Page 24 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

MAVERICK

“Thanks for the ride,” I tell my brother. “Glad you’re not sick.”

Beau nods as he takes the turnoff out of town. “Me too. Gabe now has whatever Austin brought home. Paige told me to stay out of the main house for a while. So what are we getting at Target?”

“Ice packs and baby supplies.”

“For Baylee?”

“The ice packs are for me, but yeah, Leo needs a few things. Most of Baylee’s baby shower gifts were destroyed. I’ve ordered her a bunch of stuff, but she needs some bottles and other little things.” Hope she doesn’t mind that I plan to get her everything I can think of.

“Damn. I heard about that. What kind of asshole goes after a single mom?” He grips the steering wheel like he wants to punch the nameless douchebag as much as I do.

“Not sure, but who doesn’t like Baylee? I’m thinking whoever trashed her house also smashed her plate-glass window at her salon.”

He frowns. “I was there the morning it happened. Rhett and I helped her patch it up until she could get it repaired. I didn’t realize it was a targeted attack.”

“I get the impression she didn’t want it getting out.”

He scratches his scruffy face. “Think it was her ex?”

“Why would he do that? He’s the one who broke up with her.”

“But doesn’t he want to share custody?”

“Good point. I’ll ask the sheriff to look into him. Can’t hurt.”

When we get to Target, I grab a cart, and we head to the baby aisle. Since Bay wants to introduce Leo to bottle feeding, that’s a good place to start. Something easy. Except there’s an entire wall of bottles.

I turn to my older brother. “Which one do I buy?”

“Hell if I know.”

“You’re no help at all.”

He chuckles. “I’m just here for moral support.”

I call Paige and after she picks up, I explain my problem. “There are nine thousand different types of bottles. Any idea which one Baylee might want?”

“Why don’t you just ask her?”

“Because she hates accepting help, and I figured it would be better to buy her all the shit I know she needs rather than asking her if I can do this.”

She laughs. “Good point. With bottles, you can get glass or plastic, but glass is heavy and harder to hold. It’s easy for a baby to smack his face with it.”

I’d hate for Leo to get hurt. “Fuck that. Plastic it is.”

“Except you have to make sure it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates.”

Jesus, this is a minefield. “How would I know something like that?”

“Look at the labels.” She suggests the brand she got for Ella, and I track it down .

“Great. Thank you.” I’m about to head down the aisle when her next words stop me.

“Don’t forget the nipples.”

I hold up the package of bottles to double-check. “But these already have nipples.”

“Since Leo is just starting out, you might need to get a few different types to make sure he gets one he’ll latch onto. Babies can be picky.”

Damn, this is tougher than I thought it would be. “Leo’s gonna latch like a champ. Just you watch.” I get momentarily distracted, wondering what Baylee’s tits look like. They’re probably a really nice handful. Plump and bouncy.

“Oh, and make sure the nipples don’t contain those chemicals, which are tied to neurological problems.”

Hard record scratch. “This is fucking terrifying, Paige. I don’t know if I’m qualified to shop for babies.”

“Most of the products are safer than when we were little, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check.”

Leaning down, I grab several different packages to study them.

“I must say, there is quite the variety of nipples.” I find one that catches my eye.

“This one is attached to a bottle that looks like a boob.” I hold up my hand to measure it.

“This could easily pass for Baylee’s. It’s about the right size. ”

Beau snorts next to me, and I give him the stink-eye. “Don’t you be looking at her tits. You got me?”

He smirks. “No need to piss a circle around Baylee, bro. She’s all yours. I’m gonna go get some socks.”

Paige chuckles in my ear. “Maybe keep the receipt. If something doesn’t work for Leo, you might be able to exchange it for another item he needs.”

“Good idea.” I scan the rest of the aisle. “What about a bottle warmer? And here’s something that sterilizes them. Does she need that too? ”

“Those are great, but they’re not mandatory.”

“But they’ll make her life easier?” Because Bay is dealing with a lot right now.

“Yeah, they’re useful.”

By the time I’m done talking to Paige, my cart is full. “Thanks, sister, you’re the best. Do you guys need anything? I can send Beau home with any provisions.”

“We’re good. Austin is feeling better, but Gabe is turning green now. I’m going to make them some homemade soup.”

“I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Holler if I can help in any way.”

