Free Parker by Maddie James Page B

so many ways, you are just like me. Let’s go into
the kitchen. I want to show you some things in process and we can
talk more.” She hooked her arm into Callie’s and took a couple of
steps. “Oh, but wait. I have an appointment with the orthopedic
surgeon at two this afternoon. Mike Attaway called right before you
arrived. I’ll need to watch the time and, well, I hate to impose,
but I was going to see if someone could take me. Are you free?”
    Callie jumped in excitement. “Of course I am!
I’ll drive you. More time to learn the Bekah’s Cottage story!”
    “Excellent. Let’s get to work.”
    ****
    Parker studied the unfamiliar vehicle coming
up the lane. At the same time, his cell phone rang in his pocket
and Murphy rounded the corner of the porch, heading in from the
barn.
    “That would be Callie,” Murphy said. “I just
told her to call you.”
    He glanced to Murphy and then to the device.
Sure enough, Callie’s name flashed on the screen. He swiped to
answer the call. “Callie?”
    “Oh good, Parker. I’m glad I caught you. Are
you home?”
    Murphy stood waiting at his left, while the
truck coming up the lane slowed and bumped over the first cattle
guard. “Yes. For a moment. What do you need?”
    “I forgot that Murphy and I have an
appointment with the wedding planner today, and I sort of promised
Reba that I would take her to the doctor this afternoon, and…”
    “Callie, I have a shit-load of things to do…”
The time was just past noon, and he had intended to head into
Livingston during the hot part of the day to take care of some
business at the bank and then with the insurance company, and there
were bills at the hospital he needed to see about….
    “I know you are busy,” she said, “but Mike
called Reba this morning and…”
    Parker bristled. “Mike called Reba?”
    “Yes. He made her an appointment with an
orthopedic surgeon.”
    “ He made the appointment?”
    “Well, I guess. He called her and told her
where it was and what time he would meet her there, so…”
    Sonofabitch . “I will take her.”
    She squealed. “Oh, thanks! We are actually on
our way. Be there in five, no probably more like three minutes.
Tell Murphy. Bye!”
    He ended the call and took a moment to tamp
down that green-eyed monster inside of him, and then he glanced at
Murphy. “Wedding planner?”
    His ranch manager nodded. “We set the date. I
didn’t think she’d want to do it this soon, with your father’s
passing and all, but Callie insisted that we get married this
summer so…”
    “So you weren’t going to let her change her
mind.”
    Murphy grinned. “No, sir. The wedding is in
August.”
    Parker grinned. Best news he’d heard in
weeks. “Hot damn.” He grabbed up Murphy’s hand, shook it, and then
bear-hugged him. “I’m happy, and Daddy would be too.”
    Murphy pursed his lips and nodded. “I’m
pretty sure of that myself.” He glanced up. “Well, there is
Callie’s SUV turning off the big road, and I guess we better see
who else that is pulling up.”
    To hell with the other vehicle. Parker needed
to get a grip before Reba got there. This thing with Mike was
getting out of hand. He was going to have to do something about
that and damned fast.
    ****
    Later that afternoon, Reba sat in the waiting
room of the orthopedic surgeon’s office waiting for her
appointment. The past couple of hours turned out to be a flurry of
activity. Now the doctor was late.
    She glanced to Parker, sitting at her left.
“I’m sorry this is taking so long. You can leave if you want, and
I’ll call you when I’m finished. I don’t mind waiting on you while
you run your errands.”
    Parker looked at her, his stoic gaze playing
over her face. “Thank you, but no. I’ll stay. Mike and I need to
have a chat.”
    “Oh.” Reba glanced down to Parker’s hands
resting on his thighs, and then she turned back to look at the
television. “Are you mad at Mike?” she added.
    He shook his head. “Now