Chapter One

The door opened, signaling the arrival of more tourists. Parker Tisdale let out a sigh as she greeted them with a smile. Working at A Touch of Glass was a job she enjoyed, but she hoped that once the tourist season ended, it would slow down. She didn't realize how busy it got in Clifton, Montana, and it could be exhausting.

Shay Coleman, her boss, emerged from the back to help with the influx of customers.

"I keep hearing that chime," Shay said quietly.

"I know. I haven't even had a chance to use the bathroom and I've been holding it for over an hour. I hope I don't have an accident," Parker joked.

Shay laughed and told her to go take a break while she handled the customers.

"Thanks," Parker said before hurrying to the restroom.

When she returned, she saw another customer entering and went to assist them.

"Hello, my name is Parker. If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask me or Shay. We're happy to answer any questions you may have," she said with a smile.

"Is all of this handblown?" the customer asked.

"Yes ma'am, by artist Lou Rogers."

"I love his work. I'll definitely be purchasing some pieces," the woman replied before wandering around the shop.

Parker made her way back behind the counter. Shay stood next to her .

"I'm starving," Shay complained.

"Me too. When is Wes bringing our lunch?"

"I'll send him a text," Shay said before quickly typing on her phone and placing it back on the counter. It buzzed within minutes, and she grinned when she read the reply.

"He said Maverick's bringing it."

"Maverick?" Parker asked.

"He's one of the foremen at the Triple C," Shay explained.

"Oh, that's right. I haven't met him yet, but if he's bringing us lunch, I already like him."

"He's a great guy. Oh, there he is now."

Parker turned to see a tall man enter wearing a white cowboy hat. When he looked at her, she couldn't help but notice his striking sky-blue eyes. She almost let out a sigh as he held the door for a few women walking out, touching the brim of his hat. They stared at him as they passed. One even going so far as to rub against his body.

There was some gray at his temples and in his sideburns, making him look like he was in his late thirties or early forties. He greeted Shay with a grin before placing a white bag from the Clifton Diner on the counter.

"Lunch," he said in a deep voice.

Parker glanced around the shop and chuckled at the way all the women were staring at him. Even she couldn't resist stealing glances.

"Thank you, Maverick. We're both famished, aren't we, Parker?"

"Yes, starving," she murmured while maintaining eye contact with him.

"Parker, this is Maverick Whitaker. He's one of the foremen at the Triple C Ranch. Maverick, this is Parker Tisdale, my assistant."

Maverick nodded politely, removed his hat, and extended his hand toward her. She placed her hand in his and didn't want to let go. It had been years since anyone had caught her attention like this since before her deceased husband, Brad.

"Ma'am, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said with a smile.

"It's nice to meet you too, Maverick," Parker replied with a smile of her own. "Thank you for bringing us lunch."

"My pleasure. I hope you both have a nice day ahead. I should head back to the ranch now."

"Okay, thanks again," Shay said with a grateful smile.

"You're more than welcome, Shay," Maverick replied before turning to Parker. "Ms. Tisdale." Then he left the shop.

Parker turned to Shay and shook her head.

"You didn't tell me he was so handsome," Parker said with a grin.

Shay laughed. "Sorry."

"Oh, you are definitely not sorry." Parker laughed along.

"You're right, I'm not. He's gorgeous, isn't he?"

"You're married, remember?" Parker teased.

"Yes, but as one of my friends says, I'm married, I ain't dead."

"She's a very smart woman. I don't see a problem checking out a hot man."

Shay giggled. "I know I don't."

"Please, as good looking as Wes is, you don't need to look at any other man. Not to mention your brother-in-law."

"Oh, yes. Warren is really hot. I remember when I met them both and I was just awestruck at how handsome they both were."

"I was the same way, and now, I feel that way about Maverick." Parker shook her head. "I can't believe I'm so attracted to him. No man has appealed to me in a long time."

"I know. You don't horseback ride, do you?"

"Nope."

