Page 12 of Coming Home to Maverick

“That’s right.” Nash waved them off. “Well now, these guys are just a bunch more like me.”

She considered him a minute and then lifted her eyes all the way up to the tallest.

Decker winked. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Gracie seemed to rally. “Grandpa’s gonna buy me a pig.”

“Is he now?”

A crowd of elementary school kids approached. “Oh, pig,” someone called from behind them.

A large group of full-grown pigs were walking down the dirt path toward them with the children right behind.

Gracie squealed. “Look!”

“Oh, fun. It’s the 4-H kids.” Bailey laughed. “Remember when we did that?”

“Yeah, we remember.” Decker frowned.

“Oh, let it go.” Dylan shook his head. “Still chapped your pig lost?”

“It can’t be my fault it rolled in dirt.”

“It’s the pig’s fault, then, but the pig also lost. Time to get over it.”

Bailey thought about all the hours she’d spent on her pig, training it, feeding it, bathing it. At the time, she’d outgrown the initial excitement, and it felt more like a chore than anything; but looking back, those were some of her happiest memories. Gracie’s gaze was glued to the young children as they walked by, calling commands to their pigs, tapping their shoulders, and the pigs moved along accordingly. Bailey knew her next question before she asked.

“Mama.”

“Yes, sweet pea.”

“Could I have my own pig to boss like those guys?”

“Someday, baby girl.”

Her lip stuck out, but she didn’t say anything else.

The 4-H group rounded the next corner. And then Nash returned with frozen lemonade.

They walked along, all the brothers still at her side. “Don’t you guys have something to do?”

Dylan shrugged. “Nope.”

Decker shook his head.

Nash lifted his hat to wink at Bailey. “Anybody else feel like Bailey’s trying to get rid of us?”

“A little bit.” Decker raised a finger. “I’m getting that vibe.”

“Oh stop. Let’s go say hello to my mom.” Bailey’s mom sat in the same spot she always had, with shelves and baking racks behind her, along with a tall image of a pie fresh from the oven and her signature logo for Patty’s Pies.

“And now Bailey will learn the real reason we’re hanging around.” Nash winked and then approached her mom’s pie booth. “Well now, hello, Mrs. Hempstead. Don’t you look lovely today.”

She laughed and beckoned him closer. “I’ve been saving this piece right here for you.”

Nash reached for the slice of her mom’s boysenberry pie and grabbed a fork. “Now this here is why I come to the fair.”

Decker closed in. “I want a taste of whyIcome to the fair.”

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