Page 42 of Coming Home to Maverick

“You’ll know what to do. I don’t have any easy answers for this one. But it’s nice to have an option. If you need to get away, this is a great opportunity.”

He wondered at the way she’d phrased things. But he just nodded.

“Hey, guys!” he called loud enough for them to hear him upstairs. “I’ve got something more to say.”

When his brothers lined the stairs, Nash in his pajama bottoms and Decker with a toothbrush in his mouth, Maverick grinned. “I think we should consider a new Dawson presence at the Texas state fair.”

His mama sucked in her breath. And his brothers’ eyes lit.

He knew that would get them off him and onto something awesome.

Decker leaned on the stair railing. “What do you have in mind?”

“I just think our Jersey cow needs to make a showing.”

“Okay…and?” Nash was too into his own self for his own good, but Maverick couldn’t blame him.

“And I think we should do a Dawson rodeo demonstration.”

“A show?”

“Absolutely. I think we should pitch our show.”

“You know they’ll take us.”

“Well, of course.”

“And I think we should take the 4-H kids.”

The brothers exchanged glances.

“What?”

“So is this about us or the cute little daughter of your hottie girlfriend?”

Maverick laughed. “This is all about you. It’s always about you. Now, if Gracie Faith happens to win her second blue ribbon while we’re at it, I’m gonna call that a big ol’ bonus for Uncle Maverick.”

They shook their heads, every one of them, in imitation of their father. But each one of their eyes twinkled like this was the best idea he’d ever had.

“Okay, so I’m taking that as a yes. Decker, get us signed up.”

“What? Why me?”

“’Cause you’re the one that got me the rodeo paperwork.”

He pointed his finger at the other brothers. “I knew this was gonna come back to nip at me. Entering the state fair takes months.”

“Let us know when we’re all signed up and ready to go.”

He moaned, but Maverick could tell they were all pleased.

“And you, Mama.”

“What about me?”

“Are you gonna enter any of your quilts?”

She started to shake her head no but then paused. “You know, I just might make a new one.”

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