Page 46 of Maverick

No. I wasn’t the type of woman that men wanted long term. Sure, I was good for a short while, but they all eventually got bored with me and my art.

But maybe Maverick is different...

I couldn’t help but think about how he had treated me over the weeks. He was sweet, yet that alpha man in him came out to protect me. He listens and trusted me when nobody else did.

Maybe I could finally settle down. I just needed to protect my heart.

Maverick had my fragile heart in those big strong hands. He could easily crush it at any minute and that scared the shit out of me.

I pushed those thoughts out of my head as I bent down the play with the boys. There was no use in worrying myself when I had no clue what my future held. I still had The Shadow Raiders to worry about and until they were dealt with, I couldn’t get too close to anybody...

After a busy morning with Colton, Knox, and Lilah, we headed into town to do a little shopping. The boys had just woken up from a nap in their stroller as we made our way back up Main Street. We had brought Orion with us and he was loving all the attention he was getting today.

We stopped in front of the diner and I held the door open for Lilah. I went to tie Orion up outside when Lilah stopped me, “He can come in!”

I smiled as I grabbed his leash and brought him into the diner with us.

As soon as we got inside the door, we were greeted by the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen. She was petite with blonde hair pulled into a french twist on the back of her head and blue eyes. Her smokey eye make-up was absolutely perfect and she looked beautiful even in the mustard yellow waitress uniform.

“Lilah! Hey boys! I’ll get your booth ready.”

Lilah pushed the stroller toward the back of the diner where the waitress is waiting with two highchairs.

“How are you three today? Oh, hi! I’m Savannah!” She put her hand out and I took it in mine.

“I’m Willow. Nice to meet you.”

Savannah smiled at me as she bent down to pick up one of the boys. “So you’re the woman causing all this ruckus in the club, huh?”

I could feel the blush start to creep across my cheeks, “I...uh...”

Savannah laughed as she placed Knox into a highchair. “Don’t worry, I’m just kidding! The boys come here quite often and it’s all they’ve been talking about. Nothing but good things said about you. I think Wrench would kick their ass if they even tried to say anything bad!”

I laughed as I took my seat across from Lilah. “Wrench is a sweetheart. Treats me like a little sister. He’s been very kind.”

“He’s a good guy. Not bad on the eyes either!” Savannah winked as she pulled out two juice boxes from her apron and handed them to the boys.

“Are you one of their Old Ladies?”

Savannah’s eyes got big and she carefully looked around the diner. “Uh...no. I’m just a waitress here. Never been with any of them and never will.”

Lilah sighed next to me, “Sav, are you still with him?”

I looked back and forth between the two, confused with where this conversation was heading.

“Yes. He’s changing, Lilah. Going to anger management, not drinking. Things are looking up now.”

Lilah just shook her head, “Whatever you say, Savannah. But the next time you come to the Medical Center or I hear about you missing a shift, I can’t promise that I can hold the boys back again. Hawk seems to get upset about it the most so...”

Savannah sighed as she put her hands on her hips, “Yeah well Hawk should mind his own damn business. And I am not his business. Now, let’s stop talking about these pain in the ass men and get you some lunch.”

I scanned the menu and ordered a turkey club while Lilah ordered the boys chicken nuggets and a Reuben sandwich for herself.

Savannah returned a few minutes later with all our food and some drinks. “Here you go ladies, you enjoy your lunch and holler if you need anything!”

Lilah, Colton, Knox, and I finished our lunches then said our goodbyes to Savannah. As we started to walk down the sidewalk back to the SUV, Orion perked up his ears and started to look around. We got closer to the SUV and started to open the doors to load the boys in when Orion circled around us and started to growl.

I looked up just in time to see one of the guys from The Shadow Raiders coming our way. I tried to stand between him and Lilah, but he was too quick.

---