Page 36 of Maverick

“We won’t let that happen, brother. Period.” He stood and stared at me for a long time before he smiled. “Women are nothing but trouble,” he grumbled. “Too bad they smell so fucking good.”

My lips parted into a smile. “Amen, brother.”

It was time to get some work done, so I headed to Demon Head Guns to make sure everything was running smoothly.

Chapter 18

Grace

“Good Lord, Ruby, I mean Grace, what smells so good?” Mabel’s voice sounded from the living room, and I couldn’t help but smile at her loud groan.

“It’s lunch,” I called out, still smiling. “Nothing fancy, just sandwiches.” I popped a brisket in the oven as soon as I arrived at Mabel’s, and it was now juicy and ready for barbecue sauce.

Turns out that Maverick’s grandmother isn’t so easily spooked. She’d insisted on returning home the next day after the door had been fixed. Maverick had arranged for a prospect to be with her at night, until my position got filled. I still felt bad about what happened, he was pretty sure it was just kids fooling around, but it left me unsettled.

“Never had any sandwiches that smelled like that,” she said. “Is it ready?”

“Just about,” I called out as I finished dressing the salad. “Are you hungry, Mabel?”

“Don’t see how I couldn’t be with that smell filling the whole damn house.”

“You said damn, Grandma Mabel,” Sophie whispered. “That’s a bad word.”

“Nonsense,” Mabel said in her patented way. “It’s not a good word for little girls your age to say, but I’m an old woman and I say pretty much whatever I please.”

“That’s no fair.”

“Very few things in this world are fair when it comes to women, you just have to tell people to go to hell, or in your case tell them to mind their business.”

“Don’t tell people to go to hell,” I shouted from the kitchen. Mabel was right, because of course she was, but I didn’t want to confuse Sophie. “Even if they deserve it.”

Mabel howled with laughter and my daughter joined in even though she had no idea what she was laughing about. “Listen to your mama, she’s a smart cookie.”

I smiled, appreciative of Mabel’s unintentional compliment. “Okay ladies, lunch is ready… if you’re hungry.”

“I am!” Sophie’s growing excitement brought a smile to my face. I was glad that my little girl wasn’t too scared from her life to enjoy the small things. Trent’s behavior and my acceptance of that behavior had scarred her without a doubt, but kids were resilient and that was on full display today.

“Don’t forget,” I began.

“To wash my hands!” Her words were followed by her small footsteps rushing towards the half-bath on the first floor.

“I’m hungry enough to eat a horse,” Mabel declared as she settled at the kitchen table. “That smells so damn good,” she groaned as she dropped down in her chair.

“Well, let’s hope it tastes at least as good as it smells.” I smiled and set out the meat, bread, and coleslaw.

The doorbell rang just as I turned back to get some drinks for everyone. “I’ll get it.”

“There’s a bat in the closet right by the door,” she called out with a laugh.

I shook my head. “Now I see where your grandson gets his home security.” The sound of Mabel’s laughter followed me to the front door. I peeked through one of the panels that hadn’t been broken to see who was at the door.

I didn’t recognize the man, which didn’t surprise me since I didn’t know many people in town, but this guy knocked on the door on purpose. He was tall and lanky, with curly black hair and eyes such a pale blue they were almost transparent. “Um, can I help you?”

His dark brows pinched into a confused frown. “Yeah, I’m here for Mabel. And for Grace.”

I gasped and stepped back. How did he know my name? “Um, Mabel?”

“Yeah?”

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