Total pages in book: 12
Estimated words: 11309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 57(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 57(@200wpm)___ 45(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
I’m about to suggest we get out of here so I can show her exactly how much I want her, but I’ve waited this long, and I want to do things right. “Come on. There are people I want you to meet.”
I walk her around the party introducing her to everyone. She meets Walker, the man that owns a large portion of the businesses in Whiskey Run, along with the compound and rehab center for wounded soldiers. Daisy surprises me when she’s shaking his hand. “Oh, you must know Jason Hawk then.”
Walker nods his head. “Yep, he works for me. Great man.”
Daisy just smiles. “He’s engaged to one of my very good friends.” When she sees me looking at her curiously, she adds, “He’s Olivia’s fiancé.”
I nod, and then we move on through the crowd. When I spot the principal of Whiskey Run Elementary, I make a beeline for the woman. “Mrs. Peters, hello. I have someone I’d like to introduce you to.”
I step to the side. “Daisy, this is Mrs. Peters. She’s the principal of the elementary school I told you about.”
They shake hands, and Mrs. Peters takes it from there. “Well, Daisy, it’s so nice to meet you. Cash informed me that you were going to be moving to Whiskey Run and would hopefully be a long-time resident. We are always looking for teachers. I do hope you consider doing your student teaching with us.”
Daisy’s mouth drops, and she looks at me. “You were serious about that?”
I squeeze her hand that I’ve not been able to let go of. “Absolutely.”
She thanks Mrs. Peters. “Well, I’ll definitely think about it. The spring semester starts in January, so I’ll have to decide soon.”
“Well, if it helps any, Whiskey Run is a special place to live. You would love it here.”
Daisy interrupts her. “Oh absolutely. I’ve always loved visiting and wished that I could live here.”
She purses her lips as soon as the words are out as if she’s said too much. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and tuck her against my side. “Well, I hope to help make that happen. Now, if you’ll excuse us, there are a few other people I would like to introduce Daisy to.”
She nods, and I walk away with Daisy tucked against my side. We only get a few steps and she stops. Her hand goes to my chest. “Cash, I need to go to the ladies’ room. Can you excuse me?”
She almost looks panicked, and I tip her chin up to search her eyes. “Are you okay? I can go with you.”
She forces out a laugh. “I think I can go to the ladies’ room on my own. I’ll be right back.”
She pats me on the chest and pulls her hand from mine. I watch her walk away and am about to follow her when the mayor comes to talk to me. I know that look. She’s overwhelmed. I’ll give her five minutes and then I’m going to go find her. “So what’s been happening downtown?” I ask the man in front of me.
5
DAISY
I can’t stop smiling. I’m sure everyone I pass thinks I’m a lunatic, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop. He wants me. Cash Wyatt, the man I’ve dreamed about for the last five years, says he wants me. I had to walk away. It was either that or ask him to take me right there in the room full of people. No, I’m going to go splash some water on my face, cool myself down, and then try to make it through the rest of the night without throwing myself at the handsome cowboy.
I use the bathroom, wash my hands, and am just walking out when a woman stops in front of me. “Hello. You’re Daisy, right?”
The woman has grabbed my hand and is holding it between us in a tight grasp. “Yeah, I’m Daisy.”
She’s beautiful and polished-looking and I feel inadequate standing in front of her. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
She laughs, but it doesn’t sound as if it’s a friendly laugh. “Oh no, I’m sorry. I’m Wanda Johnson. Of the Johnson Ranch.”
At the confused look on my face, she goes on. “The big sprawling ranch next to this one.”
I nod my head and try to hide the displeased look. I’ve heard about her from Lucy. “Right, right. I’m sorry. Well, it was nice to meet you, Wanda, but I really must get back.”
“Actually, I wanted to meet you because I’m a friend of Cash’s.”
The way she says friend tells me what kind of friend she is with Cash. “Anyway, he told me that he had to entertain his little sister’s friend, so I thought I better say hello while I could. I’m sure he’ll be whisking me away after the party for a nightcap.”