Page 12 of The Maverick’s Legacy

“What are you going to do about that?”

What was she going to do? Absolutely nothing. Hadn’t she been telling herself since she moved to Tenacity that she needed to figure out the next steps in her life? It hadn’t even been a year since her breakup with Fletch made national news. She didn’t need to rush into anything new. Carly wanted to focus on herself.

Not on the man’s dimples or the way his hair curled at the ends or…

Carly slouched in her seat and closed her eyes.

She was so totally screwed.

Chapter Five

Carly casually glanced around the high school football stadium. It was packed, but that had a lot to do with the home team being on a winning streak. When she’d called Amy the day before to ask what her plans were for that Friday night, Amy had joked that she was going to live it up as one did in a small town and go watch the local football team. When she mentioned that Remi and Shane were also going, Carly decided to join the family festivities. Though she may have had alternative reasons for wanting to be there.

“Who are you looking for?” Amy asked.

Carly tried not to look like a kid stealing from the cookie jar as she quickly said, “No one!”

Remi turned where she sat on the bleacher in the row below. She eyed her knowingly. “You’re looking for Mr. Hot and Sweaty.”

“Who?” Amy asked. Her gaze narrowed on Carly. “You didn’t tell me there was a guy.”

“That’s because there isn’t one,” Carly insisted.

“Oh, there’s a guy,” Remi said. “And the way they looked at each other…” Remi fanned herself. “I’d say love is in the air.”

Carly gave her cousin a dry look. “You got all that from an apology pie?”

“I’m so lost right now,” Amy complained before looking at their cousin. “Since she’s being tightlipped about it, I’ll need you to fill me in.”

“Ugh,” Carly muttered. She palmed her face, hiding her eyes as Remi gave Amy an exaggerated account of what happened.

“And then Carly practically jumped him,” Remi continued.

“I did not!” she said.

“You wanted to.”

Thankfully, her cousin caught sight of her fiancé, and her voice trailed off as she took in her own man. Shane carried a tray full of snacks from the concession stand. Amy’s husband, Josh, followed behind, carrying a container of drinks. Remi catcalled Shane, whose face lit up at the sight of her. He and Josh made their way up the stands toward them.

Amy lightly elbowed Carly. “Tell me your version.”

Carly lifted a shoulder. “There really isn’t much to tell. I ran into this guy and his son the other day on the trails. We spoke for a second, and then I realized I was trespassing, so I got out of Dodge. I was a little rude during our encounter, so I took him an apple pie to apologize. That’s all that happened.”

“And you think he’s attractive.”

“She may have mentioned ocean-colored eyes,” Remi said. “I believe that was a direct quote.”

“Hey!” Carly lightly tapped her cousin’s backside with her foot.

“Are we talking about the guy Carly thinks is hot?” Shane said as he sat next to Remi, brushing his lips against her temples.

“Oh for Pete’s sake.” Carly looked up to the sky. “You make me sound like a schoolgirl with a crush.”

“We’re just giving you a hard time. It’s really sweet,” Remi said, taking the food off the tray Shane had, then passing a bucket of popcorn to Amy. “We’re really excited to see you having a life outside of the rodeo. Maybe this is an opportunity to put down some roots?”

“What! There are no roots to put down with this guy. I—” Carly’s mouth dropped as the man in question approached where she was sitting. He was walking behind a woman with three girls, a boy, and Grayson.

“Hello, Mayor!” Josh called out.