"You should learn. It's a great way to spend a day. Peyton and I ride together."

"Peyton? Warren's fiancée?"

"Yes."

"I am terrified of horses."

"They can be scary, but we have very gentle horses."

"I'll think about it."

"Okay. I was just thinking if you did ride, you could come to the ranch and see more of Maverick."

"You're terrible! I'd better get back to work before my boss fires me." Parker laughed.

"Your boss would be an idiot if she fired you."

They walked back to the counter and waited on customers. Parker hoped the day would go quickly. Her feet were killing her, and she wanted a nice hot bath.

****

Maverick drove his truck into the dimly lit barn, the engine rumbling to a stop as he climbed out. The scent of hay and horses permeated the air, a familiar and comforting smell to him. He strode toward the toolshed, knowing the stalls needed to be mucked out today.

As he gathered the wheelbarrow, rake, and shovel, he couldn't help but admire the beauty of the rolling hills outside the barn doors. The men were busy baling hay in the fields. Maverick preferred to sweat in the cool shadows of the barn rather than under the scorching sun.

With his tools in hand, he entered the first stall and set down the wheelbarrow. He began scooping up old, soiled bedding and depositing it into the wheelbarrow. Moving on to each subsequent stall, he worked methodically until they were all cleared of waste.

Taking a break from his labor, Maverick crossed the aisle of the barn and picked up a heavy bale of fresh straw. He carried it back to the first stall, cut the twine, and carefully spread it out over the floor, creating a cozy bed for the horses. He repeated this process with each stall, pausing occasionally to wipe away sweat from his brow.

By the time he reached the third stall, his shirt was completely drenched with sweat. Taking off his hat and wiping his forehead with a bandana, Maverick decided to remove his shirt altogether. He hung it on a nearby peg and continued working, enjoying the feel of air against his skin.

Despite feeling hot and tired, Maverick found solace in this simple task. Tending to the stalls was therapeutic for him, and he never had a problem doing this chore. Since it had to be done every day, the men took turns doing it.

As one of the foremen on the sprawling Triple C ranch, Maverick had earned the respect of his men through hard work and dedication. Each day, he would assign their tasks and then join in alongside them whenever needed. It was this hands-on approach that made him a respected leader among the workers.

For twenty-four years, Maverick had called this ranch home. At eighteen, he stumbled upon the job posting on the corkboard at the Feed Store in Clifton, and instead of just calling, he showed up in person. The owner, Robert Coleman, hired him on the spot and Maverick was grateful for the opportunity. He had only planned to stay for the summer, but he fell in love with the land and decided to make it his permanent home.

In his early days at the ranch, Maverick slept in the bunkhouse with his fellow workers. He was amazed by the sheer size of the Triple C; one hundred thousand acres of open land that required constant maintenance. But after being promoted to foreman at just twenty-five years old, he moved into one of the foreman's cabins and cherished the solitude it offered. As much as he enjoyed the company of his coworkers, Maverick had always been a lone wolf.

Growing up, Maverick had been raised by loving parents who had adopted him when he was just an infant. He never knew anything about his biological parents and didn't have any desire to find out. All that mattered to him was that he was loved by his adoptive family. They were everything to him.

But as he thought about his parents, Maverick realized that it had been too long since he last visited them in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After graduating high school, and his entire world falling apart, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery before ending up in Clifton, Montana where he found his true sense of belonging. Despite spending so many years here, Maverick still felt content and fulfilled with his decision to stay.

With beads of sweat trailing down his brow, Maverick pushed the wheelbarrow through the scorching heat toward the toolshed. As he approached, he spotted Warren making his way into the barn.

"Hey, Warren," he called out.

"Maverick. Damn, it's insufferable today."

"You're telling me. I don't envy the men baling hay in this weather."

"It's a tough job any time of year, but in the summer, it's brutal."

"Yeah. Are you heading out?"

"I'm going to ride the east fence. Wes mentioned that you sent some of the guys to the other pastures, but no one was available for that area. Since I've finished my work for the day, I'll take care of it."

