Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

“It is.”

“Oh.” She knew that Rick had gone out to his place to retrieve a guitar and her eyes widened. “Oh, crap. Rick didn’t do that to you, did he?”

“Nah,” Cooper said, strolling her way. He was as long limbed as the other Simons and just as well built.

Cooper didn’t offer an explanation. He didn’t even ask about his Shelby Mustang. What he did do was center his electric blue eyes on her with an intensity that was unnerving. Charlie wasn’t going to lie, she felt as if he could see right through her and, uncomfortable, she tugged on that chunk of hair again before tucking it behind her ear.

“Have you talked to Maverick yet?”

“No.” She glanced toward her office. “My cellphone is on the desk.” The words came out slowly and damn if that crappy, nervous feeling didn’t take hold again. But then, had it ever really left?

“Where is Rick?” she said, moving toward her office and the phone.

Cooper followed her and leaned against the doorframe while she scooped up her cell from her desk. She glanced down and saw two missed calls, but no messages.

“Cooper?” she asked. “What’s going on?”

“I just got back from the airport. Maverick left for Miami.” Cooper rolled his shoulders and ran his hands across his face. “There’s some kind of problem with Donavan’s baby and he needed to be with her.”

“Donovan.” Charlie’s stomach dropped like a stone and she sat down on the edge of her desk. “They’re really close. Like best friends, aren’t they?”

Cooper nodded. “They’re tight. Real tight. Her husband Jack called Maverick around noon and told him to get to Florida ASAP. I don’t know the details because Jack hasn’t returned my phone calls, but as soon as Maverick gets some real information, he’ll call.”

Charlie nodded, shivering and not exactly sure what to say. She barely knew Cooper and had no ties to Donovan or Jack at all. But she knew how important the woman was to Rick, and her heart ached at the thought of him upset and alone.

“Maverick was worried about you and he wanted me to tell you in person. I think he tried to call.”

“He did.”

Suddenly alarmed, she shot out of her chair. “Oh my God. Connor.”

“He’s good.”

“What?” she snapped, rooting around her desk for her truck keys.

“Your brother. Maverick called some woman and he said you’d know who it was. Said she’d keep Connor until you were done work although I think she was supposed to let you know that.”

Relief flooded Charlie and she scooped up her keys. “Thanks for coming by to tell me. I appreciate it, but I really need to get my brother. I’m already running late and I didn’t worry because I thought Rick was at the house.”

“I get it. We’re good. Go get your brother and take care of him. I’m sure you’ll hear from Maverick later tonight or early tomorrow.”

Charlie watched Cooper leave and grabbed her coat and bag before heading out behind him. Fisherman’s Landing was small town USA so traffic never really was an issue, but tonight it seemed as if everyone and their mother was out on the roads. It took her an extra ten minutes to get to Mrs. Kratz’s place.

When she pulled up, she could see Connor’s silhouette in the front window and with the gathering dusk, she knew he must have been worried. He hated any kind of change to his routine.

He yanked open the door before Charlie had a chance to knock and hugged her fiercely, his little arms like bands of steel around her waist. “Rick’s gone,” he said, his words slightly muffled.

Her heart sank. “I know, honey. He had to go home and be with his friend.”

But he’ll be back.

Four words she wanted to say out loud. Four words she wanted to be true and yet, how did she know he’d be back? She didn’t have a crystal ball and she sure as hell didn’t have any kind of commitment.

What she did have was a little boy who’d grown way too close to a man she’d let into their lives.

Connor rubbed his eyes and stepped back. “Is his friend okay?”

“I hope so.”