Most Eligible Cowboy (Peach Valley Romance Book 1) (9 page)

T
he following morning
Maya found Patty standing at the check in desk muttering at the computer. “Why didn’t you tell me he had a child,” she blurted, hot, fresh tears falling onto her cheeks. She hadn’t slept much, even tried to work, but nothing helped. And the more she thought about it, the worse she felt. At three in the morning, she’d come to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with her. But it was still necessary to get some answers.

“Oh, honey.” Patty pushed her glasses up onto her head before wrapping an arm around Maya’s shoulders. Together they walked to the common room where they sat together on the couch. Patty grabbed Maya a tissue and handed it to her.

For some reason, aunt Patty’s kindness made her cry harder. “I really don’t understand why I’m behaving this way. Maybe it’s pent up sadness from my divorce and this has just compacted it.” She blew her nose. “But why would he keep his daughter a secret? I’ve gone over it and over it and can’t figure it out.” She hiccupped. “And why wouldn’t you tell me? I mean it seems like an important piece of information.”

Patty patted her arm. “It wasn’t that I was tryin to keep it a secret on purpose, it’s just that the circumstances around Jackson’s wife’s death and Ava’s birth were so devastating…” She paused and swallowed.

Maya wiped her eyes, focusing on Patty. “She died?” The words came out between hiccups.

“Yes. And the whole situation affected the town deeply.” Patty dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “We keep that time close to our hearts is all. No on talks about it. Probably because doing so might be seen as disrespectful to Jackson or to Diana’s memory, and no one wants to do that. We loved Diana and love Jackson too much for that.”

“What happened?” The brambles around Maya’s heart began to unfurl, like the petals on a flower, opening slowly.

“Jackson and Diana had been married nearly a year when we found out she was pregnant. For the next six months we celebrated with her and Jackson. They were so happy. Jackson was attentive, doting even. When she went into labor, the whole town knew within the hour. The town was probably as excited as they were. Jackson drove her to the hospital.” She stopped, dabbing at her eyes.

Maya waited for her aunt to gain control over her strong emotions.

“We found out later that there’d been complications with the delivery. The doctors did all they could, but she died.” Patty wrapped her arms around herself. “The whole town was shattered. Not only did we feel terribly for Jackson and his loss, but we felt our own loss as well. She was born and raised here and we all loved her.”

“That’s awful.” The word didn’t even do her feelings justice. She couldn’t imagine how hard that must’ve been, especially for Jackson. “He loved her?” Maya wiped at a wayward tear. “He was good to her?”

“Without a doubt? Now I’m not saying their marriage was easy. She was stubborn as an ox and Jackson has the same streak. So they fought and we all knew it. But at the end of the day we also knew they loved each other too.”

“I believe it.” She swallowed back the lump that’d formed in her throat. “How old is his daughter?”

“Well, let’s see. I believe she’s four. Just the cutest child ever. Last Christmas Ava sang
Angels We Have Heard On High
by herself in church. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place when she finished.

“I met her last night.” Maya sat up straight. “It was an accident, but I went to his house to drop off something I’d made and she answered the door.” Maya cleared her throat. “She is very cute.”

“What happened?” Aunt Patty collected herself, blowing her nose.

“Nothing. I took off.” It seemed like an overreaction now that she knew the truth. She could see why Jackson would want to keep his daughter protected. She dropped her chest to her knees, letting her hands hit the floor. “I ran away,” she moaned.

Patty chuckled. “I don’t think I knew you were such a drama queen.”

Maya moaned again. “Usually, I’m not.”

“It isn’t the end of the world.” Patty patted her on the back.

Maya thought about what she’d heard. “But is it even possible for him to find someone to love the way he loved her? I mean will his new wife be like settling?” She couldn’t believe she was thinking that way, but she felt it was a valid question.

“You know, a couple of weeks ago I would’ve said no, it wasn’t possible. Any woman he married would be settling, which was probably why he quit dating. But I can’t say that anymore.”

“Why not?” Maya whispered, unsure whether she wanted to know the answer.

“Because I’ve seen the way he is around you.” She winked. Then her face changed into a professional mask. “I think I hear chef Logan calling me.” She seemed to be trying to hold back a smile.

