Page 23 of Maverick

“You’re a good guy, Maverick. Or Dylan.”

“Either works.” I shrugged, slightly uncomfortable with her praise. “Or you could just tell me your secret.”

Her smile dimmed. “What secret?”

I sighed heavily. “So, not yet, then? Patience is a virtue, Ruby, and I’m nothing if not virtuous.”

Laughter spilled out of her, and she shook her head. “I’m sure you are.”

“Are you two gonna flirt all day or is someone gonna feed me?” Mabel’s voice broke through the fog of whatever was happening between us and then her laughter sounded.

“We weren’t flirting,” Ruby said stiffly.

“Well, whatever you kids these days are calling it, I thought I was gonna have to hose you down. Both of you,” she said, and fanned her face.

“Grandma,” I groaned. “Don’t embarrass Ruby.”

“Why should she be embarrassed?” Mabel shook her head and shooed me out of her seat so she could sit down. “Nothing at all wrong with flirting with a handsome man. Even if he does need a shave and a haircut.”

Ruby laughed again and the sound was incredible. Her shoulders shook and her eyes sparkled, like she was really enjoying herself and it was the first real smile, the first big smile of hers I’d seen. “Thanks for that, Mabel.”

“Everybody’s a comedian,” I grumbled, and went to call the kids in for lunch.

Chapter 10

Grace

“Are you sure, Mabel?” The old woman was trying her hand a matchmaking and I wasn’t fooled one bit. But I couldn’t deny my desire to spend more time with Maverick.

Mabel nodded, a wide smile on her face. “Oh, I’m positive. You kids, big and small, go on to the carnival and have a good time. Just bring me some funnel cake and take some photos, and we’re good.”

Mabel was a perfectly capable woman despite her age. Sure, she forgot a few things, but nothing to justify a full-time caregiver. Still, I felt bad leaving her alone for the afternoon. “What will you do?”

She waved a dismissive hand in my direction. “I’ll find something to busy myself, don’t you worry, Ruby.”

But I was worried, after mulling it over for a while I suddenly had an idea. “I’m just popping out for five minutes, I’ll be right back.” I slipped on my shoes and drove down a block to my old residence.

***

I parked my car and ran up the steps and knocked on the door. After what seemed like an age, it opened, and my old neighbor peered out. “Mrs. P, how are you?”

The older woman eyed me suspiciously. “I’m fine, Ruby. What’s going on?”

“I have someone I want you to meet.”

Her brows rose into exaggerated arches. “Like a man?”

I smiled. “Not yet, but my eyes are open, I swear. It’s someone you can spend time with.” She looked skeptical, so I channeled my daughter and gave my best pouty face. “You both need to spend time with people your own age so you can complain about kids these days.”

A smile played on her lips and she wagged a finger at me. “Yeah, all right fine. Is this a fun friend or a stick in the mud?”

“Fun,” I assured her. “In fact, I’d say she’s a hoot.”

“All right.” She pushed off the sofa and shuffled around the living room and then the kitchen with her purse in hand. Ten minutes later, she was ready to go and we drove back to Mabel’s house.

“Mabel,” I said as I stepped inside. “This is my friend, Mrs. Peterson. Mrs. P, this is Mabel.”

The older women sized each other up for a quick moment, but Mabel spoke first. “Brenda, you’ve gotten old.”

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