Coming Home to Maverick Page 2

  She hadn’t had time or money to change out her obnoxious license plate, CTRYSTR. Who put Country Star on their license plate? Bailey had when she left. She shook her head. She hardly knew that woman anymore. But she hardly knew the woman who’d been raised in this town, either. Just the thought of attending church with the members of her town filled her with shame. So why was she back?

  She circled around to the other side of the car and opened the door.

  “Are we here, Mama?” Gracie Faith’s sweet voice warmed her and, at the same time, filled her with anxiety. She reached for her hand. “Come on, sweet pea. Let’s go meet your grandma.”

  And bless her heart, the girl skipped and squealed. Her face alone could have lit the neighborhood.

  Oh, please. Please make this easy. It wasn’t quite a prayer. She hadn’t prayed in a long time. But she sent her plea to the universe anyway. Maybe God still heard people who were afraid to ask Him for things.

  They walked up the sidewalk. Everything was the same. The front porch looked like it had a recent paint job. She counted cracks in the old cement, like always. Then she heard a small voice. “One. Two. Three.”

  She smiled. Willow Creek was the perfect place to grow up. If she could give her daughter even a portion of what Bailey had when she was younger, she’d give her a good place to grow up at last.

  Her stomach clenched. Nothing could erase the first five years of her baby girl’s life. They were on the road if Bailey was lucky enough to get a gig, and they ate whatever food Bailey could scrape up. How many times had she watched Gracie sleep on a bench at the local bar while Bailey sang on stage?

  The door to her parents’ farmhouse opened before they made it halfway up the walk. Bailey’s mother clutched at her heart, and her face squinched in joy.

  “Bailey!” She ran down the stairs and flung her arms around Bailey. Her bony arms held her desperately. She was considerably skinnier since Bailey had seen her last, and the lines in her face were more visible. But she smelled the same. And as Bailey breathed in her mother, everything in her life shifted one degree closer to where things needed to be.

  As soon as her mom let her go, Bailey placed a hand on her daughter’s head. “And this is Gracie Faith.”

  Tears welled up in her mother’s eyes, and she knelt carefully in front of Gracie Faith. Her loving mother eyes, the same eyes that had so carefully watched over Bailey as a child, searched Gracie Faith’s face. “Are you my granddaughter, darling?”

  Gracie nodded. “I think so.” She reached out and placed a hand on her mama’s face. “You look like my mama.”

  “She’s my baby, just like you’re her baby.”

  Gracie nodded. “Then I’m your granddaughter.” She said it so matter-of-factly, Bailey wanted to laugh and sob at the intensity of the moment. She’d dreamed how it would be to introduce Gracie to her family since the day her daughter was born.

  “I’m so happy to meet you.” Bailey’s mom smiled. “Do you wanna come inside? I’ve got cookies, and I can show you your mama’s old room. And then we can do whatever you want. I hope you settle right on in and stay awhile.” Her gaze flicked to Bailey, and the hopeful love there nearly broke her heart.

  “We’ve come home, Mama. If you’ve got room, we’d love to stay awhile.” She’d called to tell her mother she was coming and that she had a daughter, but nothing could have prepared either of them for this moment.

  Her mother’s eyes welled up again, and she just nodded.

  Her dad stood in the doorway.

  Her mom stopped. “Look, honey. Bailey’s come home.”

  He stared for a moment. His age had not diminished his broad stature one inch. And then his face broke into a huge smile. “Come here, you.” He stretched out his arms and pulled Bailey into the safest place she’d ever known. She broke down and allowed all the tears to fall that she’d been holding in since she arrived in Willow Creek. Tears that she’d been holding in since she’d left in the first place, since she’d found out she was pregnant with this precious new soul. As she quietly shook, hoping not to worry her daughter, her father just hugged her, his hand patting her back.

  “Is that Grandpa?” Her daughter sounded concerned, so Bailey backed away, wiping her eyes, and said, “Sweet pea, this right here is the greatest man you’ll ever meet. Your grandpa loves you, hon.”

  She stepped forward and tipped her chin up so she could see his face. “Are you a giant?”

