Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

Stella

I go over my mental checklist one more time. The diaper bag is stuffed so full it barely zips, but I want to be prepared for whatever might happen. The mini cheesecakes that I made are in a container on the kitchen counter, and the two packages of shortbread cookies for the kids sit next to them.

“Okay, kiddo. I think we’re all set,” I tell Ada. She’s sitting in her high chair, playing with her stuffed ladybug. She loves that thing. She sleeps with it and drags it around the house with her. She’s walking all over the place, and it”s tiresome to keep up with her, but I love watching her grow and learn.

“You’re only going to be gone a few hours.” Grams laughs when she eyes the overstuffed diaper bag.

“I know.” I huff out a laugh. “I just want to be prepared. This is our first playdate.”

“Stella, sweetheart, playdates are just as much for the moms as the kids. The ladies want to get together and chat while the kids play. They invited you because they want you there. Just relax.”

It’s hard to relax when it’s the family of the man you’ve fallen for. The same man who likes to give forehead kisses and has placed me in the friend zone. Firmly in the friend zone. I want them to like me. I know that my crush on Maverick is on me, but still, his family is great, and I want Ada to be a part of that any way that she can be. They’re amazing people. I want her to see that’s how life can be.

If I’m being honest, I want that for me as well. I’m seeing how the other side lives. The side that likes to joke and laugh, and not take themselves too seriously. I’m seeing how family shows up for each other, and it’s endearing, and I can admit that I yearn for that for me and for my baby girl.

“I know,” I finally admit.

“Go and enjoy yourself. You have too much on your shoulders. Live a little. Yes, you’re a mother, but mothers can be happy too. When you’re happy, she’s happy.” She nods toward Ada.

“I just… don’t want them to be right. They said I would never amount to anything, and neither would she,” I confess.

My grandma”s face grows red. “You listen to me, Stella. Your parents, they don’t have a loving gene in their body. Your mother, she hated this small town and always claimed she was worth more. This town and the people in it, they would do anything for their neighbors. Everyone knows everyone, and it feels safe and secure.”

“I love it here,” I tell her. “I wish I could have visited more growing up.”

“Me too, sweetheart, but my girls are here now. That’s what matters. Live your life for you and that little girl. Push everything they’ve ever said out of your mind. You’re an adult, a damn good mother, and you have a good head on your shoulders.”

“They told me I would hate this place. That I would never want to stay.”

Grandma scoffs. “Their noses are too far up their asses to see what’s right in front of them. Willow River has embraced you and Ada. This is your home now. I know they told you not to, but stay anyway. Prove to them that you can make it on your own.”

“But I’m not on my own. I’m mooching off you and Gramps.”

She waves her hand in the air while rolling her eyes. “You’re our family, and you’re getting back on your feet. You have a great job and friends, and that little girl is thriving. You are making it, Stella. I see good things for you here in Willow River.”

“Thank you. You and Gramps. You saved us. We didn’t have anywhere to go.” I think about Derrick and how he hasn’t reached out even once since the day he stood us up. The day my car broke down, and we met Maverick.

“That’s what we do. Now, you two go and enjoy yourselves. If you forgot something, I’m sure one of the ladies has it, or you can come home to get it or pick it up in town. Don’t stress. This is your home now.”

“I love that,” I say, tears burning the back of my eyes.

“Love you, sweetheart.” She kisses my cheek, does the same to Ada, and walks out the door.

“Okay, toots, let’s get this loaded in the car.” It takes me three trips. One for the food, one for the overstuffed bag, and then another to make sure we didn’t miss anything. I took Ada with me each trip. I could have asked Grams to watch her for me, but it’s my job. I’m her mother. I can do this.

I place Ada in her seat, and she cries as I pull her ladybug out of her hands to strap her seat belt. “I’ll give it right back.” I try to soothe her. She’s, of course, pissed, so I hope that she settles once we get on the road.

Ten minutes later, I’m pulling into Brooks and Palmer’s driveway. It’s full of vehicles. Taking a deep breath, I climb out of the car and have to take the ladybug from Ada again to get her out, and she’s not impressed.

