I hate it when he’s deployed, but there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. He wouldn’t want me to anyway. I’m not sure if he joined the military because he was running away from something or toward something, but he found the right path for him.
Even if it’s more than a little lonely. And not just for him.
But I can’t make decisions for him. He’s a grown ass man. All I can do is hope he comes to his senses and comes home before it’s too late for him to enjoy something more than his career.
Although, I probably shouldn’t talk considering I work more than I should. I’ve done so shamelessly up to this point.
It’s just because I didn’t have much else going on. Why not dedicate more time and effort into ensuring the trust people have put in me is warranted?
Now that Helen is in my sights? I think something will have to change.
Sooner rather than later.
“I, uh,” I clear my throat even though it doesn’t help, “when the meeting with Cowell was over, his daughter was waiting to have lunch with him.” Granger’s eyebrow is arched, the question clear on his face. “Her name is Helen and she’s mine.”
Granger lets out a sound of surprise which might as well be a gasp as he slumps back in his seat. Hunter’s eyes are wide as he looks between the two of us, as if he doesn’t understand the words I just said. Since the man is perfectly capable, I roll my eyes before glaring between two of my best friends.
“I don’t think I heard you correctly,” Granger mumbles.
“You heardme just fine,” I tell him, but I still repeat myself, “Helen Cowell, Edgar’s daughter, is the woman meant to be mine. All it took was one look,” I admit with a shrug.
When another beer lands in front of me, I look up to find Maverick grinning from ear to ear. “Sometimes it hits you just like that, Sheriff,” he tells me.
He looks across The Goose, the bar and restaurant he built from scratch and used to spend all his time at before he met his wife, Lark, but it’s clear he’s not seeing the space in front of him. No, he’s lost in a memory.
When his eyes come back into focus, he looks at me and smirks, “Did you know I first saw Lark in the grocery store looking incredibly forlorn in front of the soy sauce?”
I let out a groan, and I’m not the only one. Everyone knows their story. Everyone.
It’s one for the ages.
The town’s playboy and bar owner takes one look at the single mother of two, who just moved to town after the death of her partner, in the grocery store, and the rest is history. Although there were more steps than that, the beginning and the ending are the same. As far as the middle? It’s their story to tell; and they do. Often.
But none of us mind, not really. Even though we give him shit for it.
Seeing Maverick happy and settled while loving his family, which now includes a third kid Lark and Maverick had together, makes it feel like love can happen to anyone at any time.
“Oh, fuck you guys,” Maverick grouses.
I chuckle as I look at him and ask, “Just one look, huh?”
“Yeah,” he nods, reverence written all over his face, “all it took was one look and I knew she was the woman who was sent to turn my lifeupside down. And she sure as fuck did,” he says the words with a goofy grin on his face.
I chuckle and shrug one shoulder. “I don’t know if it’ll work out with my woman,” I point out.
Maverick levels me with a look which is pure challenge. “Are you going to let her get away or are you going to do whatever it takes to make her yours?” He grimaces slightly and glances around before adding, “Legally, of course.”
Something about the way he says it makes me wonder if legally is really an ‘of course’ in this situation or if he would be willing to push those boundaries in certain situations. Like if said situation had to do with his woman.
Honestly, I’m not sure I can blame him. Not now that Helen has come into my life. I can’t stop thinking about her and feel the need to go and track her down. She’s even found her way into my dreams.
“I’m definitely going to make her mine,” I growl the words.
Maverick grins and nods before giving my shoulder a squeeze and walking away. He throws over his shoulder, “And with that, I’m going to head home to see my wife.”
Hunter, Granger, and I chuckle before sharing a look. “Once you make it all official, I expect to be invited over for dinner,” Granger warns me with a wink.
The way Hunter nods in agreement has me smiling as warmth spreads through my chest. Now I just need to make her mine.
