Page 74 of Coming Home to Maverick

“And down here too.” She put her small hand in his, and he suddenly knew what it meant to feel like a king. He stood taller and led her back to their seats.

She received a rousing welcome back in their box. And then the show continued with one event after another. Dylan went out and roped calves, but then Decker beat him. The audience loved that. Then the barrel racers were up.

“Why aren’t you out there?” Maverick jerked his thumb toward the women flying across the arena, circling barrels and then running back the other direction. “You literally slay at this.”

She laughed. “I didn’t have time to get ready. When I added up all the people, we had enough. So I stepped out of this one.”

“Wait, have you been planning this event?” Maverick looked from her to his mama and back.

“Of course, she has. And doing all the other stuff too, mind you.” Mama jabbed him in the arm.

“What other stuff?” He turned to Bailey.

“Oh, you know, you left your ledgers and task lists, so I’ve just been going down the items, making sure the important stuff gets finished.”

Maverick was astounded. “You have?”

“Sure. I told you I’d help out with what needed to be done.”

“That you did. Well, now I need to be thanking you for that.”

Mama humphed. “You certainly do. This pretty lady might very well save our ranch.”

The whole time he thought she was ignoring him, she’d been holding things together for him while he was gone.

Bailey held up a finger. “Before you get grumpy at your brothers, just know I told them what to do and not do, and so they were just following orders.”

“She’s worse than you.” Nash groaned. “In a good way.”

The announcer asked for a drumroll. “I think this might be our cue.” He winked at Bailey.

She stood up. “Oh! Oh, you’re right.”

They raced down to the lower levels. Their horses pranced and whinnied when they saw them as if they knew they were up.

Maverick walked beside Bailey, and suddenly, again, all seemed right in the world. “Let’s shock and amaze.”

“You know it.”

They swung up onto their horses and rode out together through the opening and into the middle of the arena.

The crowd went crazy when they announced the reigning world champion. And they even went crazy when the announcer shouted Bailey’s name. The two stopped in the center, and then their music started. And they forgot everything but each other.

Once they finished their number, and then Maverick went out on his bull and beat his world record time by a quarter second, they closed out the show, and everyone made their way to their next activities. But the Dawson family stayed put.

When they were finally more or less alone, Mama patted Maverick’s arm. “Now, you looked good riding the bull. Real good.”

“Thank you, Mama.”

“But not nearly as good as when you rode with Bailey. You two are meant to be together. Can y’all just figure that out?”

“Amen.” Nash shook his head. “It’s obvious to everyone but you. Apparently.”

Maverick just grinned. “Oh, believe me. It’s obvious to us too.” He reached for Bailey’s hand. “And did anyone see this little angel, Gracie, on the winner’s blocks?”

“Oh, we certainly did,” Mama said. “Your second win, but your first blue ribbon, child. What are you gonna do with it?”

She tapped her chin. “I think I’ll hang it on my bed.”

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