by Hope Ford
“I’m here to see Millie.”
The voice is one I don’t recognize, and I slide my chair a little to the side so I can see out the opened door into the store. I almost choke on a piece of lettuce when I recognize the hot cowboy I just saw minutes ago at the diner.
Mike moves and blocks my view. I can hear him talking. “I’m the manager here. Anything you need or have a question about should be directed to me.”
I roll my eyes and stand up, wiping my already sweaty palms down the front of my pants. I walk toward the door. “I’m Millie. How can I help you?” I ask the stranger.
He smiles when he notices me and bypasses Mike without another glance. “Hey, can we talk for a minute?”
“Uh, sure, come on in.” I gesture to the seat in front of my desk and walk around to the other side. I need to put some distance—and my desk—between us. My mind is going a million miles a minute, wondering what he wants with me.
“I’m Austin, Austin Yates. I saw you at Red’s.”
I know I’m blushing, and I know it’s not pretty. Some people blush, and it brings out their complexion and makes them even prettier. I’m not that kind of woman. I blush and it looks like I just ran five miles and overexerted myself. “Yeah, I saw you.” I stutter the words and clear my throat, hoping he doesn’t notice how he’s affecting me. Obviously I was wrong. I need more than a desk between us because even now the room feels ten degrees hotter.
He opens the bag he’s carrying and sets a small carton in front of me. “Well, I brought you this.”
With a lump in my throat, I ask, “You brought this for me?”
“Yeah, I wanted you to have it.”
I almost giggle, but I hold it in. This man with the handsome face, kind eyes and big smile brought me something. But just as soon as my excitement starts to rise, my delight fades in an instant. “Why?”
He shakes his head as if he’s confused by the question. I mean, it’s understandable. I don’t know this man. Why would he bring me something? “Yeah, why would you bring me something? You don’t know me.”
He scoots the chair up to the desk and leans his elbows on it. “Maybe because I want to get to know you.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I’m not the girl that most people flirt with. Actually, I have zero experience with flirting. So instead of answering him, I open the carton, and my stomach drops. It’s the apple cinnamon Blaze cake. The one that Violet and I were talking about. The one where I told her I couldn’t eat it because I was on a diet. My weight has always been an issue, and there’s no doubt the man heard the whole conversation.
I close the box and try to give him my best smile. “Thank you.”
He shakes his head. “I thought you liked that kind of cake.”
“I do. Thank you, really. I appreciate it.” I see Mike’s head as he keeps popping up in my doorway and the window, no doubt wondering what the man wants with me that he couldn’t help him with. He looks as if he’s biting at the bit to get in here.
I’m about to get up and show Austin to the door when he interrupts me. “I know this is awkward, but this is me. I don’t know any other way to be. I saw you at Red’s. I think you’re pretty and man, if you bring out the protective side of Violet like you do, you have to be a good person. I want to get to know you. Would you have dinner with me?”
I almost laugh because I can just imagine the conversation he had to have with Violet in order to get any information about me. But even though he’s handsome, I can’t just go out with a stranger. “I normally don’t go out with men I just met.”
His eyes darken. “That’s good. I wouldn’t want you to.” He looks almost possessive, as if the thought of me going out with someone else bothers him. I don’t have time to dwell on it before he continues. “So what do you want to know about me? I own the Yates ranch, it’s out on the edge of town right before you get to Jasper. It’s been in my family for fifty years. I have a camp in the summer to help inner city teens. I donate to the children’s wing of the hospital in Jasper. I’m kind to animals.” His smile deepens as he stares into my eyes. “And I just found out today that I’m a sucker for a woman with long black hair, brown eyes, and a pretty smile.”
My mouth falls open. It’s on the very tip of my tongue to say yes. Gosh, whatever he wants I would give in this moment. He’s definitely charming. But something stops me. “So what are you doing in Whiskey Run today?”
“I’m here to meet with your dad, Rusty. I actually am late for our appointment, but I had to stop and see you first.”
As soon as he says my dad’s name, I freeze. The smile stiffens on my face, my arms lock on my chest, and I’m pretty sure a corner of my heart just froze over too. “Wait, you have an appointment with my dad? That’s why you’re here?”
This time I do get up. I put my chair in front of me trying to put even more distance between us and squeeze the back of it. Of course I’m not going out with him. He’s just another man—another Mike—that thinks dating me is going to get him something from my dad. I should have known that the handsome man that shows up out of the blue wouldn’t be interested in me. That doesn’t happen in my world.
He stands up too and holds his hands out. “I’m here to see you, but yes, I have a meeting with your dad also.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, I’m sorry, I don’t date men that are doing business with my dad.”
He brings his hands together in front of him and nods. “Fine, I won’t do business with your dad.”
I gasp. Surely, he’s joking. I mean, I just met the man, but surely he’s just saying that. I walk to the office door quickly and out of it. Austin follows me. It was either that or he was going to be left alone in my office. I walk quickly to the back of the store where my dad’s office is. I don’t even have to turn to know that Austin is on my heels. It’s like I can feel his gaze on my ass the whole way. I stop before I get to the door, not wanting my dad to overhear. “Look, I won’t be the reason my dad loses a client. But I’m also not going to go out with you. I just went through a breakup, and I’m not ready to start dating. So... my dad’s been waiting for you. I think he plans on getting home soon, so you can see yourself in.” I point to the door and walk away. Without stopping, I look over my shoulder. “Thanks again for the cake.”
