Page 59 of Coming Home to Maverick

“I think she was meant to be ours all along.”

Bailey tried to swallow her tears. “I think so too.”

They shared a moment together where Bailey wanted to apologize all over again for ever leaving such a beautiful family.

But then Mama said, “I know you had to leave. You got something inside you that wants to sing and share your voice. I saw it every time you sang.”

“But I should have said something.”

“That you should. Just like you should do so now, if you got something to share.” Her eyes saw more than Bailey thought she was revealing. And then thoughts of Daniel crowded her mind, thoughts she’d been pushing away. She nodded, suddenly uncomfortable, and nudged her horse to take her out into the wider paddock area. Maybe if she ran fast enough, the ghosts of her past would leave her alone.

She pushed the horse out to the farthest corner of the small field. And then she stopped, turning in a slow circle so she could see all the land around her. Beautiful. The land filled her in much the same way her singing did. She loved this ranch like she did her own.

She realized, as she drank in everything, she’d do a lot to protect it. She was a Dawson as much in her heart as she hoped to be in her life. Did she want to marry Maverick? Could she finally take that step? Of course, she could. She’d already told him she wasn’t going anywhere. She’d do anything to be his wife.

Her phone rang, and without thinking, she answered it. “Hey, love. I’ll be over there in a second.”

The quiet on the other end concerned her. “Hello? Maverick?”

“So you’re back with Maverick?”

“Daniel.”

“I’m glad you at least took my call even if you didn’t know it was me.” The self-deprecating tone made her smile.

“Well, you can’t blame me. He’s pretty special.”

“So you’ve said. Does he know how awesome you are? ’Cause I wish I’d known sooner.”

She sucked in a breath. “Do you?”

“Yeah, I was a jerk. Look, I don’t want to come between you and Maverick. Again. But I was thinking maybe I can come out there to meet my daughter.”

“She’s not your daughter.”

“What are you saying? I’m pretty sure she is.”

“Let’s just be super clear. You said you wanted nothing to do with her, that if I was gonna keep her, she wasn’t your responsibility.”

“I know what I said. But I feel differently now. She’s something special, I bet, and I just want to meet her. I won’t even get up in your life. Can I meet her as, like, a family friend or something?”

She groaned. “In. Out. Done. Don’t plan on staying more than an afternoon.”

“Okay. I will.” The breathless hope in his voice made her wince.

“And, Daniel. There is no us. And you’re not her dad.”

“Got it. And thanks. This means a lot.”

“Mmm. Don’t make me regret it.” She hung up the phone. All the peace and happiness of the Dawson ranch was gone, replaced by a worrisome anxiety she couldn’t shake.

She rode to Maverick’s horse and reached for its bridle, and then led both horses over to the barn.

As she took off their saddles and brushed them down, she couldn’t shake the cold heaviness in her heart. Surely letting Gracie’s father meet her had to be the right choice? As she poured some alfalfa into each of the horse’s bins, she just couldn’t convince herself to be happy about Daniel coming. She wanted to wrap her arms around Gracie and run away, far and fast.

As she made her way back across the empty paddock and headed for the pig barn, she knew she was dragging her boots, but she didn’t know what to do about it. Maverick would know right away something was bothering her, but she didn’t want to tell him and especially not his mother.

Gracie pushed open the barn door and came running to her. “Mama!” She leapt into her arms. “Guess what!”

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