Page 9 of The Maverick’s Legacy

“I was out riding Nieve the other day, and I accidentally went onto the Abernathy property and ran into Jesse and his son. I thought they were on my property though, and I was a little passive-aggressive, if you want to call it that.”

Remi snorted. “Knowing you, I’d say that’s a fair term.”

Carly gave her a mock glare. “Anyway, he was really nice about the misunderstanding, but I feel like I should still be neighborly and offer him a peace offering.”

Remi tapped her chin thoughtfully before blurting excitedly, “Oh my God, do you have a crush on him? Does Amy know?”

Carly’s cheeks burned. “I do not have a crush. Thirty-year-olds do not have crushes.”

“Sure they do. Is he good looking?”

“I…” Carly was going to deny it, but given the knowing look Remi was sending her, she caved. “Yes, he’s sinfully good looking, with eyes like sea glass and light brown hair. He’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“Okay, then. Here’s what we’re going to do,” Remi said. “We’re going to go into town, and we’ll see if Betty’s Bakehouse has any whole pies to sell. If not, the grocery store will probably have cookies or something available. Let’s go.”

“Uh… Remi?” Carly said.

“Hmm?” Remi replied. She seemed to be looking for something. She started mumbling, “Where’d I put that purse?”

“Do you maybe want to brush your hair and put on some fresh clothes first?” Carly said as delicately as possible.

Remi frowned as she looked down at herself. She had baby’s breath sticking to her yoga pants from one of the flower bundles lying on the floor and a stain from who knew what on her shirt.

“Give me twenty minutes to take a shower and put on fresh clothes.”

“You’ve got it,” Carly replied, full of love for her family. How had she gone so long without them?

An hour later, they were pulling into Betty’s Bakehouse.

“Have you tried the desserts here yet?” Remi asked as they got out of the car.

“Nope,” Carly replied as they entered the cute bakery. A long glass counter filled with doughnuts and baked goods ran along the wall opposite of the main door. The whole place smelled like dough and sugar, causing Carly’s mouth to water.

“I’ll be right with you,” a woman called out from the back.

“Take your time,” Remi replied.

The baker finally came to the front, a splotch of flour on her cheek. “Remi! What brings you in today?”

“Hi, Betty,” she said. “This is my cousin Carly, and she needs to buy a pie. One that says Sorry I was a douche to you.”

“Remi!” Carly said, burying her face in her hands.

“Male or female?” Betty asked matter-of-factly.

“Male,” Remi answered. “And hot as sin too.”

“Remember that nice moment we had earlier?” Carly grumbled. “I’m taking it back.”

“You love me and you know it,” Remi replied.

Betty looked thoughtful before she turned and waved to a glass display cabinet. It was loaded with mouth-watering desserts.

“We don’t serve humble pie,” Betty said, causing Remi to snort. “But we do offer a delicious apple.”

“We’ll take it,” Carly said, wanting nothing more than to get out of the situation.

Betty grabbed one from the case and put it on the counter for Carly to approve. It looked amazing, and she quickly paid for it so that they could leave.