Maya’s Triple Dare(Divine Creek Ranch 6)(36)
“Jack called Kendall and told him about what happened today at the shop,” Richard murmured, brushing his lips against her shoulder and making her pulse speed up. “I don’t want you to worry about that, okay? We’re going to protect you.”
“What happened?” Boone asked as he strode beside them.
“Someone’s saying ugly things about the ladies, accusing them of immorality and stuff,” Richard replied. “They’ll get to the bottom of it. Jack called a few minutes ago to let us know they were doing something about it. He knew we’d be concerned.”
“Good.”
Boone stroked her forearm as she tightened her hold on Richard’s neck. She’d never doubted they would want to protect her, but it was nice to hear them say it.
* * * *
Maya wanted to cook supper for them that night, so Boone rode with Kendall back to the house and Richard drove her into town. At the grocery store she let him push the cart while she got what she needed. He made a point of being helpful, reaching for things on high shelves for her, but otherwise he maintained a respectful distance.
“Can I ask you a question, Richard?”
“Sure, Maya. Ask away,” he said as he walked beside her. The aisle was fairly deserted, and she felt safe in asking her question as she halted the cart to put some chicken broth in the basket.
“If Kendall and Boone weren’t involved, would you still want me?” She hated putting him on the spot, but she needed to know, separate from the others, if his heart was truly in this.
Richard pondered her question and then said, “I meant to spend my life with Michelle. She’s who I’d be with right now if…circumstances hadn’t changed. But I can’t alter what happened. That doesn’t take away from what I feel for you now. You’re my present. That was my past.”
Pointing to a bottle of salad dressing on the top shelf, she asked, “I’m not asking for a declaration. I just wonder if you can picture yourself loving me that much.”
He placed the bottle in the cart and smiled at her. “I know I can.” The truth of his statement was in his unwavering gaze.
“Well, all right then,” she murmured with a giggle as an elderly woman turned down their aisle with her cart. “Shoot. I had all sorts of questions to ask you while we were alone.”
He used a fingertip to tilt her chin up so her eyes met his. “I know I’m not the easiest person to read, but I want you to know you can ask me anything. Okay?” He nodded to the elderly lady as she wheeled her cart closer.
Maya smiled at him and said, “Thank you, honey.”
She stifled a giggle when he blushed slightly at her endearment.
“Young man, could you help me, please?” The petite senior said in a wavering voice. She looked like she was holding on to the cart for dear life as she lifted a shaking hand and pointed to a jar of pickles out of her reach. “Could you get that jar of bread and butter pickles for me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said smiling as he retrieved the jar and placed it in her trembling hand. Maya guessed her age to be mid-to-late eighties.
A little, elderly man who had to be closing in on ninety years old tottered up to them and said, “Well here you are, Trudy.” He tipped his cowboy hat to Maya and winked at her, and Maya nodded and smiled back. To his little wife he said, “I wondered where you got off to, gingersnap.”
Trudy’s faded blue eyes twinkled merrily at her husband as she replied, “I got me a handsome cowboy to do my bidding.”
He shook his head in mock disapproval and said, “Guess it’s time to take you in hand again.”
Trudy flapped her hand at him and replied, “Oh, promises, promises.”
The chuckling old cowboy reached out to shake Richard’s hand and said, “These little fillies are a might headstrong when given their way too much, don’t you reckon?”
Richard returned the greeting and nodded. He glanced at Maya with laughter in his eyes. “I know it, sir.”
“Well, Trudy. Let’s leave these young ones to their shoppin’.”
“Thank you, young man. Y’all have a good day,” Trudy said as her husband took her hand and placed it securely on the shopping cart handle, and they continued down the aisle, chatting amiably.
“Now, Trudy, I wish you’d taken one of those motorized shopping carts when the manager offered it to you. Are you tired, gingersnap?”
“Oh, I’m fine, Lawton. Nothin’ a little nap won’t cure.”
Maya watched with a feeling that approached awe as the little, aged cowboy smooched his tiny wife on the lips right there in the middle of the store. This was what a lifetime of love looked like. As they moved farther away she heard the old man say, “I love you, gingersnap.” Trudy giggled and said something Maya couldn’t make out as they rounded the end of the aisle.