Page 35 of Maverick

“I’m afraid he’ll bite me,” she said nervously.

Maverick chuckled. “He won’t bite. He’s a gentle horse. Aren’t you buddy?” He reached through the bars and rubbed the horse’s nose, causing Cisco to nicker happily. “Give me your hand.” Parker hesitantly extended her hand and placed it on the soft muzzle of the horse, her fingers gently rubbing back and forth. “Just softly rub his nose.”

“It’s so soft!” Parker exclaimed with a laugh, looking at Maverick.

“Maverick?” A familiar voice called out from behind them, causing both to turn around. It was Warren and Peyton, entering the barn with smiles on their faces.

“Hey, Warren. Peyton.” Maverick greeted them.

“Oh, hey, Parker,” Warren said with a grin.

“Hi, Warren. Hi, Peyton.” Parker grinned back at them.

After talking for a while, Warren and Peyton saddled their horses and rode out of the barn together. As they disappeared into the distance, Parker turned to Maverick with a dreamy look in her eyes.

“He’s so handsome,” she sighed wistfully.

“Damn, woman,” Maverick teased playfully.

“I’m teasing you,” she shook her head playfully at him. “And you say I’m easy to tease.”

He pulled her into his arms, his lips gently grazing against her neck as he spoke. “I’d love to tease you... in bed.”

“Turnabout is fair play,” Parker replied with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Hell, me and my big mouth.” Maverick laughed, pulling away from her. “Want to go for a ride?”

“Are you talking about horses? Because if you are, that’s a big no,” Parker teased him.

“Maybe I’m talking about another kind of ride.” He winked at her suggestively.

“In your truck?” she raised her eyebrow playfully.

He grinned and took her hand, leading her out of the barn. “Let’s head back to the house and be lazy the rest of the day.”

She smiled and squeezed his hand, as they drove back to his house together.

****

As the sun rose, Parker unlocked the door to the shop and stepped inside. She placed her purse in the safe before beginning her daily routine of dusting the shelves and glassware. Midway through, a knock sounded on the back door.

She quickly made her way to the back and opened the door to see Barry, the delivery man, standing there with a smile. The warmth of the morning sun bathed his face as he greeted her. “Morning, Parker. I have a delivery for you. Could you sign here, please?” He gave her a handheld device commonly used by delivery services.

Parker eagerly signed for the five boxes that were being delivered, her mind already buzzing with excitement over what new pieces Lou had created this time. As Barry propped the door open and began unloading the boxes from his van, Parker returned to the front counter and continued dusting. The sound of boxes being set down and shuffled around in the back only added to her anticipation.

When Shay arrived later, they wasted no time in opening the boxes and admiring each piece that was revealed. As Parker lifted a glass Australian shepherd figurine from its protective packaging, she couldn’t help but smile at how much it reminded her of Blue.

“I have to get this for Maverick,” she announced to Shay with enthusiasm. “It’s perfect.”

Shay grinned knowingly. “You know you get a discount, right?”

Parker nodded, already envisioning where she would place it in Maverick’s home.

As they continued unpacking and discussing their weekend plans, Shay grinned at her.

“So, have you gotten that sexy man in bed yet?”

Parker blushed and shook her head. “No...”

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