Page 35 of Coming Home to Maverick

“She’ll bring boysenberry pie.”

“And how do you know?”

“Because she knows it’s my favorite.”

“She been spoiling you while I’m gone?”

“I can’t help it if the woman loves me like her own son.”

Bailey rested her cheek against his chest again. “I think she looks at you that way.”

“Just like my mama thinks of you as her daughter.”

As they stood at the top of the ridge, looking out over everything Maverick loved, his heart began to hope. Maybe, finally, things were coming back together.

Chapter 11

A lodestone. Bailey frowned on their way over to the Dawson house for dinner. Not having his dad in his life tore at Maverick. He felt lost without him. Is that what Gracie would feel? Bailey replayed Daniel’s conversation in her mind over and over. She wasn’t any closer to figuring out what to do about him. Was it better to have a dad, no matter how crummy? Had Daniel changed any?

Bailey and her mama carried half their kitchen into the Dawson house.

“Not sure the Dawsons need to cook at all with what you women brought over.” Bailey’s dad shook his head. “You sure they’re needing all this food?”

Maverick’s mom stepped into the entryway. “Of course, we’re needing all this, Earl. Have you seen all these mouths to feed?” She grabbed a couple trays. “Nash, come help the Hempsteads.”

He ran up and picked up a couple items from Bailey’s hands. “Oh, someone’s gonna be as pleased as we’ve ever seen him.”

“Oh?” Maverick’s mama looked over then smiled. “You made the turtles.” She nodded. “Now that’s the way.”

Bailey grinned. Maverick’s mama always said the way to win over her boys was through cooking them something special. And in some ways, Bailey guessed she was right. The Dawson Mama had certainly mastered keeping her boys well fed, healthy, and happy. Bailey wished to be even a tiny bit of the mother this woman was.

They spread everything out on the serving bar just as Maverick came in with a tray full of steaks. “Well, if that isn’t the prettiest picture I’ve ever seen.”

Mrs. Dawson called out, “Nash, ring the dinner bell.”

Bailey smiled in anticipation, waiting. The clanging rang out over the valley. And she heard her heart pound in response. When the Dawson dinner bell rang, you knew good things were about to happen.

Everyone gathered in and found a place at the table. They’d added a couple leaves so every person had a place. They even brought in a beautiful wood stool for Gracie to sit on. When at last the group was settled, Bailey looked out over everyone. She sat at Maverick’s left at the head of the table. Gracie sat next to her. Bailey met his gaze, and everything shifted one more notch toward being all right in the world as she looked around at everyone she loved all in one place. Except for Maverick’s dad. It was hard for her, being here and not seeing him. Everyone else missed him too, probably worse than she did, but she hadn’t had time to mourn him yet. Mr. Dawson’s mighty presence was notably absent in this great family meeting. She reached over and placed her hand in Maverick’s big one. “I miss your dad.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

Everyone was gathered. The twins—Decker and Dylan—Nash, Bailey, her parents, Maverick, his mama, and now Gracie Faith. And it felt like one giant family. Her smile grew, and she didn’t even try to dim it, no matter that she felt silly.

Maverick grinned in response. “This is pretty great having everyone here together like this, isn’t it?”

“It sure is,” his mama called out from the other end of the table. “And now, I just want to say a few words. We’re so glad to have the Hempsteads with us for Sunday dinners again. It feels like everything is as it should be once again.” She looked up to the picture above the mantel, the last one taken before Mr. Dawson had passed away. Bailey was in it. Her hand squeezed Maverick’s again.

His mama continued. “We always miss your father when we gather like this. And we know the family just isn’t complete without him, but it will be much more so when each of these boys finds himself a good woman.”

The guys all made middle school noises about the idea of girls until their mama hushed them again. “Now, I’m serious about this, boys. It’s high time you were settling down.” She adjusted her fork then looked up with a big smile. “We’re so happy to have the newest member of the Dawson-Hempstead family. Gracie Faith. Welcome to the family, my dear.”

“Thank you.” Her wide eyes took everyone in.

“Maverick, will you pray?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

Maverick’s deep confident voice turned humble as he bowed his head, his words steady and sure. “Dear God….”

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