Page 73 of Maverick

“Of course he is. He’s the most understanding man I’ve ever met.”

“How’s the weather in Clifton?” her grandfather asked, his voice weak and raspy.

“It was snowing when I left,” she said with a grin, her cheeks flushed from the cold.

“Snowing? It’s October.” Her grandfather’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Yes. It was so pretty. Snow starts early in parts of Montana. As early as September and as late as early May.” Parker’s eyes lit up as she spoke of the snow-covered landscape she had just left behind.

“Unreal.” Her grandfather leaned his head back on the pillow, exhaustion evident on his face.

“Are you tired?” Parker asked, concern lacing her words.

“Yeah, I get tired pretty easily nowadays.” He let out a heavy sigh.

“I’ll let you rest. I need to unpack and get a hot bath. I’m tired too.”

“Okay, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her grandfather’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“Alright. I love you, Pops.” Parker smiled sadly at him before leaving the room.

“I love you too, Cupcake.” His words followed her out the door.

Parker stood outside the room for a moment, her emotions catching up with her. She covered her mouth with her hand and sobbed quietly, trying not to disturb her ailing grandfather. Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her and she realized it was her mother who had come to comfort her.

Parker leaned into her mother’s embrace and cried softly as they walked into the living room. Her father sat in a wingback chair, watching them both with sadness in his eyes.

“Let it out, honey,” her mother said, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

Parker let herself cry until she was sure her heart was breaking, then she sat back and shook her head. “I was shocked when I saw him. Mom, I don’t know how you’re doing this. He’s your father.”

“I know. It breaks my heart every time I see him, but I try to put on a good face. I know he wouldn’t like it if he saw me cry. He’s such a hardhead.” Her mother let out a small laugh through her tears.

“Yes, he is. Dad? This can’t be easy on you either. I know you’re close to Pops.” Parker turned to her father; concern etched on her face.

“I’ll miss him,” her father said, his voice cracking with emotion.

“You look tired, honey,” her mother said, studying Parker’s exhausted expression.

“I’m going to go up and take a hot bath, then head to bed. Ten hours is a long time to be in a car.” Parker’s shoulders slumped with weariness.

“Okay, honey. Go take a nice bath and head to bed. Your dad put your suitcase in your room.” Her mother tilted her head in concern. “Maybe give that man of yours a call.”

“I will. Goodnight, Mom. Dad. I love you.” Parker hugged them both tightly before making her way up the stairs to her childhood bedroom.

As she entered the room, memories flooded back to her of simpler times spent in this room. She picked up her suitcase, set it on the bed and began unpacking, selecting a cozy T-shirt and lounge pants to change into after her bath.

Reaching for her phone in her pocket, she realized it was dead. In the midst of all the chaos and emotions surrounding her grandfather’s illness, she had forgotten to charge it. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she had charged it.

The night before she left for Oregon, she hastily packed a bag and called Shay to tell her she was leaving and ask her if she’d mind taking Pumpkin to the animal hospital to board her. Shay had assured her that she would take care of everything and told her to take as much time as she needed. After taking a bath and crawling into bed, Parker had tried to sleep but only managed to get three hours of rest. No wonder she was exhausted.

Feeling guilty for not being able to talk to Maverick, she promised herself she would call him tomorrow when her phone was charged. She plugged it into the charger and made her way into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

The following day, she entered the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and waited while it brewed. She stared out the window and smiled looking at the colorful leaves on the trees. It was definitely fall in Oregon.

She couldn’t get over how much she’d rather see snow. She heard on the weather station that Montana was experiencing a snowstorm, and she was sorry to miss it.

“Good morning, honey,” her father said when he entered the room.

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