I bounce her in my arms, giving her the beloved toy back, but she’s still unhappy. “Come on, sweetie. It’s okay. I’m sorry, but we had to get you out of your seat.”

“Need some help?” a male voice asks.

I turn to see Merrick. Ada lifts her head, looks at him, and reaches for him. “I’m sorry. She thinks you’re Maverick.”

“Close enough.” He takes her from my arms. She looks at him and starts to wail with tears. “Hey, cutie, don’t cry. What do you have here?” he asks her, but she’s not having any of it.

“Bug?” I hear. Ada and I both turn to watch as Maverick approaches. Ada cries. Her bottom lip wobbles as she reaches for him. Maverick takes her easily and holds her against his chest. She snuggles up to him like she always does. “What’s going on?” he asks, rubbing her back.

“She’s not impressed that I’m not you. Smart kid.” Merrick nods.

“She was mad before we left the house. I had to take her ladybug to strap her into her seat. She’d just gotten calmed down when I had to take it again to get her out. Merrick offered to help, and she reached for him. She was instantly pissed, and now, here we are.” I motion to where she’s in his arms, tears on her cheeks, but she’s quietly cuddling with her ladybug.

“Mommy was right, Bug,” he tells her as if she understands, and maybe she does. “And look, you have your ladybug back.”

She sniffs, and my heart breaks. Stepping toward them, I wipe her tears. “I’m sorry, baby, but I had to.” I know I shouldn’t be apologizing. I’m not supposed to be her friend. I’m her mother, but maybe Maverick has the right idea, and she really does understand.

“Back to my original question. You need some help?” Merrick asks.

“Um, yeah, sure. Wait… I thought this was a playdate?”

“It is. For all of us. The kids, the moms, and the dads, well, that includes Mav and me, because where one brother goes, we all go,” Merrick explains.

“Oh. I thought it would just be the ladies and the kids.”

“Nah, we like to help. Give you ladies time to chat, and the same for us. Think of it as a shared playdate time.” Merrick laughs.

I can’t help but laugh with him. “Makes sense. Okay, um, some food. I can get the rest.” Reaching into my car, I grab the container of cheesecake bites. Here, I thought I made too many. The cookies are in a grocery store bag, and I hand them both to Merrick. “Thank you.”

He winks. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you three inside.” He grabs Ada’s foot and she grins. Her earlier mood forgotten.

“Hey, Stel.” Maverick bends and presses his lips to my forehead.

“Hi. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

He slides his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “I knew my girls were going to be here.”

His words, they make my heart gallop. Oh, how I wish we were his. I offer him a smile, one that I hope hides that I want him. I have to get over this thing I have for my friend. It can only end with my heart broken, and I’ve had enough heartbreak.

“We should head inside.” I step out of his hold, instantly missing the heat of our bodies pressed together. It’s on the tip of my tongue to offer to take her, but we both know he won’t let me. Hell, at this point, at this moment, I don’t think she would let me either.

Grabbing the overstuffed diaper bag, I close the door and follow Maverick into the house.

The playdate that I thought would be a girls’ night in turned into everyone in the basement hanging out. When I say everyone, I mean everyone. All the men, the wives, and the kids. We’re all down here, and it’s loud and happy, and I’m loving every minute of it.

“I’ve been looking at property,” Merrick announces.

“What?” Maverick seems shocked.

“Yeah, it’s not on the market yet. You know Brad Mayfield, right?” he asks the room. Most everyone nods. “Well, his wife got transferred to Nashville for her job. They can’t afford to buy there until they unload here. He’s offering it to me for a steal.”

“Damn, bro, talk about pulling up the big boy pants.” Maverick leans over from where he’s sitting and offers Merrick his fist.

Merrick smiles. It’s a shy smile, one I’ve not seen on him before. “I’m excited. I’m going to the bank on Monday. Brad called me on the way here to tell me it’s mine for that price if I want it.”

