Chapter 12

TWELVE

Stella

He told me not to run, and that’s exactly what I did. Ada woke up early, just as she always does. I quickly changed her diaper, filled her sippy cup with milk from the fridge, gathered our things and rushed out of the house, quiet as a mouse. The entire time, I was certain that Maverick would wake up. That he would catch me rushing from his house with my face red and my tail between my legs.

It’s been an entire week, and I still feel embarrassed. I begged him to let me come.

Begged him.

I don’t regret it. How can I when it was the hottest night of my life? With only one sexual experience to compare it to, I know I don’t have much to go off, but I can say with certainty that Maverick knows what he’s doing.

“Earth to Stella.” Jordyn waves her hand in front of my face.

“Sorry,” I mutter.

“Where were you just now?”

“Lost in thought.” I shrug, hoping that she buys my excuse.

“Care to share with the class?” she asks.

“Nope.”

Jordyn grins and points at my face. “What’s that about?” She waves her finger around.

“What’s what about?”

“The blush. Girl, you better spill.”

“Nothing to spill.”

“Fine. I’ll start, and you can fill in the blanks.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just distracted.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” She claps her hands together in glee, and I know before I leave today, Jordyn Kincaid is going to know my secret. She’s going to know what I begged her brother-in-law to do to me.

“Okay, so here’s my theory. We dropped you off at Maverick’s place on Saturday night. He was sound asleep holding your baby girl to his chest, protecting her as they both slept as if she was the most precious thing in the world to him.”

“That’s not new information,” I remind her.

“No,” she agrees. “It’s not. However, I think something happened after we left you there.”

“Yes. I went to sleep. Woke up way too early when Ada woke and headed home.”

“And in between…. That’s the part I need you to fill in for me. I know that it’s something.” She pauses, reaches over, and places her hand on mine. “You can talk to me, Stella. Yes, he’s my family, but we’re friends and coworkers. I’m not just your boss.”

“I know.” I sigh, defeated. I need to talk to someone about this. I can’t stop thinking about Maverick, and the fact that he’s my friend. He said so himself. I shouldn’t want my friend to do wicked things to me. It’s wrong, and I hate that I can’t shake this. That I can’t shake him.

He’s called a few times this week. He was mad that I left without saying goodbye, but I told him I needed to get home to do laundry and needed to run to get diapers and essentials for the week. He bought it, or at least he let me believe that he bought it.

We’ve texted off and on. You know, just like friends are supposed to. He’s sweet and always asks about Ada, but just as he promised, he hasn’t mentioned our night together on his couch. I don’t know if he’s keeping a promise or if he really is that detached. Did that night mean nothing to him?

And that brings me to my next problem. I can’t separate what happened from the man. He’s gone above and beyond since the moment I met him to help me out. He went out of his way to give me what I asked for on Saturday night, but now, he seems like it”s nothing to him. Like I’m just a friend. He warned me, and I was so worked up that I thought it was just words. I know it’s how things need to be. I’m a single mom. Maverick doesn’t need that kind of baggage in his life.

“Stella?” Jordyn prompts.

“We… did things.” Why do I feel like a teenager recalling my first sexual experience? I guess because it’s not far off. Doesn’t matter that I’m an adult and a mother. It doesn’t change my sexual history.

She grins. I roll my eyes at her, and she schools her features, standing to her full height from where she’s been leaning against the counter where we were unboxing jewelry to put into the display case. “Tell me more,” she says, biting her cheek to hide her smile.

“I went to bed. I tried to fall asleep and couldn’t. I felt bad he was taking care of Ada, so I moved to the couch in the living room. I thought I could be close in case she woke up and not disturb him.”

“And?”

“I couldn’t sleep there either. Instead, I curled up under the blanket and stared at the two of them. His big hand never moved from her back, holding her. Protecting her.” I don’t even need to close my eyes to draw up the image in my mind. It will be there, living rent free forever.

“Okay. Then what happened? I don’t like cliffhangers,” she mutters, making me smile.

“Ada stirred, and he woke up.”

“And?”

I blurt it all out. Every last desperate plea that fell from my lips, I divulge to my new friend, my boss, his sister-in-law about the man we’re discussing. “So, yeah, I’m a little distracted,” I mumble after spilling the details.

“He’s into you.”

