Page 16 of Coming Home to Maverick

“Aren’t we watching your brothers in their show tonight? And you?”

“Did they tell you that?” He shook his head. “They’re always trying to rope me back in.”

“We’d like to see you on a bull again.” She turned to Gracie. “Wouldn’t you like to see Uncle Maverick on a real bull?”

“Oh yes!” She clapped her hands again.

“Now that’s just unfair.” He sat back and crossed his arms. “I don’t know how much longer I want to wait for our dinner. So how about this: I ride. Then you and I get drinks. And then we go out for dinner tomorrow.”

Her cheeks colored, which he thoroughly enjoyed. “You’re on.”

For the next hour, they laughed and teased, and life was almost perfect. Then Maverick’s alarm dinged. “Oh, that’s my cue. Time to get backstage.”

“You’re really gonna do it?” The hope and sparkle in Bailey’s face made him sit taller.

“I said I would, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did.”

“And I am needed for other things, too.”

“Oh, right, of course.”

He stood and slid out of the booth. They did the same, and he very nearly leaned forward to kiss her, a quick peck just like old times. Before it became too obvious what he’d been about to do, he straightened and waved as he walked away.

She was as much a habit for him as she was new. But he couldn’t be too embarrassed for his awkwardness. Everything around him seemed much more enjoyable. Even the prospect of getting on a bull again in front of his whole town. And it was all because Bailey was back. Could one person really have so much power over his happiness? He knew she could.

His heart clenched at the question that lingered whenever he thought of her. Was she here to stay?

Chapter 6

Bailey found two tickets waiting for her at the ticket booth for the closing-out show of the county fair. And the nostalgic pangs came back full force. The Dawson family tickets. She looked across the arena to a family of hands waving in her direction. She lifted Gracie so she could see, and the two waved back. She laughed and thought her heart might burst with happiness. Why had she ever thought this life confining? How could she have left?

They made their way around the stand, and she waved at a person here and there. They were good people. Not a single one had pressed her about why she’d left. They seemed ready to give her the space she needed. How had she been so blessed?

Then a jarring voice threw that sentiment out into the muck bin. “What on earth are you doing back here?”

“Tiff. Hey, how’re you doing?”

“Just fine. We’re all the same as we ever were. Picking up the pieces, comforting when necessary. This town has a good heart.” She smirked and exchanged glances with the woman at her side, who Bailey didn’t know.

“Well, great. Hey, I’m gonna go get our seats.” Bailey hurried away, picking up Gracie so they could navigate the aisles faster.

“Who was that mean lady, Mom?” Gracie was so much more intuitive than Bailey would have thought any child could be.

“No one you need to be worrying about, that’s for sure. She might not be so bad. She didn’t say anything really mean, did she?” Her words sounded hollow. Tiff was probably as bad as ever. Bailey wondered—just like she undoubtedly wanted her to—if Tiff had run to comfort Maverick when Bailey left and how much Maverick had enjoyed the attention.

She shook her head. Bailey had no right to even entertain the thoughts running through her mind. Not after what she’d done, not after what felt like an even larger betrayal now that she was back home with everyone.

As they approached the family, the Dawsons scooted to make room for her and Gracie right in the middle of their group—right next to Maverick’s mother. She sucked in her breath.

Under full scrutiny from one of the women she respected most in the world, she cowered. Mrs. Dawson’s eyes stared into her face, making her feel as naked as their days skinny-dipping at the lake. She didn’t deserve this woman’s kindness nor her forgiveness.

Her eyes remained distant for a moment, calculating, but then she smiled, and her face filled with light. “Welcome home, child.”

“Oh, Mrs. Dawson.” She reached forward to wrap an arm across her shoulders, but the woman pulled her into a full embrace.

“It’s Mama to you, even still.”

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