I stride back to my office, hoping that Austin goes through with the meeting. Yeah, I definitely would have liked to get to know him better, but not now. And I have a perfect reminder of why not as Mike follows me back to my office. “What is Austin Yates doing here? Did you not tell him I’m the manager of the store and he should be talking to me?”
I stop and block him from entering my office. “He has a meeting with my dad, the owner of the store. Now don’t you have something to do?” I tell him right before I slam the door in his face.
I take a seat at my desk and stare at the container of cake. Opening a drawer, I shove it in there and then put my head in my hands. Geez, is this day almost over or what?
Austin
Well, that didn’t go as planned. I’m not used to being turned down. I’m not being arrogant about it, but normally I have women asking me out instead of me asking them, so the fact that Millie flat-out told me no is a little surprising.
And honestly, I thought she was interested. At least until I mentioned her dad. There’s obviously something going on there. I watch as she walks back to her office just as that manager Mike walks beside her. I don’t like him, and I definitely don’t like how he walks so close to Millie.
I take a deep breath. I’m already late for my meeting, and I know that’s not making a very good impression. The fact that I want the man to like me surprises me a little. I normally don’t care about shit or niceties like that. People can take me or leave me. But I know why I care. I’m going to need him on my side I think if I want to get close to his daughter.
I walk to the closed door and knock. A mere second goes by, and I hear him say, “Come in.”
He’s sitting
in a chair with an almost empty plate of food in front of him. “Hello, Mr. Ogle. I’m Austin Yates. I’m sorry I’m late.”
He waves me off. “No worries. I just finished my lunch. Have a seat. You can call me Rusty. I’m curious why you wanted to set up this meeting today.”
I take a seat and look at the big man behind the desk. The only similarities between him and his daughter is the color of his hair and shape of his eyes. I clear my throat and try to focus on the business at hand.
“You can call me Austin. As I mentioned on the phone, I own the Yates ranch.”
“Yeah, I know the one. It’s out at the edge of Whiskey Run.”
I nod. “That’s right. And I’ve always done my business at the Jasper Farmers Co-op. I would like to set up an account here.”
He shakes his head. “Jasper must be doing something wrong. You’re the third ranch this week to move their accounts here.”
I shrug, not wanting to dis the company. They’ve changed owners, and the service and product quality has gone way down, but I don’t want to get into all that. “If you have a credit app you need me to fill out, I can do that. I’ll have a foreman and myself that places orders.”
Rusty waves me off. “Austin, I knew everything I needed to know about you when I got off the phone with you the other day. I don’t need a credit app to tell me anything. I’ve already learned you’re honest to a fault, a hard worker and take pride in your ranch. I can’t ask for more than that in a client.”
I sit back in my seat. I was nervous about moving my accounts to Whiskey Run, but already I know it’s the right decision. Rusty Ogle is my kind of people. “Great. I appreciate that. If it’s okay, I would like to see a price list. We have some special orders we make, and I can get you that information.”
Rusty nods his head. “Sure, sure. My daughter, Millie, takes care of all the ordering. She’ll be able to help you.”
At the mention of his daughter, it hits me then what I need to do. I just met her, but already it’s important to me that I take the right step. “Actually, that’s something I would like to talk to you about.”
He squints in confusion.
“I mean, your daughter, sir.”
“Do you know my daughter?”
I nod and shrug at the same time. “Well, I actually just met her. I brought her a piece of cake.”
He sits back in his seat. “You brought her a piece of cake?”
At this point, I know I have to just put it all out there. “Yes, sir. Uh, I actually saw her at the diner. She turned down cake and she really seemed like she wanted it, so I bought a piece and brought it to her. I, uh, asked her out, sir, and she told me no.”
His face has no expression. I don’t know what I’m going to do if he decides not to do business with me, but I’m not even really concerned about that. I’m more concerned about the fact that he may just kick me out of here and tell Millie that I’m some kind of stalker and to stay away from me.
He finally leans forward. “Did she happen to tell you why she wouldn’t go out with you?”
I move to the edge of my seat. “Yeah, she doesn’t want to go out with someone that is doing business with her father or the co-op.”
He throws his hands in the air. “So you gave up... chose the business instead of going out with my daughter.”
I laugh then, because that can’t be further than the truth. “Actually, I told her I would take my business elsewhere then.”
I wait for him to be offended, but he’s not. His eyes spark at me, and I can’t help but feel like I passed some kind of test. “Actually, she seemed worried about me being late for this meeting... that you needed to get home. But no, sir, I’m not giving up on your daughter. I would like to take her out.”
He doesn’t even hesitate. “Why? Why do you want to take out my daughter?”
My thoughts instantly go to her curvy body, how she’s sexy but doesn’t seem to realize it, and the excitement I saw her in her eyes when I first asked her out. But none of that I can say to her dad of all people. “She doesn’t seem to smile a lot. But when she does, it about takes my breath away. I want to see if I can make her smile more.”