We get off the phone, and then I grab my ice packs and snacks before I track down my brother, who’s chatting up a pretty woman by the home goods area. Which reminds me. Baylee said we needed kitchen towels. I grab a stack and, as I turn the corner, I run into my old football coach.

“Why if it isn’t Maverick Walker.” Coach Taggert grins. “How are you, son? That was a nasty tackle you took last December. Glad to see you up and about.”

We shake hands, and I realize how much better my equilibrium is today. My pain level is down too. “Good to see you, Coach.”

“How long will you be in town? ’Cause I’ve got a new group of kids I’d love for you to chat with if you have the time.”

“You put up with me for four years. I’ll always have time to help your program.”

He chuckles and pats me on the back. “You were a pain in the ass, but ya turned out okay after all.”

I try not to wince from the spasm in my shoulder. “Just text me a day and time, and I’ll be there.”

After I give Coach my number, I track down Beau again. He’s shoving a piece of paper in his pocket and saying bye to the pretty girl. When she sees me, she does a double-take. “Oh my God. Are you that NFL guy?”

My brother’s expression flattens, and I shake my head. “Nope. I just look like that sorry bastard.”

“Oh. Okay.” She juts out her bottom lip before she returns her focus to Beau. “See you soon!”

When she walks away, he hands me the piece of paper with her number on it. “Here. She was more into you than me.”

“Nah. I’m good.”

As we head to the checkout, he elbows me. “So you and Baylee, huh?”

“We’re not a done deal. It’s more like I’m desperately trying to make amends.”

He frowns. “For what?”

“For being a dumbass.”

I tell him what I did in high school, and he shakes his head. “You’re right. That was dumb. Is that when she started making everyone else puppy chow except you?”

“Pretty much, yeah.” Though I hadn’t realized it at the time.

“Savage.”

“I kinda love that about her.” I dump all of the baby supplies on the conveyer belt.

“I laid it all out last night. Apologized. Asked for another chance. And she said as much as she cares for me, there’s no way she’s going to New York.

Last night, she was ready to head to the ranch to stay with Paige, but Austin got sick. ”

His brows rise. “So whatcha gonna do?”

“The only thing I can. Show her I care and that I’ll always be there for her and Leo.” Baylee will be here while I’m on the other side of the country, and at some point, she’s going to meet a man who realizes she’s amazing and will snatch her up. Just thinking about that makes it hard to breathe.

No, losing her is not a fucking option. I have to win her back .

As we wait for the cashier, I turn to Beau. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a long-term relationship.”

“Because I have a dangerous job.”

“But even before that.”

He shrugs. “I’ve dated a few women, but at the end of the day, I’m a fireman and a rancher and busy as hell. No woman is gonna put up with my schedule.”

“You have a point.”

When we make it back to the condo, there are a crapload of boxes piled in front of my door. “Shit. I didn’t realize everything would arrive so quickly.”

“What did you do? Buy an entire baby store?”

“Pretty much, yeah. Leo needs a lot of stuff, and who better to supply it than his awesome uncle Maverick?” But damn, it’s a lot. “Would you mind helping me move this into the spare bedroom?” Good thing I didn’t order any office furniture.

As Beau helps me haul in a giant box, he grunts, “Want some unsolicited advice?”

“Shoot.”

“Don’t give this to Baylee all at once. She’ll baulk.

Start out with the bottle stuff tonight.

Tomorrow, I’ll come over again and help you put some of this together.

Maybe if she sees everything assembled, she’ll be less overwhelmed.

Plus, having it all set up here might make her want to stay around a little longer. ”

I smile. “That would be awesome.”

When he leaves, I debate washing all the bottles and nipples, but then wonder if maybe Baylee would enjoy opening everything. All this gift-giving is exhausting. I rub the back of my neck, which is starting to ache.

Before I forget, I grab my phone and call Sheriff Reynolds.

“What can I do for you, Maverick?”

“Hey, Sheriff. I’m calling about that break-in at Baylee’s. Do you have any leads? ”

“Sorry to say I don’t. One of her neighbors spotted a strange car parked in front earlier, but they couldn’t describe it.”

Damn.

“Have you considered her ex-boyfriend?” I give him the rundown on Sean and how he wants to share custody.

“Hmm. Interesting. I’ll do a little digging.”

“Thank you, sir.”