“You need help?” Ramsey and Jordyn ask at the same time. Everyone in the room laughs but me. I know they both came into some money—apparently, more than I assumed, but it’s not my place to ask.

“Thank you both, but I got it. I have good savings, and the house is really a steal. It’s three acres, three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms.”

“You let me know if that changes,” Ramsey tells him.

“And me,” Jordyn adds. “We got you.”

“I know you do,” Merrick says softly. “I can handle the money and the finances. I was more worried about Mav.”

“Me?” Maverick asks.

“Yeah, I’m leaving you on your own.”

Maverick laughs. “Mer, come on, man. We both knew it was temporary. One day, we’re both going to have one of these—” He points to Palmer and then nods to Ada, who is sleeping on his chest. “—and one of these. I’m stoked for you. Maybe it’s time I start looking as well. Move out of the rental.”

“Not a bad idea,” Deacon, Ramsey’s husband, chimes in. “You”re better off putting your money into something you own, than blowing it on rent.”

“Agreed. If you all see anything, let me know.”

Everyone agrees, and the heavy moment that Merrick anticipated doesn’t exist.

“Daddy, I’m hungry,” Blakely whines. She comes over to sit on Declan’s lap.

“We’re going to eat soon,” he tells her. “You should have eaten all of your lunch.”

“I was full of Mommy’s crusty-ass pancakes.”

“Blakely!” Kennedy scolds.

“What? That’s what they were.”

“Blake,” Declan says in warning.

“Daddy, I read the box.”

Kennedy stills then bursts into laughter. “Oh, my—Blake—” She’s laughing so hard she can’t even form a sentence.

“Care to share with the class, babe?” Declan asks.

She’s wiping tears from her eyes as the rest of us try our hardest not to laugh at what Blakely said. She grabs her phone from the table and pulls up a picture, showing it to Declan, and he starts laughing too.

“Blake, sweetheart. The pancakes that Mommy made were Krusteaz.”

“Let me see.” She pulls the phone from her dad’s hand. “Daddy, that says crusty ass. Are you sure you went to school?”

Sterling grabs the phone and checks the screen before he, too, is rolling with laughter. Kennedy is still snickering as her phone is passed around to all of us. “Gotta give it to ya, kid. You never fail to disappoint,” Sterling says as the phone makes its way back to him. He takes another look at the screen, grinning from ear to ear before passing it back to Kennedy.

“I guess we better get the food ready,” Alyssa says with a huff of laughter.

“What can I do to help?” I ask.

“We just need to set out the cold stuff. All the Crock-Pots are already plugged in.” Palmer explains.

“I’ll help.” I stand and make eye contact with Maverick. “I can put her down.”

“Nah, we’re all set, Stel.” He gives me a lazy smile that has heat pooling between my thighs. I nod and follow Palmer and the rest of the ladies to the kitchen area of the basement.

“I saw that look he gave you,” Jordyn says, leaning her shoulder into mine.

I huff out a breath. “You’re seeing things that aren’t there.”

“We can see the way you look at him too,” Ramsey says gently. “You should go for it.”

“He’s made it clear we’re just friends, and I’m okay with that. I respect his choices.”

“But if he were to change his mind?”

My face heats, and they all laugh.

“No words needed.” Crosby grins. “Nothing to be shy about. If anyone knows the power of these Kincaid men, it’s us.”

“She’s not wrong,” Jade chimes in. “We all fell pretty hard. They make it hard not to.”

“There’s nothing going on.”

“But something has happened. It’s written all over your face.” Crosby winks.

“Fine. We might have kissed and done some… other things, but it was a onetime thing. I offered more. He turned me down. End of story.”

“Stella, come on, you were drinking.”

“I think you should try again,” Scarlett tells me.

“Oh, yeah,” they all agree.

“What’s going on over there?” Orrin calls over.

“Nothing, dear,” Jade calls back, and we all laugh, not even trying to hide it.

“Come and eat!” Ramsey calls out to the rowdy crew.

“I’m going to go grab Ada so Maverick can eat,” I tell the ladies.

