees to remote locations to “develop leadership skills”, but usually the outcasts gave up and quit before they were invited to come back.
I squared my shoulders. That wouldn’t be me. I would go to whatever god-forsaken orchestra they’d found, whip it into shape, and prove that I was worthy of this position. “Challenge accepted.”
Her lips ticked slightly upward, the closest she ever came to smiling. “Atta girl.”
So she still had my back. I felt strangely encouraged and vindicated holding that knowledge. “So how bad is it?”
She plucked a piece of paper from the neat stack in front of her and offered it to me.
Please don’t be Kansas… Please don’t be Kansas…
I looked at the sheet of paper in my hand and blinked. It was even worse than I’d imagined.
“Montana?”
“The Symphony of Great Falls,” she said.
“Montana has a symphony?” My mind reeled. “Montana has… anything?”
She lifted a trim shoulder. “Evidently.”
“That’s it?” I asked incredulously. “You’re willing to send your only granddaughter off to some Godforsaken wilderness you know nothing about?”
“You know nothing about it either, dear. How do you know God has forsaken it?”
In a rush, the fight drained from my body and I collapsed into a chair. “They really want rid of me that badly?”
My grandmother rose from her seat and rounded
her desk to stand in front of me. Her tiny stature didn’t require her to bend to grasp my chin in her hands and force my eyes to hers. “This is simply a test, Grace, and I know it’s one you can pass. Take this assignment, kick its ass, rub their faces in it. If you prove you can handle yourself in a situation such as this, they’ll have no ammunition left against you. Sure, your methods may be unconventional, but if you can show them they work, they’ll reinstate you. I know it.”
“How can you be so sure?” I asked.
She straightened. “They think you’ll give up and quit, but I know better.”
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
Her steely gray eyes sparkled. “Atta girl.”
2
Beau
“Good girl,” I murmured.
“You know she doesn’t understand you,” my brother Tripp drawled from somewhere over my shoulder.
“You shut up. Of course she does.” I ran my hand down the neck of the mare that had just given birth to a beautiful chestnut foal. “Can’t you, darling?” I could feel Tripp’s eyes rolling but I ignored him. I finished my examination and straightened. “Everything looks fine.”
“Good. Thanks for coming by to check on her.”
“Any time. You know that.”
“You staying for dinner?”
I couldn’t help but grin. Now that Tripp’s Hannah had moved in with him and was cooking for the ranch full time, it seemed that man’s entire schedule revolved around his stomach.
“What’s on the menu for tonight?”
“I don’t know, but it’s sure as hell going to be better than whatever you were planning to reheat in the microwave.”
“Fair enough.” We mounted our horses and rode together to the bunkhouse where most of the ranch hands gathered for their meals. As we rode, I looked around at all the natural beauty surrounding us and hated that it didn’t fill me with the same amount of awe and wonderment it once did. It was something I’d noticed more and more recently, this lack of fulfillment. It was like a tiny hole had opened up in my middle and grew with each passing day.
