Page 24 of The Maverick

“Let’s go ask the kids.”

Could he be that sure they would sayokay?What did he know that she didn’t?

By the time they got to the arena, Smitty had both kids and their horses by the mounting block.

Buttercup and Daisy knew the routine and waited patiently.

Bailey was first up. She mounted easily.

Smitty put a hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Did you see what she did? How she mounted with her left leg first?”

Jake nodded. “Yes, sir, Smitty. I watched real close.”

The man smiled. “Okay. Daisy is ready to go. You go on and mount her.”

The boy did exactly what Bailey had done and was delighted to be on a horse.

“Mommy, do you see me?”

Rachel waved from across the arena. “I did. Good job.”

For the rest of the lesson, Rachel was tense. Seeing Jake up on the large animal was somewhat nerve wracking even though she rode herself and was certain that Smitty knew what he was doing.

After the lesson was over, Jake and Bailey ran over to their parents.

“Mommy, did you see? Did you watch me?”

“Yes, sir. I sure did. You did great. Just like you were born to the saddle.”

“Smitty taught him good. He’ll be riding like me in no time.” Bailey seemed as happy as Jake was.

“Kids,” said Nick. “We have something we’d like to talk to you about.”

“What?” asked Jake and Bailey at the same time.

“I would like to take Rachel out on a date, a real adult date with dinner and dancing. What do you two think of that?”

“Does that mean you’re gonna get married?” Jake widened his eyes.

Rachel’s eyebrows shot up. “Why would you think something like that?”

“Just that if you got married, then we’d live here all the time, and Bailey would be my sister, and we could play and ride together every day.”

Bailey nodded. “Yeah, we want that. Jake and I like playing together.”

Shaking her head, she looked over at Nick who was grinning. She frowned. “No, this doesn’t mean we’re getting married. It would just be dinner and dancing. Just a date. Nothing more. Tell them Nick.”

He backed away, laughing. “You’ve got this. I’ll let you handle these little heathens by yourself.”

Rachel put her hands on her hips. “Thanks for nothing. Maybe I shouldn’t go on a date after all.”

“Now, Rach, don’t do anything hasty. I’m just teasing you.” He looked at the children. “This date is just that. It doesn’t mean we’re getting married, and it doesn’t mean Jake and Rachel will be leaving if we don’t get married tomorrow. Marriage is something that happens when two people get to know each other?—”

Jake lifted his chin and tilted his head. “You and Mommy already know each other. You don’t have to do that part.”

“And,” Nick continued, as if Jake hadn’t interrupted him. “They fall in love with each other and want to have a family together.”

“Well...” Bailey put her hands on her hips, imitating Rachel. “You and Daddy are already best friends, and you love your best friend, so you already love each other. And you already have kids so you already have a family together.”