Page 143 of When We Burn

Nodding, I tap my card to the screen, paying for my order. “Yeah, I’m full, too.”

“How’s the guest ranch doing?” she asks, leaning against the counter as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“It’s both great and a pain in my ass.” I sip my coffee, enjoying the way that first jolt hits my system. “I’ll get it figured out with time.”

“I know you will.” Millie winks at me and then turns her attention to more customers. I walk across the room to where the coffee shop opens to the bookstore and stop cold at the vision in front of me.

She’s a little thing, probably no taller than my chest, but at six foot five, most women are significantly shorter than I am. She’s dainty, with fire-red hair and freckles on her flawless face. Her profile shows me a perfectnose and a strong chin, and she’s reading the back of a book, swaying side to side as if she hears music in her head.

Before I can approach her, my phone rings, and I scowl at Brad’s name.

“Beck here,” I say, turning away to look out the window.

“Boss, we need you to come back out here.” When he describes the shit show that’s just gone down at my ranch, I sigh and hang my head.

One fucking hour.That’s all I wanted.

“Be back in twenty.”

I hang up and turn back to see if I can talk to the redheaded beauty, but she’s gone. And I don’t see her when I do a quick scan of the shop.

Not that I have time to date anyone.

With a shake of my head, I push out of the bookstore, frustrated all over again. Adding on to the ranch was meant to be beneficial to the farm and to me.When will something go right in my fucking life?

---