After we hang up, I grab some ice, wrap it in one of my new dishcloths, and crash in front of the TV for a few hours. I vow to myself that I’m going to be more serious about conditioning, starting tomorrow. I’ll hit the pool, which is one of the few things I’m allowed to do.

It’s getting dark when the front door opens.

“Mav?” Baylee calls out.

“On the couch.” I struggle to get up and end up rolling off the damn thing. I look up to find Baylee covering her mouth, trying not to laugh.

“You okay down there?”

I pat the ground. “Just making sure I like the area rug.”

She smirks. “Okay. Need a hand?”

I hold up my arm but pull it back when she reaches for me. “Don’t hurt me.” I’m kinda teasing, but also not.

“Don’t be a baby.” She helps me off the floor.

“Speaking of the baby, where’s Leo?”

She reaches back and puts his basket on the couch.

I peer down at his little face. His big brown eyes stare back at me.

“Hey, bro. How was your day?” I grab his hand, and he squeezes my finger.

“He has a good grip. Gotta get a football in his hands while he’s young.

” Leaning closer to him, I whisper, “Don’t worry.

I’ll have you throwing like a champ in no time. ”

Baylee rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. Damn, she’s a beautiful woman. I stare at her and try to memorize this moment. The reality that she might not take me up on my offer to go to New York with me is finally starting to sink in. If football is even an option, that is.

“So Bay, I called the sheriff to find out what’s going on with the investigation, and I mentioned that maybe he should look into Sean, since he’s not happy about the custody arrangements.

” She freezes, and I instantly realize my mistake.

“Sorry, I should’ve run that by you first. I just didn’t want you to have any more problems with people messing with you. ”

She blinks at me, and I can almost see her counting to ten. “I wish you would’ve talked to me before you did that. I don’t want to make things worse with him.”

“You’re right. I promise not to do that again.” I hold up my hands. “Does this mean you’ll never make me puppy chow again?”

She bites her bottom lip as she tries to hold back a smile. “I don’t know. You’re skating on thin ice. I usually like to do things for myself.”

“I know this about you, but maybe , if you let your friends help, life doesn’t have to be so hard.”

She glances down at the floor. Then shrugs. “Okay.”

“Okay?” Color me shocked.

“I’m not completely unreasonable.”

I hook her with my arm and give her a noogie. “You’re perfectly sensible. Most of the time.”

“Most of the time?” She wiggles her fingers against my ribs, and I laugh and push her away.

As I stare at the playfulness in her eyes, I wish I could throw her down and tickle her for real, but I just fell on my ass. I’m probably not ready to wrestle with Baylee, though, damn, I really want to. “I seem to recall you nearly getting kicked out of class for challenging our history teacher.”

She huffs. “I got an eighty-nine point nine. All the other teachers rounded that up to an A-minus, but oh no, not him. ”

Laughing, I open the fridge and grab us both some iced tea. “I would’ve given you an A.” When I turn around, she places her hand on my arm.

“Thanks for looking out for me. I’m glad you called the sheriff. Sean and I aren’t in a good place right now. I can’t imagine him acting like a freaking lunatic, but I suppose anything is possible.”

I let out a relieved breath and make a mental note not to make decisions on her behalf.

I motion to the counter. “I also got you a few things. Beau and I were out running errands, and we stopped off at Target. You mentioned wanting to try a bottle with Leo. I figure that way, I can help a little more, especially at night.”

I explain what Paige told me, that we can exchange whatever Baylee doesn’t think will work for other items Leo might need.

I pull everything out of the bags, and she stares at them so long that I brace myself for her to get irritated with me again.

Instead, she starts blinking quickly. “Tha-thank you. You didn’t have to do that. ”

Pulling her to me, I hug her, relishing when her arms wrap around me.

I kiss the top of her head. “I know, but I like taking care of you and the kid. You’re my two favorite people.

” I close my eyes and breathe in her sweet peach scent.

Damn, she smells good. We stare at each other, and without thinking, I lean down.

She starts to lean up, but just before our mouths touch, someone bangs on the front door, and we jump apart.

“Son of a bitch.” I laugh, annoyed. “Whoever that is has terrible timing.”

Baylee’s face flushes. “The worst.”

She was gonna let me kiss her, though, right? This is good. I can work with this.

I’m feeling optimistic.

Until I open my door, and Kira charges in.