Page 59 of Waiting for the Rancher
“Had a little help from your sisters.”
Maverick replayed the conversation he’d just had with Clarabelle. Had she known what Sterling was up to? Was that why she’d been smiling when he left?
Sterling took out his pocket watch, flipped open the case, and read the time. Then he straightened and stuffed the watch back into his trouser pocket. “You and Hazel have been in love for a long time. I was just too stubborn—and maybe even jealous—to acknowledge it. And I’m sorry.”
“I was too stubborn to acknowledge it too.”
“Maybe you would have sooner, if not for me.”
Maverick shrugged. Most likely he wouldn’t have been ready before now, not mature enough to be the kind of selfless man Hazel deserved. Whatever the case, over the past few weeks, he’d finally been ready to admit his love, and now that he’d done so, he couldn’t take it back. Doing so would be like trying to trap the Blue River in a bottle.
Sterling grabbed the reins of his horse. “Fact is, Maverick, Hazel adores you. She’s so far gone for you I don’t think she realizes any other men exist on the earth but you.” His voice cracked. “You’re blessed to have a woman who loves you like that.”
Maverick’s chest tightened with all the regrets he had for Sterling and Violet. He knew what Sterling was saying—that Violet had never felt that way about him, and he should have figured that out long before their wedding day.
“I can’t—won’t—stand in the way of your happiness.” Sterling began to climb into his saddle.
“Thank you, Sterling.” Maverick cleared his throat of the thick emotion lodging itself there. “I appreciate your blessing.”
Sterling straightened himself on his mount, tipped up the brim of his hat, and then peered out over the valley below with the Noble Ranch barns small dots in the distance to the north and High C Ranch buildings closer and more distinct to the south.
He stared for a long moment, drew in a breath, then leveled his gaze on Maverick. “I’m giving you my blessing and then some.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I’ll go get her now.” Sterling shifted his horse as though to go, then stopped. “One last thing. You should know she’s convinced herself that she doesn’t need or want you anymore.”
Even though Maverick already suspected as much, the regrets came rushing back. If only he hadn’t been such a fool, so stupid, so selfish.
“Reckon I hurt her real bad by leaving her the way I did.” Now it was time to clean up his mistake.
Sterling gave a solemn nod. “You’ll have your work cut out for you today, my friend. It won’t be easy.”
“That bad?” Clarabelle’s words from earlier resounded through his head.We all make messes at times. Sometimes even big messes. We can walk away from them, or we can roll up our sleeves and clean them up.
“She didn’t want me talking to you,” Sterling added.
“So she’ll be mad if she finds out you were involved?”
“Hopefully, she’ll eventually forgive me when she realizes I did it out of love.” Without another word, Sterling nudged his horse back toward the trail. Within seconds, he’d started his descent, disappearing from sight.
Once more, Maverick surveyed the blanket, dishes, and basket of food. One emotion filled him more than any other. Fear. Not because he was afraid to propose and get married.
He was afraid that Hazel might say no, just like Violet had to Sterling. And once Hazel said no, how would he stop himself from begging and pleading with her, just like Sterling had with Violet?
The fact was, he wasn’t sure if he could accept a no from Hazel any more than Sterling had been able to accept a no from Violet.
But if he coerced her when she wasn’t ready—when she harbored hard feelings toward him, when she needed more time—then she’d probably end up feeling as anxious as Violet.
After all, Hazel hadn’t once told him she loved him. Course, he’d felt her interest at times. She’d kissed him back with enough passion for him to know something was there. But no doubt Violet had done the same, had maybe even had more feelings for Sterling, and look how that had turned out.
No matter what Sterling had said, maybe today wasn’t the right day to propose to Hazel. Instead, he had to rein in his impetuousness and behave responsibly.
Maverick tucked the velvet bag into his trouser pocket and stuffed it deep, then he began to place the dishes back into the basket Sterling had brought up. Today he’d focus on apologizing to Hazel and rebuilding their friendship. There was no sense in rushing anything. Not if she wasn’t ready.
Besides, he didn’t want her to think he was proposing only because Sterling had dragged him out to do it. No, when he finally asked her to marry him, he wanted her to be certain he was doing it because it was his plan and not Sterling’s.
He and Hazel had waited this long. What was a little more time?
