Page 65 of Falling for the Maverick

“Michelle isn’t just any woman, Tiffany. I happen to love her.”

“I knew it! I knew the first time I introduced you to Michelle that you two were destined to be together. Why did it take you so long to figure that out? You could’ve been dating her even before the weddings, and that would’ve shut down both Aaron and Ethan, who truly need to mind their own damn business. And what’s up with the rumor that you’re commitment-shy?”

“I suppose it’s because I’ve dated a few women—”

“Quit lying,” Tiffany said, interrupting him. “You’ve dated more than a few women, Lucas.”

“Okay, I have dated some women I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“So, that makes you commitment-shy. Why did you keep seeing them when you knew how it was going to end?”

“Maybe I kept thinking one of them would turn out to be that special one. But it wasn’t until I met Michelle that I knew exactly what I was looking for. From the get-go, there was something special about her that I couldn’t get out of my head.”

“That’s because she’s the whole package, brother. She’s gorgeous, smart, and she has a wonderful outgoing personality. And don’t forget she has four brothers who will jack any man up if they mess with her.”

“I witnessed that firsthand today.” Lucas told Tiffany about Aaron confronting him in Caleb’s family’s store.

“Oh no, you didn’t! You nearly fought over Michelle?”

“It wouldn’t have gone that far.”

“You’re lucky it didn’t. I’d never live it down that my brother was trading blows with my brother-in-law. It’s shades of Hatfields and McCoys all over again.”

He held up a hand to calm her. “Relax. We called a truce.”

“What you need to do is call Michelle and tell her how you feel about her.” Tiffany paused. “You have it all, Lucas. I know it’s hard for you to live a life separate from business, but you must try prioritizing what you want and need for your future. Believe it or not, you can have the ranch and Michelle.”

“What if she doesn’t want to speak to me again?”

Tiffany threw up both hands. “I don’t believe you were willing to pound it out with her brother, yet you’re afraid to let her know that you love her.” She stood up. “I’m going home to my husband who’s not afraid to tell me that he loves me.”

Lucas also stood. “I’m going to tell her, Tiff.”

“When, Lucas?”

“Tonight. After she has dinner with the family.”

“You’re also family, so it wouldn’t hurt you to join us.”

“I’ll save that for another time,” he said. He walked his sister to the door and out to where she’d parked the van for her flower shop, Tiffany in Bloom.

As he watched his sister drive away, he ran his fingertips over his bearded jaw. He’d completed his penance. Now it was time to face Michelle to let her know what was in his heart.

But first he had to shave to look presentable for seeing her again.

He looked down at Flash staring up at him. “After I feed you and do a few things around the house, I’ll have go out for a while to see Michelle. Wish me luck, big boy.”

* * *

Later that evening Lucas drove to the Circle C, parked in front of the house instead of at the back and walked up to the front door. He knocked on the door and smiled when Patty opened it. He removed his Stetson. “Mrs. Corey, I came to see Michelle.”

“Call me Patty, because right now there are quite a few Mrs. Coreys. Does she know you’re here to see her?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Come into the family room and rest yourself while I go get her.” Patty stopped and turned around. “We missed you at dinner tonight. Now that you’re family, you should join us from time to time.”

Lucas smiled. “Thank you.” Patty inviting him to dinner with the Coreys wouldn’t solve his dilemma if her daughter refused to see him. That was the fear that had held him captive for the last few hours and, if he was truthful, had kept him from a week of restful sleep. He’d become almost sleep deprived since their breakup.