“Aunt Patty, what’s wrong?” She stood, and turned and her breath caught in her throat. “Jackson.”

“Hey, Maya.” He removed his cowboy hat and turned it in his hands.

“Hi.” Her hands shook from nervousness. Feeling self conscious, she put them behind her back.

“How would you feel about going for a boat ride with me?”

“Uh, sure. That sounds nice.” Maya did a quick assessment of clothes. Sweatpants and a tank top, her favorite sleeping attire. She’d come to see her aunt without even brushing her hair.

They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Maya wasn’t sure how to start a conversation with him. She still felt like he should’ve mentioned his daughter, but understand why he didn’t. Then there was the fact that she’d run away like a coward.

“How’d you sleep,” he asked as they walked past the barn.

Maya sighed. “Not very well. You?”

“I’ve had better nights,” he said, sounding casual.

Maya chuckled. “Me too.”

They reached the dock. Jackson gawked at the boats. “Do you have a color preference?”

“The green one.” It was on the end and would be the easiest to cast away.

“Great.” He got in, situated himself and then offered his hand.

She took it. His grip held her hand firm and it was warm. Slightly calloused, but she liked it. He obviously wasn’t afraid of hard work. She appreciated that about him. “Thank you.” She sat in the center of the metal seat.

Jackson unhooked the boat from the dock, picked up the oars and started to row. The boat moved at a quick clip. Jackson knew what he was doing and he seemed determined to get there. Once they reached the center, he stopped rowing, letting the oars rest. “I’m not exactly sure how to begin, except to say I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Ava. It felt like there wasn’t a great time.”

“I’m sorry I ran away last night.” Maya swallowed. “I was surprised.”

“Completely understandable.” He clamped his hands together. “Did your aunt tell you about my wife?”

A pang shot through Maya’s heart. “Yes, she told me. And I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how difficult it must’ve been.” She felt brave and looked up. His blue eyes were on her, studying intently.

“It was a very difficult time. After Diana died I kind of lost myself for a while. But Ava was a newborn and she gave me purpose, a reason to get up in the morning. It didn’t matter whether I wanted to get out of bed or eat or leave the house, I had to do all of those things for her. My daughter saved me when no one else could get through.” He cleared his throat.

“She’s adorable. My aunt told me she’s four and that she sang a song in church last Christmas.”

“So you do know everything?” Jackson laughed. “Good thing I don’t mind that gossip spreads like wildfire around here.”

“She wasn’t gossiping. I asked her why she hadn’t told me you had a child. She was defending you.” Maya laughed with only a little bitterness. “It’s obvious the whole town is Team Jackson and I don’t blame them.”

“Hey.” He took her hand. “I’m Team Maya, if you don’t mind a one person fan club.”

Maya swallowed down her emotions. “I appreciate it.”

He squeezed her hand. “Is there anything else you want to know about Diana?”

“Not right now. What I’ve learned is enough.” She blinked several times, fighting back the sudden urge to start crying again.

“Did you want to meet Ava?” He rocked her hand back and forth.

Maya smiled nervously. “Is that a good idea?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. This is all new to me. I don’t bring women home, but she liked you. She loved the picture of the bee and the daisy, by the way. And told me I had to make things right with you. Even asked God to bless me to do it.” He laughed at the memory.

“Really? That’s sweet.” Maya thought about it. Was she ready to meet his daughter? “Sure, I’d like that.”

“Excellent. How about lunch?”

“Today?”

Jackson glanced at his watch. “In three hours? Ava and I will cook you something.”

He had such an adorable look on his face, she couldn’t say no. “Sounds great.”

“Then it’s a date.” He winked.

“It’s a date.”

Jackson rowed back to the dock at a slower pace. “Your aunt’s property is really beautiful. Do you know how she’s doing with reservations?”

Maya felt terrible. She hadn’t even thought to ask. “No, I don’t, but I’ll find out.”

After Jackson walked her to her door, she got cleaned up. She wasn’t sure what to wear, but settled on a simple cotton dress. She put on a little more makeup than usual, lining her eyes and putting on some eye shadow to bring out the green, adding blush and a pink lip stain. As she dried her hair, she used a curling brush to his her hair soft curls. She thought she looked okay.

