Page 27 of Coming Home to Maverick

She thought about Maverick and his brothers. They were a product of their awesome dad. But look at Maverick now, left in the world without his father. Would he have been the man he’d become if he’d been raised only by his mother? She had no way of knowing.

But Mr. Dawson had been awesome. Hewasthe Dawson name. Everyone in town had loved him. If he’d run for mayor, he would have won. Whatever he did, he worked hard until he succeeded. He was honor personified. But Daniel… She cringed. Daniel was a weasel. What kind of man would Maverick have become if raised by a weasel?

Who could she talk to about this? Now more than ever, she craved advice. Could she talk to her parents about this sort of thing? She didn’t want to involve them in the emotional turmoil in her life. Bearing it on her own was hard enough; did those she loved really deserve to have to endure everything along with her?

She just didn’t know what to do.

Her phone dinged again. With a feeling of dread, she lifted it to see the text.

Maverick. Just seeing his name eased the tightness that was building in her chest.

Hey, I’d love to see you. Let’s start there.

Could she confide in Maverick?

She texted back,Okay.

How about right now?

Lol. Sounds good. I’m halfway between the school and home.

Meet me at Sam’s?

Be there in five.

Sam’s was their high school hangout with the best burger she’d ever eaten and a special fry sauce that rivaled any she’d ever tasted. The owner, Judy, said it was her own special recipe, and whatever it was, it made Bailey smile every time it passed her lips.

She pulled into the parking lot. Maverick’s truck was already out front. Instead of fighting the teenage thrill that jolted her heart into gear, she accepted it. Maverick was her man. He always had been. Did that mean anything for their future? Maybe. Or maybe not. It didn’t matter. She was just gonna accept that, no matter what he wanted, she was his.

They made their way into Sam’s. At the familiar ding when they pushed the door open, Bailey smiled and breathed in the memories that swirled in the air with the delicious aromas. Judy came around from the back, wiping her hands on her apron. “Is that Bailey I see?” Her eyes twinkled with such warmth that Bailey ran forward.

“Oh, Judy.” She flung her arms around the woman like she was family. “I’m so happy to see you.”

She stiffened a little, so Bailey stepped away. “Oh, me too, dear. Now, you just make yourself comfortable. I’ll be out in a sec to bring you whatever you want. Anything—on the menu or not.” She leaned closer and whispered, “Maverick’s waiting. But, honey, remember you be good to him.” Her eyes were kind, but Bailey could see maybe Judy’s heart had been hurt when Bailey left too.

Bailey nodded. “Thanks.” Then she lifted her gaze to meet Maverick’s. He sat in the corner booth, his arm over the back, his hat tipped up so she could get a good look at his face. His plaid work shirt was stretched across his broad shoulders and chest. Maverick the man was so much more than Maverick the youth. She imagined he turned every woman’s head, not just her own.

“Thanks,” she murmured again, not seeing anything else but Maverick. His eyes were trained on her as she stepped toward the back of the diner. She couldn’t look away. Did she sit next to him in the crook of his arm like she always had, or did she sit across from him?

He winked and indicated she sit right where she always had.

She laughed and sat as close as she dared. Could this be happening? Was she free to forget her troubles for a minute and pretend she and Maverick were back together?

“I’m so happy we can be friends again, Bailey.”

Friends. Much of her euphoria fizzled out with that one word. What more did she deserve, really? He couldn’t be expected to even trust her after what she did.

“Me too.” She smiled.

Judy approached. “Now, this is a sight I wasn’t sure I’d ever see again.” She smiled at them. Her eyes held warning, but she said, “I’m so happy you two are together again.”

Bailey sucked in her breath. “We’re—”

“—happy too,” Maverick finished for her.

What was he doing?

Judy pulled a pencil out from behind her ear. “What are we having tonight?” She pointed at Bailey. “If you were eighteen, I’d say you’re the regular burger without onions, fries and sauce, and a strawberry shake.”

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