Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Even knowing all that, I still can’t resist asking the waitress about her. “So, uh Millie... the woman you were talking to...” I start, hoping that she’ll get to talking without me having to actually ask the question.
But instead the waitress with the nametag that says Violet crosses her arms over her chest. She seems like she’s ready to defend her friend, and already I can tell I’m going to like this woman just for the fact that she seems like a good friend to Millie. “What about her?”
“Is she seeing anyone?”
She looks me up and down and then puts her hand on her hip. “Who wants to know? I don’t know you, and I know everyone in this town.”
“I’m Austin Yates. I own the Yates ranch at the edge of town.”
“You mean the big one as soon as you get into Jasper?”
I laugh. “Actually, the majority of my land is in Whiskey Run. I just don’t spend a lot of time in town since Jasper is closer.”
“Well, if you prefer Jasper then what are you doing here?”
I almost laugh at her question, but I can tell she’s being serious. I never answer to anyone. Most people take one look at me and don’t question me. This woman is definitely protective of her friend. “I’m in town to meet with Mr. Ogle at the Whiskey Run Co-op to talk about setting up an account.”
Violet smiles and looks me up and down. I definitely feel like I’m being judged. She crosses her arms over her chest with a smirk. “Millie works at the co-op. Her father, Rusty Ogle, owns it.”
She’s looking at me as if she’s trying to gauge my reaction, as if I have some sort of plan or something. Maybe she thought I already knew about Millie and her dad. But I can’t stop the slow smile that forms on my lips. If that’s not fate, I don’t know what is.
“Be nice to her,” she threatens as she hands me my ticket and tells me the total I owe for my lunch.
I unroll a twenty from my money clip. “You never did answer my question. Is Millie seeing anyone?”
“You’ll have to ask her that.”
I point to the dessert case. “Fair enough. I’ll take a piece of the cake too.”
“Which one? Chocolate? Or the apple cinnamon Blaze?”
“The apple,” I tell her as I set the money on the counter in front of me.
She boxes up a slice of cake and sets it in front of me before picking up the money. “Got a sweet tooth? You can’t go wrong with the apple cinnamon Blaze.”
I just shake my head. “It’s not for me.”
She gets my change out of the register and hands it to me. “Is that for Millie?” she asks, gesturing to the Styrofoam carton between us.
“Yep. She looked like she wanted it.”
She puts her hands on the edge of the counter. “Well, Mr. Austin Yates, there may be some hope for you yet then.”
I thank her for my meal and walk out of the diner with a light step. Even though I feel like I got the third degree, I at least feel like I may just have a chance with the curvy Millie Ogle. There’s no way her protective friend would give me the go ahead if not. I pick up my pace, excited to find out and see Millie again.
2
Millie
I knock on my dad’s door to his office and walk in to set his food on his desk. “Here ya go. Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”
He claps his hands and rubs them together. “Thanks, sweetie. My favorite.”
“You’re welcome. You going back to the ranch after you eat?”
“No, actually I have an appointment. Then I’ll be heading home.”
“All right, Dad, but you know the whole point of you hiring Mike as the store manager was so you could spend more time at home.”
He opens the package of food and inhales deeply. “I know. I’m going as soon as my meeting’s over.”
“Okay, love you.”
“Love you too. Thanks for the food, honey.”
I walk back to my office, completely avoiding Mike, and take a seat at my desk. I pick through my salad and wish I had just gotten the cake instead of what I ordered.
“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.