Page 25 of The Maverick’s Forever Home (Montana Mavericks: Behind Closed Doors #2)

“I do. I started volunteering for the group in college and started working for them as soon as I graduated.” She sighed.

“My supervisor, Opal, wants me to come back—yesterday.” She smiled, then shrugged.

“Working with International Healthcare Initiative is hard, incredibly hard, but eye-opening, necessary work. My son has everything he wants and needs. But the women and children I work with? I can’t begin to describe some of their living conditions.

It’s hard to come home knowing that kind of suffering is out there. ”

And it weighed on her heavily, he could tell. “You have a big heart, Maggie.”

“No, I really don’t. I just… I have so much.” She nibbled on her lower lip again. “Going and helping out is the least I can do.”

“Are you planning to go back soon?” He hoped not. Like she said earlier, long-distance relationships rarely worked out. And while Cody might be used to his mom coming and going, he wasn’t sure it was best for Delilah.

“I can’t. Not yet.” She hesitated. “I haven’t been medically cleared yet.

I got really sick and was hospitalized on my last assignment.

I was sent home to recover and, I think, it was difficult for my family to see me that way.

” She shrugged. “I’m much better now, obviously, but my family still worries—especially Cody. ”

“That’s not a surprise, Maggie. It’s normal for the people that love you to worry about you. Cody’s protective of you so seeing you vulnerable had to be hard on him.” He thought about Cody earlier, sitting them down and telling them like it is. A little man trying to make his mom happy.

“I didn’t want to tell him when I was hospitalized.

I was so sick—the first twelve hours I wasn’t sure I’d pull through.

All I could think about was Cody and what to say to him.

I couldn’t tell him that I might never come home.

That he might never see me again. I couldn’t put that fear into him.

” She shook her head. “He likes to act touch but he’s a little boy, you know?

My job has taught me a lot of things. Fear isn’t good for children.

It gives them anxiety and steals their childhood from them.

I didn’t want to put that on him, but I did.

My choices led to my illness and that’s all on me.

” She glanced at him, wary now. “Thankfully, we never had to have that conversation.”

Braden was still reeling from everything she’d told him. She’d been hospitalized, at death’s door, far from home, and blaming herself for worrying her family—her son. What about her stress level? First things first, he asked, “You’re okay now?”

“I’m getting stronger every day. The doctor said he expects to clear me at my next appointment.” She waved a hand, as if to dismiss his worry. “My mom is a nurse. She works at the urgent clinic in Mason Springs. You don’t have to worry about me, I promise.”

Too late . “I appreciate you telling me.” There were a whole lot of thoughts and questions circling through his brain.

But one area stuck out the most. He wasn’t sure he had a right to ask it, but he asked anyway.

“Is there something else you can do? Work wise?” His thoughts shifted to Cody. “That won’t put you at risk?”

She visibly retracted from him. “Every job has risks, Braden. You could fall off your horse and get trampled tomorrow. People have car accidents every day. I can’t give up on the people that everyone else has given up on.

I made a promise to someone—” She broke off.

“I can’t quit. I don’t expect you to understand it, but… I can’t.”

A promise to whom? And what, exactly, had she promised?

He didn’t understand but he’d try, if she explained a little more.

He had at least a dozen more questions but stopped himself from prying.

This was their first date. Tonight, he wanted to start making good memories with her.

In time, she’d open up to him. At least, he hoped she would.

“You’re an amazing woman, Maggie. I sure as hell couldn’t do what you do.

I admire you—your loyalty, dedication and strength. ”

Her gaze locked with his, searching.

Dammit . He’d put her guard up. He hadn’t meant to, he hadn’t known. But he’d done it all the same. “I’m sorry if I overstepped.”

“No, I’m sorry.” She smiled, the posture easing once more. “I’m very defensive about my job. People are supportive of what I do—until they find out I’m leaving my child behind. I’m not happy about leaving Cody. I hate it, actually. But it’s a job requirement.”

There was a lot to unpack there, he could sense it.

But he’d wait for her to share whatever it was that tied her so firmly to her work.

“You care about your work. I can respect that.” He reached across the table and covered her hand with his.

“There’s a lot to learn about each other.

But you should know, I want to know you, Maggie Cooper.

I want to understand what makes you, you. ”

She seemed mystified by his statement. “Really?”

“Really.” He nodded.

“I’d like to get to know you, too, Braden Parker.” She turned her hand over and threaded her fingers with his.

“Does that mean you might let me take you out again?”

“I guess that depends on you.” There was mischief in her eyes.

Something told him mischievous Maggie would be a whole lot of fun. “You tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it.”

“I will.” She grinned but didn’t elaborate.

After dinner, they had dessert. Conversation stayed light and playful, and Braden was back to smiling uncontrollably the whole drive back to her place. When they parked, he came around and held the truck door open for her. But when he went to lead her to the porch, she stopped him.

“Braden.” She leaned against the truck, her hand catching his. “I told you’d I’d tell you what you needed to do later, remember? For me to agree to a second date.”

That caught his full attention. “I’m listening.”

She tugged him closer. “I think we should do what you said earlier, then decide.”

“What did I say earlier?” At the moment, he was preoccupied by the feel of her soft curves pressed against his chest.

“Kissing.” Her voice wavered. “You said you wanted more kissing.” She looked up at him. “There should definitely be more kissing before we decide about another date.”

He nearly groaned at the way she offered her mouth up to him. “Good point.” He traced his thumb along her lower lip. “It might take a few before we get it just right.”

She nodded. “I’m okay with that.”

He kissed her until she was gasping for breath.

He kissed her until she’d melted into him.

And when he parted her lips and swept the inside of her hot mouth with his tongue, the sound she made rocked him to his boots.

He hoped like hell that locked in a second date.

He wanted more of that sound—more of Maggie.

He wasn’t sure how he was going to leave her and go home alone.

It wouldn’t be easy. But at least he’d get to dream of her.

And, in his dreams, she’d be like this. Soft against him, giving and taking whatever he gave her, inflaming his body, shaking him to the core—and tugging at his heart.