Chapter 11
DOVE
Maverick was right. I didn’t feel alone once this week.
I was busy with school and taking care of Kelani, who is utterly adorable and the easiest little thing. I looked up, it’s already Thursday, and I’m on my way to campus.
Gina and her gang will land early afternoon, while Maverick and the rest of the guys are supposed to arrive before dinner.
I’m planning to cut out of here early, in time to wash my hair, shave my legs, do some laundry, dust, run a quick vacuum, grab some flowers, basically do everything I can to make the house warm and welcoming…
It’s Maverick’s home. Of course, he’ll think it’s warm and welcoming. Besides, when has a man ever noticed a vase of flowers? Lord knows I grew up with three of them—they don’t. Unless it’s an apology or a special occasion, of course.
“Not sure how flexible your schedule is…” Dr. Smithfield interrupts my thoughts, and I straighten up at once.
“My school schedule?” I frown up at him “I guess it’s as flexible as you allow it to be.”
“Yes, so it is.” He studies a sheet of paper in his hand. “I received this invitation from the National Plant Diagnostic Network a few weeks ago. They’re having a weeklong conference in San Diego. I’m one of the guest lecturers. Would you like to attend as my assistant?”
My eyes widen, and I clutch the side of my pants to keep from clapping excitedly. “Yes, sir,” I say in a very calm, professional tone. “I’d like that very much. When is it?”
“Well, that’s where the flexibility part comes in.” His brow furrows. “I’m driving down this afternoon. I have to be there for the keynote address and networking event, but if today is too soon for you—”
“Not at all! I can do that! If you don’t mind me leaving a little early?”
“Of course not. Why don’t you head home now and pack, and I’ll arrange for a car to pick you up from your house at… five? Six?”
“Either works for me.” I slide my laptop into my messenger bag and quickly collect the lunch I packed this morning.
“I’ll forward the agenda to you. I think you’ll get a lot out of it. It’s also a way to make valuable connections in the field.”
“I’m sure it is. Thank you so much!”
Hurrying out the door, my insides are a mixture of excitement and disappointment. I’m excited because an opportunity like this is exactly what I’m hoping to gain by being here.
The disappointment is leaving today. I wonder if I’ll get to see Maverick before I go.
What am I thinking? It’s only a week, and anyway I’m here to learn, to find a cure for the problems we’re facing back home. I’m completely off track worrying about seeing Maverick again. That’s not the reason I’m here.
Shaking my head, I try to refocus my priorities. Driving back to our little bungalow, I think about the trees dying, not the sight of Maverick Murphy’s defined abs… or the way his arm muscles flex when he hangs off the doorjamb looking down at me… or how soft his hair is.
I am not sad to be missing seeing him again after a week of playful texting or all my plans for his homecoming. I’m a very serious plant pathologist. I’m here for the trees.
My suitcase is open on my bed, and I’ve just stepped out of the shower when I hear the front door opening downstairs.
“Dove?” Gina calls loudly. “We’re back! Just checking on you guys.”
The noise of little footsteps bounding up the stairs has me quickly wrapping a towel around my naked body.
“Guess what, Aunt Dove? Mama G’s best doggie friend Haze won Best in Show! We were all so excited, we cried!” Owen’s daughter appears at the top of the stairs with Spanky, Gina’s white show poodle.
“Hey, that sounds exciting! Let me put on some clothes, and I’ll come down…”
Maddie’s brown eyes widen, and she races to me at top speed, followed closely by Spanky. I have to grab the doorjamb to keep from falling as she throws her little arms around my waist, holding me tightly.
“Don’t move, Auntie Dove,” she cries, and the dog hops all around us, lifting his front legs and yipping excitedly.
“What’s happening?” I put my hand on Maddie’s back, holding onto her while I try to keep the towel over my naked body.
“Spanky’s a towel thief! He’ll steal your towel right off of you, and you’ll scream, and he’ll just laugh and laugh.”
