Page 6 of The Maverick

She gave him a sad smile. It was all she could give him. “You can’t be with me twenty-four-seven. And regardless of how much money you have, I can’t allow you to pay for security. I have to stand up for myself and for Jake. He has to learn that he can’t let people like his father dictate the way he lives his life.”

“Rach, you?—”

Rachel pulled her hand back. “No, Nick. No. This is the way it has to be. I’m glad to be back. You are still my best friend, too. But you have to let me be my own person. I’m an adult and a mother. I have to show my son how to become an adult. I don’t want him to be afraid all the time or to have to depend on others. He needs to learn to depend on himself.”

Nick took a deep breath. “Okay, Rachel. For now. I can’t convince you to let me help you. How about you let me take you to dinner?”

I would love to just to spend time with you.“I can’t. I have Jake?—”

His pursed his mouth, then he shook his head. “No, I meant you and Jake. I want to meet him. I know a wonderful place with a great kid’s menu, too. It’s called Pepper’s Fireside Grill. They have good, down-home food, and tonight the special is my favorite—chicken fried steak.”

“Chicken fried steak,” she said simultaneously.

His brows shot up and his eyes widened. “You remembered.”

“I remember a lot about us and our friendship. You don’t know someone from the time you’re five-years-old without knowing some of their favorite things.”

Nick chuckled. “Yeah, that’s definitely true. So, are you and Jake coming with me to dinner?”

“Yes. Let me get Jake.” She smiled and stood. “I’ll be right back.” She headed upstairs to get Jake.What if Greg is still hanging around? What if he’s just waiting for Nick to leave before he attacks?

* * *

Not one to twiddle histhumbs, Nick walked into the living room. Empty white walls and neutral-colored furniture didn’t reveal much about Rachel’s grown-up tastes. A sofa, upholstered in a rose brocade material, and a single rose damask Queen Anne chair faced the TV on the far wall.

A second matching Queen Anne chair sat at an angle to the fireplace on the outside wall. An oval braided rug of Native American design laid under the chair. A tiny foot stool, which matched the material of the chair, stood in front of it and a floor lamp sat on the left.

The mantel on the fireplace held a single framed photograph of Rachel and a small boy he assumed was Jake. Rachel looked happy. Her smile was wide, and it reached her eyes.

Jake was looking at his mother with a grin, like he was about to laugh.

The boy looked like Rachel when she was his age. His hair was pale red like hers, and he had her deep green eyes.

Nick had always loved looking into Rachel’s eyes. Looking in them was like seeing the Irish Sea, a clear, dark green. He’d always imagined being able to look in those eyes forever, but she’d gone off to college and hadn’t returned...until now. Nick was determined not to let her go again. She was his best friend, and if the fates allowed, she would be his wife.

Hearing voices behind him, Nick turned to see Rachel and a young boy. He didn’t look too happy. The frown on the child’s face when his gaze landed on Nick was his first clue.

Nick swallowed and stepped forward because he was so tall, he went down on one knee in front of the boy to make them face to face. Then he held out his right hand. “Hi. I’m Nick. You must be Jake. Your mom and I have known each other since we were younger than you. She’s my best friend and has been since kindergarten. Even being apart doesn’t change that.”

“Nuh huh. Boys can’t have girl best friends. Isn’t that right, Mommy?” Jake narrowed his eyes and then turned toward his mother. “Right, Mommy?”

Rachel smoothed his hair. “That’s not right, Jake. Nick has been my best friend since we were five years old. Believe it or not, I was really shy then, and he took me home to meet his mom. They sort of adopted me, and he’s been family ever since.”

The child’s eyes were wide as saucers. “Really?”

Rachel smiled. “Yup, really.”

Nick stood. “So, would you like to go to dinner with us, Jake? Or do we need to take you to Ruby’s?”

He wrinkled his nose and furrowed his brows. “Who’s Ruby?”

Nick chuckled. “That’s your grandmother. Her name is Ruby.”

“Oh.” He shook his head. “Nope, I’ll go with you and Mommy.”

“Okay. Let’s go. My car is out front.”

Nick walked to the front door first, opened it, and held it for Jake and Rachel.