“What? No, he’s not. He felt bad for me. He stopped us. He wouldn’t even sleep with me. I’m a charity case to that man. I have been since the moment we met. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate every single thing he’s done for Ada and me, but that’s all we are to him. A charity case, friends at best.”

“That’s not true. Friends, yes, he even told you that himself. He doesn’t see you as a charity case. It’s not who he is.”

I cover my face with my hands. “Fine, but still, I begged him, Jordyn. I threw myself at him. How can I ever face him again?”

“Easy, you just do.”

Before I can respond with my rebuttal, the chime over the door alerts us to a customer. My breath hitches when I see him walking toward us. I’m holding my breath until he leans in for a hug.

“Hey, Stel.” He hugs me before moving to do the same to Jordyn.

“Merrick,” I breathe.

He whips his head toward me. “How did you know? I thought for sure I could convince you I was Mav.”

I shrug. “I just knew.”

“What’s up?” Jordyn asks him, taking the heat off me.

“Ryder mentioned you had some shelves that need to be put together. We finished up a job and aren’t starting another until Monday, so I’m off early. Thought I’d stop by and get a start on them.”

“You’re the best. Thank you, Merrick.”

He nods. “Just point the way.” The phone rings, and Jordyn lifts a finger at him before answering it.

“So, how could you tell? It’s the smile, right? My smile is better than Mav’s?” He graces me with said smile, prompting one of my own.

“I could just tell.” I shrug, not wanting to admit that whenever Maverick is near, I can feel him. It”s as if there is a tether of electricity that zaps between us, holding me captive.

Merrick tilts his head to the side. “You like my brother.”

“Which one?”

He laughs. “Come on, Stella.”

“He’s a good friend. He’s done a lot for Ada and me. I guess just from being around him, I could tell.” It’s the best answer I can come up with without giving myself away.

“It was the hug.” He nods as if he’s proud of himself. “My touch. You knew it wasn’t him by my touch.”

“Maybe.” I give him another shrug as if I’m not sure when he’s hit the nail on the head.

“He likes you, too, you know.”

I scoff. “Come on, Merrick. You and I both know Maverick is way out of my league.”

His mouth falls open in shock. “Do you really believe that?”

“Yeah, I mean, he’s one of the good ones. He’s the kind of man who won’t get you pregnant and walk away. He’s a man of his word, and I know from experience both are extremely hard to find.”

“You’re wrong. Not about him being a man of his word or the kind of man who owns up to his responsibilities. You’re wrong about you not being good enough for him. You are enough, Stella. I have a feeling my brother will make sure you understand that.”

With that cryptic message, he walks off toward the storage room.

“Thank you,” Jordyn says, ending the call. “That was the supplier for those cute boat shoes. They’re sending over the contract.” She grins widely. Her boutique is a huge success, and Jordyn works her ass off to bring new products in every week. “I’m going to go get Merrick set up.” She bounces away, and I smile.

I feel lighter having told her about my night with Maverick, and maybe a little because I missed having friends and someone I could confide in. My move to Willow River is turning out to be the best decision I have ever made.

It’s Saturday night, and I’m out in the yard with Ada. We’re sitting on a blanket, playing with some of her toys. The sun is setting, and soon it will be dark and time for us to go back inside. It’s late August, and I know soon we won’t have these warm evenings to sit outside and play.

I’m stacking blocks up for my girl to knock over. They’re these rubber blocks with all different types of animals on each one. I love them because they’re soft, so she can chew on them, and if she happens to fall on one, she won’t get hurt. They don’t tell you how much you worry once you become a parent.

Ada squeals and claps her hands, and I smile. It doesn’t take much to make her happy. The sound of a vehicle stopping has me lifting my head. We’re not expecting company that I know of. My heart races when I see who it is. He climbs out of his truck and heads our way with a grin on his lips.

“Ladies,” he says as he settles on the blanket next to me. Ada giggles, and she pulls herself up, holding onto my shoulder. She reaches her free hand out for him. “Hey, Bug,” he says fondly. “Are you playing outside with Mommy?”

Ada bounces on her legs, laughing.

“Yeah, we’ve been out here for a while. Just soaking up the fresh air.” I don’t tell him I’ve been thinking about him all day. All week. I also don’t tell him I told his sister-in-law what happened between us.