  His laugh started deep inside and then bubbled over. “No, I’m no giant, but I sure would like to get to know you.”

  “I’m Gracie Faith.”

  “Well, come on in, little nugget. Once we get you settled, I’ll take you out to the barn to meet all the other guys we got around here.” He stopped. “Let’s get you unloaded first.” They made their way back to the car, and Bailey bit back her embarrassment. The car gave off an obvious homeless vibe.

  “Do you like my bed?” Gracie pointed to her pillow in the back seat. “And Mama sleeps up there when she’s not driving.”

  Her dad choked, his eyes getting misty. It was one of the few times she’d ever seen him get emotional.

  “That’s nice, Gracie. I love the flowers on your pillowcase.”

  Gracie grinned as she showed off where they’d been living for the last few months, and Bailey just took it, like she’d known she’d have to. The part of her life she’d hoped to never share with her parents was being put on display. She just kept reminding herself that Gracie was worth it. She deserved a house, a bed, and people who loved her.

  Her dad hefted a box onto his shoulder and pulled their one piece of luggage into the house. “Gracie, I can’t wait to show you the guys.”

  “There are more people?”

  “He’s talking about the horses, love.” Mom smiled. “She’s gonna go see her room first, dear. And then you can whisk her off to your horses.”

  “I love horses!” She squealed, and Bailey knew she’d made the right choice in coming home. No matter what it took, she was determined to give her daughter the life she deserved.

  When they walked into Bailey’s old room, she about doubled over as her stomach clenched in pain. Pictures of her and Maverick were everywhere. The morning she’d spent getting ready for her wedding flashed before her eyes. Nothing in the room had changed. Her hairbrush was right where she’d left it. Her makeup case. The perfume she’d worn that day. She leaned against the doorframe, hoping no one else noticed how shaken she felt. She watched her daughter run around the room, picking up old rodeo trophies, hugging stuffed animals. And then when Gracie climbed up into the large four-poster, Bailey let the tears fall. Her attention drifted to the window overlooking the back pasture. She’d always stood at that window to watch the horses.

  “Chester?” Her voice caught in her throat.

  “Daddy couldn’t sell her. She’s out there whenever you’re ready.”

  Her body literally itched to go take a ride, but she had to get Gracie settled first. Tonight, after everyone was in bed, she’d go talk to her horse.

  Once they were all settled and Grandpa was showing Gracie how to brush down the horses, Bailey sat with her mom on the porch that overlooked the back paddock and pasture. “You and Dad look great.”

  “We’re blessed with good health. But he’s slowing down, only working horses for our friends now. I’m happy at the county fair now and then. Otherwise, we lead a quiet life.”

  Her mother didn’t ask where she’d been. She had to have a million questions, but she didn’t ask a single one. She just waited.

  “I’m happy to be home. Do you mind if I…stay awhile?”

  Her mom’s hand reached for hers and squeezed. “You can stay as long as you like. You and your daughter are always welcome.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Her throat felt tight again. They had a lifetime, she hoped, to talk about what had happened, about why she hadn’t been able to face them with her poor choices. How did one own up to leaving her fiancé at the altar
? And then living with another man, having his baby, getting thrown out with nowhere to go, and utterly failing in every area of her life? She didn’t know. And so she never had. It had taken every bit of grit she had left to come home. And now that she’d returned, it was enough to just sit at her mom’s side.

  As she exhaled slowly and let the remaining tension leave her body, she thought about the last time she’d sat on this porch.

  With Maverick.

  His strong hand had covered both of hers. “I’m always here for you. That’s what forever is all about.”

  She hadn’t believed him. She felt sure that if she told him she wanted to explore her music before getting married, that she was suffocating in their small town, yearning for space, for freedom, that he would give up on her. Everyone wanted to marry Maverick Dawson. The Dawson brothers were where life started and stopped in this town.

  Another sigh escaped before she could stifle it.

  “He’s still single, you know.”

  “I know.” She wasn’t even surprised her mama knew what she was thinking. But she didn’t want to think about Maverick. Not yet.

