The Maverick's Secret Baby. Teri Wilson

his standards? What the hell was that supposed to mean?

      “I’ve been calling around town to see if I’ve overlooked any single ladies. This morning alone I’ve tried all the day-care centers, the veterinary clinic, the medical center and Maverick Manor.” Viv tapped a polished fingernail on the pink notepad in front of her. “I thought maybe I could find a few datable, single women working in one of these locations whom I might not be acquainted with, some ladies living in one of the surrounding counties.”

      So now she was going to import women into town to date him? This whole ordeal was getting more absurd by the minute.

      “Any luck?” Maximilian said.

      “Not yet. But there’s still one place left on my list—Strickland’s Boarding House.”

      An ache took up residence in Finn’s temples. “That ramshackle Victorian mansion by the fire station?”

      Viv’s lips pursed. “It’s a town landmark.”

      “It’s purple,” Finn retorted.

      “Lavender gray, technically.” She smiled brightly at him. Jeez, this woman never gave up, did she? Maybe because your father is offering her a million dollars to marry you off…possibly more. “Just the sort of place a lovely single woman might choose to stay.”

      “That actually makes sense, son.” Maximilian waved a hand toward Viv’s list. “Go ahead and call over to the boarding house. We’ll wait.”

      Finn was on the verge of pulling his Stetson low over his eyes and taking a nap. No one here seemed to care much what he thought, anyway. But once Viv dialed the number, she put her phone on speaker mode, which made napping pretty much impossible.

      After two rings, an older man’s voice rattled on the other end. “Howdy, Strickland’s Boarding House.”

      Viv smiled. “Hello there, Gene. It’s Vivienne Dalton calling.”

      “Hi there, darlin’. What can Melba and I do for you today?” he said.

      In the background, Finn heard a woman—Melba, presumably—asking who’d called. When Old Gene supplied her with the information, she yelled out a greeting to Viv.

      Viv and Old Gene exchanged a few more pleasantries. Gene asked about her husband, and she inquired as to the well-being of the baby pygmy goat Gene and Melba were caring for.

      Of course there’s a baby pygmy goat. Finn suppressed a grin. Maximilian, however, was less charmed. He cleared his throat, prompting Viv to get on with the matter at hand.

      She took the hint. “Actually, Gene, I have a rather odd question for you. Do you happen to have any single young women staying at the boarding house who might be interested in a date with a handsome cowboy named Finn Crawford? I’m trying to help out a friend who’s new in town.”

      “Funny you should mention single young women,” Old Gene said. “We’ve had a darling young lady staying with us for a couple weeks now. A bit on the shy side, but sweet as pie.”

      Viv’s eyes lit up. “Really? What’s her name?”

      “Avery.”

      Finn narrowed his gaze at Viv’s phone.

       Avery?

      The only Avery he knew would never fit into a place like Rust Creek Falls. She couldn’t possibly be talking about…

      “Avery who?” Maximilian growled. “Please tell me you’re not talking about the daughter of that rat bas—”

      “Dad.” Finn shook his head. “Chill out.”

      As usual, Maximilian had a harsh word at the ready for anyone related to his old nemesis, Oscar Ellington.

      Finn was certain he didn’t need to worry. It just wasn’t possible. Oscar Ellington’s daughter lived over a thousand miles away, in Texas. Plus, with her pencil skirts, red-soled stilettos and designer handbags, she wasn’t exactly what Finn would describe as sweet. Considering they’d only shared one night together, she wasn’t exactly his, either.

      Still, what a night it had been.

      “Gene! Stop talking right this minute!” Melba’s voice boomed in the background again.

      Viv frowned down at her phone. “Is everything okay over there?”

      “Fine and dandy,” Gene said.

      Melba issued a simultaneous “No, it is not. Gene seems to have forgotten we shouldn’t be giving out guests’ private information.”

      “But she seems a little lonely,” Old Gene countered while Melba continued to balk.

      Again, Finn’s memory snagged on a sweet, sultry night on an Oklahoma business trip and the most electric kiss he’d ever experienced. The power had gone down, bathing the city in darkness. But when his lips touched Avery Ellington’s, they’d created enough sparks to light up the sky.

      How long had it been?

      Months.

      “Excuse me.” Finn leaned forward in his chair. He knew he was supposed to be a quiet observer at the moment, but he had to ask. “What exactly does this Avery woman look like?”

      The glare Viv aimed his way shot daggers at him.

      “Never mind,” she said primly. “Sorry to bother you, Gene. We’ll chat soon. Give that baby goat a kiss for me. Bye now.”

      She ended the call, and for a minute, Finn was seriously worried she might throw the phone at his head. “What does she look like? You can’t be serious.”

      Maximilian shrugged. “It’s a legitimate question.”

      Finn held up a hand. “Wait. That’s not what—”

      But Viv wasn’t having it. She cut him off before he could explain. “There are far more important things than looks when it comes to a potential life partner.”

      Agreed.

      Finn wasn’t looking for a life partner, though. He doubted he’d be looking for one for another decade or so. Besides, he’d simply been trying to figure out if they’d been talking about the same Avery. All Old Gene needed to say was long, lush brown hair and dark, expressive eyes. Then he would have known.

       Give it up. This is the opposite end of the country from Texas.

      Or Oklahoma, for that matter.

      Besides, Avery Ellington would stick out like a sore thumb in Rust Creek Falls. Surely he’d have run into her by now.

      “You’ve found all of Viv’s picks attractive so far, son. I’m sure this Avery girl wouldn’t be any different,” Maximilian said.

      Finn let out a long exhale. How shallow could his father possibly make him sound? Maybe it was time to stop humoring the old man and dating every woman Viv Dalton threw at him.

      “Thank you for everything, Ms. Dalton, but I think it’s time to go.” Finn stood and turned toward Maximilian. “Dad?”

      His father didn’t budge.

      Fine. He could waste all the time and money he desired, but Finn was out of there. He tipped his hat to Viv and waded through all the pastel cupcake fluff toward the exit. All the while, his father’s words echoed in his head.

       I’m sure this Avery girl wouldn’t be any different.

      That’s where he was wrong.

      Finn had never met a woman quite like Avery Ellington.

      Avery Ellington tucked her yoga mat under her arm and made her way down the curved staircase