Page 31 of The Maverick’s Legacy

“Okay,” Carly said, trying to hide her disappointment in the sudden ending to their date. “Thank you for the lovely evening.”

“You’re welcome.” He stared at her for a second, his mouth opening and closing. He finally said, “Talk to you later.”

“Bye,” Carly responded.

She stood there for a long time, even after his truck disappeared from her view.

Chapter Eleven

Carly was in a foul mood the next day.

She liked Jesse. A lot. More than she should considering they’d only gone out a couple of times. But she really didn’t understand him. One minute he looked like he felt the same way she did. The next, he was leaving like he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. She understood that Oscar was his number one priority. But…he hadn’t even tried to kiss her. Was he old-fashioned? Or was he just not that interested in her?

She turned down the dirt driveway of Split Valley Ranch, finally pulling to a stop in front of her sister’s house. She wasn’t surprised to see Amy sitting on the front porch swing in a thick sweater. Josephine slept on her lap under a thick blanket. As she got out of the car, Carly’s mind replayed the previous night, the feel of being in Jesse’s arms, the way she’d felt so comfortable talking about her past with him. She loved his quiet comfort. Carly appreciated that when she’d told him about the uglier sides of her childhood, he hadn’t looked at her with sympathy—she wouldn’t have been able to tolerate that—but he’d given her the empathy she needed. And then…she was left on her porch, watching him leave without so much as a hug or pat on the shoulder.

“Hey,” Carly muttered as she climbed the steps and sat next to her sister. She shivered. She should have worn a thick coat, despite it being an unusually warm morning for late September. She made grabby hands toward Josephine, causing the porch swing to creak.

Amy snorted before handing the baby over. Josephine made a quiet mew of discontent at being moved before falling back asleep. Carly took in the perfection of her little face.

“Who’s your favorite aunt?” Carly murmured as she snuggled the baby closer, breathing in her fresh baby-powder scent.

“I think Faith is,” Amy joked.

“Hearsay,” Carly grumbled. She kissed Josephine lightly on the head as not to disturb her. “Tori, Faith, and Elizabeth can suck it. The Best Aunt Award goes to me. I live the closest, therefore I will have more opportunities to spoil her.”

“Sure, Carly,” Amy replied indulgently. They rocked in the swing for several minutes before Amy said, “So you want to tell me what’s wrong?”

“Who says anything is wrong?” Carly said, not meeting her sister’s eyes.

“Because it’s seven o’clock in the morning, and you are notorious for not being an early riser. And you looked upset when you first got out of your car. So spill.”

Carly sighed. She forgot how well her family knew her. Her parents had the philosophy sharing is caring. They grew up speaking their minds and spewing their feelings. It was one of the reasons it took Carly awhile to get used to the Hawkins way of life. She’d always been so cautious around the people in her circle. It was a hard habit to break.

“It’s Jesse,” she finally said.

“Did you find out he was a bad kisser?” Amy asked, her tone light.

“I still wouldn’t know,” Carly mumbled.

“What! You haven’t kissed him yet? Haven’t you gone out a couple of times now?”

“He’s probably just trying to be a gentleman,” Carly halfheartedly defended.

“This isn’t the 1800s, and you’re both consenting adults. It’s weird.”

“It’s not weird,” Carly denied. “He’s being considerate—that’s all.”

“Yeah, it is.” Amy looked thoughtful for a minute before she carefully said, “Look, I know he has a son and everything, but…maybe he’s still hung up on his former wife.”

Carly huffed. “Why would he ask me out if he was?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s a case of too much emotional damage.”

Carly stared at the sleeping baby in her arms, taking comfort in the weight of her.

“I don’t know,” she replied before admitting her deepest worry. “What if he’s just not into me?”

“Then break it off and move on. There are plenty of handsome guys in town we can set you up with.”