Chapter 3

THREE

Maverick

The pounding of rain against the window wakes me up. Rolling over, I glance at the alarm clock. I don’t need to be up for work for another half hour. Chances are, we’re going to get rained out again. Reaching for my phone, I check, and sure enough, there’s a message from my foreman telling us to stay home today. I don’t mind it too much. I make prevailing wage, and my bills are low. It helps that I’m still living with Merrick, and our rent is cheap. I also save most of what I make. One day, I’m going to want a house of my own, and the idea of living paycheck to paycheck to get it is not appealing to me at all.

Who knows, I might even find myself a woman and settle down and raise a few kids. I mean, I know it will happen eventually. At least, I hope it will. It would suck to be the only one of my brothers who doesn’t find their wife. Merrick and I are the only two left standing. I’m not in a hurry to find her, but I do want to find her one day. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy flirting with the ladies, and loving on my nieces and nephews.

Turning off my alarm, I pull the covers up to ward off the chill of the air conditioning and try to fall back to sleep. After twenty minutes of tossing and turning, I know it’s not happening. My body is used to getting up early. I decide to go ahead and shower and make some breakfast. I’m certain that if I’m rained out, Merrick is too. He’s a heavy equipment operator, whereas I work on a road construction crew. Both, depending on what stage we are in for the job, are not possible when it’s raining as if you were pouring piss out of a boot.

I’m sliding my scrambled eggs onto a plate when Merrick walks into the kitchen. He’s in his underwear, and his hair is a mess. “Rained out?” he asks.

“Yeah. You too?”

“Yep.”

“Here.” I glide the plate of scrambled eggs toward him on the island. “Toast is in the toaster.” As if on command, the toast pops up.

“Thanks,” he mumbles, grabbing the toast before pulling the gallon of milk out of the fridge.

I busy myself making another plate of eggs. “I think I’ll go by Declan’s shop today. Make sure everything is all set with Stella’s car.”

“She’s cute.”

I nod. She’s not just cute. Stella is a knockout with her long blonde hair and big blue eyes. And those legs of hers—yeah, cute is not the word I would use to describe her. Gorgeous, beautiful, and stunning are way better descriptions.

“She’s got a kid.”

“Yep.” Ada is adorable. She’s close in age to most of our nieces and nephews. She seemed to have a blast yesterday with my family. Soaking up all the attention we rained down on her. She’s a happy baby, and I’ll admit, when she snuggled up to me, it pulled at that invisible string in my heart.

“You going to see her again?” he asks, pushing his now-empty plate away from him.

“I’m sure. She’s living in Willow River.” That’s not what he’s asking me. We both know that I’m evading the question. One that I don’t have an answer to.

Am I attracted to Stella? Fuck yes. But it’s not just her. She’s a single mom. It’s more than just Stella and me if I were to pursue her.

“Avoidance.” Merrick grins, and I toss my napkin at him. His laughter fills the room. “Come on, man, you brought her to a family function.”

“She was stranded, and I was already late. I didn’t want to let Jordyn down.”

“Is that your story?” My twin gives me a knowing look.

“It’s not a story,” I defend. “Besides, I knew she was new in town. I thought it might be nice for her to meet some people. I’m pretty sure our sisters are going to be including her on some outings with the kids.”

“Our sisters hope that she’s going to be their sister.” He smirks.

“Fuck off.” I chuckle. “You’re making something out of nothing. I helped her out, drove her home, and that’s that.”

“Did you walk her to the door?”

“What?”

“You heard me. Did you walk her to the door?”

I roll my eyes. “You know I did. Mom would ream my ass if she found out otherwise.”

“Oh, so now we’re blaming this on our dear momma?” he asks, pretending to be appalled.

“Stop, Mer. You’re projecting, and it’s nothing.”

“I’m your twin, Mav. You know I can feel what you feel. I know we don’t talk about that shit much, but you can’t deny it. I know you better than I know myself. At least, that’s how it feels at times. I know you’re interested in her.”

