Page 47 of Grady

“I know she does. Just let it take its course, but I’ve never seen you this happy while in a relationship. That’s love.” He led the horses into the trailer.

“Love?” Grady muttered, then shook his head. He wasn’t sure he was ready for that.

As he flew the helicopter over the herd later, he spoke into the mic.

“There’s two stragglers behind the pine trees on the left of you, Maverick.”

“Got it.”

Grady grinned as he watched Maverick move Cisco through the pines, then herded them out into the field with the help of his Australian shepherd, Blue. Sometimes he missed riding with the men, but a lot of times, Warren didn’t go on the drives because he was busy with the business side of the ranch.

Turning the chopper around, he checked behind the men. It was hard to see with all the dust the cattle made. The men wore handkerchiefs over their mouths and noses to keep the dust out, but at times, it was so thick, they didn’t help.

Once they reached the pasture where they were leaving the cattle, Grady landed the helicopter, then made his way to the chuckwagon. He was starving.

“Hey, Eustice, how’s it going?” Grady said to the cook.

“Good, Grady. I’ll get you a plate.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. Load it up for me, please.”

Grady looked around and saw Maverick and Parker sitting on a log together. Maverick had himself a good woman and Grady was happy for him. He hoped things worked out for him and Savannah. He missed her already and it was only the first week. He needed to see if he could send her a message. Service was spotty up here.

“Here you go, Grady,” Eustice handed the plate.

“Thanks. I appreciate you.” He took the plate, walked to the log where Maverick and Parker sat then sat beside Maverick.

“Damn, are you hungry, Grady?” Maverick asked him.

“I didn’t eat breakfast, so yeah, I’m a little hungry. Parker? What do you think of the cattle drive?”

“I’m having a ball. It’s so much fun.”

Grady chuckled. “It is.”

“Shay kept telling me not to miss it.”

“Where is she and Wes?”

“She said they were going to the creek to wash up.”

“It gets a little dusty,” Grady said.

Parker nodded, then cut into her steak. “I want to do this every year.”

Maverick grinned at Grady. “This from a woman who swore she’d never get on a horse.”

“Savannah says the same thing.”

Parker looked at Grady. “She is super sweet. You’d better not break her heart.”

Grady chuckled. “Yeah, she already threatened to cut off some valuable parts if I do.”

Parker laughed. “Good for her.”

By the end of the second week, he was going insane. He’d tried to call Savannah a few times, but service was in and out and calls got dropped more often than not. He’d tried sending a text message too but it showed that it failed to send.

“Hey, Grady.”

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