"I was actually planning on doing it once I'm done here."

"Well, let me handle it. You probably need a break."

Maverick grinned at his boss. "Are you ready to tie the knot?"

Warren nodded. "More than ready."

"Peyton is an incredible woman. You and Wes found yourselves good women."

Warren chuckled. "And we know it. "

"It's a good thing," he said.

Warren shook his head, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "After all the bullshit I went through with Peyton, I'm surprised we made it this far."

"But you did. I'm happy for you both."

Warren slapped him on the back, a smile spreading across his lips. "I appreciate that. I'll go saddle Blaze and head out. If you need me, just give me a call."

"Will do. Don't forget to take some water with you."

"I won't. Have a good weekend." Warren turned and walked into the tack room, preparing for his ride.

Meanwhile, Maverick cleaned up the barn and put everything away in its proper place. He checked his watch and saw that it was almost time for him to head home. As a foreman, he had set hours for himself and the other ranch hands worked until their tasks for the day were completed, no matter how long it took. Maverick would often stay behind to help when needed, but most days he left at five.

With summer in full swing, the sun didn't set until nearly nine o'clock, which meant chores usually lasted until then. There were some days where Maverick wouldn't get home until as late as nine o'clock, but as long as the work got done, he stuck to his schedule. Being Friday, he was looking forward to having the weekend off; two whole days to relax and enjoy himself. The only exception to this was during cattle drives; Maverick always participated in those without fail .

He strode from the barn, climbed into his truck and drove home. He definitely needed a shower and a cold beer, then he was going to relax.

****

Parker closed the door of the shop and turned the lock. Despite the lateness of the hour, the air was still hot and oppressive. She longed for a day off where she could do absolutely nothing, but she knew that wasn't realistic. Tomorrow, she had to find a new place to rent. The apartment she currently lived in was nice but being on the ground floor meant dealing with noisy neighbors above her.

As she walked to her car, she could feel sweat trickling down her back and between her breasts. The interior of the car was like a scorching oven, and the leather seats were burning her legs, even through her jeans. With a frustrated sigh, she opened the back door and grabbed a towel to cover the seat. She promised herself that her next car would have cooling seats. Sitting on the now-covered seat, she put down the windows in an attempt to cool off before driving to get dinner.

The familiar smells of burgers and onions filled her senses as she entered the diner. She couldn't help but smile as people waved or greeted her by name. Even though she had been in Clifton for only a year, it already felt like home.

"Hi there, Parker! How are you doing, hon?" Connie, the owner of the diner, asked with a warm smile .

"Starving," Parker replied with a grin. "How about you?"

"I'm good. Thanks for asking. Can I get you your usual?" Connie asked as she grabbed a pen and notepad.

"No thanks. I think I'll try something different tonight. I'll have a southern fried chicken salad with ranch dressing."

Connie jotted down the order and nodded. "You got it. It'll be ready in just a few minutes."

"Thanks so much," Parker said gratefully.

As Connie walked away to give her order to Owen, her husband and also the cook, Parker couldn't help but ask one more question.

"Oh, and Connie? Do you happen to know of any houses for rent? I need to get out of my apartment. I'm on the first floor and I think a family of tap dancers live above me."

Connie's face lit up with a knowing smile. "Let me give this order to Owen and I'll be right back. I might have the perfect solution for you."

Parker furrowed her brow in confusion, but a grin still tugged at the corners of her lips as she observed Connie carefully pinning her order to the metal wheel, then giving it a swift spin. She made her way back to Parker.

"Do you really have to live in a house?" Connie inquired.

"Well, I do enjoy my peace and quiet."

"I have an empty apartment if you're interested."

"Really? Where is it located?"

Connie beamed. "Upstairs. It's two bedrooms, one bath with an open living area, and it's fully furnished. If you prefer to bring your own furniture, we can remove what's already there."

"Oh my, I would love to take a look at it, Connie."

