Page 27 of Maverick

I nodded as they left. Grabbing my painting stuff, I headed out the door with Orion in tow. We walked down to the little field behind Maverick’s house and set up. I laid down a blanket for Orion and put up my easel. I grabbed a new canvas from my bag and some paints. Opening the folding table, I set it up close enough to me to reach the paints.

Gazing out, I watched as the sun started to set, covering the field in beautiful reds, oranges, and pinks. The flowers glowed against the sunset and I smiled at the beauty of it all.

I let my brush glide against the canvas as I painted the scene before me. I lost track of time as I let the paintbrush take me away from my problems. It took me away from reality and into my safe world. A world where I could experience true love without overthinking. A world where I could find my soulmate without wanting to run to save them.A world where everything was normal. As I painted, I softly sang ‘Hey Jude’ by the Beatles.

Growing up, my Grandpa was the only one who truly cared about me. He was so sick though, that he was never able to help me escape the hell I was in. He would show up to our little trailer with food and a new Beatles CD for me. My Grandpa was the one who encouraged me to embrace my artistic side. He bought me my first paint set and my first guitar. He taught me how to play the guitar and would bring me down to the local bars to listen to the music each night.

He passed away when I was fifteen, but his memory has lived on in my mind. Everywhere I looked, there were little reminders of him. The setting sun, the strong mountains, the calm lakes.

My grandfather made a huge impact in my life and his memories will always live on and I will always treasure them. He showed me what it was like to be loved. How family is supposed to treat you.

I closed my eyes as I let the tears roll down my face, still singing, and let the memory of happier times take me away.

Chapter Eight

Maverick

As I came down themountain, I could see somebody standing in my field. I stopped my four-wheeler and walked toward the figure. I stopped when I realized it was Willow. She had her easel set up and was painting the sunset. She was singing an old Beatles song and I could see the tears running down her face. Even when she was crying, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Willow smiled as she got louder and really got into the song. I sat down and just watched her wrapped up in her own little world.

I heard some rustling and turned to see my Mama, Colton, and Knox coming down the path. They stopped and smiled and the sight of Willow singing and painting. As they got closer, the boys sat on either side of me leaning their little heads on my arms.

Colton looked up at me, pointed at Willow then whispered, “So pretty.”

I smiled and pulled them both into a big hug. “Yeah, buddy. She is so pretty. Her looks, her voice, her personality. Willow is a very pretty person.”

My Mama cleared her throat from behind us and I looked up at her. “She has a good heart, Silas. A good heart that has been used and stomped on. Her life hasn’t been easy. It’s just been Willow, by herself, for most of her life.”

“I wish she would talk to me about it, Mama. I could help her.”

“Oh, Silas. When you’re alone for so long you don’t tend to trust just anybody. She’s not a damsel in distress. Willow has taken care of herself for a long time and it will take a long time for her to open up and let somebody else take care of her. You have to show her why she should trust you.”

I rubbed the boys' backs as they listened to Willow singing in the field. “Mama, she fights me every turn we take. How can I show her to trust me if she constantly has walls up?”

Mama just laughed as she patted me on the head. “Stop overthinking it. Just do what feels right. Listen to your heart, baby.”

“Easy for you to say. My heart is saying all types of things and I don’t know which idea is the right one.”

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