Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
The Painter
Maverick
I’d just finished cleaning up the kitchen when Cheyenne and Brandy made their way toward the back door.
She’d been laughing with Cash—a welcome sight for the both of them.
But another emotion stirred within me—a touch of jealousy.
I couldn’t do that for her. I could barely even keep myself from falling into a panic attack at any given minute, let alone make her smile.
The both of them had gone outside sad, morose, and after a few minutes the two were smiling, talking, teasing —it looked like—from the shoulder bumps and the playful scowls.
Hell, they even looked good together, if I were being honest.
I shook off the thought as the knob to the backdoor turned and Cheyenne walked back inside.
“You’re still cleanin’?” she asked, her brow rising and concern echoing in her tone. “I’d have helped.”
I waved her off and placed the cleaning spray and rag underneath the counter before turning back to her. I lifted a brow and nodded in her direction, hoping she understood.
Her face scrunched up a moment, her gaze turning contemplative. “I’m…okay, I guess,” she said with a sigh. “I uh…I wanted to talk to you.”
I frowned and nodded for her to go on.
“I can’t stay with Charlie and Ryder. There’s too much goin’ on. I feel like I’m imposin’.”
Worry swelled within me, constricting around my middle. I didn’t want her to leave. Besides, she had nowhere to go, no belongings. Where would she go?
“Cash and I were talkin’…” her voice sounded weak, weary.
Here it comes.
He’d worked his magic on her, hadn’t he? I wanted to be mad, but I couldn’t even blame her. Either of them, really. Maybe our kiss last night had meant nothing. A response to the trauma we’d both shared. I hung my head, already knowing where this was going.
“Would you be okay if I stayed with you?”
My head snapped up and I fixed my gaze on her intently. She was closed off—her eyes, her face, her posture. I couldn’t read her.
“It wouldn’t be for long. Just until I get the money from the insurance company for the trailer and find myself a place and a job while I can get the etsy shop runnin’ again.
” She blew out a breath and ran a hand through her wild blonde curls.
“If you’re not okay with it, that’s fine.
I can figure somethin’ out.” Her head dipped, her gaze falling to the floor.
“In fact, this was stupid. I’m sorry. I know what I’m askin’ is a lot. ”
What? Not at all.
She had no home. Nothing to call her own. And after last night… I wanted her to stay. Something fluttered in my chest at the idea of that. Of having her in my house. Of waking up, knowing I’d see her there when I came back in at the end of the day.
I moved around the peninsula, coming to stand before her. She was so much smaller than me—I liked that. I gripped her chin between my thumb and forefinger, tilting her face up to look at me. I shook my head.
“No, what?” she asked. Her eyes were like twin pools of worry. “No, you want me to go? Or no, you want me to stay?”
How could she not understand? I still couldn’t find the words within me, so I did the next best thing. Cupping her face in my hands, I kissed her. Slow, unhurried.
A little gasp escaped her before she melted against me, her hands pressing against my chest.
The fluttering in my heart quickened as I pulled away enough to look down at her.
Her breathing was shallow and labored, her turquoise gaze swirling with some emotion I couldn’t quite place.
A warm smile crooked on her pouty lips. “Was that a yes?” She bit her bottom lip. “I may need a little more convincin’.”
I smirked and shook my head before flicking her nose gently.
“Hey!” She batted my hand away, a smile lighting up her face. My heart fluttered again. I liked seeing her smile. Liked even more when I was the reason for it. It was like a sun on the horizon, warming everything in its path.
I stole another kiss from her. Just a whisper of one.
She smirked a moment before sobering, a sigh escaping her. “Well, now that that’s settled…I should probably go buy some clothes. I should go work Country Road…we have a rodeo this weekend, after all.”
I nodded, pointing a thumb toward my chest.
“You too?” she asked, then went on to answer herself.
“Of course you do.” Worry stirred in her gaze as she bit her lip.
She couldn’t do things like that. It did something to me.
“Do you think it would be too much to ask if you trailered her up there for me? We’d have to go get her Thursday or Friday morning to get out for the first night of events. ”
Why wouldn’t she just bring the horse here? I frowned and cocked my head to the side. Pursing my lips, I tried to figure out a way to convey what I wanted. In the end, I settled on pointing at the barn.
Her brow furrowed as she looked between the barn and me. “What are you suggestin’?”
I sighed. Damn, I didn’t remember this being’ so difficult when I was eleven.
Grabbing her hand in mine, I led her toward the back door and out to the barn.
Cash eyed us, a hint of his usual smile on his lips.
Not as wide and shit-eating as usual, but mischief glimmered in his eyes. I’d take that as a win.
I hated seeing him unhappy at my expense.
“Make sure to use some protection, y’all,” he called with a chuckle, not pausing in roping.
He needed to fucking cool it if he wanted to be able to compete this weekend. I didn’t want to hear him bitching when we didn’t win because he’d gone and been a dumbass and fucked up his hand.
“Cash!” Cheyenne hissed, even though laughter fell from her lips.
The shade of the barn was a welcome reprieve from the hot summer sun. It wasn’t even nine and the temperature was already climbing. Dear Lord, Texas summers were a bitch. I led her down the breezeway and to one of the empty stalls. Stopping before it, I nodded.
She frowned a moment. “Are you sayin’ I can board her here?”
I nodded.
Her mouth gaped open, a little gasp escaping her. “But—but that’s too much. I’m already crashin’ at your place. I can’t possibly ask to board her here too.”
I rolled my eyes, giving her my most are-you-kidding look. I wouldn’t have her driving an hour and a half one way up to San Antone just to ride her damn horse. There was more than enough space here. We could buy a couple barrels and she could practice as much as she needed.
She worried with her bottom lip again, sending a shot of desire through me. “Are you sure?”
Another nod. I gestured between the two of us, and pointed westward. Toward San Antone.
“You wanna go now?”
I shrugged. Why not? Might as well bring her here, give her time to adjust to the new setting, especially with the rodeo this weekend.
Cheyenne seemed to share the same thoughts, repeating them aloud. “It makes sense to bring her now.” She sighed. “You sure you’re okay with this? I can pay for her board. And rent. I ain’t a freeloader.”
Absolutely not. I didn’t need her money. Didn’t want it. Her being here with her dog and horse wouldn’t affect me financially. I shook my head and waved away her offer.
She loosed a breath and met my gaze, unshed tears hanging in those gemstone eyes. “Maverick…this is too much. I can’t.” She dropped her head, her shoulders shaking.
No. I didn’t want to see her crying. Not because of this. Not because of anything, really, but especially not this. I tilted her chin up once more, wiping away the twin tears rolling down her cheeks with my thumbs.
She sniffled. “I can help with chores. And the cookin’ and cleanin’. I don’t got a lotta experience, but I’ve worked babies before. I’ll earn my keep.”
I didn’t need her to do those things, but the desperation in her voice, in her gaze had me nodding. She couldn’t be worse with the babies than Cash, who had little to no patience, and hopefully she was a better cook than Charlie—bless her heart.
Cheyenne’s lips drew up into a weak smile. “Okay. Let me see if I can get my clothes from last night and I’ll be ready.”