Page 7 of The Maverick

Rachel locked the deadbolt with a key.

“I noticed the kitchen deadbolt uses a key on the inside, too. Don’t you think that’s dangerous?”

She shrugged and then shivered. “Not as dangerous as it would be if Greg broke the window in the door and could unlock the door. The front door doesn’t need one. Hopefully, I’d hear the glass breaking and be able to get out to the garage before he realizes he can come through the window.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“You’re not going to badger me about putting twenty-four-hour security on the house?”

He shook his head. “I don’t figure you’ll change your mind and will just dig in your heels if I try to change it. But why don’t you let me put in a security system and keypad? It would be a lot safer.” He walked over to his metallic candy apple red Ford Mustang. “Jake, you get the back seat all to yourself. Be sure and put your seatbelt on.”

“I can’t let you do that without the landlord’s permission. And it’s just a rental for a short period of time. Just until I can find a place I want to buy.”

“I understand but you really need to talk to your landlord. I’m sure that since it won’t cost him anything he’d be more than happy to have a state-of-the-art security system.”

“You’re probably right. I’ll talk to him. In the meantime, I’ll have the deadbolts.”

“All right as long as you promise to talk to him tomorrow. I’ll have someone out here as soon as you give the okay.”

“Fine.” Rachel huffed out a breath. She had to remind herself this was Nick and he wasn’t being like Greg.

Jake piped up from the backseat. “This is a cool car. Is it fast?”

“It is, I can show you.” Nick looked over at Rachel. “Or not.”

She shook her head. “Not tonight, maybe some other time.”

The look she gave him didn’t leave him much hope she’d change her mind on this any more than she would change it on the security issue. But with the security team on it, what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her, would it?

CHAPTER3

Rachel sat across from Nick, with Jake at her side in a booth at Pepper’s. Rachel glanced around, taking in her surroundings. The restaurant had about a dozen booths and half as many four tops with metal chairs. The floor was concrete and painted dark brown.

All the servers wore jeans and tennis shoes along with black t-shirts with the Pepper’s logo of a bunch of hot chili peppers.

“I like this place.” She turned back toward Nick. “I hope the food is as good as you say.”

His eyes widened, and then he smiled. “Trust me. You’ll love it.”

A brunette server with a low ponytail approached the table. “What can I get you folks to drink?”

“I’ll have iced tea and a glass of water, please,” said Rachel.

“Same,” said Nick.

The server turned her attention to Jake. “And what about you, young man?”

Jake looked up at his mother. “Can I have a Dr. Pepper? Please, Mommy?”

Rachel pursed her lips and then gazed at the young woman. “Do you have small glasses?”

“Yes, ma’am. We have plastic cups, with a lid and straw, that he can take home, if he wants to.”

“Okay, then he’ll have a Dr. Pepper.”

“Yay!” Jake shoved his fist into the air. Then he turned to his mother. “Thank you, Mommy.”

Rachel ruffled his hair and kissed the top of his head.