Page 48 of The Maverick’s Legacy

“Is there any reason you’re interrupting my business meeting?” Carly asked him.

“Business meeting?” Jesse asked, though his body seemed to relax a little.

“Connor is a contractor. Amy’s husband recommended him to help me with my riding school. I’m looking to possibly hire him to help me redesign the stables, build a riding barn, and construct an office.”

Jesse’s lips turned up. “You’re really doing it, huh?”

“I’m trying to.” She waved her hand toward the window where Connor was pacing outside while talking on his phone.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to say that I was sorry for running off this morning without saying goodbye to you first. But you looked so content sleeping, I didn’t want to disturb you. Did you get the flowers I sent you?”

“I did.” She picked up the coffee mug and cradled it in her hands, enjoying the heat of it warming her palms. It was a nice contrast to the fall air outside. She didn’t meet his eyes as she said, “It was a little weird, though, to wake up and you were gone. No note or anything.”

“I…” Jesse rubbed his face. “Oh hell. I’m always messing up with you. I—”

Oscar came up to the table then. “I’m ready to go,” he announced.

Jesse sighed but gave his son a short nod. He stood up from the table and said to her, “I’ll call you later, okay?”

She nodded, though she still wouldn’t look at him. “I’d like that.”

“Good.” And then in front of everyone in the café, Jesse leaned down and cupped her cheek, forcing her to meet his gaze. Her eyes widened as he closed the distance between them, his lips pressing possessively against hers before he repeated like a promise against her mouth, “I’ll call you later.”

He left before she could say anything else. Carly’s gaze trailed after him, her heart pounding hard. Oscar stared after his father before he looked back at Carly. With a smirk, he lifted his fist and nodded toward it. When she copied his movement, he fist-bumped her, then followed his father out the door.

Carly lifted her hand and touched her lips. Whispers were racing through the café like flames in a brushfire.

Francine came up to her, her eyes twinkling. “Can I refill your coffee?”

“Yes, please.” She pushed the cup over to the woman just as Connor returned.

After the waitress left, he asked, “Is everything okay?”

Carly glanced out the window in time to see Jesse and Oscar drive by. Jesse tipped his hat at her as he went.

She couldn’t fight the smile on her face as she replied. “Yeah, everything is great.”

Chapter Eighteen

Carly had set up a couple of barrels in the corral behind the barn. Even though rodeo was second nature to her at this point, she still wanted to make sure to get in some more practice before the rodeo that weekend. The air was thick with the scent of dust and leather, the steady pound of Nieve’s hooves matching the pulse beating loudly inside Carly’s ears. She felt the familiar surge of adrenaline as she leaned into the last barrel, Nieve’s powerful body moving with hers like it always did. For those fleeting moments, there was no confusion, no distraction. Only the sense of freedom and control she always got when she was on a horse.

Remi and Amy sat on the fence, watching her move. Amy held a stopwatch as Carly and Nieve worked their way through the course.

“Not too bad,” Amy said when she finished the last turn.

“Not too bad?” Carly countered. “What do you mean, not too bad?”

Remi glanced at the watch in Amy’s hand. “It’s not the quickest you’ve ever done, but it’s still impressive.”

“Awesome,” Carly replied dryly. Even though it was fall, they were experiencing a warm front expected to last until Sunday. Sweat dribbled down her spine as she hopped off her horse. They’d been at it for hours now.

“Why don’t you take a break?” Remi said. “I feel like I haven’t had a chance to speak with you ladies in weeks.”

“That’s what happens when you have a double wedding,” Amy teased. “You get preoccupied. Besides, I don’t have much to report other than Josephine pooping on Josh the other day. While the look of horror on his face was hilarious, I don’t have any video evidence to share.”

“Well, I don’t have much to report either,” Remi said. “The plans for the wedding are going smoothly now that Tiffany’s agreed to remove me from all decisions for the floral arrangements. Things are getting ordered, and everything seems to be on schedule.”

Both her cousin and her sister looked at Carly as she slow walked Nieve around the corral. She rolled her eyes.