“I never denied that.”

“Yes, you did!” he exclaims, a smile lighting up his face.

“I thought you were tired,” I grumble.

His shoulders shake with silent laughter. “I’m wide awake, brother.”

“Fine. Yes, I’m attracted to her. But there are millions of beautiful women in the world that I’m attracted to.”

He nods. “But none of them ended up at an event with our family. Stella did. Stella and her cute baby girl. Her cute baby girl, that, if my memory serves me correctly, was snuggled up to your chest as you carried her out of Kincaid Central yesterday.”

“I was just being polite and giving her a break. She’s a single mom doing it all on her own. You know how Dec struggled.”

“I do. I also know he did a damn good job, just as I’m sure Stella is as well. Ada is a happy, healthy baby. Stella was perfectly capable of carrying her sleeping daughter out to your truck.”

He’s not wrong, but I also don’t want to hear it. “Why the interrogation?”

“Just trying to get you to admit that you felt something different.” He taps his hand over his chest. “I felt it, Maverick. That’s why I made it a point to come over and introduce myself to her. My gut tells me she’s different.”

“What are your plans today?” I ask, changing the subject. I don’t want to talk about Stella anymore. Every time I hear her name there’s this unsettled feeling in my gut. It’s an annoyance that everyone thinks that I want her. I mean, they’re not wrong. In different circumstances, I’d have hit on her for sure, but this situation is different, and I was just being a nice guy.

“Laundry, probably. The pile in the corner of my room is getting out of control.”

“Yeah, I need to do that too. I’ll check the detergent and stuff before I leave and pick up more if we need it on my way home.”

“Thanks. I’ve got this. Go check on your girl’s car.”

“She’s not my girl,” I mumble, even though the sound of it lights something inside me. I head to my room and grab my wallet before slipping into my shoes and heading out the door.

The parking lot of Declan’s shop is packed. Seeing all the cars instantly puts a smile on my face. My brother is killing it. It makes me damn proud to see Declan thriving. Orrin is as well, and so is Palmer’s photography studio. I’m certain Jordyn’s boutique will do the same.

Reaching into the passenger seat, I grab the box of donuts I picked up at the bakery. I’m whistling when I enter the building. Alyssa looks up from her computer and smiles when she sees me. “Hey, sis,” I greet her.

“What do you want?” she asks, laughing when I place the box of donuts on her desk. “Donuts, and a cheery greeting. What do you need?”

“Can I not visit my brother and my sister-in-law?” I ask.

“I’m watching you, Mav,” she teases.

“How’s your day?” I take a seat on the stool next to her desk.

“It’s going. The phones have been slow, which is good. I have some invoicing I need to get caught up on.”

“Business is good.”

“Yeah, it’s been busy.”

I nod. “Is Dec busy?”

“I think he’s out in the shop.” She opens the box of donuts and plucks one out. “I don’t care what you’re buttering me up for; this is worth it.” She takes a big bite and groans as if it’s the best damn thing she’s ever eaten, making me laugh.

I stand and point at her. “Save one of those for me.”

“No promises.” She grins before taking another hefty bite of her donut.

Pushing through the service door, I scan the bays, looking for my brother. I find him standing next to Stella’s car, which is currently on the lift. Careful of where I’m going, I make my way over to him. “How bad is it?” I ask him.

“Her tires are bald, all four of them, and she needs brake pads.”

I nod. “Have you looked it over completely?”

“Yeah. It’s pretty sound otherwise. Just the regular maintenance that’s been neglected.”

“Go ahead and give her four new tires, the brakes, and change the oil and any other fluid and filter that it needs. Oh, and replace that spare. I have no idea how long she’s been driving on it.”

“I’m pretty sure she’s not going to agree with that assessment.”

“I don’t care. She has a baby. She can’t be driving around on bald tires with bad brakes.”

“Mav, brother, I don’t think she can afford that.”

No shit. “I know, but I can.”

“Maverick.” He uses his dad voice that stops Blakely in her tracks.