  Dad and Gracie walked toward them, hand in hand.

  “She’s such a beautiful child, and she has a good heart. You can see it in her eyes.”

  “She really is, Mama. She’s something special. I just want to give her what I had.”

  “I’m so happy to be in her life. I didn’t even know…” She reached for Bailey’s hand again. “Sorry. You had your reasons, and I trust that.”

  Bailey just nodded. “I’ll talk about it when I can. I—I’m sorry.” Her voice broke, and she looked away.

  “No, no, honey. I’m just here to love on you. That’s all that’s needed right now.”

  Gracie bounded up the stairs and threw her arms around Bailey. “Mama! You should see the horses! Grandpa said he’d teach me to ride! He has the prettiest pony. Can I, Mama? Please?”

  Bailey’s eyes welled with tears again. “Of course, darling. That’s why we’re home.”

  Long after Gracie was in bed, Bailey sat on a couch in the living room, curled up with a blanket, a book in her lap. “I miss Red.” Her golden retriever had never left her side when she was home. She loved that dog. He had known all her secrets and took them to his grave while she was gone.

  Her dad sat up. “Gracie Faith needs a dog.”

  Her mom was about to shake her head, but Dad held up a finger. “No child can grow up without a dog to love her.”

  “You guys don’t have to get a dog,” Bailey said.

  “Of course, we do. I’ll take her to the shelter tomorrow. If there’s not a good one for kids, we’ll look around for puppy announcements. Someone’s always trying to get rid of some of their litter around here.”

  Bailey didn’t have the heart to argue. Her parents loved to help and wanted nothing more than to do nice things for her and her daughter. She’d been blessed well beyond what she deserved. “I don’t think she’s gonna know what to do with herself. First grandparents, then horses, and now a pet dog.” She pulled the blanket up tighter around her even though she wasn’t cold. “Thank you.”

  Her dad chuckled. “Well now, there’s no thanking us.”

  “Yes, honey. We love you. You know that.” Her mother’s words were comforting, but her eyes held a hint of insecurity that Bailey wished she’d never put there.

  “I need to tell you guys why I left.”

  Dad held up his hand. “When you’re ready. We trust you.”

  “Thank you. I’m not even sure I know, really. I was…I was thinking about marriage to Maverick, about living here my whole life, about all my dreams of singing and going to Nashville—you know how when I was a little girl I used to go out back and sing to the orchard?”

  “That’s where it all started.” Her mom smiled. “And then at church and in the county fair.”

  “Well, over time I realized that wasn’t enough, but I never told anybody. I figured I had a good life, a good man, a good future. I should be happy. But I’d never been anywhere. College was only an hour away, and Maverick was my only boyfriend.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back.

  “Nobody knew you weren’t happy.”

  “I don’t even know if I knew I was unhappy. That’s the thing. I didn’t know myself at all. And I got scared and took off for Nashville. What I did was so terrible that I didn’t dare contact you, and then it became easier not to—and then it became too long of a time I’d let slip by.” She forced herself to meet their eyes. “I was living a life I now you don’t approve of. And then Gracie…”

  “Sounds like you’re well on your way to figuring things out,” her dad said.

  Bailey smiled ruefully. “Hopefully I can figure it out before I have to talk to Maverick.”

  “Everybody makes mistakes. It’s been five years. He’s a good man.”

  “You’ll feel better when you do,” her mom urged.

  “I know I was unhappy, and I needed to communicate better, but what I lacked most of all was gratitude and courage. And for that, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I left without telling you and that I didn’t talk to you all these years.” She swallowed. “I know that’s not good enough, just saying sorry when you do something that big, that hurtful. It’s gonna take some time for you to forgive me. But I’ll make it up to you, pay you back, work the ranch. I’ll prove again that I can be the daughter you deserve.”

  “Oh, honey, no.” Her mom jumped up and sat as close as she could to Bailey. “That’s not how it works with us. And that’s not how it works with God either. You keep talking to Him. He’ll let you know. And as far as your Daddy and me, we forgave you years ago.”