My eyes squint, and I pat her little back gently, unsure how to respond. “I don’t think dogs can laugh…”
Maddie lifts her head to meet my eyes, nodding rapidly. “Spanky does. It sounds like he’s barking, but if you look close, you can see he’s laughing because everybody saw you naked.”
“Uh… huh.” I glance over at Spanky, who actually does have a suspicious look of glee in his doggy eyes. It’s almost like he’s smiling. “Well, you saved me this time. Now let me put on my clothes, okay?”
The little girl carefully lets me go and just as fast, she grabs the dog’s collar. “Come on, Spanky. You’re not stealing any towels today.”
I adjust mine, huffing a laugh as Gina appears at the top of the stairs. “Oh, no. Did Spanky get you? I swear that dog! It’s all Maverick’s fault. He thought it was so funny when Spanky was a puppy. Now we can’t get him to quit.”
“It’s all good. Maddie saved me just in time.” Although, the thought of Spanky stealing Maverick’s towel off his naked body has my skin heating up. “Give me a second, and I’ll come down.”
I’m sitting on the floor in the living room watching Kelani jump around Spanky’s legs as the larger dog dips his nose and plays with her. They’re really cute, and I think Spanky’s a good dog even if he’s a rascal.
Gina fills me in on all the gossip at the dog show. From missing dog toys to broken straps and suspicious grooming errors, it sounds as cutthroat as the two pageants I chose to attend as a young girl.
“There was a time when I aspired to judge at that level, but not anymore.” She shakes her head, holding out her hand to support Kelani’s front paws. “It’s bad enough when I have to judge local dog shows.”
“What do you mean?” I frown, tracing my fingers through Spanky’s perfectly groomed coat.
“My address was leaked online once, and the house was toilet papered… then someone put a stink bomb in our mailbox…”
“Oh no!” I put a hand over my face. “Your poor mail person!”
“That’s exactly what I said!” She shakes her head.
My eyes drift to the clock, and a melancholy pinch is in my chest. “I’d better finish packing. The car will be here soon.”
Gina lifts Kelani in her arms as I stand. “If you have to go before Mav gets back, I’ll take Kelani to our house.”
“I’m going to miss her.” I lean forward, scrubbing her dark gray ears while she licks me across the face. “Don’t forget me when I’m gone Kee-Kee!”
“That’s cute!” Maddie bounces on her toes between us. “Hey, Kee-Kee! Maybe you can come to our house for a visit! Ladybird will love you!”
“Be sure LB doesn’t step on her,” I tease.
Ladybird is Owen’s massive bloodhound.
“She won’t!” Maddie reassures me. “Ladybird just likes to lay on her stomach and howl at the moon.”
“And Shania Twain songs,” Gina adds with a laugh before giving me a pouty face. “I hate that you’re leaving as soon as we get back.”
“Me, too.” I put my arm around her shoulders for a quick hug. “It’s only a week though. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“That’s my line.” The deep male voice makes my breath catch, and I turn to see Maverick walking through the front door with a pack on his back and a bag in his hand.
Owen is right behind him, and Gina jumps with a happy shriek, running straight into her fiancé’s arms. He pulls her into a hug, lifting her off the ground and kissing her firmly on the mouth.
I chew my bottom lip watching them, wondering what it would be like to… My eyes meet Maverick’s and the air sizzles between us.
His hazel eyes glow, and a hint of a smile curls his lips. It’s like he’s reading my mind.
“Welcome home, you two.” Gina reaches over to give her cousin a playful shoulder shake. “I missed you.”
“This is the longest we’ve been apart since we met.” Owen’s arm is around her shoulders, and he pulls her to him again, pressing his lips to her temple. “How’s my little girl?”
Maddie wraps her arms around his waist, resting her head on his side. “I saved Aunt Dove from having her towel stolen by Spanky!”
Owen laughs, but Maverick’s lips twitch. “Sounds like we got home just in time.”
I clasp my hands, glancing wistfully at the stairs. “Just in time for me to leave, I’m afraid.”
His brow furrows. “Where are you going?”
“The National Plant Diagnostic Network is having a weeklong conference in San Diego. Dr. Smithfield invited me to go as his assistant.”
