Chapter Nine

As the fall season finally arrived, so did the snow. Parker gazed out of the shop window, watching the flakes as they fell from the sky. Shay stood beside her, also taking in the view.

"It's a slow day," Shay commented.

"But the snow is so pretty," Parker responded with a smile.

"I agree, as long as it doesn't get too bad. I hate driving in this weather," Shay sighed.

"Christmas will be here before we know it," Parker said.

"Don't remind me. We have so many online orders to fulfill. It seems like this year, people are already starting their holiday shopping," Shay replied.

"Well, that's good for business," Parker pointed out. "What happened to hiring someone over the summer?"

"I plan on hiring someone next year. It was too late in the season to bring someone on board. I'll make sure they know it's only a full-time position during the summer and hours will be reduced after tourist season ends," Shay explained.

"I heard Minnie wants to sell her shop," Parker mentioned.

"Yes, she wants to retire and move to Florida." Shay nodded sadly. "I'll miss her. She's such a sweet woman."

"I want to buy one of those beautiful dollhouses in her store. I've always wanted one," Parker said wistfully.

"Oh, I actually have one. Wes bought it for me," Shay revealed.

"I might just have to buy one for myself. I wonder if whoever buys the shop, plans to keep it as an antique shop?" Parker asked.

"Minnie told me that everything in the store will be included in the sale. I hope it sells for her, but she said she was going to wait until summer." Shay shrugged. "Who knows? A tourist could buy it next year."

"That's true. Oh look, here comes a customer," Parker noticed as someone walked into the store.

The day passed by slowly with only a few more customers coming in to make purchases. Parker couldn't wait to go home, relax on the couch and watch a movie. The dreary weather was making her miss Maverick even more, but at least she would be seeing him soon and that thought kept her spirits up.

****

Maverick strode through the barn, checking on the horses that had been brought inside due to the heavy snow. He grinned and shook his head at the bitter cold, knowing that he would either freeze in the winter or sweat through the summer heat in Clifton. It seemed there were only two seasons here: summer and winter, with no in between. Spring and fall rarely made an appearance since it could snow as early as September and as late as May.

He walked to the open doors of the barn and leaned against the wooden frame, folding his arms and gazing out at the falling snow. He couldn't help but wonder what Parker was doing .

"Hey," Grady's voice interrupted his thoughts as he appeared by Maverick's side.

Maverick glanced at him before returning his gaze to the snow. "Hey. Do you have any of the men out?"

"A couple are checking the west fence. The transmitter showed a section was down."

"Do you have any idea how it happened?"

"No, not yet. I'll call them in a few minutes. I don't like having them out in this weather."

"Well, they're closer to home in the west pasture, but I agree we should check on them. You know there are wolves out there."

"Yeah, I saw a pack near the north pasture just the other day. I got out of there as fast as I could."

"Good thing. This time of year, they'll be searching for food wherever they can find it."

"So, when are you going to tell me about this mystery woman of yours?"

Maverick turned to face him with a smile. "It's really getting to you, isn't it?"

"I thought we were friends, Maverick."

"I don't recall you ever mentioning a woman you're seeing."

Grady chuckled. "Because I'm not seeing anyone."

"Hell, you never see anyone. It's always just about sex for you," Maverick said with a smirk.

"Is there anything else?"

Shaking his head, Maverick had a feeling Grady would never settle down. At forty-three years old, he had never been in a relationship for longer than a month and he couldn't remember him ever being in a serious relationship. He was sure Grady left a trail of broken hearts behind him wherever he went.

"I'm heading in. I'll get in touch with the men and see what's going on."

"If there are any problems, call me."

Grady nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Don't call me sir, jackass."

Grady laughed. "You know I have to jerk your chain."

"Yeah, I know."

"I'm heading in. I'll let you know if there's any problems."

Maverick watched him stroll down the barn's aisle. They enjoyed working at the ranch. They made good money and the Coleman's were the best people to work for. Maverick knew unless something drastic happened, both men would always be here.

As he headed back to his office, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He removed it to see a text from Parker, making him grin.

Hi. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you.

I was just thinking about you.

He grinned when she sent a heart emoji.

I wish you were here. I'm cuddled up on the sofa. We closed early.

It's too bad I can't be there.

I agree.

Talk soon, baby. I've got work to do.

Okay.

I love you, Parker.

I love you too.

Maverick smiled as he replaced his phone, then entered his office to work on the men's hours, then he'd email them to Warren so he could do the payroll. Maverick closed the door behind him and sighed at the warmer air. The heater in the room wasn't big, but it was enough to keep the room warm. Taking a seat behind the desk, he opened the computer and got busy.

