Page 5 of The Rancher's Second-Choice Wife

"Oh, um..." Poppy wished there was a way for her to rewind the time and do things again. Or if not that, then maybe God could somehow wipe this woman's memory of the past ten seconds?

"I'm Heather, Mr. Rossfield's secretary."

Poppy started to apologize, but the other woman was already walking away.

"If you'd follow me, please?"

Poppy started to walk but ended up half-running to match the other woman's brisk, long-legged pace.

"Security took some time to clear your credentials," Heather informed her as they stepped inside one of the building's high-speed elevators, "so I'm afraid we'll need to hurry."

Poppy had no chance to answer, with the elevator doors already opening, and Heather immediately striding out.

"You're younger than what we're used to, and we usually don't allow on-the-spot replacements like this."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, so no need to apologize. Also, Mr. Rossfield is exceptionally busy today, and that's the only reason we're letting this slide."

Poppy did her best to focus on Heather's words, but her surroundings were proving to be quite a distraction. One side of the high-ceilinged corridors was entirely made of glass, and the city views outside it were magnificent.

"I trust you'll let your superior know this can't happen again."

Poppy nearly bumped into the other woman's back when Heather suddenly stopped walking.

"Are we clear on that?"

Heather opened the door at the end of the hallway as she spoke, and Poppy, instead of nodding as she planned, ended up gaping instead.

Why in the world had Heather taken her to a helipad?

"Just in time,” the woman said in a voice underscored by satisfaction.

Poppy followed Heather out in a daze, and her heart was practically pounding in rhythm with the thudding beat of giant rotor blades whirring furiously overhead.

"You have thirty minutes to give Mr. Rossfield a trim," Heather yelled over the noise as a larger-than-life chopper began its descent.

What? Seriously? Where? How?

"He'll be flying to Austin from here. You'll join him aboard, of course."

Of course? What did Heather mean by 'of course'? Or was that 'of course...I'm joking?'

"That will give you approximately forty-five minutes to work with."

Poppy pinched herself, and when this wasn't enough to wake her up, she gave her cheek a little...hard...slap.

But she still didn't wake up.

"Don't worry, Ms. Cortez."

Poppy glanced up in time to see the other woman's lips curve with the smallest of smiles.

"I have a good feeling about you. I'm sure you'll handle yourself just fine...but only for as long as you keep one thing in mind."

Poppy's mind started working on overdrive. Was Heather going to give her tips about not being airsick aboard a helicopter? She had only flown once in her life, but maybe riding economy on a commercial plane was entirely different. Or maybe gravity could affect her trimming skills when airborne and—-

"Valerian Rossfield has a girlfriend. So please act accordingly."

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