Page 13 of Maverick

“Can you get a reservation this late?”

“I’ll call the owner if I can’t. If he can get us in, he will.”

“Okay. I’d love to go.”

“I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. If we can’t get in, we could come here again.”

“How about if you can’t get us in, I’ll fix dinner.”

“Deal.” Maverick smiled.

After they finished eating, Maverick paid Connie, then they walked outside into the heat. Maverick, once again, moved to the outside of her, as they walked along the sidewalk.

At the door to A Touch of Glass, Maverick reached around her, opened it, and nodded for her to enter.

“Are you coming inside?” she asked.

“Not this time. I need to head back to the ranch. I’ll call or text you about Saturday, if that’s alright.”

“Whichever is easiest for you.” She smiled.

“Alright. Have a good rest of the day, Parker. I’ll see you soon.” He touched the brim of his hat, and after she entered, he let the door close and walked off.

Parker worked the rest of the day with a smile on her face. She liked Maverick and couldn’t wait to see him again.

****

Maverick made his way to his truck, its paint glistening under the hot sun. He opened the door and climbed into the cab, immediately hit with a wave of suffocating heat. Hastily starting the truck, he lowered the windows and cranked up the air conditioning to full blast.

As he drove back to the ranch, a grin spread across Maverick’s face as he thought about seeing Parker again. He couldn’t deny his curiosity and growing interest in her. She was undeniably beautiful, but for a long time, he had no desire to settle down. Until now. Meeting Parker had stirred something within him that he never knew was missing.

Of course, just because he was interested didn’t mean she felt the same way. But she had agreed to go out to dinner with him, and he couldn’t wait for their date.

Pulling up to the barn on the Triple C Ranch, Maverick parked his truck and stepped out into the blistering heat. He immediately wished he could retreat back into the cool comfort of his truck.

“Maverick?”

He turned to see Wes walking toward him.

“Hey Wes, what’s going on?” Maverick greeted him with a smile.

“Do you think you could call Ash and see if he can get another truckload of feed here?”

“Sure thing. Are we running low?”

“Not yet, but Warren likes to have extra on hand. Cold weather will be here before we know it,” Wes explained.

Maverick nodded in understanding. “Better safe than sorry.”

Wes chuckled. “That’s why Warren handles the business side and I handle the ranch side.”

Maverick grinned back at him. “He knows what he’s doing.”

Wes tilted his head playfully. “Are you saying I don’t?”

“On the business side? Absolutely,” Maverick joked.

“At least you’re honest.” Wes laughed. “Did you get lunch in town?”

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