Marie Ferrarella - Do You Take This Maverick?

“I’ve missed you, little darlin’,” Levi said, smiling down into his daughter’s face. “Did you miss me, too?”

More than anything in the world, Claire thought, observing the way he was with Bekka. And more than you’ll ever know.

With more than a little effort, she blocked and shut down her feelings. She was not about to own up to what she was thinking or say the words out loud.

That was all she needed to do, Claire upbraided herself. If Levi had a clue as to what she was thinking, he would just take it to mean that he could move back into their apartment and, just like that, it would be business as usual.

Would that be so bad? she questioned herself.

Yes! Yes, it would be that bad. She’d be back to spending all her time taking care of the baby and missing Levi, while he’d be spending all his free time away from her.

Supposedly securing their future… if she were to believe him.

She had to remember how that felt—missing him, being taken for granted—she silently counseled herself.

But all that staying angry required effort. Effort that was hard to maintain when part of her kept longing for the touch of his hand, the feel of his lips on hers.

* * *

Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding?A weekend Rust Creek Falls will never forget!

Do You Take This Maverick?

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling and RITA ®Award-winning author MARIE FERRARELLAhas written more than two hundred books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

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To Gail Chasan,

who is always in my corner.

Thank you.

Contents

Cover

Introduction “I’ve missed you, little darlin’,” Levi said, smiling down into his daughter’s face. “Did you miss me, too?” More than anything in the world, Claire thought, observing the way he was with Bekka. And more than you’ll ever know. With more than a little effort, she blocked and shut down her feelings. She was not about to own up to what she was thinking or say the words out loud. That was all she needed to do, Claire upbraided herself. If Levi had a clue as to what she was thinking, he would just take it to mean that he could move back into their apartment and, just like that, it would be business as usual. Would that be so bad? she questioned herself. Yes! Yes, it would be that bad. She’d be back to spending all her time taking care of the baby and missing Levi, while he’d be spending all his free time away from her. Supposedly securing their future… if she were to believe him. She had to remember how that felt—missing him, being taken for granted—she silently counseled herself. But all that staying angry required effort. Effort that was hard to maintain when part of her kept longing for the touch of his hand, the feel of his lips on hers. * * * Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding? A weekend Rust Creek Falls will never forget!

Title Page Do You Take This Maverick? Marie Ferrarella www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling and RITA ® Award-winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com .

Dedication To Gail Chasan, who is always in my corner. Thank you.

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

“I don’t see what you’re so mad about.”

Levi Wyatt stared at his wife of two years in absolute confusion. The second he had opened the door and walked into their room, Claire had lit into him, reading him the riot act.

Granted, it was almost dawn and he had never stayed out anywhere near this late before, but that was no reason for Claire to be so upset.

This was definitely a side of his wife he had never seen before.

Industrious, ambitious and hardworking, Levi rarely, if ever, took any time off from his job at the furniture store. As the recently promoted store manager, most of the time he even worked on the weekends, but this weekend—the Fourth of July—he’d taken off to escort Claire to a wedding in Rust Creek Falls. He could have skipped it, personally, but it seemed to be really important to Claire that he attend, too. Her grandparents were putting them up for the weekend at the boarding house that they ran.

The wedding was held in the town’s park, and it was a great afternoon. The ceremony was crowded and joyous, the reception even more so. A few of the attendees had decided to get up a little friendly game of poker. Levi wasn’t quite sure why, but he was really tempted by the game, so he’d joined in.

Since he, Claire and their eight-month-old daughter, Bekka, were all spending the weekend at the boarding house, he felt that Claire wouldn’t lack for company while he was gone. Especially since Melba Strickland, Claire’s grandma, had graciously offered to babysit so the couple could enjoy the wedding together. This seemed to be the perfect opportunity for him to knock off a little steam.

Besides, he noticed that Claire was busy talking to a woman she knew at the reception when he’d allowed himself to be lured away by the promise of a little harmless diversion.

It was only supposed to be for an hour—two tops.

It had run over.

Way over.

But that still wasn’t any reason for Claire to explode this way.

“Oh, you don’t, do you?” Claire cried heatedly. Up until this point she had managed to keep her ever-growing discontent under control. She’d never allowed Levi to even catch a glimpse of it, just as she wouldn’t dream of letting him see her without her makeup on or with her hair looking anything but perfect. For Claire, it was all about maintaining the illusion of perfection. It always had been.

But tonight, for some reason, she was feeling rather light-headed, although all she’d had to drink at the reception was some of the wedding punch. Despite her petite frame, punch wouldn’t affect her like this, she reasoned.

Still, because of her light-headedness, her discontent had slipped out of its usual restraints, and before she knew it, the second Levi had walked into their room at the boarding house, she was giving it to her husband with both barrels.

“No,” Levi answered, standing his ground and waiting for Claire to say something that made sense to him, “I don’t. I’ve been working really hard lately, putting in some really long hours. I came to the wedding because you wanted to come and when this poker game came up, I didn’t see the harm in taking a little time off—”