“Stay. He’ll bring her here, and I doubt he’s going to let you eat after him.” Alyssa gives me a pointed look, challenging me.

“He’s not going to care.”

I feel a hand on the small of my back. “Go ahead and make yourself a plate. I’ve got Bug.”

“Uh, no, that’s okay. I can take her.” I reach for her, and he turns sideways.

I’m shocked, frozen still when he reaches up with the hand that’s not holding my daughter and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Take care of you for once, Stel. I got our girl.”

My heart stops.

Our girl.

Oh, how I wish on everything I can think to wish on that was the case. I wish Maverick were her father. He never would have abandoned us. Even if he and I never became more, he would still be there for his daughter and me by association. He’s given me that support when it’s not his responsibility. That’s just the kind of man he is.

Doing as he says, not wanting to make a scene or draw attention to us, I make a plate for both of us. I take a seat next to him and slide him the plate I made for him. He leans over and kisses my cheek. “Thanks, Stel.” He scarfs down his food, holding my slumbering daughter, without issue.

“Did you chew?” I ask him.

Merrick chuckles from across the room. “We all eat fast, Stel. It’s our superpower.”

“Sheesh.” I take my last bite and stand and gather our plates. I take Merrick’s, Sterling’s, and Alyssa’s with me as well. “Anyone need anything from the kitchen?”

They all shake their heads, so I toss our trash and take my seat next to Maverick as my phone rings. No one ever calls me. At first, I think it might finally be Derrick calling to check on his daughter, but I see my grandmother’s name and my heart stops.

“Grams? Is everything okay?”

“Oh, yes, dear, everything is fine. Henry, down the road, was doing some digging, and he hit some underground electricity. The entire road is out of power. They’re saying several hours. Your grandfather and I are going to stay at a hotel in Harris. We were going to get you a room as well.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that. I can get my own room.”

“What’s going on?” Maverick leans in close, putting his hand on the small of my back.

“Grams, give me a few, and I’ll call you right back.” She agrees, and I end the call. “Henry, my grandparents” neighbor, was doing some digging and hit some underground electricity, and the power is out on the entire road.”

“Damn, he must have hit a mainline or something,” Kennedy speaks up.

“Anyway, my grandparents are getting a room in Harris and wanted to know if they should get me one as well.” I stand and reach for Ada. “I should go so that I can get a room.”

“Stay at our place,” Merrick speaks up.

“What? No, I can’t put you all out.”

“You won’t be. I’ve had a few of these.” He holds up the beer he’s drinking. “Besides, Brooks conned us all into helping him build shelves out in the garage tomorrow. I’ll just stay right here, and you can take my room at the house.”

“No, Merrick, I can’t let you do that.”

“You’re right. You’re not letting me do it. I’m offering. Besides, you’ve sat here. You know how damn comfy this couch is.”

“He has a perfectly good spare room he can sleep in upstairs too,” Palmer chimes in. “It’s better than paying for a hotel.”

“Stel, come on. You’ve stayed there before. Don’t waste money on a hotel when you can stay at our place.”

I make eye contact with each of the ladies, waiting for them to offer me a room. By the grins and smirks on their faces, that’s not going to happen. I sigh, wanting to stay with him. I know what happened last time won’t happen again, but I just like being around him. Today has been a great day, and I’m not ready for it to end.

“If you’re sure…?”

“We’re sure,” everyone in the room speaks up, and I laugh.

“Thank you.” I stand and move to the back of the room to call my grandmother back. She seems thrilled that I’m staying with Maverick. With the promise to call her tomorrow, I end the call.

When I get back to the couch that I was sitting on, Ada is awake and drinking greedily from a sippy cup.

“Hey, sweetie. Come see Mommy.” She does without complaint. I’m surprised; she’s been glued to Maverick most of the day. If she wasn’t on his hip, she was chasing after and playing with her new friends.

This is what it’s supposed to feel like to have a partner.

I shut that thought down immediately. I can’t let my mind go there. The attraction I feel is bad enough. My heart is already invested. I can’t make it worse.