Page 84 of Maverick

“You seem close to him.”

“He’s my best friend. He started at the ranch a year after I did.”

“I’m sure you’ve gotten close then, working together all those years.”

Maverick chuckled. “All those years. Way to make me feel old, darlin’.”

Parker laughed. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm.

“I know.”

After checking for traffic, he pulled onto the road and headed home.

****

Maverick parked the SUV in front of his house and glanced over at Parker, who was fast asleep in the passenger seat. He knew she was exhausted after a hectic week. Gently shaking her shoulder, he said, “Parker? We’re home, baby.”

She stirred awake and blinked her eyes before looking at him with a smile that made his heart skip a beat. “I fell asleep, didn’t I?” she asked.

“Ya think?” Maverick chuckled.

She sat up and touched his cheek. “You should have woken me up so I could drive for a while. You must be tired.”

“I’m fine. I’ll head to bed early. Do you want to drive to your place or stay the night?”

“I’d like to stay if it’s alright with you. I’m still so tired.”

“Of course, it’s alright with me. Let’s go inside. I texted Grady, so he should be here soon to return Blue.”

“Okay. Can you open the hatch please?” She got out of the car and walked toward the back. “Damn, it’s freezing out!”

Maverick chuckled as he pushed the button to release the hatch and grabbed her suitcase and his duffle bag. Nodding for her to lead the way, he followed her to the porch.

“The door’s unlocked,” Maverick said.

Parker looked at him in surprise. “Don’t you lock your doors when you leave?”

“No need to. I told you; no one ever comes around.”

“Okay.” She opened the door, shaking her head as Maverick chuckled.

He stepped past her and carried their luggage to the bedroom before heading back to see her sitting on the sofa with her eyes closed.

“Why don’t you lie down? Once Grady gets here, I’m going to have him take me to the barn to get my truck.”

“Alright. I can’t believe how exhausted I am.”

“You haven’t slept much this week, Parker.”

“Have you?”

“Not really, but I’m used to it.”

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Grady walked in with Blue excitedly running past him and barking at Maverick.

“I think she missed you, though I can’t imagine why.”

---