“Declan.” I use the same tone.

“Come with me.” He tosses the rag he was using to wipe his hands on the hood of the car and heads toward the service door that I just passed through. I follow along behind him, ready for a speech from my big brother.

Once we’re back in the waiting area, he freezes. “Who brought donuts?” he asks Alyssa.

“Mav, but I can’t figure out what he’s buttering me up for.”

Declan turns to look at me over his shoulder. “Kiss ass.” He laughs as he stalks toward Alyssa’s desk and steals a donut. “My office, little brother.” He nods toward the hall.

“Oh, Mav’s in trouble,” Alyssa sings.

I stick my tongue out at her like the mature adult that I am, shove my hands in my pockets, and follow Declan down the hall to his office. He’s already sitting behind his desk with half his donut devoured. He nods for me to sit. I close the door before I do. I don’t need his employees to hear this conversation.

“Talk.”

“About what? The weather? How are my niece and nephew? Any plans for another?” I ramble. I know it’s going to piss him off, but he’s treating me like a damn kid.

“Stella.”

I sigh, my shoulders slumping. “Look, man, she’s having a rough go of it. Ada’s dad is a deadbeat, and she’s here staying with her grandparents. I don’t know the entire story, but I know she’s hit hard times, and I want to help.”

“Why do you want to help a complete stranger?”

“Fuck, Declan, I don’t know, okay? Because I can? Because if that were my sister, wife, or daughter and they fell on hard times and I wasn’t there to help them stand, I’d want someone without an ulterior motive to step in and do it in my place.”

“She’s going to be pissed.”

“I know.” Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and run my fingers through my hair. “It’s not safe, right? Would you let Kennedy drive around with those tires and brakes?”

“Kennedy is my wife.”

“Answer the damn question, Declan.”

“No. No, I wouldn’t let Kennedy drive on those tires and brakes.”

“She doesn’t have a Declan. As far as I can tell, she has her grandparents, and I’m sure they would help her if she asked, but Stella’s not going to ask. I got the impression she feels like she’s imposing by staying with them.”

“I’m sure George is aware.”

“Maybe, maybe not. If he’s never ridden with her or driven her car, how would he know about the brakes? And the tires? I’m sure he’s not paying attention.”

“You sure you want to do this? It’s going to set you back several hundred dollars.”

“I’m sure.”

He nods. “Fine, I’ll take care of it. You’ll get the family discount, so everything at my cost, and free labor.”

“I can pay for labor, Declan.”

“No, instead, I want you to watch the kids so I can take my wife out to dinner, just the two of us.”

“Done.” I hold my hand out to him to shake. “Just tell me when.” He takes my hand in a firm grip and grins. “She’s cute, though, right?”

“Yeah, Ada is a cutie.” Fuck, what’s wrong with my brothers today? Cute? Do they really think Stella is just cute? Are they fucking blind?

Declan bursts into laughter. He’s grinning like a fool. That’s my cue to leave. I stand and he does the same. Before I can open his office door, he slaps his hand on my shoulder.

“Can I be there when you call her and tell her about this?”

“No.” She’s going to be pissed, but there is just a part of me that can’t let her get back into that car unless I know that she and her baby girl are going to be safe.

“I’m pretty sure we have everything we need in stock. I should have it done for her today.”

“Okay. I’ll call her.”

“Good luck, brother.”

“Thanks.” I follow him out of his office, wave to Alyssa, and make my way to my truck. I pull out of the lot, drive to the grocery store, and park. I didn’t want to be at Declan’s shop, and I didn’t want to be at home where Merrick could hear this conversation either. Not that I keep things from my brothers, but something tells me I’m going to have to charm Stella into accepting this gift, and well, I don’t need their commentary when I try to do it. I have no doubt that Declan will be sure the others know of my act of kindness.

Grabbing my phone, I dial her number.

“Hello?” she answers hesitantly.

“Morning, Stel.”

“Maverick? Is everything okay?”

“Of course it is.”

