Page 13 of Tech

I cringe as Matty, the farmhand my father employed two months ago, looks up and down at my dress, which I really regret wearing.

What I regret even more? Allowing him to pick me up.

This has to be the eighth or ninth man my father has set me up with in the past two years, and honestly, they keep getting worse.

I chose one lousy guy in my junior year of college, and he thinks he's the best chance at finding a match for me. And yet he's now set me up with a coke addict, which I'm guessing he didn’t know.

I thought fathers were supposed to scare men away from their daughters, not set them up. Maybe I was adopted, and he's trying to sell me?

I clear my throat, hoping to rid that from my stupid thoughts, because I'm literally the spitting image of both my dad and my birth momma.

As Matty stares at my body I notice something. I ask, "Is, uh, is that blood coming from your nose?"

His dark brown eyes widen in shock. His hand goes to his straight nose, and I see the moment he feels the wetness on his fingers and panic sets in.

He tries to smile but it comes out as a grimace and he stutters, "I'm, uh, just going to head to the bathroom."

I nod as he stumbles to get up and rush to the bathroom. I grab my phone, shaking my head. Quickly bringing my dad's number up, I press the green button and wait.

He answers it after the third ring.

"Hey Petal, this can't be good if you're calling me ten minutes into your date…. By the way, I'm not happy with the dress your momma chose for you to wear; it's too short."

I hum. That's definitely something we can agree on. Momma liked Matty as soon as he was employed on the farm. He did well to sweet-talk her instantly, just like every other man my father has set me up with, trying to be enthusiastic, and she really wanted this date to go well. Unfortunately, she's not gotten her wish.

"Daddy, are you aware Matty is a cokehead?" I ask, tapping my finger on the oak table. I'm fully aware he doesn't know. Otherwise, he wouldn't have hired him, but I've now had enough of this crap. I know he wants me to be happy, but why do I need a man to be happy?

I've finally graduated veterinary school and got my practice up and running. I've moved out of my family home, and sometimes my brother and/or sister will stay over. Most days, if I’ve missed dinner, Momma will show up at my door with a plate of food. Thankfully, she understands. I'm a busy woman; not only am I responsible for all of Daddy's animals on the farm, but townsfolk have also started to bring their pets to me.

Apparently, I was a big hit at Barton Vets, and the owner is preparing for retirement.

I don't have time for relationships, and I definitely don't have time for cokeheads, either.

"I…what?" my father stutters in shock.

I clear my throat, gather my bag, and say, "Yeah. He picked me up, and everything seemed alright, but halfway to the bar, his leg kept jittering, and he nearly crashed twice, Daddy, twice!"

"Shit, sweetheart, that doesn't mean he's on drugs. I, look, I know the last guy was, and I'm sorry, he was a friend's son, and they didn't tell us because they were hoping you'd be able to snap him out of it. Petal, not every person is a druggie, just…he was probably nervous."

I sigh. "I'm sorry, Daddy. You're probably right. I mean, when we sat down and there was white powder on his shirt, that could have been anything, right? And the constant sniffling is perfectly normal, right?" I raise a brow, waiting for his reply, but he doesn't say anything, so I continue, "And the blood that started dripping from his nose a few minutes ago could have just been an ordinary nosebleed?"

Daddy curses and says, "Dammit, I let him use machinery in the barn."

I snort. "Daddy, you just let him drive your daughter for a date you refused to allow me to back out of. These dates have got to stop, Daddy, please…."

He sighs. "Baby girl, I just want you to be happy."

I shake my head, seeing Matty coming back, his body shaking a little, making me wince.

Did he do another line while his nose was bleeding?

Growling, I state, "Daddy, I am happy. I've just started my business and am excited to build on it. I'm not alone; most nights, Josy or Ollie stay over. I'm happy, Daddy, please, these dates must stop; they keep getting worse, and I just want a little time…. If and when I decide to date, I will."

He's quiet for a moment before a smacking sound can be heard, making me snort. Then he grunts, "Fine, I'll stop trying to set you up. Do you want me to come pick you up?"

I chuckle a little. "No. I've already ordered an Uber. I'll see you tomorrow, Daddy. Go ice that head. I know Momma just smacked it."

He grunts then murmurs, "An uber, a fucking uber," before another smack echoes through the line. He barks, "Woman, stop slapping me!” making me grin. Then he says to me, “Okay. Love you, Petal, and uh, do me a favor, tell the prick he's not welcome on the property. The jackass is fired."

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