Ada reaches out for him again. He smiles. “Come here, Bug.” He holds out his hands just out of her reach. She giggles but takes a step while holding onto my shoulder. “You can do it, sweet girl. Come see me.” He pulls his hands back a little, and she takes another step. I hold my breath as I wait for her to take another.

She does.

Another and another until she can no longer hold on to me. Maverick scoots back, just out of her reach, to the very edge of the quilt that we’re sitting on. Ada pauses and then lets go of me. She wobbles a little but then takes a step. She’s taken three so far up to this point but then falls. Maybe today she’ll take one more. My girl is so close to walking.

I’m still holding my breath as she takes an unsteady step toward him. “There you go, Bug,” Maverick praises. “You can do it. Come see me.” He’s smiling like he just witnessed the best magic trick the world has ever seen. His eyes are glued to my daughter. I look away and focus on counting her steps.

“Three,” I whisper.

With each step she takes, Maverick moves a little further away.

“You got this, Bug.” He pulls his hands close to his chest, and Ada toddles to him. He catches her, wrapping her in his arms, raining kisses all over her face. “You did it!” he says excitedly. Ada claps her hands, content to be in his arms.

Maverick’s eyes find mine, and they’re alight with pride. “How many, Momma?”

“Eight,” I say, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “That’s her most yet.” And she did it for him. For the man who has shown us so much kindness and friendship. The man I can’t seem to get out of my head.

“Eight!” Maverick cheers. He hugs her again, and she grabs a fist full of his hair and tugs. He doesn’t seem to mind.

I watch them for far longer than I should until I find my voice. “What are you doing here, Maverick?”

“I was bored sitting at home, so I decided to take a drive. When I saw the two of you out here, I thought I’d stop and say hi.”

“No plans tonight?”

“Nah. Merrick is with Orrin, working on a dent in the door of his truck. The house was quiet. I was actually going to grab some dinner. Have you ladies eaten?” he asks.

“We have.”

“Then how about some ice cream? It’s the perfect night for some ice cream, right?”

“Ada’s bedtime is soon.”

“We can go to Dorothy’s. Just across town.” He’s not begging, but I can hear the hope in his tone. “What do you think, Bug? You want some ice cream?”

Ada snuggles into him, and he smiles, rubbing her back. “Okay, bedtime is close. How about this? I’ll go grab me some food, and both of us dessert while you put her down?”

“You really don’t have to do that, Maverick.”

“I know, but I want to.”

Shit. I can’t be alone with him. Sure, my grandparents are inside, and Ada will be as well, but still, that’s too close. It’s still too soon. I need more space to process what happened last weekend.

“We can all go. She can stay up a little later.”

He smiles. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I just need to grab my purse and the diaper bag.”

“I’ll get Bug loaded in the truck.” He stands effortlessly with Ada in his arms, and bounces her on his hip, making her laugh all the way to his truck.

Quickly, I gather the blanket with the toys wrapped inside and carry it into the house.

“Is that Maverick Kincaid?” my grandpa asks.

I swallow thickly. “Yeah.” I’m not ready for the questions that are sure to follow.

“I thought that was him.”

I wait, but no questions follow that statement. “We’re, um, we’re going to take Ada for some ice cream.”

Gramps nods. “Be safe. You have your phone and key, right? Do you need money?”

My heart swells in my chest at his easy acceptance of me and my life decisions. “I have both, and no, I don’t need money. Thank you for the offer.” I start to walk away when his words stop me.

“The Kincaids are a good family, Stella. You can trust him.”

I don’t know why he thought he needed to tell me that, but his words deserve an answer. I turn to glance at him over my shoulder. “Outside of you, he’s the best man I’ve ever met. Love you, Gramps.” With that, I turn back toward my room to grab what we’ll need. I probably gave too much away. I probably let him see too much, but my grandparents have been my solid foundation through all of this. He deserves my honesty.

A few minutes later, I walk out to the truck with the diaper bag that holds everything Ada and I need. Maverick is waiting at the passenger side door, pulling it open for me. “You didn’t have to do that,” I tell him as I climb into his truck.

“Get in the truck, Stel.”

Instead of going to the diner, we hit the only drive-thru in town and make our way to the picnic tables that line the edge of town right along Willow River. Maverick grabs Ada and his bag of food while I gather the diaper bag and our two milkshakes. Ada is going to share with me. She doesn’t really need the sugar this close to bed, but this is a treat for her. For both of us.