On the drive to his house, she felt nervous. What if Ava didn’t like her? What if they didn’t click? Or worse, what if she didn’t like Ava? She couldn’t imagine that happening, but those thoughts plagued her. When she reached his house, she parked, and sat in her car. “Buck up, cowgirl,” she told herself.

The door opened and Ava came out. “Daddy, the pretty lady is here.”

Jackson appeared at the door. He wasn’t wearing his cowboy hat and didn’t have a hat ring. She guessed he’d cleaned up as well. Quite frankly, he was breathtaking, even in jeans, a tee shirt, and a
Kiss the Cook
apron. She absent-mindedly wondered if she should take that literally.

Maya grabbed her bag and climbed out. “Hi.” She started to wave, but felt silly so put her hand down. “I brought some chips and homemade guacamole. Hope that’s okay.”

Ava scrunched up her nose. “I don’t like guacamole.”

“Ava?” Jackson warned.

“But I like chips,” Ava added, crossing her arms.

Maya couldn’t help but laugh as she climbed the steps. “That’s good. I like chips too.” She’d reached the front door and Jackson stood aside.

“Come on in.”

“Thank you. It smells amazing in here.”

“We’re making tacos,” Ava said, taking Maya’s hand.

“Why don’t you introduce yourself to Maya?” Jackson made his way back to the kitchen.

His house amazed Maya. It had eighteen-foot ceilings with big fans and windows everywhere, including skylights in the ceiling. The family room, dining room, and kitchen all opened to each other, making it one large, but comfortable room. The family room had a extra tall fireplace with a hearth made of wood that’d been stained dark. She noticed the picture she’d taken of Jackson up there between a picture of four young men and Milly and she guessed her husband. The one of the daisy and the bee wasn’t up there though. Next to the fireplace was a wooden rocking chair. She was immediately envious. That was exactly what she wanted for her front porch.

Ava tugged on Maya’s arm lightly, before letting go. “May I introduce myself? My name is Ava.” She curtsied, pulling out the edges of her shirt.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ava. I’m Maya.”

Ava cupped one hand to her mouth. “You forgot to curtsey.”

“Oh, right.” Maya curtsied.

Ava giggled. “That’s better.” She came forward and took Maya’s hand again. “Would you like to see my room?”

“Um,” she glanced at Jackson, who shrugged.

“The meat still has a few more minutes.”

“I’d love to,” Maya said.

Ava led her up the stairs that’d been stained the same color as the hearth. When they reached the top, Ava led her to her bedroom. The second floor was huge and felt open. All along the hallway were more skylights, giving the house such an airy, open feel. She loved it.

“In here,” Ava said.

Ava’s room was adorable. It was a flower theme. The wall the double bed leaned against had been painted with grass green stripes. All along them flowers in pink, blue, purple, yellow, and orange had been painted so they appeared to be growing out of the green stripes. Her light fixture was a small but sparkly chandelier. To the right was a large window with a window seat with a green pillow cover. On top were several smaller throw in all different shapes and sizes. Next to the window seat and on the wall across from the bed was a bookshelf above a desk. Coloring books sat atop of it. Cups holding crayons, pencils, and markers had been placed in different cubbies. Directly across from her bed was a bathroom and Maya could make out a closet as well.

“Nice room,” Maya said, as Ava hopped on to her bed.

“Thank you, Maya.” She rolled off on the other side of the bed and picked up a picture from the bedside table. “Did you take this picture,” she asked, handing it to Maya.

So that had been where it went. Maya felt honored Ava had wanted it in her room. “I did. Do you like it?”

Ava took it back and studied it. “I’ve seen a bee up close before, but with this picture it’s like I can see every bit of the bees fur.” She smiled as she spoke, petting the frame softly. “I’ve named him Benny and his favorite flowers are daisies.”

“How wonderful,” Maya said, loving that the child had already come up with her own story for the picture. “What else can you tell me about it?”

Ava sat on her bed and pulled Maya down next to her. She leaned her head against Maya’s arm. “He’s sad because he lost his momma, but this flower makes him happy. When he’s near the flower he doesn’t feel so sad.”

“So the bee needs the flower?”

“Yes,” Ava moved her finger to touch the flower. “And the flower needs the bee to help it stay healthy. So they need each other.”