Chapter 4

FOUR

Stella

I’ve been a nervous wreck since Maverick called this morning. I’m still stunned at what he’s doing for me and Ada. We’re strangers to him. I’ve never met a man like him, willing to give so much of himself and his hard-earned money to help someone in need. Part of me still feels like this is a dream. Maybe I’ll wake up and realize the handsome stranger and his incredible family were all just a figment of my imagination.

It’s too much like a fairy tale.

The last couple of years, my life has been more of a bad afterschool special than a happily ever after. This is not how I thought my life would turn out, but here I am, trying to make the best of the hand that I was dealt. Sure, I had an unplanned pregnancy at the end of my sophomore year of college, but never in my wildest dream did I think that my parents would disown me because of it.

I fought for my daughter.

I’m still fighting for her. For us. I smile down at her, where she’s sleeping peacefully in my arms. It’s comforting to know that there are still good men out there. I hope that when the time comes—many, many years from now—Ada will find a good man to love her unconditionally. Something she’s never going to get from her father. Sadness and anger wash over me when I think about Derrick. He was able to cast us aside without a care in the world.

Honestly, I don’t know why I bother. That’s not true. I keep hoping he’ll realize that he’s missing his baby girl growing up. I keep holding out, thinking he”s going to change his mind. I know that makes me a fool, but I want that for my little girl. I want her to have her father in her life.

With one hand, I scroll through the online job listings for today. I hope that I can find work soon. I hate the thought of Grandma and Grandpa adding a position for me at the hardware store just to get me back into the workforce. They’ve done enough for us as it is.

My phone rings in my hand, startling me and causing me to jump. Ada whines, but I’m able to answer before the ringing wakes her up. “Hello.”

“How’s your day, Stel?”

Maverick.“You mean other than a stranger paying to fix my car and make it safe, same old,” I say with a sigh.

He chuckles, and the sound is deep and sexy. “Sounds like a damn fine day to me. Declan called, and your car is ready. I thought I’d swing by and pick you girls up and take you to dinner before we go and get your car.”

“Maverick, you’ve already done so much. You really don’t have to take us to dinner too.” My heart warms because, without question, he automatically assumes that Ada will be with me. I could have Grandma watch her, but I don’t want to lean on her any more than I already am. Besides, when I find employment, she volunteered to watch Ada for me. I’m going to pay her what I can, but the guilt of that situation still weighs heavily on my shoulders.

“No way, woman. We made plans. I’m free, you’re free, and we both know Ada misses me.” I can hear the humor in his tone, and I can’t resist a smile. Thankfully, he can’t see me. “I’m on my way to pick you ladies up.”

“Thank you, Maverick.” I know he’s not going to give up. I might as well have dinner with him and thank him again in person for all that he’s done. It’s not exactly a hardship to spend time with him. He’s easy to be around, and I can admit he’s just as easy on the eyes.

“See you soon.” He ends the call, and I toss my phone next to me on the couch. Ada is still sleeping. Carefully, I stand and place her in her Pack ’N Play while I rush down the hall to my room to freshen up.

Ten minutes later, my hair is combed, and I have a diaper bag packed. I changed into a shirt without baby drool all over it, and that’s as good as it’s going to get. Besides, it’s not like Maverick is interested in me. He’s just a nice guy, one of the few in my experience, and he’s out of my league. He could have anyone he wants. He’s not going to set his sights on a single mom who can’t afford to fix her car and is living with her grandparents.

A soft knock on the door tells me he’s here. I’m thankful both of my grandparents are at the hardware store today. Something about inventory. Grandma doesn’t go in often, but she always helps with inventory and if someone calls in sick. Grandma was giving me one of those smiles. You know the one who says they think they know more than what they do, or that they think they know more than you do? Yeah, she gave me one of those when I told her Maverick Kincaid dropped me off. When she heard about my day, how he helped, and then took me to a family event, well, let’s just say I can see the wedding bells in her eyes.

Yeah, I’m glad she’s not here.

When I open the door, I’m greeted with Maverick’s cocky smile. “Hey, Stel,” he says.

He’s not the first person to shorten my name, but damn if every time he does it, my heart races in my chest. “Hi. Ada is sleeping, so give me a second.”

“No.” He rushes to reach out and grab my arm. “Don’t wake her up. Babies hate that.” The expression on his face is so intense that I almost laugh. Almost.

“I know. I was dreading it, to be honest.”

“Why didn’t you tell me she was napping?”

His hand is still on my arm, and the heat of his touch is like a bolt of lightning racing through my veins. I ignore it, pretending like his touch doesn’t affect me. “Because you’ve done so much for me. I wasn’t about to dictate when you take me to pick up my car that you’re paying for.”

“Stella.” He sighs, shaking his head. His hand drops from my arm as he takes a step into the house and closes the door behind him. Keeping his voice low, being mindful of Ada sleeping, he says, “She’s your little girl. She comes first. I could have waited. I got rained out of work today, and I’ve just been sitting at home with Merrick. I was going stir-crazy, but I could have waited.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“Yes, Stella, you can. From here on out, you tell me what you need. Hell, tell me what you want. Don’t just go with what I say.”