"I'll fetch the key for you. You can look after you finish your meal."

"Thank you so much. How much is the rent?"

"We can discuss that once you've seen the place." Connie smiled. "Let me retrieve the key for you."

Parker watched as she disappeared into the kitchen and returned promptly with a key in her hand. Connie handed it to Parker.

"Just go around to the back of the building. You'll see the staircase. And please make sure to lock up when you leave."

"I promise I will," Parker assured her with a grateful smile plastered on her face. She couldn't wait to see the apartment for herself.

After savoring the last bite of her fresh, crisp salad and leaving a tip for Connie, she exited the quaint restaurant and made her way around the back of the building. She took note of the metal stairs leading to the second floor and ascended them. Reaching the stoop, she retrieved the key from her pocket, inserted it into the lock, and gently pushed open the door.

Stepping inside, she couldn't help but smile at the warm rays of sunshine streaming in through the large front window. It was a cozy and inviting space, filled with potential. Making her way toward the window, she peered down at the busy street below before turning to explore further.

Walking down the hallway, she noticed doors on either side leading to bedrooms. With curiosity getting the best of her, she peeked inside each room before reaching the middle door. Opening it, she saw a bathroom featuring a large clawfoot tub.

"Oh, just imagine soaking in that," she murmured wistfully.

Making her way back to the living room, she couldn't help but admire how seamlessly it flowed into the kitchen separated only by a small bar. The maroon sofa and beige recliner matched the color scheme of the room perfectly. If she took the apartment, she would keep the furniture. Hers had seen better days, so she'd donate it.

A grin spread across her face as she envisioned herself living in this charming apartment. However, before making any decisions, she needed to know if the rent was reasonable. She could afford it but didn't want to overpay for any place she rented.

"You could just buy a house," she muttered.

It wasn't a bad idea; Parker knew she had enough money to make such a purchase. But when she first moved to Clifton, buying a permanent residence wasn't at the top of her priorities since she didn't know how long she'd be staying. At that time, all she wanted was to escape Oklahoma and its painful memories.

The quaint town of Clifton enveloped her in its welcoming embrace, and Parker knew she had found her new home. As she stepped out onto the stoop, she turned and pulled the door closed with a soft click, locking it behind her. She made her way down the steps and through the parking lot, a sense of excitement overtook her. The diner was bustling with activity, and Connie's smile greeted her from behind the counter. She waved at Parker and beckoned her over.

"Well?" Connie asked eagerly.

Parker couldn't contain her excitement any longer. "I love it! What's the rent?"

Connie chuckled. "There is no rent, hon. I've never charged anyone for living there. Just take care of the utilities."

Parker widened her eyes in surprise and protest. "But I can't live there for free!"

Nodding firmly, Connie reassured her, "Of course you can. I like having someone upstairs."

Still hesitant, Parker asked again, "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Positive. If you want it, it's yours."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Parker exclaimed, "I do want it... and the furniture too."

"Consider it done. You can move anytime," Connie said with a wink before returning to work.

"I have a month left on my lease. Is that alright?"

"Of course. It's not going anywhere. It's yours when you want it."

As Parker looked around the cozy diner and the friendly faces within, she knew this was exactly where she belonged.

****

Maverick maneuvered his truck down the narrow alleyway behind the bustling diner. Trying to avoid the heavy traffic on Main Street, he took a turn onto a smaller side street and then into the alley behind the diner .

As he approached the diner, he noticed a woman on the metal stairs of the building wearing a blue sports bra and matching shorts. She carried a large box. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail and his groin tightened just looking at her ass in those tight shorts.

As he returned his eyes to the alleyway, a cat darted in front of him, and he had to slam on the brakes. When he did, he saw the woman glance in his direction, and as she did, the box she was carrying hit the railing, making her lose her balance. She dropped the box to place her hand on the building to keep her upright, but the box rolled down the steps, busting open, and spilling the contents before finally reaching the ground. Maverick heard glass breaking and quickly opened the door and ran toward her.