He’s quiet, as if he’s weighing my words before suddenly he bangs his hands on his desk and stands up. “Right answer. Now let’s go get you a date.”
“Uh, sir—” I try to stop him. The thought of him playing matchmaker fills my head, and I know nothing good will come from that.
“Rusty. Call me Rusty.”
I follow behind him. “Rusty, I don’t think it’s going to go well if you force her to go out with me.”
“I’m not going to force her. She’ll have the final say-so. But Austin, let me tell you this. I don’t care how much business you give me. If you hurt my daughter, nothing will save you.”
It’s as if I can actually feel my heart palpitate at the thought of hurting Millie. “I won’t hurt her, sir. You have my word.”
He holds his hand out, and I know when I put my hand in his, it’s not just a handshake. It’s a commitment I’m making. And instead of being unsure or overwhelmed, I welcome it.
I shake his hand, and he turns again. “Follow me.”
Instead of trying to stop him again, I see the smirk on his face and follow along. I sort of can’t wait to see what the old man has up his sleeve.
He knocks on Millie’s open door and walks in. “Millie, Austin here is with Yate’s ranch. We need to get an idea of what all he needs and how much. He mentioned some special orders. I told him you would get all the information together and meet him tomorrow night to go over it all. Red’s Diner okay for you. Around six?”
Millie’s eyes are open wide, and she’s looking between her dad and me. I force myself to look as innocent as possible, but I know she can see that something is up.
She frowns and hesitates. “Uh, we can just meet here.”
I’m about to agree. It doesn’t matter to me, I’ll pick up dinner on the way to meet her wherever she wants to meet, but her dad interrupts. “He’s working all day, honey, and he can’t make it here until dinner time. But if you don’t feel comfortable doing it, I can just stay late tomorrow and go over it all with him.”
Rusty leans heavily against the cabinet, and I almost laugh. The man is good, and before I can even fathom that he’s pulling a quick one over his daughter, I can tell she knows what he’s up to. She looks at me accusingly, but I just shrug and smile. The ball is in her court, but I have a feeling she’s not going to tell her dad no.
“Sure, Dad. I’ll take care of it.”
Rusty straightens up and puts a hand on my shoulder. “Great, thanks, Millie. C’mon, Austin, you can walk me out and you can tell me some more about what all you need.” He looks at Millie. “I’ll fill you in on everything in the morning.”
Before he can hustle me out the door, I glance at Millie. “I’ll see you tomorrow night. Be safe, honey.”
Her eyes flash at the endearment, making me wish we were alone and I could just watch her face as I call her other sweet names to figure out which one she likes the best.
“Bye, Austin,” she says softly.
Already, I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.
3
Millie
It’s not too late. My dad may have already left for the day, but I can still have Mike come down and meet Austin at Red’s. He’d probably love it. He’s pestered me all day about the Yates Ranch and if he’s going to get the commission for acquiring the new business. I told him to talk to Dad.
I slow my pace as I walk down the block. My dad filled me in on some of the things Austin needs, but I’m sure he missed some of it since he didn’t write any of it down. I grip the folder in my hand and swing open the door. Violet has already left for the day, and I find a booth in the corner and sit down. It’s probably good Violet is not here. I was on the phone with her all of last night because she wanted the details of what happened when Austin brought me the cake. She gave me the lecture on h
ow I shouldn’t judge all men. They’re not all like Mike, she said. But luckily once she got on the subject of Mike, she couldn’t stop. She really doesn’t like that man. Probably as little as I do.
I order a water from the server and let her know I’m waiting on someone else. The restaurant is getting crowded with the dinner rush, which makes me cringe a little knowing that there’s a possibility I’m going to be the talk of the town... again.
I go through the file in my hand, making sure I know the ins and outs of what we’re going to discuss. I people watch and when I get tired of that, I pick up my phone. It’s six-fifteen, and I look outside just in time to see Austin jogging up the sidewalk. He opens the door and stands there as he looks around the restaurant. He looked good yesterday, but if possible, he looks even better today. He’s got his cowboy hat on and tight blue jeans on. His thighs are thick, and goodness, I couldn’t take my eyes off him even if I wanted to. As soon as he spots me, his lips widen, and his white teeth look even whiter since he seems like he’s covered in a film of dirt. He strides across the restaurant, and almost every head, especially the women, turn and watch him. He slides into the booth across from me, and it’s then I remember that I have my mouth hanging open, and I slam it shut.
“I’m sorry I’m late. It’s been one of those days.”
I tilt my head to the side and really look at him. Up close, he looks tired and worn out, but he’s still smiling. “You look like you had a rough day.”
“Yeah, things didn’t go as planned.”
“We can reschedule,” I tell him. And even though I doubted going through with this meeting the whole day, I would admittedly be upset if he took me up on the offer to cancel it.
“No way. Unless you’re embarrassed to be sitting across from me right now.” He looks down at himself and slaps at his shirt as dust goes flying. He coughs and laughs. “Actually, I wouldn’t blame you if you were.”