My heart is going crazy in my chest. Is it because he’s standing so close, I can feel his hot breath against my cheek? Is it because he’s putting us first? Putting Ada first? Honestly, I think it’s a combination of all of it. Then his words register. “From here on out?” I ask, my voice barely audible.

“Yes, from here on out. You tell me what’s up? Got it?”

I want to ask him what that means. Will I be seeing more of him? I assumed not. He’s being a nice guy, but once I have my car, there’s no need to see him again, right? I open my mouth to ask, but Ada’s cry stops me. I turn toward the living room with Maverick hot on my heels.

“Hey, baby girl,” he coos at my daughter. His long-ass legs beat me to the Pack ’N Play, where he lifts her into his arms and snuggles her close. “How was your nap?”

Ada instantly stops crying as she stares at him. Her little hand brushes against the stubble on his face, and she giggles at the feeling beneath her fingers.

“Are you ready to have some dinner with Mommy and me?” he asks.

She coos at him as if they’re having their own little conversation.

“I should change her before we go.”

“Sure.” He bounces her in his arms before he hands her over to me. “What can I do?”

“Nothing. I’m all set. The diaper bag is packed, and you have a car seat, right?”

“Yep. We’re all set there.” He reaches out and tickles Ada’s belly, making her laugh. “Damn, you’re cute,” he tells her.

Not sure what to say, I turn and walk down the hall to the bedroom to change her diaper. I could have done it there on the couch, but I needed a break, a breather from the sexy man who’s inserted himself into my life. I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me, but I still don’t understand it. All I can do is make sure that I repay him in some way in the future, whether that’s paying it forward as he’s asked of me or to him directly.

I will make this right.

I hate the feeling of owing someone, but I’m struggling. I’m broke, with only the support of my grandparents, and the thought of asking them for the money for my car is worse than letting Maverick pay. I’ve taken too much from them staying here and invading their lives.

“Mommy’s going to find a job, and we’re going to get back on our feet,” I tell my daughter. She reaches for the pack of wipes and tries to stick it into her mouth. I tap her nose before taking the wipes and replacing them with a small set of toy keys that she can chew on. She babbles and coos, and it fills my soul. She’s growing and doing something new or making new sounds, and I cherish every second of it.

Once I’m finished, I place Ada on my hip and carry her back to the living room. Maverick looks up from his phone, which he slides back into his pocket.

“Ready, ladies?” he asks. Ada babbles and holds her hands out for him. Her easy acceptance of him helps me relax. Kids are a good judge of character, or that’s what I’ve read.

“We really don’t need to get dinner. Just taking me to get my car is more than enough. You’ve done so much for us, Maverick.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m the luckiest man in Willow River. I get two beautiful ladies to have dinner with me.” He winks.

That wink is powerful. It has a swarm of butterflies taking flight in my belly. “Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me, Stel. Now, hand her over.” He reaches for Ada, and she goes to him willingly, with a smile on her face. She was already leaning toward him with her arms out. I push the fact that she wanted him and not me to the back of my mind. My baby girl is just soaking up the attention. “What are we thinking for dinner?” he asks Ada, then turns to look at me. She babbles as if she’s answering him, and I can’t hold my smile.

“Just a drive-thru is fine.” I shrug. I’m not picky.

“What? Two beautiful ladies as my guests, and you want me to take you to a drive-thru?”

“French fries.” I nod toward Ada. “It’s her favorite.”

“Right, well, how about the diner in town? Dorothy’s is the best. They have fries for this cutie and a lot of options for us.”

I open my mouth to argue and quickly close it. “Okay. Thank you.” If I keep arguing, he’s going to think I’m ungrateful. I’m not. I’m just embarrassed he feels like he needs to take care of us.

“Ada, tell Mommy to stop thanking me.” He raises Ada’s hand and helps her point at me. My daughter laughs, loving all of his attention. She coos and babbles, doing as Maverick asks.

“Let’s hit the road.” He turns with Ada in his arms and carries her out to his truck. He bounces her on his hip, and her squeals of delight follow them.

I rush to grab the diaper bag, lock up the house, and follow them. By the time I reach them, Maverick has Ada in her seat, and he’s buckling her in. I don’t bother asking if he needs help. I know he doesn’t. Instead, I climb into the passenger side and turn to glance at my daughter. It’s the mother in me. He knows what he’s doing. He’s proven that but I can’t help but check, anyway.

“How was your day?” Maverick asks once we’re on the road.

“Good. I spent a good part of the day job hunting.”

“No luck?”

“Not yet. I’m not exactly qualified for much. I’m a college dropout.” Here I go again, blurting out the sad truths of my life. It’s as if just being in Maverick’s presence is a truth serum, causing me to word-vomit all of my issues.

“What were you going to college for?”

“I hadn’t declared a major. I was working on getting all of my general classes out of the way.”

“What do you want to do?” The tone of his voice tells me he’s not being polite. I really think he wants to know the answer.

I glance back at Ada, who’s happily chewing on her keys. “Something that lets me be home at night with my daughter. I don’t want to miss sports, school plays, or anything else. She’s my entire world.”

