Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

Suddenly feeling defeated, Maverick swore and had to look away.

“We’ll get him back,” Cooper muttered.

Maverick wanted to believe his brother, but the reality was that life was fragile and uncertain at the best of times. No one knew when the end was near until you were looking that bastard right in the eye.

“So,” Cooper said after a while. “A mechanic. That’s really hot.”

“Yeah. It is.” He paused. “She’s raising a young brother on her own.”

Cooper’s eyebrow shot up. “That’s a big responsibility.”

“Yep.”

“Let me get this straight. This girl with a boy’s name runs the local garage, and can restore a vintage Mustang, and she’s raising her brother.”

“Yep.”

“And she’s hot.”

Maverick grinned. “Definitely.”

“So when can I meet her?”

Maverick glanced at his brother and flashed a smile. “I don’t know if she’s ready for this family.”

“Well, brother. There’s only one way to find out.” Cooper slapped him on the back. “You should call her before she decides that you’re not worth the trouble.”

Cooper left him to join Jack, Tucker, and Grace. Maverick fingered his cell, noting that it was nearly six o’clock. Charlie should be home.

He pressed her cell number and waited for the phone to ring. After a few seconds the call dropped and he swore, pressing the number again. This time the connection was strong and he waited impatiently for her to answer.

He paced the length of the dock, one hand shoved into the pockets of his cargoes, the other holding his cell tightly. Just when he thought it was going to go to her voice mail, Charlie answered, voice breathless, and so damn sexy that he came to a full stop.

“Rick?”

“Hey,” he answered, glad that she couldn’t see the silly grin on his face.

“Hey, yourself.”

He exhaled and ran his free hand through his hair. “Sorry I didn’t call last night, but my family is here and by the time I got a chance, it was late and I didn’t want to wake you.”

“That’s sweet. If you’re going to wake me up I’d prefer it in person anyway.”

Her innuendo was on point, and Maverick’s blood began to boil.

“I’ll remember that,” he growled into the phone.

“I hope so.”

“Count on it.”

“Rick, I…I don’t know what to say. I mean, Connor was so happy when he came home from Mrs. Kratz’s. He’s been playing the keyboard for the last hour. Can you hear him?”

She must have walked into another room and held the phone away. He smiled when he heard Connor playing the keys. It made Maverick feel like he’d done something to make a difference.

“Good. I’m glad.”

“Seriously. It’s the best thing ever. I don’t know what I can do to thank you.”