Page 11 of The Maverick’s Legacy

“Stop showing off the six-pack,” the lookalike told him.

Six-pack? Try a twenty-four-pack. Lordy.

Jesse finally pulled his shirt away and glanced at Carly. He immediately dropped his shirt, to her disappointment. “Carly?” he said.

“Hi,” she replied.

“Hi.” He took a couple of hesitant steps toward her. “Grayson, this is Carly Hawkins. Our new neighbor.”

“Howdy,” Grayson said, and she smiled politely at him. He turned to Jesse. “I’m going to start measuring out the rest of that board.”

He disappeared around the corner, leaving Jesse and Carly momentarily alone. She wished she’d dressed a little nicer. She had on an old T-shirt with the Australian Rodeo Circuit logo on it, capris, and flip-flops. Her hair was in its usual ponytail. She had been determined when she’d left the house to make her apologies and leave, so she had no reason to dress to impress. And even though he was wearing a T-shirt that had seen better days, she felt like a toad next to him. Not that she wanted to make a better impression or anything. Nope, this was simply a visit to be a good neighbor and make sure she didn’t set off on the wrong foot with the Abernathys. From what Amy had told her, his family had a lot of influence in Montana.

She glanced at the house. “This is nice. It’s going to be really cute when it’s done.”

“Thanks,” Jesse finally said. “So…what brings you out this way?”

“Hmm? Oh!” Carly hurried up to him and handed him the pie. “I wanted to give you this.”

Jesse looked down at it. “An apple pie?”

“More of what I’d call an apology pie.”

Jesse glanced back at her, his eyes crinkling in the corners. Damn, he was good looking. “No need to apologize again. You didn’t know you had crossed onto our property.”

“I don’t just mean for not knowing directions very well. I felt like I was a little rude to you, and I wanted to apologize for that.”

Jesse’s eyes seemed to see right inside of her. He gave her an understanding look. “I get it. Women these days have to be extra cautious, especially in the woods. If I’d known we were about to cross paths, I would have made my presence known long before I did.”

“Regardless, I could have been nicer.”

He flashed a dimpled smile at her. “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that.”

She grinned back. “Deal.”

“Still…” he said, looking back at the gift. “You didn’t need to bake me a pie.”

She laughed. She couldn’t help herself. “That’s courtesy of Betty’s Bakery. Trust me, you don’t want me anywhere near a kitchen. Last time I tried to cook anything, I gave myself food poisoning.”

Jesse’s smile widened. “Noted.”

“Well…” Carly said. “I should let you get back to what you were doing.”

He lifted the pie. “Thanks again for dessert.”

“You’re welcome.” She nodded awkwardly and then hurried back to Remi’s car, even though she really didn’t want to leave him just yet. It was the silliest thing. This was only the second time she’d met the man. There was no reason to feel like her feet were filling with lead with each step she took away from him.

As she settled in the car, she realized that he was still watching her. She waved at him before buckling her seat belt. She forced her eyes straight ahead, not daring to look his way again.

Remi started the vehicle, and they drove in silence for several seconds.

Her cousin finally said, “Damn, Carly.”

“I know,” Carly muttered.

“Sinfully hot.”

“Yep,” she replied.