Page 48 of Grady

He turned to see Maverick striding toward him.

“Yeah?”

“Is it alright if Parker goes up in the chopper with you?”

“If she wants.”

“She says she’d love to. She’s never been in one.”

“Great. She’s not going to panic on me or throw up, is she?”

Maverick chuckled. “If she does, just set it down.”

“How about you go too?” Grady smirked.

“Not in this lifetime.”

“Pussy.”

“You got that right. I like my feet planted firmly on the ground.”

“You ride a horse.”

“That horse isn’t flying.”

“I’m just saying your feet aren’t planted firmly on the ground when you’re on a horse and you’ve been thrown several times.”

Maverick grinned. “But it’s not that far to fall. Up there is.”

Grady chuckled. “Alright. Yeah, she can go, but I’ll put her on the ground if she gets hyper or sick.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll let her know.”

As Grady made his way to the helicopter later, he saw Parker running toward him and shook his head.

“Thanks for letting me go with you,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am. Let me help you.” He held her hand while she grabbed the handle, then sat in the seat. He strode around the front and climbed inside.

“Strap in, then put the headphones on.” He pointed at them. She smiled as she put them over her ears.

“Do I have to push a button to talk?” she shouted and Grady chuckled.

“Yes.” He showed her where it was. “But you don’t have to shout. I can hear you fine.”

She laughed and pressed the button. “Sorry. What if I want to talk to Maverick?”

“I can hear you,” Maverick said and Grady could hear the laughter in his voice.

“Are you ready?” Grady asked her.

“Why don’t you have to press a button?”

“For pilots, the button is usually embedded in the controlcolumn, allowing them to speak without having to take their hands off the controls.” He looked at her. “Ready?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Grady started the engine and lifted it in the air. He chuckled when Parker squealed out a laugh.

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