Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

“It’s not Mrs. Kratz. It’s me.”

He spoke clearly and if she wasn’t mistaken, Rick was more than a little pissed.

Charlie opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Shit.

Shit.

Heart in her mouth, she felt faint and bent over, exhaling and focusing on the snow at her feet. “Rick?”

“Where are you?” he growled into the phone. Oh yeah. He was thoroughly pissed off.

“I’m…why?”

“Where the hell are you?” he asked again.

“Where are you?” she shot back, wincing because she knew how childish she sounded.

“We’re not going to play that game, Charlie. I’m here and I’m not leaving until I see you.”

Mouth dry, she straightened and took a few steps before stopping. A shiver rolled over her and then another.

“You’re in Fisherman’s Landing?”

There was a pause and it sounded as if his phone was muffled. She heard him talking to someone and thought she heard other voices but then there was silence.

“Rick?”

“Yes.” His answer was curt.

“Where are you?”

Her heart nearly pounded out of her chest. It was so loud that she could hear it inside her head, and she shook herself, feeling faint, confused and scared as hell.

“Rick?”

“I’m here.”

“Where are you?”

There was a pause. “Turn around.”

Charlie’s hand fell away and she stared at her cell phone. She pocketed it. Counted to five. And then turned around.

Chapter Thirty

Rick had to stop himself from physically walking over to her and pulling her into his arms. With her long red hair moving around her face in the breeze, her slender body dressed in only jeans and a sweater, she looked fragile. Breakable.

And those eyes.

With just the stars to light the night, her eyes shone as brightly as ever.

She stared at him, shivering and silent, and he didn’t know if she was going to bolt or stay. Maverick wasn’t taking any chances.

He started forward and didn’t stop until he was standing in front of her. She was shivering so badly that her teeth were knocking together and Maverick took off his North Face jacket and slipped it around her shoulders.

“Is everything okay with Donovan’s baby?”

He nodded. “Lily is going to be okay. Yes.”