Page 71 of Maverick

I can totally picture that. Ransom seems like the kind of guy that could convince anyone of anything. So talking some social workers into letting him take care of a bunch of troubled teenagers? Piece of cake. "So when you went with him, you stopped going to school? Fill in the blanks for me."

"I was sixteen when I dropped out. They couldn't legally make me stay. I worked in the garage with Ransom for a year or so. Then he walked in one day, and handed me information for an online school. I wasn't into it. I didn't see the vision yet, not then. But he did. And he laid it out for me."

"What did he say?"

His lips quirk. "That we were going to be rich and powerful one day. And we were going to need a smart lawyer to watch our backs. And it had to be one of us. He said I was built for it. And I guess he was right. I finished high school online, and I got into a college program, then worked my way into the program at the University."

"Do you regret any of it? Letting him choose your future for you I mean?"

"No, I don't. He was right. He always is. Being a lawyer suits me, and we damned sure do need a lawyer in the family. But it wasn't actually like that. If I really hated it, I don't think he would have made a big deal out of it. But I liked it."

"But you hated the rules."

"Yeah, I did. And now, I know them like the back of my fucking hand, and I can figure out ways around them. There's a lot of gray area to work with, and I'm a master at it."

Isn't that the truth? I've been running the rescue for years, and I've discovered that firsthand. As a kid you imagine the rules applying to everyone, equally, but it's not like that. Some people, some companies, seem to get around them. And I guess, if I had the know-how, I'd want to be one of them. Maybe that's unfair, but I'd rather focus on taking care of more animals than dealing with a truckload of red tape.

"Is that what you do for Alexis?" I didn't mean to bring it up. It's none of my business, but it's such a departure from corporate law, that I need to understand.

Lips tight, he shakes his head. "No. That's different. The law is on her side, but her ex is…a piece of work."

"I know you can't talk about it…but will she be okay?" I hate the idea of Alex losing her daughter to a bad guy. And based on everything she's said about him, that's what he is.

"I'll make damned sure she will be." The absolute conviction in his voice is reassuring. Mommas shouldn't be separated from their babies. Not the good moms, anyway. Moms like mine? Sometimes, separation is the right thing.

"You really do take care of everyone, don't you?"

His nose wrinkles up."I try. I don't always get it right."

"None of us do."

We pause as the waitress brings our entrees. Everything smells so good, like something Nan would serve. It smells like home.

"I think I understand the name of the restaurant now."

Maverick nods, head nearly in his plate. "Yeah, we thought it fit. John got pissy when it came to naming it. He was a little tired. So we picked it, and he seems okay with it. Everything he makes is a little like home. At least, the kind of home we wished we had.

I can totally picture it. John stalking off, grumbling, unable to take nine other men trying to give him input on the name. And honestly, the name is perfect.

I take a bite of my pasta, savoring the rich flavor. Maverick sighs happily as he looks at his plate, a silly smile on his face. These guys love their food, that's for sure.

As we eat, Maverick clears his throat, drawing my attention. "Cadence, I've been wanting to ask you something."

I set my fork down, meeting his gaze. "What is it?"

"I know you were resistant to accepting help, especially from me. I guess I just wondered where that came from? Why…why was staying in the rescue still a better option in your mind?"

I take a deep breath, my thoughts drifting to Nan and Pops. "It's a long story, but I guess it starts with my grandpa."

Maverick leans forward, his eyes questioning and understanding all at the same time. I like that he doesn't push, or interrupt. Instead he sits, looking like he'd wait forever for me to gather my thoughts.

"Pops was really sick toward the end. Nan and I watched him deteriorate, and it was...it was hard." An understatement, yeah, but I don't have the words to explain how painful that time really was.

My voice catches, and I pause, taking a sip of water. Maverick reaches across the table, his hand covering mine in a gentle gesture of support.

"Nan and Pops, they were inseparable. Two peas in a pod, as they say. When he passed, it was like a part of her died with him. She was lost without him."

I blink back tears, the memories still raw. "We tried to get him to see a doctor sooner, but he was stubborn. By the time we convinced him, it was too late."

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