Page 79 of Coming Home to Maverick

She nodded. “I had to go back home.” She snuggled closer. “I wanted to stay too.”

“Well, I’m happy you got to sleep in a comfortable bed.” He lifted his eyes to Bailey’s. “Thanks.”

She nodded.

The guys joked with him some more, and the more he talked, the more comfortable his speech became. Until he felt almost normal, just tired. His brothers left with promises to bring back Mama. Gracie jumped down and ran with them after they offered her ice cream. And at last, Maverick was alone with Bailey.

She climbed up and sat next to him on the bed. Her fingers ran through his hair. “It’s a good thing you broke your own record ’cause I don’t think you’re getting back up on a bull again.” Her voice hitched like she was delivering bad news.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard so far.”

“Is it?”

“Oh yeah. Bailey, I couldn’t stand another minute of that lonely road. No one there at night, no one to see my success, nothing but one show after another.” He almost said, “I’m ready to come home.” But was he? Home wasn’t where he wanted to be, either, if Bailey wasn’t there.

She snuggled in closer. “I get that.” She yawned and then pulled the blankets up around her, turning on her side. In moments, she was asleep.

Tears fell again as he thought of her pain and her apparent exhaustion. He stayed as still as possible so he didn’t disturb her, and when the nurse came in to check on him, he shooed her out and shook his head. She smiled and gave them some time.

As he studied Bailey’s sleeping form, he hoped that no matter what came next in their lives, they’d be able to do it together.

Chapter 23

The stress of the past week finally caught up to Bailey. It hit her like a truck barreling down the highway, and she couldn’t keep her eyes open. She knew Maverick was next to her—she felt his solid rhythmic breathing beside her—but she couldn’t even stay awake to enjoy him. He was safe. He was healthy. He would recover. That’s all she needed to know before she let her body shut down.

When she awoke, it was to quiet whispers at Maverick’s other side. Mama had come back, and she was laying into Maverick like Bailey’d never heard.

“She’s done everything for you, son. Took over when you left, was worried sick for you while caring for her own daughter. If that’s not proving she’s in it for the long haul, I don’t know what is. And besides, you’re gonna need her. I won’t be around forever. Someone’s gotta be Mama, and do you think you can find anyone else the guys will respect? What about when they start bringing in their wives and their kids. Someone’s gotta keep track of all that nonsense.

“I just wanna rest. I wanna sit on the porch and love on my grandkids. At least she brought me one of those. Not a single son of mine has even thought about such a thing. Well, besides you, of course, and that isn’t your fault. But she’s yours now. She is. Can’t you see that? That child loves you. And there isn’t a contract in the world that’s gonna take either of them away from you. If you don’t grab hold of this chance and love her like she deserves, I hope your dad comes back from the grave to give you the talking-to you deserve.”

Bailey tried not to, but she couldn’t help a little laugh and then another. And then Maverick started shaking beside her, and the two of them were laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world. Mama stood crossing her arms and looking none too pleased.

“I don’t find any of this mess funny.”

Bailey sat up and came around the bed. “Oh, Mama, I love you like my own mother. Truer and more important words were never spoken by any woman.” She winked over her shoulder at Maverick. “But there’s a couple things I gotta say. And one of them is there’s no way I could ever do anything for this family half as well as you’ve already done it. But if you’re offering me a position in the Dawson family lineup, I’ll take it.”

“Wait, what?” Maverick opened his mouth.

“Well, sure.” Bailey grinned and then shook her head. “I’m just kidding—a little.”

Maverick’s face turned completely serious, and she saw the proposal on his lips. Maybe, at last, they could do this again, the right way.

Mama leaned over and kissed his forehead. “You think long and hard about what I said.”

“I could never forget a word of it.”

“That’s a good boy. Because I don’t want to be getting after you again. You’re old enough to not need these talks anymore.”

She found her way back to her seat at the side of the bed. “The doctor came in while you were sleeping, Bailey, and he said that tomorrow, as long as Maverick keeps improving, he can make his way back home.” She held up a finger. “To bed rest.”

“Oh, that’s great news.”

“So you can clear out of his room, or we can put him someplace else. Or you can stay in there with him for all I care.”

“What!” Bailey felt her face go crimson. “I’ll be just fine moving to the guest bedroom.”

“You been sleeping in my bed?”

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