Page 61 of Waiting for the Rancher
Hazel wanted to object, but before she could figure out what to say, he was already moving past her down the trail.
She watched his strong, proud back for a few more seconds, a strange sadness settling inside her. Then, with a sigh, she plodded up the path.
As she rounded the last bend, she realized where she was. Lover’s Overlook. The view at the top was magnificent. But more than that, she’d always known it was Maverick’s proposal spot the same way the miner’s cabin in Devil’s Glen had been Sterling’s.
She’d always thought the two were so romantic for planning out their proposals and deciding to help each other. Of course, Maverick had already helped Sterling fulfill his dream proposal that winter day back in January.
Hazel hadn’t thought about the proposal spots since then, especially since Sterling’s romantic plans had amounted to only hurt and heartache.
As Hazel crested the last section of the hill, she stopped short at the sight of Maverick standing in the long grass near the edge, arms crossed, peering over the valley that spread out for miles.
He wore his Stetson over his dark hair, and yet strands blew at the back of his neck. He radiated strength and purpose as he stood there, so ruggedly handsome that her breath snagged in her chest.
She’d missed seeing him—every part of him from the confident way he held himself down to his dusty trousers and scuffed boots.
His horse was grazing near the trailhead. At her presence, it lifted its head and nickered a hello.
Maverick pivoted, his blue eyes landing upon her and taking her in just as hungrily as he had that last morning together.
“Hi, angel.” His soft greeting was like a caress across her body.
She almost closed her eyes at the sound of it and of his voice, but she knew she couldn’t lose control of her emotions.
He didn’t move except to tighten his grip on his cane.
She wanted to run to him, throw herself in his arms, and admit she was lost without him. But she forced her feet to remain where they were. “How are you doing? Are you still in a lot of pain?”
“Yep. Lots.”
“I’m sorry—”
“Here.” He patted his chest. “My heart hurts with missing you.”
Her pulse leapt. What was he doing here on Lover’s Overlook? And why didn’t he look surprised to see her here? Had he and Sterling planned this encounter?
A shiver of anticipation shimmied up her backbone, making her tremble. She clutched her hands behind her back to hide the shaking.
His expression remained grave. “I was a blasted fool to leave you the way I did last week.”
“It’s okay—”
“It ain’t okay. I shouldn’t have gone. It’s just that I was having a hard time resisting you.”
Oh my. If she’d still been mad at him, she wouldn’t have been able to stay that way, not at his admission. “Sterling told me you visited him about us but that he told you to stay away from me.”
Maverick’s eyes were shadowed beneath the brim of his hat, and his face was lined with pain and weariness. “I shouldn’t have listened to him. You’re more important to me than anyone, even my friendship with Sterling. I was on my way over to tell you that this morning when Sterling came over and told me he was sorry for interfering in our relationship.”
The pattering inside her chest tapped louder. Was Maverick apologizing and working his way toward proposing marriage? Or was she only having a wild dream?
She took a breath and tried to keep her hope from rising too high. “Sterling is a difficult man to defy. And I’m sure you didn’t want to harm your friendship with him any more than it already had been.”
“Instead, I harmed our friendship.”
“I forgive you, Maverick.”
“Don’t deserve it. But thank you.”
“Of course.”
