Page 53 of Maverick

“Yes, but no kids yet. It would just be you and me there.”

“Okay. I would love to go then.”

“Great. Get with Shay about the time off then.”

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow. What do you get your mom for her birthday?”

“She collects paperweights. I try to get her one she doesn’t have, but it’s getting harder every year.”

“Come to the store. We have a lot of them.”

“I’ll do that.”

“As much as I hate to leave, I should.”

“Okay. I’ll take you home.”

As they drove to town, Parker thought about not being able to stay with him tonight. He was becoming so important to her, and she wanted to spend every waking moment with him.

Maverick pulled around the back of the diner, parked, and looked at her.

“Are you hungry? I’m starving. I can get us something from the diner, then I’ll head home.”

“I am hungry. That sounds good. I’ll go up and you can get us something. Tell Connie I want the southern fried chicken salad with ranch dressing, please.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back.” He leaned over, kissed her lips, then opened the door and headed around to the diner.

Parker entered her apartment, and remembered she had to put the trash out since it would be picked up tomorrow. She quickly bagged it up and carried the bags down the stairs.

At the dumpster, she lifted the lid, threw the bags inside, and closed the lid, then started up the steps but stopped when she thought she heard something. She walked around the dumpster and listened. Then she heard it. A cat.

Getting on her knees, she peered under the container and saw a small cat, or kitten under it, close to the front. She walked around the front, got on her knees again, and looked under it. Leaning forward, she reached her hand under the dumpster, but the kitten moved back.

“Well, the view’s nice, but what the hell are you doing?”

Parker laughed and glanced over her shoulder at Maverick.

“There’s a kitten under here.” She reached for it again. “Come here baby, I won’t hurt you. Come to me baby.”

“You can talk to me like that anytime.”

She burst out laughing and shook her head. “I’m not sure I can promise not to hurt you.”

He chuckled. “Don’t you threaten me with a good time.”

Parker sat back on her heels. “You are so bad. Come help me.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Can you push the dumpster a little so I can grab the kitten?”

“Alright.” He set the bag containing their food on the steps, then pushed the dumpster, and Parker was able to reach the kitten. She pulled it to her and held it against her chest and stood.

“I love orange cats, and it’s so fluffy too. Oh, you are adorable.” The kitten began to purr as she held it. She looked at Maverick. “It can’t be more than six weeks old. I wonder if its mama is here somewhere.”

“Hard to say. What are you going to do with it?”

“I’m going to ask Connie if I can keep it.”

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