Page 82 of Coming Home to Maverick

Maverick sat on his bed, leaning back against the headboard. “Let’s talk for a minute.” He scooted more toward the middle and patted the spot next to him.

She snuggled up against him. “I’ve imagined moments like this one for years.”

“Me too.” He kissed the top of her head. “I got something to say. And this might not be the most romantic way to do this, but just remember back on the first time I asked you, on top of the water tower with the sun setting behind us.”

Her heart leapt. She held his hand in her own, tracing lines up and down his fingers.

“I want to marry you, Bailey. Really marry you. As in, you walk down the aisle, I meet you in front of the preacher, and we say ‘I do.’”

She winced a little, but she knew he needed reassurance.

He held up his hand. “I want to grow old with you, Bailey. I want you in this spot on the bed every night for the rest of your life.”

She turned to look up into his face.

“But what do you want?” His kind eyes, his open, caring expression made this one of the most special moments of their relationship.

She tried to think of a way to express herself that he could fully trust. “I want to finally walk down that aisle. I want to be yours every day from now until forever. But…”

“But?” He lifted her chin so he could study her eyes.

“But this isn’t my spot.”

He tilted his head in question.

“Nope.” She leaned over and pointed to his other side. “That’s my spot.”

“Whoa now, I’ve been sleeping in that spot for years.”

“Well, me too, so what are you gonna do about it?”

“Is this a deal-breaker?”

“It might be.”

He seemed to give it some real serious thought, then he wrapped his arms around her and rolled her over to that spot, covering her body with the length of his own. “Then how about we share?” His eyes were laughing, teasing, tempting, but as he waited for her response, they darkened. He adjusted his position so that he rested on his arms. “This is probably a little too nice for the kind of conversation we’re having, but I’ll just wait here until I get an answer.”

“About sharing our spot?”

“Yes, that, and other things I’m about to ask.”

“You’re gonna ask right here?”

“Why not? I like it.” The twinkle of enjoyment on his face made her grin.

“We can share.”

“What else do you want, Bailey? Do you want to sing? To travel? Do you want to stay here and help run the ranch? Do you love Willow Creek? Me?” The last, hopeful lift of his voice warmed her heart. He knew she loved him, but she didn’t blame him for his insecurity in that area. She vowed to spend the rest of her days trying to wipe it away.

“I told you the truth. I still have the contract, and I look at it every now and then, but I don’t want a big singing career anymore. I think I might be happy singing here in Willow Creek and at our local county fair.”

He nodded and kissed her forehead. Then he lifted himself up and fell to his knees at the side of the bed. “Bailey, I just can’t wait any longer. Will you marry me? We’ll figure out all the rest later.”

She rolled off and knelt down beside him. He turned to her. She lifted a finger and ran it along his forehead. “I love you, Maverick. Whatever we do, let’s do it together. Yes, I will marry you as soon as we possibly can.”

“Praise be.”

She laughed. “What?”

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