Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

She was nervous and was already backing away, shaking her head slowly. “Maybe we should just do this another time. I can come back when it’s convenient.”

Maverick noticed a shadow behind Charlie and he cranked his neck to the side so that he could get a good look at the boy who stood just behind her. Those same blue eyes stared up at him, but this time instead of moving away, they lingered. Something sparked inside their depths—something that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. But it was there. And it was real.

And it vanished almost as soon as it had come.

The boy began to fidget, rubbing his fingers together as he leaned into Charlie. Maverick didn’t know much about kids, but he had a feeling there was something going on with this one and he figured he needed to go slow. The boy was nervous.

“Hey it’s all good,” he said carefully, taking another step back and keeping his voice low. “Come on in. I just need a couple minutes to finish getting dressed and then we’ll head to the building out back.”

He didn’t wait for an answer. Maverick turned and took the stairs two at a time, hurrying back to the bedroom he’d claimed as his own. After rooting through his suitcase for a clean pair of socks (he should just give in and unpack already), he tugged them on and slipped into his worn leather boots. He grabbed his North Face jacket from the chair where he’d tossed it the night before and headed back downstairs before Charlie changed her mind.

And he would be right about that—her hand was on the door when he cleared the bottom step.

“The building is out back which would be in the other direction.”

She wore the same overly large coat that she’d sported the other day and even through all that material, he could see her shoulders were tense. Connor stood beside her, eyes on the floor and not making a sound though he still fidgeted with his fingers.

“This probably isn’t a good idea,” Charlie said without turning back. “He doesn’t do well with new people.”

He took a few steps until he was close enough and kept his voice neutral. “But we’ve already met.” He waited a second. “Charlie, let’s just go have a look at the Mustang. It would be a shame not to, considering the trip out. Connor will be fine, right bud?”

The boy’s fingers froze when he heard his name and shot a glance up at Maverick. His cheeks were as pink as Charlie’s and he swiped at his nose before pushing an errant curl off of his forehead. The kid didn’t say a word but something changed and after a few moments, Charlie’s shoulders relaxed and she turned back.

“Okay,” she said softly. “Let’s go Connor.”

Maverick headed to the side door off the kitchen. “Don’t worry about your boots—as you can see the place is a bit of a work in progress.”

That was an understatement. Cooper had been working on refinishing things in the house himself, but only when he had the time—and from what Maverick could see, his brother didn’t have much extra.

The three of them headed outside and crossed over to the large outbuilding that was the only new structure on the entire estate. His brother Cooper had hired contractors to build it the previous summer. It had every modern convenience, including a kitchen, office, media room with leather sofas, big screen tv and a bar. A large heated garage that held the prized Shelby Cobra was just off the main room.

He stood back and opened the door open for Charlie and Connor, following them inside before hitting the lights.

“Wow,” Charlie murmured, looking around.

“When he’s around, my brother spends most of his time out here.”

“I see that.” Charlie’s brow furrowed. “What does your brother do?”

Shit. He wasn’t going there. Maverick was the only person on the planet who knew that the reclusive Lee Holloway was in fact his brother, Cooper Simon.

“Nothing much as far as I can tell,” he answered, smiling at the thought of Coop’s outrage if he heard that particular comment.

Charlie tossed him a look and then shrugged. “So where’s the car?”

Maverick pointed and started forward. “This way.”

Charlie led Connor over to one of the leather sofas and the boy slid onto it in silence. “Stay here,” she said gently, reaching for his hat. The boy tensed and jerked his head back and Maverick looked the other way, but not before seeing pain flicker across Charlie’s face.

She followed him into the garage and she gave a low whistle when she spied the car. “Wow. I’ve never laid eyes on one of these before, at least not outside of a magazine.”

She doffed her jacket and Maverick’s eyes rolled over her jean-clad ass as she bent over and lifted the hood to peer inside. He was being a Neanderthal, but Jesus, he couldn’t help himself. Had he ever seen another woman fill out a pair of Levi’s the way Charlie did?

He let his eyes settle once more. He didn’t think so.

“It’s a ’67 Shelby Cobra,” she said excitedly. “The body needs some work but the engine doesn’t look too bad. I mean, I’d have to take a closer look but…” She glanced over her shoulder, eyes narrowing slightly.

Busted. He’d been caught staring at her butt like a teenager on his first date.