****

With a heavy sigh, Parker slumped onto the wooden stool behind the counter. The winter months were always slow for business, but with the snow falling in thick blankets outside, she knew it would be even quieter than usual. Shay was out to lunch with Wes, leaving Parker alone in the shop to wait for customers that may never come. She had already dusted and organized everything that morning, and there were no new items waiting to be unpacked. Leaning on her elbows, Parker gazed out the window at the flurry of white, longing for some form of entertainment or distraction.

Finally succumbing to boredom, she turned to the computer to check for any new orders. Thankfully, there were a few. With a sense of purpose, she began printing them out and preparing to order the necessary items. But just as she settled into this task, the door opened and in walked Della.

Parker's heart sank at the sight of her. For ten long minutes, Della wandered around the store as if genuinely interested in the merchandise. Parker could feel her annoyance growing with each passing moment.

"What do you want?" she finally snapped .

Della turned to face her with a smug smirk. "I'm just looking."

"Yeah, right," Parker retorted. "Say whatever bullshit you came here to say and then get out."

Della raised an eyebrow and met Parker's gaze head-on. "Is that any way to talk to a potential customer?"

"If you're a potential customer, I'm the Easter Bunny," Parker shot back. "You're only here to try and stir up trouble because Maverick chose me over you."

Parker couldn't help but grin as Della clenched her jaw in frustration.

Just then, Shay walked through the door with a smile on her face. "Hi there! You're braving this weather like a champ," she greeted Della.

But the smile quickly faded when Della spoke up. "Your employee is being incredibly rude to me."

Shay's eyes widened as she turned to Parker for an explanation.

"Is there a problem here, Parker?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes, she needs to leave," Parker stated firmly.

"Why?"

Parker took a deep breath before answering. "She's Maverick's ex-girlfriend."

Understanding dawned on Shay's face. "I see. Well, if Parker wants you to leave, I'm going to have to ask you to do so."

"What if I want to buy something?" Della challenged.

"Do it online," Shay replied coolly. "Please leave the shop. I will not tolerate anyone coming in here and harassing my employee. Now go. "

Della's eyes narrowed as she glared at Parker. "He'll never stay faithful."

Parker chuckled. "He was faithful while you were together, so stop trying to stir up shit."

Della challenged her with a question, "Or what?"

Parker stood up and walked around the counter, coming face to face with the woman.

"Or I will stir up my own shit. I'm not one for violence, but you're testing my patience. Leave now ," she gritted out through clenched teeth.

Della took a deep breath and exited the door. Parker let out a sigh.

"I hate confrontations," she muttered.

Shay burst into laughter. "That was entertaining."

Parker let out a sputtering laugh. "You're crazy," she exclaimed.

Shay joined in on the laughter. "I guess she thought you'd back down."

"God, wait until I tell Maverick about this." Parker chuckled, imagining his reaction.

"I'm sure he'll think it's funny. Unless it pisses him off."

Parker hadn't even considered that possibility. "Because I said what I did?"

"No, no," Shay shook her head. "Because she came in here trying to start shit with you. But Maverick wouldn't be pissed at you for standing up for yourself."

"I'll tell him later. I don't want to ruin his day," Parker decided, refocusing on her work and pushing thoughts of Della out of her mind.

As the day went on, Parker could feel her anger simmering beneath the surface, but she refused to let it ruin her mood. She focused on fulfilling online orders and taking deep breaths to calm herself.

When their day was over, Parker and Shay walked out of the store together. The cold air hit them like a slap in the face, causing them both to pull their coats tighter around themselves.

After unlocking her car and getting inside, Parker drove the short distance to her apartment. Even though it was only a few blocks away, the snow and ice made it too treacherous to walk.

Once inside her apartment, Parker removed her coat and hat and was immediately greeted by Pumpkin. She smiled and picked up the purring feline. "Hi, sweet girl. You're so lucky you don't have to go out in this weather. Let's get you some food." With Pumpkin in tow, Parker headed to the kitchen to feed the cat before settling in for a cozy night indoors.

Parker took a hot bath and enjoyed her dinner before settling on the sofa to watch a movie as snow gently fell outside the window. Pumpkin was curled up on her lap, purring contentedly. As she relaxed, her phone buzzed on the coffee table, and she grinned when she saw Maverick's number.

"Hi," she answered.

"Hey, sweetheart. Are you keeping warm?" Maverick's voice came through the line.

"I am now."

"You didn't walk to work, did you?"

"No, I knew it would be too cold for that."

"Good. I know it's not far, but that wind can be brutal. "

"I know. It was freezing just walking up the steps. I need to get some salt for them. They were slippery."

"Yeah, definitely take care of that. I don't want you falling."

Parker chuckled. "I don't want me falling either."

Maverick laughed in response. "So, how was your day?"

Parker smiled and shared with him about Della's unexpected visit to the shop.

