Page 49 of The Maverick

Not a minute later, Wyatt yelled. “Get me out.”

Jake put his hands on his hips. “Are you gonna let me unbuckle the seat belt or are you gonna yell at me again?”

Wyatt’s bottom lip jutted out. “I not yell.”

“Okay.” Jake quickly opened the seatbelt and released the child.

Rachel was thrilled that both of her children were so patient with their little brother. She wondered if that behavior would continue with the new baby. This was their last vacation before the baby arrived. They were spending ten days in Maui. Nick owned a house right on the beach, and the beach was private and far enough away from the hotels that it usually stayed private. Occasionally, surfers or sailboarders would land on the beach, but they didn’t stay long.

Nick’s plane was large, with plenty of room for their family. They could put Wyatt down for his nap in the bedroom, and the older two liked to play games on their iPads, or they would all play a board game in the dining room.

Rachel liked the kitchen was small, but still large enough that she could prepare a meal, if necessary, even with just the microwave.

The flight to Hawaii was about seven hours in the air. They always stopped in Los Angeles and filled up with fuel before the long flight over the Pacific.

They didn’t arrive on Maui until the evening, and a limo was waiting for them. The driver waited beside the limo and loaded all their luggage in the trunk. Mostly the suitcases contained clothes for her and the kids. Nick kept clothes at the house so he didn’t have to pack much.

They had dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants before heading to the house. Rachel simply didn’t feel like cooking.

Nick employed a full staff at the house, but she felt terrible about putting them out for a meal when they arrived so late.

Wyatt had a long nap on the plane and was in good spirits at dinner.

The older two, both thirteen now, were always well behaved and kept each other company more often than not.

After a wonderful fresh seafood dinner, they finally headed to the house.

The driver brought all their luggage in and set in the foyer.

“Is there anything else I can do for you tonight, Mr. Kincaid?”

“No, thanks Kekoa. I’ll call for the car if we go anywhere. But I think we’ll be sticking close to home for the duration. We just want to relax before we stop getting any sleep after the baby comes.”

The young man smiled. “My wife is expecting our first. I’m a little nervous.”

Nick placed a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Don’t be. You’ll be a great father. It’s not all that hard. You just have to be there for them. Your attention is the most important thing.”

The man nodded. “I’ll remember that.”

“You have a good night.”

“Thank you. You, too.”

Rachel watched the young man as he walked back to the car, then he closed the front door.

“Bailey. Jake.” Nick called out. “Come take your suitcases to your rooms.”

“Dad, do you need help with the others?” asked Jake.

“No, son. I can manage.”

Jake shrugged. “Okay.” Then he picked up a large backpack and headed for the staircase.

“Bailey.”

“Coming, Daddy.” She hurried out from the vicinity of the kitchen and was chewing something.

“What are you eating?” asked Nick. “And did you leave any for the rest of us?”