“A weeklong conference…” His shoulders drop, and it seems like he’s as disappointed as I feel.
Although, I’m not disappointed. I’m very, very honored.
And a little disappointed.
“A national conference… that sounds really important,” Owen says. “Congratulations.”
“Right.” Mav’s demeanor changes quickly. “That’s really cool. Congratulations.”
Still, the way his voice goes down on the congratulations contradicts his expression.
“Well, I’d better head to the house.” Owen clears his throat, giving Gina a little squeeze. “Have a great trip, Dove. Can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back.”
“Text me!” Gina points at me.
“I will. Bye, Owen, and thanks again, Maddie.”
“Anytime!” Maddie cries, skipping beside her dad as she holds his hand.
They’re gone, and I’m left facing Maverick in the living room. We’re quiet for a moment, a little awkward, which is silly. It’s Maverick. We’ve been friends forever.
Kelani jumps around my feet, and I bend down to pick her up. “I’ll move her crate back to your bedroom since I’ll be gone. She’s really well-trained. She sleeps all night, and you just have to let her out in the backyard when you get up in the morning.”
“Oh, yeah, okay.” He walks closer, reaching out his hand to pet her head. “Gina would say that’s the good thing about crates. They’re like portable dog houses.”
I blink up at him, forcing a smile. “It’s good to see you again.”
He nods, meeting my eyes in a way that squeezes my chest. “It’s good to see you, too.”
“I’m sorry I’m leaving as soon as you get home.”
His magnetic gaze drifts to my hand stroking Kelani’s small back. “It’s why you’re here. You don’t have to apologize. That would be like me apologizing for playing hockey.”
“Still, I was thinking we might…” I have no idea what I’m about to say.
“Have some mashed potatoes and peach ice cream?”
My lips press, and I nod. “Something like that.”
“When you get back.” Reaching up, he slides a piece of hair behind my ear so gently. “You have to save the trees.”
“I’ll text you.”
Dove
This conference is incredible. Every day there are panels on different plant diseases, pests, current and experimental treatments… My head is spinning!
Maverick
Alice in Wonderland.
Dove
That movie is really trippy. I loved Sleeping Beauty. Before he came back, I imagined my dad was like Prince Phillip being held captive by an evil queen.
Maverick
I was obsessed with Rocky.
Dove
He’s a fighter.
Maverick
And a lover… he takes Adrian ice skating.
Dove
That’s a sweet part. You’re right, I like him now, too… Did you win your game?
Maverick
Yep. We’re certain to be in the playoffs at this point.
Dove
I can’t watch the games here. Are you getting to play more?
Maverick
Not really, but I never meant to hog the spotlight.
My lips twist at his reply. Even if I’m new to hockey, I know about sports teams, and I definitely know about fandoms. The way Mav is being treated right now is starting to make all of Mav Nation angry.
Dove
You never hog the spotlight. You’re a team player, and you’re a star. This new coach needs to get his head out of his ass. The girls and I are ready to start a letter-writing campaign.
Maverick
Easy tiger. I appreciate the protective outrage, but I’m a big boy. I can take being on the bench if it helps the team. So far we’ve been winning.
Dove
You should be on the ice all the time at every game.
Maverick
As much as I appreciate this, I want to hear how you’re becoming a star in the world of plant pathology.
Huffing a laugh, I glance around the room at all the professors and PhD students. Even a few farmers attend the conference, but the majority of faces in the room are men.
Dove
I have a lot to learn, but at least I’m not the only woman at the table. I am in the minority, though.
Maverick
Can you use it to your advantage?
Dove
How so?
Maverick
Attract attention, get more eyes on your work. Be a voice.
Dove
Interesting take. I’ll need to learn more if I’m going to command attention like that. For now, I’m a fly on the wall.
Maverick
A butterfly on the wall.
Rolling my eyes, I snort a laugh. Dr. Smithfield waves at me, and I know it’s my cue to dim the lights. He’s making a presentation on root grafting, and I need to learn more about the topic. I send Mav a quick goodbye and silence my phone.