Faithful (Whiskey Run 1)

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.”