Page 18 of Grady

“I’m sending a few men to the east pasture to check the fence. You?”

“I sent a few of them to finish the fence in the west pasture. I believe they’re just about finished with it. They just better keep on their toes.”

“I agree. I told my men to stick close together.”

“I did too. Especially after the day with the wolves.”

“You were damn lucky.”

“No shit. If the guys hadn’t been there, I’m sure those wolves would have gotten me. They had separated to circle me.”

“They’re dangerous anytime but especially when they’re hungry.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“I need to head out. I have to give Ash a call, then get some other things done.”

“Alright. I’ll talk to you later. Hey, Parker didn’t have a hangover, did she?”

Maverick grinned. “No, it was her turn to drive, but she still had fun.”

“I’m sure. Those women make sure to do that.” Grady grinned.

Maverick nodded. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yep.” Grady got back to work when Maverick walked out of the office.

A while later, his phone buzzed, and he removed it to see a text from his father.

Your mother wants a lamp like this.A photo was attached.

Great. Thanks, Dad. I’ll see if I can find one on mylunchbreak.

Alright, son.

Grady stared at the lamp. It was pretty but it was just a lamp in his opinion.

At lunchtime, he sent a text to Maverick to let him know he was going to lunch and he’d be back in an hour.

He drove into town, pulled into the diner parking lot, then walked inside the restaurant. The bell above his head jingled and everyone stopped eating and nodded or waved. Grady grinned and sat on a stool.

Once Connie took his order, he turned on the stool and placed his elbows behind him on the counter. When the bell jingled, he instinctively looked toward the door and his heart skipped a beat when Vanna entered. She saw him and smiled.

“Hi, Grady.”

He touched the brim of his hat. “Vanna. You’re just the person I’m looking for.”

“You were looking for me?” she asked, the surprise apparent in her voice.

“Can you sit with me or are you meeting someone?”

“I’m not meeting anyone.” She took the stool beside him.

“I want to ask you something about antiques.”

“Yes?”

Grady pulled his phone from his T-shirt pocket, scrolled through the photos then turned the phone so she could see it.

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