Page 52 of Maverick

“I’m going to visit my parents next month,” he said.

Parker felt disappointed that he was going to be leaving her again so soon.

“How long will you be gone?”

“Four days. I’m leaving on a Friday, and I’ll be back on Monday.”

“Oh.” She couldn’t hide her disappointment.

Maverick reached for her hand and interlaced their fingers, causing her to look at him.

“Want to go with me?”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“I’d love to go, if you think your parents won’t mind.”

Maverick grinned. “They’ll be happy to see me bring someone home with me.”

Parker laughed. “Okay. I’ll talk to Shay about getting time off.”

“Okay.”

“Are we driving?”

“No. Flying.”

“Oh, then I need to get a ticket.”

“No, you don’t. The Coleman’s have a Learjet.”

“Of course, they do.”

“They’re richer than you can imagine, but a great family. I only take two vacations a year, and that’s to visit my parents on their birthdays, in Wyoming.” He shrugged. “They have their pilot fly me there.”

“That’s so nice of them.” Parker smiled.

“Yes, it is.”

“So, you’re going home for a birthday? Whose?”

“My mom’s. I went home for Dad’s in January.”

“I don’t want to intrude on a family gathering.” Parker frowned.

“Darlin’, there’s no gathering. It’s just me visiting them on their birthdays.”

“Oh, so no party, then?”

Maverick chuckled. “No. The last thing either of them want is a party. I’ve always gone at those times.”

“What about your sisters?”

“They show up for Thanksgiving. Janie lives in Alaska, Stella lives in Hawaii, and Casey lives in Florida.”

“Wow. They are all over the states. Are they married?”

---