“Why are you calling me?” It’s easy to hear the confusion in her voice.

I gasp as if I’m appalled. “Can a guy not call his friend?”

“Are we friends, Maverick?” The question is whispered as if she’s almost afraid to hear my answer.

“We are.”

She exhales softly.

Was that an exhale of relief? Yeah, that’s what I’m going with. “I’m calling with good news. Declan should have your car all fixed up by the end of the day.”

“Wait. No, I mean, I need to call him and talk about cost.”

“It’s taken care of.”

“What do you mean it’s taken care of?”

“I took care of it.”

“You… took… care… of… it?” she asks slowly. “What does that mean?”

“It means a friend is helping a friend.”

“Maverick. No. I mean, thank you, but no. I can’t let you do that. I can’t pay you back. I don’t even have a job right now.”

There’s panic in her voice, and I rush to assure her. “It’s a gift, Stella. I don’t expect a single thing from you in return.”

“There’s a catch. What’s the catch?”

“No catch.”

“There is always a catch. I’m not sleeping with you.” Her voice is stern and maybe a little guarded. I’m sure some asshole made her feel like that’s all she’s good for, making a name for the entire male population when there are still good guys out there.

“Whoa, hold up. That’s not on the table. I’m just trying to help. I want to think that if it were one of my sisters or someone I’m close to and I wasn’t there, that someone like me with no other motivation other than to help someone out would step up for them.”

“I thought you only had brothers?”

“My sisters-in-law are my sisters. Not by blood, but by heart.”

“Damn,” she mutters. “Maverick, I appreciate you, but it’s too much.”

“It’s not. Besides, I’m getting the family discount, and Declan is desperate for a kid-free night out with his wife. I volunteered to babysit for labor costs. It’s all been taken care of. We even shook on it. Brothers can’t take back a deal made with a handshake.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She laughs.

My shoulders fall at the sound of her laugh. I was certain she was going to let me have it. “You can’t go back on a handshake, Stel.”

“It’s too much.”

“It’s not.”

“Yes, it is,” she counters. There’s less conviction in her tone. She wants to accept the help because she needs it. I don’t know if it’s pride or guilt. My guess is that a little of both are keeping her protesting.

“Someday, when you’re able and have the time, you can pay it forward.”

“That day will never be here, Maverick. I’m a single mom without a job, living with my grandparents because my parents kicked me out when I told them I was pregnant. My daughter’s father is a deadbeat who reminds me daily he doesn’t want to be a father. I can’t see a time in my life that I’ll ever be able to pay this forward.”

“You can volunteer at a shelter, the church, or the town festival. Paying it forward doesn’t have to be monetary.”

“You can’t.”

“I already did. Declan is finishing up. He’ll call me when he’s done. I’ll call you and take you to pick up your car.”

I hear her sniff. “I don’t know what to say. I want to keep fighting you, but I know this makes my car safer for Ada, and because of my daughter, I will let this go. For now. I will repay you in some way. Even if it takes me fifty years, I will repay you.”

“You just did. I know what this means to you, and the fact that you are adamant that you need to repay me when I’ve said you don’t, tells me how much you appreciate this.”

“You are one of a kind, Maverick Kincaid.” Her voice is raspy with her emotion and dripping with sincerity.

“Nope, I’m a twin, and I have seven other brothers outside of Merrick who would do the same thing. I’ll call you soon. Maybe we can grab dinner while we’re out.”

“No. You’ve done too much.”

“You know, I’m the baby, well, the other half of a pair of babies of the Kincaid family. We’re spoiled and stubborn, and I’ve never done well with the word no. Merrick and I were Blakely.” I laugh.

“She’s adorable.”

“Are you saying I’m adorable?”

“Thank you, Maverick,” she says, avoiding my question.

“You’re welcome, Stel. I’ll see you soon.” I end the call before she can decline. It feels good to do something nice for someone in need. That’s why I’m smiling, not because I get to see her again in a few hours.

Definitely not that.