"What the fuck?" Maverick's tone turned angry at the mention of his ex-girlfriend.

"I don't think she'll be back. Shay and I made it clear she wasn't welcome in the shop again." Parker let out a sigh. "She accused you of never being faithful."

"That's bullshit, Parker."

"I know. I trust you."

"Good. Well, I just wanted to check in and see how your day went. Sounds like it was more eventful than mine."

Parker chuckled. "I hate confrontations, but she pushed me."

"I'm glad you stood up for yourself. Alright, I better go now. Heading home and I need to warm up with a hot shower."

"I wish I could join you."

"Not as much as I wish you could. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams, baby. I love you."

"I love you too. Goodnight."

"Night." Maverick ended the call.

Parker smiled as she placed the phone on the arm of the sofa and got back to her movie. Soon, she was heading to bed with Pumpkin following behind. After crawling into bed, she laughed when Pumpkin tried to jump onto the bed and ended up clawing her way to the top, then she curled into a ball and fell asleep. Parker wasn't too far behind her.

****

Maverick strode through the barn, his boots crunching against the straw-covered floor. He made his way to the doors and pushed them open and stared out at the cold winter air. The snow was falling heavily, swirling in the wind like a flurry of white feathers. Maverick sighed at the sight.

"Well, we wanted cooler weather," Grady said as he joined Maverick.

"Yeah, be careful what you wish for. The bad thing about the snow is, there's not much for us to do." Maverick glanced at him before turning his attention back to the snowy landscape. "Do you have any men out in this?"

Grady shook his head. "No. If that wind would die down, I'd send a few out to get some chores done, but no one needs to be out in this shit. What about you?"

"Yeah, a few are taking hay to the east pasture for the cattle."

"I had the north pasture done yesterday. I knew this was going to get bad."

Maverick nodded, his eyes scanning over the fields and fences covered in a thick blanket of snow. "I did too but didn't get around to it."

"They'll be fine. They know this is part of the job." Grady grinned. "It's good to be the boss. "

"Hell, yeah, it is. I remember when we had to do it."

"Been a long time since we did it."

"Yep, but I can still feel that biting wind cutting through me."

Grady folded his arms and leaned against the open door. He looked at Maverick with a knowing grin on his face.

"We've been friends a long time, Maverick." He chuckled when Maverick groaned.

"You're going to ask again, aren't you?"

"Is there a reason you can't tell me about this woman you're seeing? Is she married or something?"

Maverick let out a sigh and a small cloud formed in front of him. "Come on, Grady. You know better than that."

"Then why can't you tell me?"

Maverick huffed, the frosty air turning his breath into visible puffs. "Her name is Parker Tisdale," he finally admitted. "I'm in love with her."

"Does she feel the same?"

Maverick smirked. "Yes."

"Then I'm happy for you. You deserve someone."

"And you don't?"

"It's not that I don't deserve someone," Grady said with a shrug. "It's that I don't want someone."

"You know, one of these days, you're going to meet a woman who will bring you to your knees. Trust me, Grady. One day you're going to fall hard for someone."

Grady chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "I don't think so. I get out before it goes too far."

"For you, or her?" Maverick asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Both." He slapped Maverick on the shoulder and headed back into the warmth of the barn. "I'm heading in. I'll talk to you later."

Maverick nodded and watched his friend leave, feeling grateful for their years of friendship and secretly hoping that one day Grady would find someone who would make him want to stick around instead of leaving when things got too serious.

Maverick trudged wearily down the aisle, his boots echoing through the barn. The scent of hay and manure hung heavy in the air, reminding him of the long day ahead. With a resigned sigh, he decided to muck out the stalls again. He had already done them that morning, but with the horses now back in their stalls, he knew he needed to clean them once more. After leading the horses out to the indoor corral, Maverick retrieved the wheelbarrow and rake and placed them next to the first stall. He reached for a pitchfork and began to sift through the soiled straw. Hoping that this task would make the day go by faster, he focused on his work and pushed through until all the stalls were spotless. As he finished up, he couldn't help but look forward to getting home and thawing out and warming up in front of a fire. He just wished Parker was with him.

Two days passed before he was able to get into Clifton. He had to get some things at the Feed Store, then he was going to see Parker. It was Wednesday and she should be home. He sure hoped so. He needed to see her.

After getting what he needed at the store, he drove his truck along the alley behind the diner and parked beside the metal stairs leading to her apartment. He shoved the door open, got out, pushed the door closed, and ascended the steps. Taking a deep breath, he knocked.

The door opened, and Maverick's heart raced as he saw tears streaming down Parker's flushed cheeks. He could see the pain and distress in her eyes, and his arms instinctively reached out to pull her close.

"What's wrong, baby?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Parker shook her head, unable to speak through her sobs. She clung to him, seeking comfort.

