Chapter 12
The slight humidity in the air reminded Maverick that spring was on its way, and with it the return of never-ending rain showers. Until then, hose trucks filled with water nourished the orange trees.
His hands were dirty from checking the soil's moisture levels, so before he went inside to see his son and Jess, he stopped at the sink on the back patio to wash his hands, kicking off his work boots and slipping into shoes so he wouldn't track mud in the house. He soaped up.
The smell of Jess’s floral perfume wafted toward him--though he knew she was inside. Was the kitchen window open?
She had to be close. Maverick rinsed, turned off the faucet, and heard her voice clearly as she spoke. "Tess."
Without intending to spy, he stopped to listen as Jess said, “I don’t know what to
