Page 36 of Falling for the Maverick

She’d given the server her order when she saw him walk in, carrying a sack of groceries, and she waved him over. “What brings you into town?” she said loud enough to be overheard by diners at a nearby booth.

Lucas smiled. “I had to do a little grocery shopping. Do you mind if I join you?”

“Of course not. Sit down.”

He set the bag on the seat, then sat down next to it. “How’s the family?”

Michelle smiled. “Everyone’s good. My parents flew to Arizona yesterday for a little R and R.”

“Good for them. How long will they be away?”

“They claim a week, but my father said they may extend it and drive up to Vegas to take in a few shows before coming back.”

“They deserve it after all the excitement of marrying off two of their sons at the same time.”

Michelle had to applaud Lucas’s acting, because this was the second time he’d given an award-winning performance. The first was at the reception when he’d pretended to be her boyfriend. And it also wasn’t the first time she’d asked herself how she had gotten so lucky to have met someone like him because he truly was the total package: looks, brains and charm.

“What’s on your agenda today, other than grocery shopping?” she asked casually.

“I have to pick up a few things at the drugstore, then it’s back to the ranch. And you?”

“I’m working at the daycare until four,” Michelle said. Feeling her cheeks flush, she tried to rein in her mind that was envisioning them meeting up at the Big Doggo by five.

* * *

More than anything, Lucas wanted to ask Michelle to come out to the ranch later that afternoon, but he couldn’t. Not when other diners were so close and the waitress hovered at his side. Instead, he ordered a bowl of beef stew.

Texting her that morning to meet him at the Silver Spur had been pure impulse. Ever since she’d left his ranch the night before he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. He realized it was her natural beauty, confidence and independent spirit that drew him to her. Her feistiness made it possible for her to compete with four older and very assertive brothers. If she’d been born a boy, there was no doubt she would’ve been hell on wheels.

He wanted to know what it would be like to go to bed and wake up with her beside him. He could imagine them spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking together. Sitting out at night to watch the sun set over the mountains. He wanted it so bad it scared him.

His brother’s words came back to him: first, he would dance with her, then she would ask him to bring home milk and diapers. He might want that someday but not now. Everything was too fragile—his business, his whole life.

Moving to Tenacity had changed his priorities somewhat. Though he couldn’t completely step away from his dad’s business, his focus now was establishing Big Doggo. He’d invested well, made a lot of money for himself and others; he’d traveled extensively and had a few relationships of short duration. But all that paled in comparison to what he wanted now.

His career and ranch aspirations had always been the priority in his life. He’d never thought much about getting married and fathering children until he was introduced to Michelle Corey.

She was the opposite of the women with whom he’d been involved previously. They’d been the epitome of big-city sophistication, with coiffed hair, perfectly applied makeup and designer attire.

There was a fresh wholesomeness to Michelle that was so natural he hadn’t been able to look away when he met her. Her large brown eyes never wavered, even when he continued to stare at her. If he could read her thoughts, they might say: Yeah, I see you looking at me. Do you like what you see? It was as if she was silently challenging him to make the first move.

If the truth were told, he would admit there was something about her that frightened him, too. Because in the past whenever he was attracted to a woman, he hadn’t been reluctant to let her know. But with Michelle, he could only stare, completely captivated.

The very same things that attracted him to Michelle held him back. She would want him to be all in on their relationship, for his priority to be her and maybe eventually their kids. That was a big change for a workaholic like him. Could he step back from the ambitions that had driven him all his life?

He mentally kicked himself. She was the one who wanted things to be casual from the start. So why was he tying himself in knots at the thought of forever?

He shook himself out of his reverie when the waitress brought his stew. Looking up at Michelle, he asked, “What are you doing later?”

“I’m going home. Why?”

“Just asking.”

She leaned over the table. “There has to be a reason why you’re asking.”

He cleared his throat. “Well, since I’m rather new to Tenacity, I thought maybe you could tell me a good place to go and kick back for a few hours?”

“There’s the Social Club and Grizzly Bar,” interjected a young woman sitting in the neighboring booth. It was apparent she’d overheard their conversation. Lucas gave her a death stare until she finally lowered her large blue eyes. “Sorry to interrupt,” she whispered. “I just couldn’t help overhearing.”