Page 11 of The Rancher's Jilted Bride

"Uh..." His hardened tone had the younger man visibly flustered, but Hale didn't give a damn. "I...uh...about an hour, sir?"

"Tell her I expect her in my office in sixty-two minutes then." Hale's jaw clenched. "And if she's even a single second late, she can consider herself fired."

Heaven

FEAR NOT, HEAVEN. FEARnot! God is with you!

The words bolster my courage, but my stomach still starts churning as soon as I'm inside Aryan Hale's office.

Hilary had been very clear - almost anxious even - when she told me about her husband's close friend.

He's not just the board chairman but the Sanctuary's biggest shareholder as well,Hilary had stressed.

It's very important that you steer clear of him and not give him any reason to be upset with you.

If he chooses to terminate your employment, that's it.

You won't be able to work anywhere in Wyoming.

Everyone will know about it, and no one will be willing to hire someone who's earned his ire.

At that time, I mistakenly believed Hilary was just worried about my ability to work my butt off. And since the other woman knew I didn't exactly grow up poor, her concern had made sense.

But now that I'm standing in front of Aryan Hale himself?

Pooooooop.

The fury in his gaze is unmistakable.

But it isn't what has set my heart pounding hard against my chest.

"Take a seat."

His voice is cold and hard like steel.

But the sound of it only makes my heart race even faster...and that's what's making me panic.

I can't believe this is happening.

Please, please, please let me be imagining this.

Please.

But when I force myself to slowly meet his gaze—-

I'm dead.

It's exactly as I feared.

After almost nineteen years of existence, I realize I'm no different from my peers.

I am officially and absolutelysmitten,and with my impossibly gorgeous boss no less.

Oh, Heaven, you're so, so dead!

"Do you know why I had you called?"

I shake my head.

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