Page 20 of The Maverick

“Ah, Mom.”

“I know.” She hugged him to her again. “I’m too mushy. Now, you go ahead, and I’ll be back in a minute to tuck you in and read.” She walked out to let him have the privacy he wanted to change his clothes. Rachel had a difficult time realizing that Jake was growing up. She wanted him to remain a little boy, but she knew that was an unreasonable wish. Looking at his door, she thought he’d had enough time. She knocked on the door.

“Are you ready?”

“Yeah, come in.”

Jake was in bed waiting. She sat on the edge of the bed and opened the book. She began to read and by the time she’d finished one page, he was out like a light. Rachel closed the book, tucked in the blanket around him, then kissed his head. “Goodnight, my little love.” Then she left the room, leaving the door open a crack. She’d have to remember to ask Nick if he would leave the hall light on or see if he had an extra night-light.

Jake didn’t normally need one, but they were in a new place and she thought it was safer than him wandering around in the dark.

She walked next door and changed into her white, halter-top one-piece swimsuit, then added the colorful sarong style skirt, before meeting Nick in the kitchen.

She walked in.

He leaned on the breakfast bar with his back to her.

“So, where is this infamous pool house.”

Nick startled at the sound of her voice. “Sheesh, Rach, make a noise next time. You frightened me.”

Rachel chuckled. “You should be more aware of your surroundings.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” He raised his arm to push away her remark. “So, you’ve told me many times before. I never had to worry about it except for you. How do you move so silently anyway?”

She shrugged. “It’s a gift. It lets me sneak up on nurses who are standing around doing nothing.”

“Hmpft. So, my dear friend, what is it you need? I see you’re ready to go swimming.”

“I am, but I need to know if you can leave the hall light on outside Jake’s and my room. I don’t want him stumbling around in the dark.”

“Sure. That’s not a problem.” He tilted his head a bit. “Was that all you needed?”

“Yes. And I want to thank you again for taking us in.”

His gaze softened. “Of course. I will always be here for you, Rach. Always.”

“I know. I never wanted to be a burden to you. I don’t now, but I don’t know what else to do. I know you’re right; I can’t stay at the house...at least until I can get the kitchen door replaced with one without a window. And it must have a deadbolt. A good one.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already got my guys working on it. But I don’t want you to feel you have to move right away or that you aren’t welcome, because you are. For as long as you want to be here. Even if you do go back to that house, I’m afraid you won’t feel safe there, regardless of the improvements we make. The windows construction is such that he could easily come through and I know you’ve thought about that because you’re a smart woman.”

She nodded. “I’m glad you think I’m smart, because I’m not so sure. I never thought Greg would follow me. I just wanted Jake to have a backyard. Some place outside that he could safely play. A place with real grass and actual trees, not the fake ones I had on the balcony of our New York apartment. I wanted him to have what we had. Though I realize now that’s a pipe dream, and it will be as long as Greg is a free man.” She took one of Nick’s hands in hers. “I can’t ever let him take Jake. He’ll raise him to be just like him. I can’t allow that to happen, but I need your help. I know that now. After he grabbed me around the throat was when I realized he was too far gone to be reasoned with.”

Nick squeezed her hand, pulled her against him, and then wrapped his arms around her. “Rach, you’re angry and still worked up, through no fault of your own. I understand and want you to stay here as long as you want. That’s what best friends are for, and we have the room. Bailey is thrilled to have Jake staying here so she can have someone to play with. I’m sure Jake is the same way. It’s hard when you don’t have any friends.

“Bailey can go to the same school as Jake because we have open enrollment in Colorado. That means any child can go to any school regardless of where the school is located or what district it is in, if there is room at the desired school. The thing is that the most popular schools have a sign-up period, and we might have missed it depending on the school. Although they do usually have a special open policy for children new to the district.”

“Well, that would be Jake. What school does Bailey attend? It might be best to leave her where she is and just enroll Jake in that school.”

“That’s true. I’ll get you the information.” He pointed toward the pool. “How about we head to the pool?”

“Sounds good. Let’s go.” She stepped back.

He led the way to the pool, through the kitchen.

As she reached the patio surrounding the water, Rachel grinned, kicked off her flip-flops, and removed her coverup.

Nick whistled. “You still look great, Rach.”