Page 70 of Coming Home to Maverick

Bailey could only hear muffled bits of their animated conversation while she tried to make herself presentable. Daniel’s presence at the fair made her nervous. He was obviously not finished with them or his designs for their stardom, whether hers or Gracie’s. His mercenary goals knew no bounds. To him, people were dispensable when he no longer had a need for them.

She drew comfort from the Dawson Ranch. Surrounded by the Dawson brothers including Maverick, her parents, and Mama Dawson, she felt pretty safe. As long as she was careful, Daniel would soon be on his way back to Nashville.

Once her hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing her riding gear, she and Maverick dropped Gracie off at Bailey’s parents’ trailer and went to grab Thunder and the horse she would ride.

The quiet between them wasn’t uncomfortable, which she found surprising. At last, he said, “I love Gracie Faith.”

Her heart clenched with a joyful sadness. “I know. I think she loves you too. It kinda hurts me to hear her say, ‘Uncle Maverick.’”

“Yeah. Me too.”

A sliver of hope grew. Could he want more, still? “How have you been?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. I’m riding well. I could break my record this year.”

“I knew you would.”

They started easy with general topics. Things were comfortable, but she felt a great deal of restraint from the both of them.

As soon as their horses were ready, they rode them out to a back pasture where they could ride alone.

“Let’s warm up.” Maverick started a slow canter around the outside of the arena, and she followed. After a few laps, she fell into the delicious muscle memory of their routine. She let the strength of the horse fill her, and she stretched and balanced and moved. Then as their routine was wrapping up, she prepared for the finale, standing up on the back of her horse while it raced around the arena. Maverick came up beside her and turned around backward in his saddle. They locked eyes for a moment, his gaze beckoning, full of love. Then he nodded, and she leapt through the air, reaching for his raised hands. He caught her around the middle, her legs stretched out behind, and they rode, Bailey flying, her smile large, her eyes closed, until Maverick’s horse slowed. He lowered her to his lap, and she straddled him as they rode one more lap around the arena. It’s what they had always done—their routine. At this point, the crowd was usually roaring and on their feet.

Maverick held her as they circled, and she felt their unity. A great surge of oneness swirled around her. She couldn’t think of how to describe this incredible feeling that they belonged together.

The horse slowed to a walk and then stopped. But they didn’t move. Maverick adjusted his hands on her hips, and with a new confidence, a new softness around his eyes, he said, “We can do this.”

She wasn’t sure if he meant the routine or them being together as a couple. So she said, “We can do anything.”

He nodded and then tucked her hair behind her ear. “I was hurt, so I left. I shouldn’t have ghosted you.”

“I’m sorry you were hurt. I didn’t know what to do, what to say. I’m not good at all of these hard things…but Daniel…”

He groaned. “I don’t want to talk about that creep.”

“Hear me out. I told Daniel to leave us alone.”

The new hope in his eyes warmed her. “You did?”

“Yes. Twice now. I don’t know how much he’ll listen. He’s still convinced I can make it big, or Gracie.”

“Is that what you want?”

She looked away. “I don’t think so. But this morning, he said it was his fault I didn’t make it in Nashville. He actually took the blame for the failures. I feel stronger knowing that. So, now I wonder.” She shook her head. “I might always wonder.”

He closed his eyes. “I understand.”

She didn’t think he did. But she didn’t think she did, either. No matter what, if Maverick needed her, she wasn’t going anywhere. She’d made a promise, and even if he was pushing her away, she was still here for him, forever.

“I’ve been doing some other things while you were gone.”

“What’s that?”

“Praying.” She felt shy about it, but she wanted him to know.

“I’m happy to hear it.”

“I feel much better about some of this mess I created. You’re right. I don’t have to bear this alone.”

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