  “Oh, I don’t talk to Him any more. How can I when I let everyone down like I did? Maverick….” She shook her head. “I just don’t think God wants to hear much from me anymore.”

  “Well, it’s times like this when you need to talk to Him the most. He’s way better than your Daddy or I am about forgiving.” She patted her knee. “Honey, there is nothing ever that can separate you from the love of our Lord.”

  “That’s the absolute truth. You can read that in Romans eight if you want to remember.” Her dad shook his head. “Don’t you worry about us. Just like your Mother said, we’ve already forgiven you. Long time ago.”

  She nodded, but she didn’t know what to say. She would do whatever she could to help these parents of hers who deserved so much. But she didn’t think she could ever make it right with Jesus, not after all she’d done. “I wish I had come back years ago.”

  “Looked like you were kind of busy.”

  “Singing in some local places.”

  Bailey started. “What? Did you come?”

  “Did we come? Your mother made a book.”

  “She did?” Bailey was shocked when Mom brought out a thick three-ring binder packed with pages and handed it to her. Her lap felt weighed down with the pages.

  “We started this as a wedding gift.”

  The first page was a double spread of her and Maverick as kids—their elementary school pictures and others. She skipped ahead, grazing past the pre-wedding shots, the bridals, the engagements. And then she stopped at a pair of tickets to her first gig and a picture of her parents standing together in front of the venue.

  “You were there?” She couldn’t stop the tears. They were too kind. “You were there?” Had they tried to come see her backstage? Had security bounced them out? Had they just watched and left? She couldn’t handle the answers to those questions, so she set the binder aside. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even know.” She stood, not even able to stand her own self. “I think I need time to let this settle. Can I look at it later?”

  “Of course.” Mom shut the book as Bailey hurried from the room, choking back sobs.

  When she was back in the guest room, she dried her tears and lay back in her bed. As she tried to drift off to sleep, Maverick’s face came into her mind. She’d grown up with him. They had memor
ies from every year of her life until she’d left. But the face she saw now was not the childhood Maverick but the man who’d loved her. The man who had cupped her cheeks in his large, rough hands and kissed her softly, tenderly, over and over until she didn’t know what to do with the yearning that swelled up inside. That’s the Maverick that lulled her to sleep as she hugged a pillow and wished she didn’t have to tell him what she’d done.

  Chapter 3

  Maverick rode out over his property on his favorite horse, flying over the hedges, tearing across meadows, and pushing Thunder to his limit. The horse loved it. Maverick could feel the power and rhythm beneath him, feel the shuddering flanks under his calves, sense the horse’s desire to break free and push himself to his limits.

  Thunder knew where they were going. He’d known before Maverick knew. And once Maverick realized Thunder was heading to the ridge, he didn’t try to stop him.

  The ridge—the property line between his land and Bailey’s. It had been their meeting spot for all the years he’d known her. A huge climbing tree dominated the area, which they’d climbed as children and sat beneath as youth. He’d first thoroughly explored what it meant to kiss Bailey under that tree. If Maverick thought hard enough, he could still remember the feel of her mouth. As Thunder reached the final stretch of the climb, Maverick hopped off and let him wander. There was a stream nearby for water, and Thunder could graze on the grass down the other side. Without even planning to, Maverick went to stand on the ridge and stared down into Bailey’s property.

  He’d come here almost every day for months after she’d left, staring down into her fields. Sometimes he’d watch the horses run. Her father used to breed and train them like the Dawson Ranch did. He’d sold off many—some of which Maverick had purchased—and now kept a modest group in his retirement. Bailey’s parents had been like second parents to him, and he’d turned to her father when his own had died.

  He looked away from the view. Bailey hadn’t come to the funeral. Not even a phone call. He’d heard talk that she’d been singing in bars, and he’d tried to contact her. Even if he could have only heard her voice, he might have felt better, gotten some answers, but his calls never reached her. And now, before she’d returned, he thought he’d forgiven her, thought that he was over her, but news of her arrival brought back intense feelings—even anger. A fire raged through him as he relived it all again. He’d give himself this one luxury one more time—he clenched his fists—then he would conquer this.