Faithful (Whiskey Run 1)

She smiles but tries to stop herself by biting her lip. Clearing her throat, she shrugs. “Well, then maybe my theory is right.”

“So, Patches, huh?”

She starts to stutter. “I mean, that’s just what I called her when I was talking to her. I’m not trying to name your horse or anything. You should pick out her name.”

I take a step closer to her, real slow like. When Patches doesn’t seem to mind, I take another step. “Sounds to me like she’s your horse now.”

“I can’t take your horse.”

I reach up and brush the hair off her face. “She’s yours. But you’ll have to come here and see her.”

She puts her hand on her hip. “You don’t just give people horses, Austin.”

“I’m not giving people a horse. I’m giving my girlfriend a horse.”

“Girlfriend?”

I lean in and nuzzle my mouth right next to her ear. “Girlfriend.” I can’t resist, so I kiss the lobe of her ear, and she gasps. My shaft hardens in my jeans, but all the pain in the world is going to be worth it for this curvy woman that has already turned my world upside down.

“Let’s get Patches settled, then we’ll get some breakfast.”

She leans up on her tiptoes and kisses me on the lips. I don’t react because this is the first time she’s reached for me, and I don’t want to scare her. I know I have the goofiest smile on my face. “What was that for?”

Her eyes are clouded in desire, and I’m doing my best not to stare at her erect nipples pressing against her shirt. With a thickness to her voice, she says, “I just wanted to kiss my boyfriend. Is that all right?”

“Baby, you can kiss me any time you want.”

6

Millie

A week. It’s been a week since I rode Patches that morning and Austin called me his girlfriend. He’s called and texted me every day, sometimes just sending me pictures from his ranch and a lot of times pictures of Patches.

He hasn’t been able to drive, so he’s had one of his hands bring him into town, and we’ve had lunch at the diner a few times or just walked around town holding hands. It’s already all over Whiskey Run, and people are asking me about my new boyfriend. Normally, I hate being the center of attention, but Austin has brought out the confidence in me, and I smile and introduce him around town.

My dad and Austin have hit it off. Probably because they have the ranches in common. They can talk for hours about auctions, the price of feed going up, and all the other things you face on a ranch.

I keep waiting for Austin to try and take our relationship to the next level. But besides the several kisses, he’s been a complete and utter gentleman. Which, to be honest, is a little worrisome. I’m ready to take our relationship to the next level, but there’s no way I can tell him that. I’m definitely going to have to let him take the lead.

This morning he was cleared from the doctor, so he asked me out to dinner to celebrate. There’s no way I was going to say no. I’ve found myself more and more excited to spend as much time as possible with him.

We’ve grown closer with all the time we’re spending together, and the fact that we call and text throughout the day has helped me get more comfortable with the idea that maybe not all men are unfaithful. Because I’ve watched Austin. When we’re out, he only has eyes for me. All of his attention is focused on me. I’ve never been around a man as affectionate and attentive as him.

Lost in thought, I’m staring at my computer screen, knowing I have more work to do, but I can barely concentrate knowing Austin should be here any time.

A knock on my open door brings a smile to my face. I’m of course expecting Austin, but it’s Alan. “Hey, boss. Can you come and look at a shipment real quick?”

I stand up and follow behind him. “Sure thing.” In passing, I see Mike and ask him to let Austin know I’ll be right back if he shows up.

Mike just grunts at me. If anyone has had a problem with my relationship with Austin, it’s been Mike. He’s made sure in every way possible to bring me down and to try and make me feel insecure. I’ve forced myself to ignore him. I’m not worried about what Mike thinks about anything.

Austin

I’m crazy about her. She’s all I want. The only thing I think about anymore. I’m walking into the co-op and bypass Mike to go straight to Millie’s office. When I see she’s not there, I turn to Mike. “Hey, you seen Millie?”

“Yeah, she had to go out back for a minute. She said she’ll be right back.”