Page 70 of Maverick

“Does she feel the same?”

Maverick smirked. “Yes.”

“Then I’m happy for you. You deserve someone.”

“And you don’t?”

“It’s not that I don’t deserve someone,” Grady said with a shrug. “It’s that I don’t want someone.”

“You know, one of these days, you’re going to meet a woman who will bring you to your knees. Trust me, Grady. One day you’re going to fall hard for someone.”

Grady chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “I don’t think so. I get out before it goes too far.”

“For you, or her?” Maverick asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Both.” He slapped Maverick on the shoulder and headed back into the warmth of the barn. “I’m heading in. I’ll talk to you later.”

Maverick nodded and watched his friend leave, feeling grateful for their years of friendship and secretly hoping that one day Grady would find someone who would make him want to stick around instead of leaving when things got too serious.

Maverick trudged wearily down the aisle, his boots echoing through the barn. The scent of hay and manure hung heavy in the air, reminding him of the long day ahead. With a resigned sigh, he decided to muck out the stalls again. He had already done them that morning, but with the horses now back in their stalls, he knew he needed to clean them once more. After leading the horses out to the indoor corral, Maverick retrieved the wheelbarrow and rake and placed them next to the first stall. He reached for a pitchfork and began to sift through the soiled straw. Hoping that this task would make the day go by faster, he focused on his work and pushed through until all the stalls were spotless. As he finished up, he couldn’t help but look forward to getting home and thawing out and warming up in front of a fire. He just wished Parker was with him.

Two days passed before he was able to get into Clifton. He had to get some things at the Feed Store, then he was going to see Parker. It was Wednesday and she should be home. He sure hoped so. He needed to see her.

After getting what he needed at the store, he drove his truck along the alley behind the diner and parked beside the metal stairs leading to her apartment. He shoved the door open, got out, pushed the door closed, and ascended the steps. Taking a deep breath, he knocked.

The door opened, and Maverick’s heart raced as he saw tears streaming down Parker’s flushed cheeks. He could see the pain and distress in her eyes, and his arms instinctively reached out to pull her close.

“What’s wrong, baby?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Parker shook her head, unable to speak through her sobs. She clung to him, seeking comfort.

Finally, she managed to choke out the words, “My grandfather has lung cancer.”

Maverick’s heart dropped at the weight of those words. He knew how close Parker was to her grandfather and how much he meant to her. Without hesitation, he held her tight.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “Is he getting chemo?”

“It won’t do any good,” Parker replied, her voice breaking. “It’s terminal. It spread so fast and now it’s in his lymph nodes. He’s had it for a while but didn’t tell any of us. He said he didn’t want to burden us.” She buried her face against his chest, letting out a desperate cry.

Maverick held on to her as she sobbed against him, feeling his own heart break with every tear that fell from her eyes. He kissed the top of her head, trying to offer some small comfort in the face of such devastating news.

“Nothing can be done?” he asked softly.

Shaking her head, Parker explained, “No, it’s small cell lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads faster than other types of lung cancer.” She paused, struggling to hold back more tears. “Around seventy percent of small cell lung cancers have already spread by the time they’re diagnosed. I don’t understand all the medical jargon... all I know is that he’s dying.”

Maverick didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t even imagine what Parker was going through. All he could do was hold her tighter and be there for her.

“I’m going home, Maverick,” Parker said, her voice trembling. “I have to. I have to go home.”

“Home?” he echoed.

Parker nodded, tears still streaming down her face. “I want to be with him for as long as he has.” Her voice caught in her throat.

Maverick looked into her eyes, seeing the determination in her eyes.

“How long will you be gone?” he asked, afraid of the answer.

“Well, that I don’t know,” Parker replied honestly. “As long as I need to be with him.” She took a deep breath before continuing, “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

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