Faithful (Whiskey Run 1)

“Okay. And you think I can calm him? You do know I just met him a couple days ago.”

“Honey, it’s worth a shot. I’ve never seen him so upset, wanting to make sure you weren’t mad at him. I swear he would’ve called himself, but I’m pretty sure his vision’s still blurry even if he won’t admit it. He’s going to do permanent damage to that hard head of his if he doesn’t listen to what the doctors are telling him.”

“Okay, I’m coming. I mean, I’ll give it a shot. I have his order too, so I’ll bring that with me.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon. Thanks, Millie. I’m gonna owe you one.”

And before I can say anything else, she’s already hung up.

I grab my purse from the desk drawer and walk out the back of the store to my truck. Everything’s already loaded, and I holler thanks to Alan before getting in and pulling out. I go by my house first. It’s a little two-bedroom house that sits on the edge of my dad’s ranch. I pack just a few things and then jump into the truck and head toward Jasper and the Yates Ranch. I’m crazy. This is probably the craziest thing I’ve ever done. It’s almost a thirty-minute drive, and I try to take that time to plan what I’m going to do, but instead all I can think about is that kiss we shared the other night.

When I pull in to the long driveway, I slow down to take it all in. My father’s ranch is nice. It’s small and well maintained. But this place is something else. There are multiple huge buildings, including a huge two-story house with a big wraparound porch. The view from here is magnificent. It’s almost like you can reach out and touch the Jasper Mountains.

Seeing the way he lives just makes me realize exactly how different we are. I make a decision, right then and there, that I’m going to drop off the order, make sure Austin’s okay, and get the heck back to my side of town.

A few cowboys spot me pulling in, and I recognize Austin immediately. I barely get stopped next to the huge metal barn before he breaks away from the group. He’s limping, holding his side. His hat is down low on his face, and he’s squinting. No doubt the afternoon sun is hurting his head.

I take a deep breath and open the door and jump down from my seat. Holding my hand up to shade my eyes, I look at him smiling back at me. “Hey, Austin. I heard you had a run-in with a horse.”

He waves his hand. “I’m fine. Better now that you’re here.”

“I have your order. Let me know where you want it, and I’ll unload it.”

“Carter!” he hollers and instantly winces. Even yelling is hurting his head. “Can you unload this?” he asks the man as he comes walking up to us.

“Sure thing, boss,” the man named Carter says as he stops beside us. “So you must be Millie?”

I look between Austin and the man named Carter, a little surprised that he knows my name. “I am. I’m from the Whiskey Run Farmers Co-Op.” I hold my hand out to him, and I swear I hear Austin growl. He must really be hurting. Carter squeezes my hand and smiles at me.

“And she’s taken,” Austin snarls.

My eyes snap to Austin, and a tremble shoots down my back. His heated glance is trained on me, and my nipples harden at the rough sound of his voice. “I, uh...”

Carter laughs. “Trust me. I could have guessed that for how much you talked about her today.” He rolls his eyes and walks to the bed of my truck. “I hope since you’re here you can get him inside where he’s supposed to be.”

“Really, Carter. This is my ranch. It’s my name on the gate at the end of the driveway... I’m pretty sure if I want to stand outside on my ranch I can do it.”

Obviously, Austin is not a good patient. I point to the load in my truck. “Carter, do you want my help unloading...”

“You’re not unloading shit. I’ll be damned if I’m going to have my woman unload my order...”

The way he says “my woman” sends a little thrill through me, but his words still agitate me. I cock my hip out and put my hand on it. “I’ll have you know that I can do anything a man can. As a matter of fact, I can usually do it better.” I turn to Carter. “No offense, Carter.”

Carter hollers from the back of my truck, “None taken.”

When I turn back around, Austin is standing toe to toe with me. He puts one hand on my cheek and the other one at my waist. “I have no doubt about that. The fact is, I don’t want you to. Not when you’ve got me right here to share the load.”