Page 50 of Falling for the Maverick

Michelle had followed her grandmother’s recipe for mac and cheese to the letter, and she couldn’t believe it tasted just like Gram’s. Whenever her grandmother didn’t feel like cooking, now she would be able to step in and make it.

“I will send along the compliment.” She set down her fork. “I’m sorry I didn’t make dessert.”

Lucas grunted. “I don’t need dessert. I’ve filled up on mac and cheese.”

“You can have the leftovers.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes. Now that my parents are away, there’s food in the fridge I need to cook or else it’s going to spoil.”

“Who does the cooking in your house?”

“My mother,” Michelle replied. “She makes a buffet breakfast and dinner every day and sit-down on the weekends.”

“No lunch?”

Michelle discovered there were very little details that got past him. “Not everyone has dinner together, and whatever isn’t eaten at dinner is served as lunch the following day. My brothers get up at sunrise to start doing chores, then they come back to our house between seven and eight for breakfast. All of them can cook for themselves, but they prefer my mother’s and grandmother’s cooking.”

“I don’t blame them,” Lucas said. “Why cook for yourself when you know what someone else has prepared is so much better than what you can do?”

“That’s why a lot of men get married. So, they have someone else cook for them.”

“I’m not one of those men. I don’t need a woman to cook for me.”

Michelle wanted to tell Lucas that her brothers were spoiled. And because Lucas could cook for himself was probably another reason why he wasn’t ready for commitment. She pushed back her chair. “I’m going to help you clean up, then I’m leaving because the weather has cleared.”

“Are you sure?” Lucas questioned. “Because you’re more than welcome to stay the night.”

“I’m sure, Lucas. My parents are scheduled to return on Sunday, and I intend to clean the house before they arrive. Don’t forget we have a date next Friday night.”

* * *

Lucas wanted to tell Michelle there was no way he could forget. It’d taken pulling a few strings to get a reservation because Coeur de l’Ouest had been booked solid. Lucas had had to do something rather out of character for him. He’d called the owner of the restaurant to help him out. Years ago the man had asked Lucas for advice when he’d wanted to invest in a start-up tech company, but Lucas told him it was too risky. It failed in under six months, and his friend said he owed him. Lucas called in the favor and got a reservation at six for two.

“You don’t have to help me clear the table,” he told her. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Okay.”

Lucas waited with Michelle while she put on her boots and outerwear. “I’ll bring the hamper and baking dishes when I come and pick you up on Friday.”

She looked back at him as she walked out ahead. “What time should I be ready?”

“Four. Our reservation is for six.”

Michelle waited until she was next to her vehicle to turn and smile at him. “Good night.”

Lucas dipped his head and kissed her cheek. “Text me when you get home so I know you got there safe.”

“I will,” she promised.

He stood motionless, arms crossed over his chest, watching Michelle as she got into the Jeep and slowly drove away.

They’d spent an incredible afternoon and evening together, and he hadn’t wanted it to end. Just lying on the floor listening to music was a new experience for him—something he’d never done before. They would share other new experiences together.

Hours later, lying in bed with his head on his arms, Lucas stared at the ceiling, imagining how his life might change if Michelle were to live with him. There was no doubt she would be there to fill up the few empty hours when he wasn’t caring for Flash and his horses or helping out with his dad’s business. She would be someone he could talk to, cook with, listen to music with and make love with.

But his father had preached to him that if Lucas thought enough of a woman to have her live with him, then he should marry her. He shouldn’t monopolize her time without a commitment.