"Ma'am? Are you alright?" he asked with genuine concern and thought she looked familiar.

She looked up at him as she sat on the step, and recognition dawned on her face. "Oh, hi. I'm fine, but the items in the box are not," she replied, pointing at the shattered glass scattered across the stairs and on the ground.

"Dishes?" Maverick guessed and remembered she worked for Shay.

"Yep. Looks like I'll have to make a trip to Walton's in Spring City." She sighed, but still managed to smile.

"Do you have a broom? We should clean this up before someone gets hurt or gets a flat tire."

"Yes, I'll get it. But you don't have to help," she insisted .

"It's no trouble. Besides, I see you have more boxes to unload, and I can lend a hand with that too," Maverick offered.

"I would appreciate that. You're Maverick, right?"

"Yes, ma'am. And you're Parker?" he replied with a small grin.

"That's me," she confirmed, standing up and walking down the steps. "You really don't have to help. I don't want to impose on you."

"I offered." Maverick shrugged casually. "Plus, I was just about to grab a burger anyway."

"Oh, a burger sounds amazing right now. I haven't had anything to eat today," Parker admitted.

Maverick shook his head in disbelief. "That's not good."

"I know, and I've been smelling that delicious food cooking all day." She laughed, and Maverick couldn't help but notice how pretty she was. Her sparkling blue eyes captured his attention.

"Well, if you grab me a broom, I'll clean this up and maybe you can get us some lunch. Just tell Connie I want my usual," he suggested, opening his wallet and handing her some money.

"I'll get it. It's the least I can do for you helping me," Parker insisted.

"I'm too hungry to argue with you. Just get it and I'll pay you back," Maverick replied with a grin.

"I'll go get the broom and dustpan," Parker said as she sprinted back up the stairs, causing Maverick to have trouble keeping his eyes off her ass while she went up the stairs in those shorts. It had been too long since he'd been with a woman.

"Damn," he muttered under his breath before turning around to lean against his truck. He noticed Parker coming back down with the cleaning supplies and a purse slung over her shoulder. He walked toward the steps to meet her.

As she extended the broom and dustpan to him, her phone began to ring, causing her to pause and retrieve it from a side pocket on her shorts. He watched as she leaned back against the building with a casual air. His eyes traced up from her pristine white sneakers, taking in the shapely curves of her calves, flat stomach, and exposed midriff. His gaze was drawn to her chest, lingering on the hint of cleavage before looking at her slender neck, then quickly darting back to her breasts. When he raised his eyes, he saw her raise an eyebrow.

She continued to talk on the phone while staring at him and her soft voice had him wondering how it would sound if she whispered in his ear that she wanted him to—but he shook those thoughts away as he focused on her face once again.

"I'll go get lunch," he said gruffly, feeling the need to escape her presence for a moment.

"Are you sure?" she asked, as she put her phone back into her pocket.

"Yes," he growled, determined not to let his desire show.

"Alright then," she replied nonchalantly, telling him what she usually ordered before picking up the broom and dustpan. Without another word, she began sweeping up shards of glass.

He made his way through the parking lot, stopping briefly to adjust his now painfully obvious arousal. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before walking into the diner. Thankfully, his body cooperated, and he walked inside without any embarrassing incidents. Yep, way too long without a woman.

****

After meticulously sweeping up the broken glass, Parker retrieved a sturdy box from the back of her vehicle and carefully walked to the stairs. As she reached them, she caught sight of Maverick returning with a bag in one hand and a tray of drinks in the other. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him. His dark hair was covered with a white straw cowboy hat, and his piercing blue eyes sparkled in the light. She couldn't help but let out a wistful sigh. It had been so long since she had been truly attracted to a man.

Her smile widened as he took a deep breath and strode toward her. A shiver ran down her spine as she tore her gaze away from him. She knew she was far too drawn to this man, and she barely knew him, but who wouldn't be? He embodied the classic tall, dark, and handsome archetype that most women secretly dream of.

