Rusty rubs his beard. “What do you think, Millie?”
She leans back into my warmth. “Dad, if Austin says he’s good, then I believe him.”
Rusty agrees with her. “All right, have him come in tomorrow.”
“Sir, we’re going to dinner, but I can stick around and help out with Mike if you want before I go,” I offer. A part of me is hoping he wants my help because I’d like to get in another lick or two. Another part of me is ready to get Millie out of here and away from the asshole.
I’m not surprised when Rusty turns down my offer. “Thanks, but I can handle Mike.”
Millie hugs her dad bye, and I walk with her hand in hand to the front to grab her purse out of her office. As we’re walking out, she has a tight grip on my hand. We pass Mike, and she holds me even tighter. I give her a quick smile before turning to Mike. “Rusty needs to see you.”
Mike, with blood on his shirt and still wiping at his nose, frowns at us. But as soon as we get out the door, I ask Millie, “We have reservations at the Peddler. You want to walk there or drive?”
With her eyes lit up, she says, “It’s going to be a nice night. Let’s just walk.”
I tuck her under my arm. “You’re right, sugar. It’s going to be a nice night.”
7
Millie
He’s so calm. I saw the blood on Mike’s shirt. I know he and Austin must have fought, but Austin is completely composed and seemingly unruffled. Not me, though. I’m a case. I’m actually freaking out a little. We sit down to eat at Peddler. The décor is farmhouse with big country style tables, and they have the best steaks in Whiskey Run and Jasper combined.
“What are you having?” Austin asks as we sit down at the table.
I shrug, looking at the menu. I know exactly what I’m getting, but I feel like if I look up at him he’s going to know exactly what I’m thinking right now.
The server walks up to the table, and before she can get the whole phrase out of asking what we want to drink, I interrupt her. “Can I get a shot of the Blaze Cinnamon Whiskey and a water?”
“Sure, are you ready to order?”
“Yes. Steak, medium well and side salad.”
“Sir, what can I get you?”
Austin is staring at me as he orders. “I’ll take a water and filet, medium with a baked potato.”
Austin takes my menu and stacks it with his before handing it to the server, who retreats from the table.
As soon as the server walks away, he asks me, “Are you okay?”
I nervously giggle. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” What I want to say is I’ve never had a man stick up for me like you did, but I don’t. I keep that tidbit to myself.
Luckily, he doesn’t ask again, because the server brings back our drinks.
“Did you know that the Cinnamon Blaze Whiskey is the number one selling whiskey from the Whiskey Run Distillery? That’s what Violet uses to make her apple cake too. It’s very popular.”
I lift the small glass to my lips, and the cinnamon burns my nose as I inhale the hot scent.
I watch him as he picks up his water glass. I look between our two drinks. “Should I not be drinking?”
He shakes his head. “You can drink whatever you want. I won’t let anything happen to you or take advantage of you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I am just about to put my lips on the drink when I stop suddenly. “So if I drink this, you won’t take me home with you tonight?”
My face heats, but I don’t care. I know I was going to wait for him to make the first move, but I’m done waiting.
His eyes darken. “Do you want to come home with me tonight?”
I nod, and he takes a deep breath. “One drink. I want you sober later.”
My whole body trembles at the promise I hear in his words.
Austin
Sitting through the meal is pure torture. She can’t drop a bombshell like that and then not expect me to lose my mind. I hustle her through the meal, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Neither one of us can keep our eyes off the other, and damn if it isn’t the most sensual foreplay I’ve ever been a part of.
We’re walking back to the co-op, and she’s holding on to my arm. Her skirt is swishing around her legs as she walks, and I can barely refrain from touching her right here in the middle of town. We talk about the ranch and how well Patches is doing with people now.
“I can’t believe you tried to give me that horse, Austin.”
My voice is husky and thick. “I’d give you a dozen horses if I thought it meant you’d spend more time with me.”
When we get to the parking lot, she starts to walk to her truck, but I stop her. “Uh, uh, sugar. You’re riding with me.”
“But I have to work in the morning, and I’m sure you do too.”
But I’m already pulling her to my truck and opening the passenger door. “It doesn’t matter. You’re going with me. I’ll bring you into town tomorrow.”
She doesn’t argue. She pulls herself into my truck, and as soon as she’s seated, I shut the door and jog around to the driver’s side.
I give myself a
