Maverickis walking out of the grocery store with the most beautiful womanI’ve ever seen. He’s got his arm around her, smiling, laughingeven, and my eyes are stuck to him. I can’t believe he’s seeingsomeone else. I can’t believe he’s over me so fast. Worst of all, Iknow that I’m not over him. And maybe this reinforces my notionthat what we had was just a casual thing. Maybe it’s better that Ilost the baby, because clearly, Maverick got over me in the blinkof an eye. But something in the pit of my stomach sets me off. Ilove him. I’ve never loved anyone like this before. I can’t stopthinking about him. Every time I close my eyes I see hisface.
Hisvoice is on my head all the time, too. When I think real hard, Ican feel his arms around me. I can feel him making love to me. It’slike a vivid memory that may never be erased. Is that what I’mreduced to? Am I confined to a life of memories? Am I just anothernotch on Maverick’s bedpost? I really thought I was at least alittle bit more than that to him, but clearly I’m not. This womanis drop dead gorgeous. With long, blonde hair, legs that go to herneck, and a chest that could stop traffic.
AndMaverick’s arm is around her shoulder as they walk to his truck. Myheart clenches, my heart skips a beat.
…and then I go and do something so stupid and impulsive, andit changes my life forever.
Chapter 12
Maverick
Me andBlake are in the stable, giving Chocolate and Lollipop a bath, whenwe hear the truck pull up. Mama shouts from the porch that Rod andStella are here. As if it needs to be announced. But that’s mama.Rod, while bookish-looking, lacking that certain Texan appeal, he’sa straight-shooter, and is always dressed like he should be at aconference. Stella, on the other hand, is tall and veryrunway-model like. You ever see siblings that look nothing liketheir parents? That’s Rod and Stella. Their other siblings are bearmore resemblance to mama’s sister, but not these two.
We sharewelcoming hugs and pleasantries, and mama invites us all in thehouse for tea. Blake and I stay outside though, finishing washingthe horses, but we join them once we’re done. Gladys is out for theday, helping her son do a photo shoot, as his assistant is sick, somama is feverishly making a grocery list in the kitchen.
“Oh, Aunt Emma, let me go pick some things up for you. I’mdying to go take a look around.” Stella offers.
“Are you sure, love?” Mama says. “When are y’all going to lookat houses?”
Rodwaves. “Not until after lunch. Our first appointment is at twoo’clock.”
“I’ll go with you, darlin’.” I say, knowing that I have topick up a thing or two in town and I had planned on heading outsoon anyhow. She finishes her tea and we head out, while Rod chewsthe fat with mama in the kitchen, and the rest of the boys get backto work.
Stelladoesn’t need help getting into my truck so I jump into the driverside. “So, what’s going on with Gunner’s arm? How did he break it?”Stella asks.
“We we’re helping a friend of mine move and he did somethingstupid. Tore the dang thing right out of the skin. It was prettybad.”
Shewinced. “Good lord. Well, at least he seems to be bouncing backpretty well.”
Speak ofthe devil. My phone rings on Bluetooth and it’s Gunner. “Hey,brother. What’s up?” I answer.
“You miss me already, Gunner?” Stella interrupts,good-naturedly.
“Hey, there, cuz.” Gunner chuckles. “You two mind picking meup more of them puzzle books that Maverick’s lover girl brought forme?”
I rollmy eyes, wishing like hell that Gunner would cool it with this newfound penchant for a big mouth. “Thanks, asshole. I’ll be sure toget you a big one that can fit in your pie hole.”
Hechuckles, pleased with himself. “Thanks man.”
I hangup on him but it’s too late. The damage is done. Stella is lookingat me like the goddamn Cheshire Cat. I lift a defensive hand.“Before y’all say anything, it’s a complicated situation and Idon’t have any answers for you.”
“Right.” She says smoothly. “Is it true though? Y’all finallygot yourself a girl?”
I sigh.“Not really.” A pause. “It’s a long story and she’s sort of keepingquiet about it. Not even keeping in touch, really.”
Her facefalls. “Is it over? What happened? You have a fight?”
Stellahas a heart of gold. Whatever she asks me is out of pure concern.We’ve been a close family forever and none of them have eversteered me wrong.
“I hope not.” Is all I say. “We didn’t have a fight, but…um…wewere having a baby,” I say carefully, “and she miscarried. I thinkher heart’s torn in two of you ask me. It she won’t let me in. Andit’s making me sick with worry. I love her to bits but I’m not surethat her heart is in the same place.”
“Did you tell her that you love her, Maverick?”
“Not in words, no. She wasn’t ready to hear it.”
I lookat her and she gives me a knowing smile. “Have you tried tellingher since she lost the baby?”
“No.” I shake my head, resigned. “I’m not sure if thatwould’ve made it worse.”