"I'm so hungry," she said as she set the box down, and took the drink tray from him. "Let's go inside and get out of this heat."

"Sounds good. After you," he said, inclining his head for her to go.

She hesitated but took a deep breath and ascended the steps. She knew he was behind her, in all probability, looking at her ass. Grinning, she thought, have at it. She mentally shook her head. What's gotten into her? Sure, he was attractive, but she'd never felt such a pull with a man before. Not even Brad when they first met.

No matter how things would have turned out for her and Brad, she wanted to find love again one day.

Parker pushed open the door, feeling the cool air from inside rush out to greet her. As she stepped into the quaint apartment, she held the door open for Maverick, watching him take in his surroundings with curious eyes.

"I knew this place was up here, but I've never been inside before. It's a cozy little spot," he remarked.

"I absolutely love it. Connie is just wonderful." Parker smiled.

Maverick grinned back at her. "I can't argue with that."

"Please, make yourself comfortable." She gestured toward the sofa and set the drink tray on the coffee table.

He placed the bag down. "Mind if I wash up?"

"Of course not. Down the hall, the door is straight ahead."

"I'll just be a minute." He headed toward the bathroom, then turned back to face Parker. "And don't even think about touching my burger and onion rings."

Parker laughed. "You'd better hurry then."

As soon as he disappeared down the hallway, she sat down on the sofa and removed her meal and set it on the table, then unwrapped it. The smell of juicy burgers and crispy onion rings made her stomach growl in anticipation.

When Maverick returned, he joined her on the sofa and eagerly unwrapped his meal. As soon as he took a bite of his burger, he let out a satisfied groan.

"They're so good, aren't they?" Parker said after taking a bite of her own.

"The best," Maverick agreed.

"So, how long have you been working at the Triple C?"

"Twenty-four years," he replied.

"That's impressive. You must be over forty then?" Parker bit back a grin.

"Yep, I'm forty-two."

"I'm thirty-eight," Parker said.

"Well, you certainly don't look it. You could pass for being in your late twenties."

Parker laughed. "Well, thank you. So, were you born and raised in Clifton?"

Maverick took a bite of an onion ring before answering. "No, actually I was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. But I ended up here by chance and fell in love with the town and the people. Now, I can't imagine living anywhere else."

"I can understand that. It's a wonderful community," Parker said sincerely. "Are you supposed to be at work?"

"I'm off on weekends unless there's a lot to do."

They continued chatting about their jobs when Maverick suddenly asked, "And what about you? Are you from Clifton originally? "

Parker frowned for a moment before she answered quietly. "No, I'm originally from Oregon but lived in Oklahoma for a couple of years. But I had to... get away from there."

"I see," Maverick said. "Why aren't you married?"

Parker shook her head slightly. "I was married once."

"Divorced?" Maverick guessed.

Parker hesitated for a moment before shaking her head again. "No, my husband, along with my eight-year-old son, were killed in a car accident."

Maverick's face fell. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that."

"It's alright. It happened five years ago," Parker reassured him.

"How long were you two married for?"

"We were together for ten years," she replied, taking a bite of her burger. "And what about you? Are you married?"

"No, ma'am," he answered.

"Never been married?" Parker pressed.

"No. My job keeps me pretty busy," Maverick explained with a shrug.

"I can't remember the last time I went on a date," Parker admitted with a sad smile.

"Same here. I used to go to Dewey's sometimes, but not recently."

"I went there last month. Shay invited me to join a group of women for a night out. It was a lot of fun, and I met some amazing women."

Maverick smiled knowingly. "I've heard about those girls' night out gatherings."

Parker laughed. "I had a blast. I'm going this month too. Shay said they go once a month unless the weather's bad."

Maverick shook his head. "I'm surprised so many women get along."

"Isn't that the truth?"

After they finished eating, they gathered up the trash, tossed it into the can, then went back down to unload the rest of the boxes.