Page 57 of Waiting for the Rancher
He hadn’t seen Sterling since he’d left the Nobles’ earlier in the week but reckoned his friend hadn’t been too worried about him. Maybe Sterling had even been privately relieved to have him away from Hazel.
Maverick pulled himself up to his full height and tried not to lean on the cane, wanting to prove to Sterling that he was still a strong man and worthy of Hazel. Because now that Sterling was here, he may as well have that conversation about Hazel.
Sterling seemed in a hurry, almost jittery, as he rode across the ranch yard.
“Just the person I was coming to see,” Maverick called out.
“That so?” Sterling reined in but didn’t dismount. Thankfully his expression was friendly enough and the animosity was gone. It might be back soon enough, once Maverick had the chance to speak his piece. But he couldn’t let the prospect of harming his friendship with Sterling stop him.
As much as Sterling meant to him, Hazel meant more. Way, way more. So much more that he couldn’t live without her and had to see her as soon as possible.
Maverick squared his shoulders. “We need to talk.”
Sterling’s jaw was covered in the usual layer of scruff, but it was easy to see his friend clamp down hard, as though bracing himself for bad news.
“It’s about Hazel.”
Sterling shook his head. “Got something I need your help with first.”
Maverick opened his mouth to say more about his love for Hazel, but at the sight of the determination in Sterling’s eyes, he bit back his words. “What is it?”
“You up for a short ride?”
“Ain’t letting anything hold me back from riding.”
“That’s what I figured.”
Maybe he could have that conversation while on the ride. “Where to?”
“Not far.”
Leave it to Sterling to be as clear as mud. “Give me a minute to saddle up.”
Sterling nodded but didn’t say more as Maverick hobbled away. All the while Maverick readied his mount, he tried to plan out what he would tell Sterling. Because one way or another, he was gonna say something about courting Hazel.
Soon he was following Sterling to the west into the foothills behind High C Ranch. They rode one of the trails they’d worn down when they’d been younger and more adventurous.
From behind, Maverick didn’t have to hide the grimace of pain that came from every jarring movement. But that also meant he was too intent on holding back the groans to voice what he needed to about Hazel.
They hadn’t gone long before Sterling started up a winding incline. It was a familiar climb—one they’d made many times over the years. At the top was a smooth stretch of hilltop that overlooked the Blue River Valley for miles both to the south and north. It was one of the best views of his family’s ranch as well as the Noble Ranch.
He and Sterling had spent many a summer night there, stargazing, making plans for the future, and admiring the beautyof the land that they called home. They’d decided to call it Lover’s Overlook.
Why was Sterling bringing him out to the overlook today?
“Listen, Sterling,” Maverick finally said as they rounded the last switchback. “I need to talk to you about Hazel.”
“She’s had a bad week, Mav.”
Regret slammed into Maverick with such force that his heart bottomed out. “It’s all my fault.”
“No, it’s my fault.” Sterling dug his heels into his mount to urge him up the last of the distance.
“I shouldn’t have left her the way I did,” Maverick called after his friend. “Fact is, as much as I respect you and our friendship, I love Hazel more. And I’m gonna start courting her.”
Sterling paused, stared straight ahead, but didn’t respond before he nudged his horse onto the ledge, sending a shower of rocks and dirt back down the trail.
Maverick released a groan, one containing not only his pain but his frustration. He knew convincing Sterling to let him have Hazel was gonna be hard, but he’d been hoping Sterling would find it within him to see reason.