“As she should be. My brother Brooks is a nurse, and he’s always having to trade shifts to not miss stuff. Luckily, he works with a great group and they all pitch in to help each other out.”

“And you work construction, right?” I ask him.

“Pretty much. Road construction. I work for a paving company. The job is hot as hell, but it pays well, and I’m usually laid off during the winter months.”

He pulls into the parking lot of the diner in the center of town and turns off the truck. “Have you eaten here yet?” he asks.

“No. I’ve been trying to save money as much as possible.” It’s as if I can’t help myself where he’s concerned. My voice is low because it’s embarrassing that I’m a single, unemployed mother, especially when this sexy man seems to have his life together.

“Understandable. I’m glad I get to be the one to bring you here. Their food is incredible. It’s all home-cooking, and even the burgers taste like you’re at a barbeque.” With that, he climbs out of the truck and makes quick work of getting Ada out of the car seat.

I do what it seems that I always do where Maverick is concerned. I grab the diaper bag that has my wallet and phone shoved inside and follow him into the diner. With Ada on his hip, he opens the door for me. I step inside and survey the place, looking for somewhere to sit where a high chair won’t be in the way.

“Right, back corner,” Maverick says. His hand lands on the small of my back, and I shiver at the contact. He keeps his palm there, leading me to a booth. When we pass a small row of high chairs, he drops his hand from my back and snags one for us. He places it at the end of the booth before he slides in one side and places Ada on the table in front of him, making funny faces at her and making her laugh.

“I can take her.”

“Nah, she’s my little buddy, right, Ada girl?” He makes another face, and Ada belly laughs, placing her hands on his cheeks. I glance around, and we seem to have gained the attention of the entire diner. Not that I can blame them. Maverick is all muscles, five o’clock shadow, dark hair, and tall. And to see him talking and playing with my daughter as if she’s his best friend… as if she was his, it’s definitely something to see.

“Hey, Mav,” a woman who looks like she’s my age greets him. “What can I get for you?”

“Hi, Amy.” He greets her cordially before his eyes find mine across the table. “Stel, do you know what you want to drink?”

“Just water for me.”

“Water? Come on now. You need to experience Dorothy’s sweet tea.”

I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “I’ll have a sweet tea.”

“What about my little buddy here?” he asks me.

“I have a sippy cup of milk for her.”

“All right, well, then a sweet tea for me, too, Amy. Thanks.” He doesn’t even look at her as he makes another silly face at Ada. “You better look at the menu, Stel.”

“Do you know what you’re getting?”

“Yep. Meatloaf dinner, with mashed potatoes and green beans, and some french fries for my girl here.” He blows a raspberry on Ada’s cheek, making her giggle and pull his hair.

“No, sweetie.” I reach across the table to help free him from her grip.

“She’s fine, Momma.” He grins and continues to give her his full attention.

A few minutes later, Amy is back with our drinks, and we place our orders. I get the same thing as Maverick and order an applesauce, which I will share with Ada.

“So, you hung out with Merrick today? What’s it like having a twin?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know any different. He’s my best friend, but I could say that about all my brothers, even with the age difference between us and the oldest, which is Orrin.”

“I’ll never keep them all straight.” I internally cringe. It’s not like I’ll need to keep them straight. We’re not dating.

“Nah, you’ll get it.”

“How do people tell you and Merrick apart?” I ask.

“I’m just a little taller than him. Other than that, we’re exactly the same. I’m a little louder than him, but our personalities are also similar.” He looks over Ada’s head at me. “You’re just going to have to spend some time with me so that you can tell us apart.”

His confidence is sexy.

He’ssexy.

“I’m sure you have better things to do than hang out with a single mom.” The comment is out before I can think better of it.

“You’re her mom, and you”re single. I think we’ve already determined that I’m lucky to have the company of two beautiful ladies.”

I want to ask him what that means. Is he interested? Am I? My life is a mess. I’m struggling each and every day. Do I have the time for a relationship? Do I want one? Ada’s dad and I were never serious. We went on a few dates, and when I found out I was pregnant, he walked away.

I can admit that I’m scarred by his rejection. Not only of me, but of my daughter. I don’t need her falling in love with him only for him to leave us. I have to be smart about who I let into her life, for fear of them walking right back out of it. However, Maverick, he’s already inserted himself into our lives. He’s helped me more than Ada’s father ever has.

“Maverick Kincaid has game,” I tease. It’s easier than letting myself fall into running what-ifs through my mind.

“You hear that, Ada? Mommy thinks I’ve got game.” He snuggles her close before placing her in the high chair, and suddenly, Amy appears with our food.

All through dinner, he engages me in conversation and helps with Ada. He offers her his mashed potatoes, which she prefers over her own french fries. I should have thought about getting Ada her own order, but being around Maverick scrambles my brain. By the time we leave Dorothy’s Diner, our bellies are full, and my heart, well, let’s just say my heart is full of hope.

For the first time in weeks, it feels as though this move to Willow River was not just the only option; it was the right one for me and my daughter.