Page 54 of The Maverick’s Legacy

“We’ll let you get to it,” Carly said. “I just wanted to stop by and thank you for getting me involved in the festivities.”

“You’re welcome. I can’t wait to see you perform!” Michelle replied. She gripped the girl’s shoulder and guided her to the tall man she’d been eying earlier. He looked up from his phone as they came to a stop in front of him. Michelle said something and he nodded. Carly didn’t miss the way the man’s eyes followed Michelle as she took the girl inside the daycare center.

Jesse and Carly continued on their way, eventually stopping for a mug of hot cider. Carly noticed that Jesse kept glancing over at the sumo area where Oscar could be seen clapping and laughing with the rest of the boys.

“Do I need to apologize for overstepping?” she asked. “About Oscar.”

Jesse laughed, though it wasn’t a happy sound. “You never overstep. I told you that before. You know what Oscar needs. Sometimes better than I do.”

“Hey.” She put her hand on his arm. “You know Oscar better than anyone, and you’re an amazing dad. I think I just relate to him. I felt like an outsider for so long when I was a kid, and it was hard for me to fit in. That was until I met Suzie and Arthur. Speaking of, they’re in town to spend time with Amy and me. They want to meet you.”

“Oh?” Jesse smirked. “We’re at the meet the parents stage, huh?”

Carly giggled before asking somewhat nervously, “Is that okay?”

Jesse took her now empty paper cup and threw it into the trash along with his. When he turned back to her, Carly’s eyes widened at the intent on his face. Before she knew it, Jesse pulled her to him and was kissing her with a fierceness that took her breath away. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him even closer.

“You know there are children around here,” a man said, and they pulled apart only to find Grayson and JenniLynn staring at them with amusement.

“Don’t you have something else to do than bug me?” Jesse muttered.

“Hey, bro, you’re the one sucking poor Carly’s face off like a vampire,” Grayson replied.

“Stop teasing them,” JenniLynn replied, patting Grayson lightly on the chest. He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. She grinned at him, then turned back to Carly and Jesse. “Carly, they’re getting ready to start the rodeo.”

Carly glanced down at her watch and swore. How had the time gone by so quickly? She rose up and kissed Jesse on the cheek.

“See you there?” she asked, only to find he had that look on his face again. Like something had upset him. They’d have to talk about it later because she was late.

“I’ll be cheering you on from the stands,” he told her.

She grinned at him before making a mad dash back to the arena, even as it hurt to leave Jesse behind.

So, this was what it was like to be truly in love with someone.

Chapter Twenty

Jesse watched Carly go, unable to tear his eyes from the retreating figure.

Grayson snorted. “I think you have a little drool on your face.”

JenniLynn smiled. “They’re clearly in the honeymoon stage.”

Grayson lifted an eyebrow at that. “And we’re not?”

JenniLynn looked like she was about to show him that they indeed were when someone called out. “Afternoon, Mayor.”

She waved to the greeter before urging the men to walk. “Come on.”

Grayson took her hand, and the three of them headed to the arena.

“Where are the girls today?” Jesse asked.

“My parents are in town,” JenniLynn replied. “They volunteered to take the kids around the festivities so that Grayson and I could have a date.”

Jesse clutched his hand over his heart. “And you’re letting me be your third wheel? I’m touched.”

“Not exactly,” Grayson joked. “We thought Oscar would be with you.”