“Wow. It’s really serene out here this time of night.” There are about half a dozen picnic tables and several benches for visitors to sit and look at the river.

“Yeah. On the other side of the river, it’s not this nice, but it’s great fishing.”

“Do you fish a lot?” I ask him.

“Not really. We used to go a lot when we were younger. Now that we’re all older, have jobs, and most of us have families, we don’t get to go as much. We’ll fish next weekend.”

“What’s next weekend?”

“The annual Kincaid men’s camping trip.”

“Ah, that’s right. Jordyn mentioned that. They’re having a girls’ weekend, I guess.”

“They usually do. Last year, we also started a Kincaid family camping trip. Everyone goes, and it’s a blast. It’s actually more fun than when it’s just us guys if I’m being honest. My sisters-in-law are all amazing, and the nieces and nephews are always a great time. It’s fun to watch them get to learn and experience the same things we did as kids growing up.”

“That sounds nice.”

“You ever been camping?”

I laugh. “No. My parents are more… stuck-up assholes, honestly. They look at something like camping as being beneath them. And I know damn good and well, my mom went when she was younger. I mean, come on, you know my grandparents. She married up—her words, not mine—and yeah, no camping for me.”

“I’ll have to take you some time. Ada would love it.”

“I’m sure she would, especially if you’re there. She’s really taken with you.”

“That’s because we’re best buds, right, Ada?” he asks.

She reaches for him. He shoves the rest of his burger into his mouth and pushes the wrapper into the bag before taking her from me across the picnic table. “You don’t have to give in to her every time, Maverick.”

“What?” He raises his voice as if he’s offended. “How rude,” he says, barely holding his laughter. He lifts his shake for a drink and takes a long pull while Ada leans in, wanting some as well.

“No, sweetie. You can have some of Mommy’s.” I lift my cup to offer it to her, but she’s having no part of it. It doesn’t matter that they’re both vanilla. She wants his.

“She’s fine.” He offers her the straw, and she takes what I’m sure is a slobbery drink. She’s not been drinking out of straws for long.

“You’re spoiling her.”

He shrugs. “That’s what we do. Just ask my brothers. It’s like our superpower.”

“You might not think that way when you have one of your own.”

“Like I’ll have a choice. I have eight brothers, and Ramsey, my cousin, who, as you know, is like a sister to us. I’ve spoiled their kids and bought them the loudest toys I could find. Payback is coming my way, and I’m good with it. When I have kids of my own, I’ll take it like a man.” He chuckles.

“At least you’re prepared.” I laugh. Ada thinks she’s missing out on the fun, and she reaches for me. Maverick hands her over across the table before gathering his trash and taking it to a nearby can. When he comes back to the table, he sits next to me, his back to the table so that he’s facing the lake.

Ada smacks at his shoulder, and he leans in, kissing her cheek. “I see you, Bug,” he says affectionately. She pulls on his shirt until he’s leaning in close. So close I can feel his hot breath fan across my cheek. “What’s up, cutie?” he asks her.

Ada kisses my cheek, then looks at Maverick like it’s his turn. A wicked smirk tugs at his lips. “You want me to kiss Mommy too?” he asks her.

She just tugs on his shirt harder. “She’s just playing,” I say, feeling my heart thunder in my chest. I can’t help but wonder if his lips are as soft as I remember.

“I don’t know, Stel. I can’t leave my girl hanging.”

My belly flips. I know he’s not calling me his girl. He’s calling Ada his girl, and that, too, makes my heart melt like hot butter, but the way his eyes held mine when he said it, my heart doesn’t seem to be able to separate my desire for him and reality.

He leans in close and presses his lips to Ada’s cheek, and then just as quickly, his lips are pressed to mine. His tongue softly traces my lips before he pulls away. Ada laughs, loving this game they”re playing. She doesn’t have a clue that my heart is about to pound right out of my chest.

“It’s getting late,” I say, my voice gruff with desire. I have to shut this down.

“Yeah, I’ve kept you ladies out long enough.” He stands and holds his arms out for Ada. She goes to him without a care in the world. Somehow, I manage to stand on wobbly knees and follow him to the truck.

This is bad. This is really bad. I’m falling for Maverick Kincaid, and I don’t know how to stop it.