Page 19 of The Maverick

Nick stopped at one and opened it. “This is my office. I can usually be found here, in the arena, or in the barn. I love riding, and watching gives me great pleasure.”

The office was bright with lots of windows letting in the sunlight. The room was decorated with dark, heavy furniture. Western artwork by Frederick Remington and Charles Russell graced the walls, and she even saw a bronze that Remington had created. Rachel knew he was the artist because she’d seen a copy of that piece in a store in Cheyenne the one time she and Greg traveled west for their only visit to see her parents. She was pretty sure the paintings Nick had weren’t prints, either, but the real thing.

She straightened and followed as Nick moved on down the hall, which opened into a large living room.

The kids were sitting in front of a monstrous TV screen, playing their video game.

Rachel recognized it as Roblox, Jake’s favorite game, and from what Nick had said, it was apparently Bailey’s, too.

Nick walked over to the kids and set Bailey’s hot cocoa on the coffee table. The kids sat on the floor with their legs under the coffee table and their backs against the sofa. “This is the living room. You saw the family room back by the kitchen, but this has the biggest screen, and Bailey likes it best,” Nick said by way of an explanation.

Rachel followed him and set Jake’s drink on the coffee table in front of him. “Gotcha. Jake would be the same way.”

“So, there you have it. The rest of the upstairs is just more bedrooms. I do have a small theater in the basement along with a gaming room, where I have a pool table, air hockey table, dart board, and some other games. I even have a poker table.” He laughed. “Do you still like to play poker?”

Rachel smiled. “On occasion of which have been few and far between. Greg never liked that about me...that I liked to play cards, so I haven’t done much.” She narrowed her eyes. “But I still remember enough to beat your backside.”

Nick threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Not likely. I’ve learned a lot since we last played. I’ll have to see if I can get a game together while you’re here and see just how good you still are.”

“I’d like that. Just a friendly game, though. I’m not interested in losing a lot of money...if I happen to lose.” She winked at Nick.

“Shall we gather our children and get them to bed? Did you bring a swimming suit?”

“Yes, I thought you might have a pool. I remember swimming in that pond in the summer. It was so darn cold, and yet, you couldn’t wait to get in it.”

“You remembered. Yes, I have an indoor pool so I can swim all winter, too. It has a glass ceiling so, when it’s not covered in snow, it’s like swimming outside in the summer, even in the winter. Come on. Let’s get the kids into bed.”

They went to retrieve the children.

“Jake it’s bedtime. Let’s go. You can bring your hot chocolate with you.”

“But, Mom, we’re just getting started,” whined Jake.

“You’ve been playing for an hour. I know the time went much faster than you wanted, but now it’s time to go to bed. We’ve had a rough day, and you need your rest if you’re still planning on a riding lesson tomorrow. Do you want a riding lesson or not?”

Jake set the controller on the coffee table and hopped up off the floor. “I do want a lesson. I want to learn to ride as good as Bailey. She’s really good.”

She smoothed his hair as they walked toward the stairs. “I know, and you’ll eventually get to ride that well, but you need to learn the basics first.”

“I know. I’m not a baby.”

She smiled, her heart swelling. He didn’t understand he would always be her baby. But now she had to acknowledge he was growing up. Much faster than she wanted. “I know. You’re a big boy and very smart, so you will go to bed now so you’re ready for tomorrow. Get in your pajamas, and I’ll read you some from The Wild Robot. I saw you brought the book.”

He nodded. “I wanted it if there was nothing to do here, but there are all kinds of things. Bailey told me they have a pool in a house.”

“They do. Nick likes to swim, even in the winter.”

“Wow. It’s great here. Can we stay forever?” He looked up with the same green eyes she saw staring in the mirror every morning.

She could hardly resist them, but she did. Rachel chewed on the inside of her cheek while he looked up at her before she kneeled in front of him. “The thing is we can only stay for a while. Only until I’m sure it’s safe to go home.”

He looked down and kicked an invisible rock with his foot. “Did my dad tear up all our furniture?”

Rachel thought about lying, but she opted for the truth instead. “Yes. He was furious, so he broke into our house and destroyed it. He’s still mad at me for divorcing him. But I couldn’t let him hit me anymore, and I couldn’t let him turn his anger on you. Your father isn’t a well man, but that doesn’t excuse his actions. Do you understand that? You never hit a woman. Never.”

“I know, Mom. I’ll never be like my father.” He moved close and placed his arms around her neck. “I love you, Mommy.”

With her heart melting, she hugged him back. “I know you won’t. You’re a good boy, love of my life.”