Page 44 of Maverick

“Is there a problem with going?”

“No, sir.”

“Alright, Thursday is fine with me. And while you’re up there, make sure to check for any more calves that may have been born.” Wes stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded, and walked out of the barn.

“Yes, sir.” Maverick sighed again.

He mounted Cisco and rode out of the barn to inform some of the other men that they would be joining him on the cattle drive Thursday morning. He dreaded telling Parker about this change of plans, but what bothered him even more was not being able to see her for who knew how long.

Later, Maverick plunged his pitchfork into the pile of straw in the barn. He worked with quick, efficient movements, tossing the straw across the stall before jabbing at more in the wheelbarrow. Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him.

“Are you mad at the straw?” Warren’s amused tone cut through the silence.

Maverick turned to see his boss standing in the doorway of the stall.

“Oh, hey, Warren.”

“What’s going on, Maverick?”

“Nothing.” He gritted his teeth, trying not to snap.

Warren folded his arms across his chest. “Really?” He raised an eyebrow skeptically.

Maverick let out a sigh. “It’s fine, Warren. I have a job to do and I’m doing it.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

“You’ve been seeing Parker, haven’t you?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Maverick stabbed at the straw once again.

Warren shook his head. “You forget, I’ve been there. Balancing time between work and someone you want to spend time with is tough. But work always comes first. It’s just how ranch life is.”

“I know that,” Maverick replied defensively. “I’ll do my job like I do every damn day.” He leaned the pitchfork against the wall and pulled off his gloves, glaring at Warren who smirked back at him.

“I get it, I do. But our partners need to understand too. It’s something that should be discussed from the start of a relationship. Our jobs require us to be away from home for weeks at a time on cattle drives alone. Our loved ones have to accept that, and so do we. It’s not easy, but it’s our way of life.”

Maverick nodded in agreement. “I know. I’m going to talk to Parker tonight. I just don’t know how she’ll take it, given that our relationship is going so well.”

“Well, you’ll find out soon enough,” Warren replied with a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “But don’t forget, Maverick, this is your job, and we need you to do it. Unless you don’t want to anymore.”

“You know better than that, Warren.”

“I hope so. The Triple C Ranch wouldn’t be the same without you.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Maverick assured him. “I’m just disappointed.”

Warren chuckled. “I’m sure you are. Been there myself.”

Maverick nodded, feeling relieved. “I know. It’ll be fine. I hope.”

“Of course it will,” Warren said confidently. “Parker’s an amazing woman, otherwise she wouldn’t be working for Shay.” With a nod, he left the barn, leaving Maverick to contemplate their conversation as he finished his work for the day.

****

Parker sat on the sofa, watching TV. She was so glad she was off tomorrow. She loved her job but looked forward to her days off. She flipped through the channels and stopped on a movie. As she settled into the sofa, she jerked when a knock sounded on the door. She glanced over the back of the sofa at the door, stood and made her way to it. She peered through the peephole and sighed with relief when she saw Maverick. Then she looked down at herself and groaned. The T-shirt she wore had holes in it and her lounge pants had seen better days. Oh, well.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and smiled at him.

“Hi, what are you doing here?”

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