Finally, she managed to choke out the words, "My grandfather has lung cancer."

Maverick's heart dropped at the weight of those words. He knew how close Parker was to her grandfather and how much he meant to her. Without hesitation, he held her tight.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "Is he getting chemo?"

"It won't do any good," Parker replied, her voice breaking. "It's terminal. It spread so fast and now it's in his lymph nodes. He's had it for a while but didn't tell any of us. He said he didn't want to burden us." She buried her face against his chest, letting out a desperate cry.

Maverick held on to her as she sobbed against him, feeling his own heart break with every tear that fell from her eyes. He kissed the top of her head, trying to offer some small comfort in the face of such devastating news.

"Nothing can be done?" he asked softly.

Shaking her head, Parker explained, "No, it's small cell lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads faster than other types of lung cancer." She paused, struggling to hold back more tears. "Around seventy percent of small cell lung cancers have already spread by the time they're diagnosed. I don't understand all the medical jargon... all I know is that he's dying."

Maverick didn't know what to say. He couldn't even imagine what Parker was going through. All he could do was hold her tighter and be there for her.

"I'm going home, Maverick," Parker said, her voice trembling. "I have to. I have to go home."

"Home?" he echoed.

Parker nodded, tears still streaming down her face. "I want to be with him for as long as he has." Her voice caught in her throat.

Maverick looked into her eyes, seeing the determination in her eyes.

"How long will you be gone?" he asked, afraid of the answer.

"Well, that I don't know," Parker replied honestly. "As long as I need to be with him." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I'm leaving tomorrow."

Maverick's gut clenched at the thought of her leaving. He knew she wanted to be with her grandfather, but he hated the idea of being without her. He knew that sounded selfish, but she didn't even know how long she was going to be gone. Would she come back to him, or would she stay in Oregon?

He nodded, unable to find his voice. This wasn't about him, but he couldn't stop himself from whispering, "I don't want you to leave, but I know you have to."

Parker stepped back from him and looked into his eyes. "Do you think I want to leave? I don't," she said fiercely, tears still falling. "But I don't have a choice. I have to go. I want to be with him for as long as he has."

Maverick swallowed hard and nodded again, knowing that there was nothing he could do to change the situation.

Maverick's voice was barely a whisper as he spoke. "Alright," he said, his eyes locked on hers.

"I have to pack," she replied, turning away from him. But Maverick couldn't let go just yet. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around her wrist, gently pulling her back toward him.

"Do you want my help?" he asked, his tone sincere.

"No," she replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. "I just want to be left alone for now."

"I could go with you. I have vacation days—" He stopped when she shook her head.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I really need to pack." She turned away from him and disappeared down the hallway as if he wasn't standing right there.

Maverick couldn't even begin to say how much that hurt, but he nodded understandingly, though she didn't see him. After giving one last look in her direction, he walked out the door, closing it softly behind him. As he made his way down the steps and toward his truck, his mind couldn't help but replay their conversation over and over again. His heart felt heavy as he climbed inside the vehicle and started the engine. With one last glance up at her door, he began driving away from her, each mile feeling like a dagger twisting in his chest.

The next day, he worked in the barn. He tried to keep his mind off Parker, but he couldn't. He knew she was gone, and his heart ached. She hadn't even called him to tell him goodbye.

"Maverick?" Warren called out to him.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"Of course."

"About Parker leaving?"

Maverick sighed. He should have known Warren and Wes would know since Parker worked for Shay. He shook his head.

"I have no luck in love," he said.

"What happened?"

Maverick removed his work gloves, stuck them in his back pocket, folded his arms, and looked at Warren.

"I'm sure you know about her grandfather." Warren nodded. "She's very close to him and he's dying of lung cancer. She wanted to be with him, so she went back to Oregon. I asked her if she wanted me to go with her and she said she didn't think it was a good idea. That cut to the quick, Warren."

"Damn, I'm sure it did. I thought you two were heading down the aisle."

"I love her, Warren, but if she doesn't want me around when she's going through a rough time, then apparently, I don't mean that much to her. She never mentioned coming back."

"Not at all?"

"No. I don't know what she told Shay about leaving."

"Wes said she just told her she had to go home because her grandfather was dying and asked Shay to take her cat to the animal hospital to board it."

"It all sounded so final. It was like I wasn't even there."

"Man, I hate hearing that. Give her time to be with him, and maybe once it's over, she'll come back. She loves you, Maverick. Anyone could see that."

"I thought so." He pulled his gloves back on, picked up the rake, and got back to work. He heard Warren sigh, then walk from the barn. Once he did, Maverick threw the rake across the stall, placed his hands on his hips, and hung his head. He was scared to death that she wouldn't be back.