Page 25 of Falling for the Maverick

“When will we see each other again?”

“What days do you volunteer at the daycare center?”

“Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.” Michelle noticed the slight frown between Lucas’s eyes.

“It will have to be early mornings on the days when you’re off or on the weekends.”

She agreed. “We’ll have to meet here whenever I take Betty Boop out. I don’t want anyone to see me driving in this direction, because that will arouse suspicions.”

“If you want to drive to my place, then turn off on the unpaved road before you reach Split Valley Ranch and come up the back way. Your vehicle has four-wheel drive, so you should be able to navigate the steep incline without a problem. You’ll see a sign pointing the way to Big Doggo. Take the road on the right, and you’ll come up at the rear of the property where you can park without anyone seeing your vehicle.”

Michelle knew meeting Lucas in secret meant careful planning. However, stubbornness wouldn’t allow her to back out now.

“What’s on your agenda today?” Lucas asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“I plan to bake a cake.”

His eyebrows lifted when he smiled. “What kind of cake?”

“A key lime pound cake.”

“Oh damn, bae. You got me at key lime. It happens to be my favorite pie.”

“I’ll definitely save you a few pieces. No, better yet. I’ll bake you your own because once Tristan and Aaron see the big one there will be nothing left.”

Lucas winked at her. “You’re the best.”

“It’s time I get back. I promised my grandmother I’d stop by and spend some time with her.”

“Send me a text and let me know when you’re coming. Weather permitting, we can grill and maybe even eat outdoors.”

“That sounds wonderful.” The clandestine meetings were sounding better now that she had a way of going to his ranch without having eyes on her.

Lucas walked with her as she untied Betty Boop’s reins. He lifted her onto the saddle as she slipped her booted foot into the stirrup. The mare stomped restlessly because she was ready to run.

Michelle pulled her hat lower to keep it from falling off. “Okay, girl. Let’s ride,” she whispered in the horse’s ear.

* * *

Lucas stood motionless, watching horse and rider disappear from view in what felt like mere seconds. There was no doubt that Michelle was an expert equestrian with years of riding experience. The mare she called Betty Boop must have some Thoroughbred in her bloodline; she’d gotten up to speed incredibly quickly.

He heard his stallion snorting and knew it was time for him to head back home. He hadn’t planned to see Michelle that morning, but fortune was on his side, and now she’d agreed to come to the Big Doggo. If he were to see her one or hopefully two days a week, it should be enough to satisfy his curiosity about a woman who somehow tied him up in knots and made him want to know everything about her.

He mounted the stallion and led him slowly toward the grazing horses in the autumn sun.

Lucas didn’t know why, but he’d always felt more comfortable on a horse than sitting behind a desk. He’d majored in business with a focus on finance and became skilled at investing both his own and his clients’ money. Once he had the resources to set up the Big Doggo, he resigned his position at an investment company but continued to monitor his father’s dry-cleaning franchises. And now that you know the Big Doggo is workable, you need someone else in your life besides your dog and horses.

Lucas could recall his father’s words as if he were standing next to him and whispering in his ear. Easy for Phillip to say. He’d somehow managed to figure out a work-life balance. Lucas hadn’t done that yet.

He’d completed Ivy League degrees in finance, management, and taxation, then pushed himself so hard for his dad and other clients’ success that he almost burned out at a young age. Women he’d dated had accused him of being inattentive, which made relationships difficult if not impossible. But Lucas was hyper focused on securing his future. He was striving for stability to calm the restlessness that plagued him by the time he’d celebrated his thirtieth birthday.

Lucas only shared his dream of starting a horse ranch with Brittany after she’d married multimillionaire horse breeder Daniel Dubois. In a candid conversation, Daniel gave him all the guidance he needed to make it happen.

Lucas had thought about buying land in Bronco until Tiffany opened his eyes to the advantages of Tenacity where he could get more land for his buck. He’d taken Daniel’s advice as well as Tiffany’s, and now with Big Doggo, he’d finally found the peace that had always eluded him. But he had to ask himself if he was ready to settle down and commit to one woman. However, that would only be possible if he was able to find the balance between work and his personal life. But he had to ask himself was that woman Michelle Corey?

That was a question to which he had no answer.

* * *