Page 53 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

BAYLEE

Sitting on the steps of the camper, I take a sip of coffee.

It’s early, barely sunrise. The air is crisp, and fog hovers along the hills in the distance. Paige’s rooster crows.

Ranch hands crisscross the property, and dogs happily chase after Rhett and the boys as they head to the barn. I raise my mug when they wave hi.

I thought being here would help me escape all the memories of Maverick at his condo, but in some ways this is worse.

Being here is like living the life I’ve always wanted to have with him. Only he’s not here.

This was my dream. Living on a farm or ranch with Mav. Raising children. Riding horses. Tending to a garden. Taking midnight walks with him in our backyard to watch the stars.

Sighing, I get Leo ready for the day, feed him, burp him, change him. Hug and kiss him.

“It’s just the two of us now, bud,” I tell him as I snap his froggy jumper.

It’s been six days since Maverick left, six of the longest days of my life.

But today, as I glance around the sparkling clean camper, I can breathe a little easier knowing that I’m not taking advantage of him by squatting in his condo .

I kiss my son. “Our first night here wasn’t so bad, was it?” I’m comforted to know that Paige and Rhett are only a stone’s throw away if I need them.

Leo gives me a big, toothless grin, which eases my loneliness a bit. I carry him out to my vehicle in his car seat. After I snap him in, I hand him his ratty-looking lion rattle. “I have to crochet you something new. This toy has seen better days.”

Paige joins me on the driveway. “Can I hitch a ride into town? I need to order some fabric. One of the guys can pick me up afterward.”

“Sure.”

After she climbs in my car, she turns toward me. “I’m planning a big dinner for tomorrow night. Think you can make it?”

Tomorrow is Sunday. I think about what’s on my calendar. “I have a few clients in the afternoon, but if they don’t run long, I might be able to make it.”

“Baylee, I say this with love, but you need to start taking time for yourself. You’ll do Leo no good if you work yourself into the ground.”

“I promise I’ll start cutting back soon. I’ve been working with Vera on raising our prices. That’ll help. So will living in the camper.” As we exit the ranch, I stare longingly at the property across the street. “I heard the Three Oaks Farm got an offer. I’ve always loved that house.”

“Gosh, that was quick. It just went up for sale the other day.”

“Good things get snatched up quickly.” As I say those words, I can’t help but think Maverick will have a new girlfriend in no time.

Or maybe he’ll be like Jace and fuck around.

Both scenarios make me want to hurl. But I guess I should start preparing myself for the inevitable moment when he starts dating again.

After I drop off Paige at the Thread and Thimble, I head to the salon. I have clients the entire day .

By the time Miss Rosie arrives, I’m the last stylist left. I set Leo down in his basket a few feet away so I can hear him while I work.

“Thank you for squeezing me in, dear. I wanted my hair to look nice for charades this week.”

“I’ll always make room for my favorite client.”

Miss Rosie gives me a wide grin as I clip the black nylon cape around her neck. But after a minute, she frowns. “Dear, you look sad.”

I consider pasting a smile on my face and lying, but I don’t have the energy. “My boyfriend and I broke up.”

“That nice Walker boy? I heard you two were an item.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.

” After I explain the reasons, she sighs.

“I’m eighty-eight years old. I’ve done a lot of living, and if a man as good as that waltzed through my door, you bet your biscuits I’d move heaven and earth to make it work.

Because nothing weighs more than regret. ”

I stare at the ground. “I said some ugly things before he left.” He said he loved me, but what if I broke us beyond repair?

She pats my hand. “That’s what makeup sex is for, dear. Give him a blow job that makes his eyes cross.”

“Miss Rosie!” I laugh for the first time today as I reach for my bottled water.

“What? I’m old, not dead, dear.” She points to herself. “I used to have very nice breasts when I was your age. All the men used to want to touch them.”

I choke on my drink.

After I finish her trim and walk her out front to her ride, I’m wiped out, but I can’t stop thinking about what Miss Rosie said.

I’m going to do it. I’m going to swallow my pride and call Maverick.

Tonight, when I get home, I’m going to apologize and tell him breaking up was a mistake. That I love him. And if he wants to play football, I’ll do whatever I can to support him.

Because Miss Rosie is right. Regret is the worst feeling in the world.

Just because my parents didn’t work out long distance doesn’t mean Maverick and I won’t. Because he’s done nothing but be a stellar boyfriend since we got together. He’s proven time and time again that he loves me.

I need to believe more in him and in us than I do in my insecurities. I might hate the idea of doing long distance, but if anyone is worth that effort, it’s Maverick.

Decision made, I rush through the rest of my to-do list—catching up on bills, ordering supplies, and cleaning. I take a break to feed Leo. It’s late when I finally finish.

I look around for Vera and then remember I told her she could leave hours ago. I frown at Leo, who’s sound asleep. “Sorry, buddy. I didn’t mean to stay so long.” I had a lot to catch up on since I spent so much time this week cleaning the condo and moving into the camper.

Realizing that everything is clean except my station, I tidy up for a few more minutes. The thought of talking to Maverick in a little while gives me the energy I need to finish these last tasks.

After I flick off all the lights except for the one in the office, I put Leo in his car seat and place that on the desk.

“Bud, I just need to take out the trash. Give me one sec and we’ll get out of here.

” Now I take it out every night and throw it in the dumpster.

That way, there’s nothing terrible that psycho can use to destroy my salon.

I also had a lock put on my hair dye cabinet.

After I prop open the back door, I drag out two trash bags. It’s dark outside. Unfortunately, the street lamp hasn’t flipped on like it usually does.

More annoying, though, is the dumpster in the alley. It’s closed for some reason .

It takes me a few tries to get it open because the lid is heavy, and I’m not that tall. Finally, I get it to lift. With a grunt, I fling the garbage into it.

As I turn, thunder rumbles in the distance, and goosebumps break out on my arms.

Uneasily, I glance up and down the alley, but it’s empty. The air is thick and still and eerily quiet.

Rubbing my arms, I jog back into the salon and wash my hands at a sink. “Leo, I’m all done. Sorry that took so long.”

Turning to face my office, I slide to a stop. “Leo?”

My heart pounds as I stare at the empty desk. In a panic, I turn in a circle, frantically looking around my dark salon.

Am I losing my mind? Did I put him down somewhere else? I flip on light after light as I scan my shop. “Leo!”

I run out into the alley. It’s somehow darker now.

Everywhere I turn is shadows. Is my baby out there? Is he all alone?

“Leo!”