Page 22 of Maverick

“How did you end up in Oklahoma?” Maverick asked.

“Brad was an attorney for a large firm; one of those ones you see on TV for being injured in an accident,” Parker explained. “He was offered the chance to run his own office out of Oklahoma and after we discussed it, we decided to do it. We’d only been there two years when...” Her voice trailed off as tears began to fall once again.

“And how did you come to be in Clifton?” Maverick prompted.

Parker’s face lit up with a smile. “We took a trip to Oklahoma in search of a new home, but on the way back to Oregon, we decided to take a detour through the states of Wyoming and Montana. I’ve always had a fascination with cowboys,” she confessed playfully, causing Maverick to chuckle.

“As we made our way toward Kalispell, I noticed a sign for Clifton and couldn’t resist suggesting that we stop by. Something about the name drew me in, like it was meant to be. I told him it sounded like a small town, but Brad teased me, claiming it was probably a bustling city, but I knew deep down it was going to be special. And boy, was I right,” Parker reminisced with a content sigh. “Driving down Main Street, I fell head over heels for this charming town. The old buildings, connected to each other, and the quaint square where the courthouse stands... it all just spoke to me. I told Brad that one day I was going to live here.”

“I’m glad you followed your heart then,” Maverick replied with a grin.

Parker laughed lightly. “Oh, me too.”

Maverick took Parker’s hand in his own and gently traced circles on her skin with his thumb as he gazed into her eyes.

“Parker, I don’t want to pressure you into anything because I’m not sure where you stand on getting involved with someone again. But I would really love to keep seeing you,” Maverick said.

Parker smiled. “I’d like that too, Maverick. It’s been five years and I do want to find love again one day. At first, I thought it would never happen after what I’d been through, but now... I don’t want to be alone. I want to fall in love and share my life with someone. And although I don’t know if that person will be you, I am ready to move on and find out. It’s like I’ve been stuck in one place for so long, and now I just want to keep moving forward. The only thing I’m sure about is, I don’t want another marriage like I had.”

“I can understand that. I’d like to see where this can go.”

Parker frowned. “You said you know what it’s like to lose someone. Who did you lose?”

“Kat, my fiancée. We were only eighteen, but we loved each other. So many people tried telling us we were too young, but I knew she was the one I wanted in my life. We’d been high school sweethearts and we wanted to get married.” He shrugged. “My grandfather told me not to let anyone tell me that we were too young. He married my grandmother when they were seventeen and they’re still married, almost sixty-eight years later.” He smiled. “Once we decided to get married, we were to meet at the courthouse.” He swallowed hard. “I waited but she didn’t show. It never occurred to me that she wouldn’t show up, so I knew something was wrong. I ran out of the courthouse to get to my car, but I saw my parents getting out of their car. My first thought was they were there for the wedding, but I knew from the looks on their faces that something was very wrong. They told me she’d been hit by a car while crossing a street and died on the way to the hospital. I know it was a long time ago, but there are times it feels like it was just yesterday.”

“I’m so sorry, Maverick. Of course, it still bothers you even though it’s been years. Pain like that never really goes away. You had your entire life planned out with her and it was all snatched away from you in an instant.” She touched his hand, and he turned it over to link their fingers.

“Just like it was for you.” He stared into her eyes, then got to his feet. “I’d better go.”

“Are you sure?” She stood and gazed into his eyes.

He smirked. “Yes, because if I don’t, I will do my damnedest to convince you to let me stay, and I know you’re not ready for that.”

“No, I’m not… yet, but I do want to see you again.”

“Good. We can go out next Saturday night and maybe spend Sunday together. Do you ride?”

“Horses?” He nodded and she vehemently shook her head. “No way.”

“Why not?”

“They’re too scary. That’s a long way to fall.”

Maverick sighed. “Okay. How about fishing?”

“I do like to fish.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. Have a lazy day at the pond, fishing.”

“I like that idea.”

“Okay, I’ll get in touch with you later in the week. Where do you want to go to dinner?”

“You choose.”

Maverick chuckled. “Okay. We can go to the diner, then Dewey’s if you want. Sunday, we’ll be lazy.”

“Sounds like a good way to spend a Sunday.”

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