A Day Off Cut Short

I need time for myself.

What Haven makes me feel, what he makes me forget every time we’re together, what I do when he’s near and what I’d like to do to him—none of it is helping my work.

Everything they taught us in law school and everything I’ve learned in the years working with my father counts for nothing when Haven touches me.

I’ve tried to make him understand that this isn’t right, that it’ll hurt us in the long run, but he’s turned my own words against me and now he’s more determined than ever to win me over.

He made that clear last night.

And no matter how much I try to deny it, I know he could manage it easily.

With him everything is more intense—he makes me feel more alive than ever and that’s a drug no one can resist. That’s why I need to get away from Haven.

I need to stop thinking about him and focus on what I came here to do, but in this town it’ll be impossible because everything reminds me of him.

So I grab my car as soon as I finish breakfast and leave town without telling anyone where I’m going.

If I did, I’m sure Haven would find out and the plan to escape would be pointless.

Maybe a day to myself, away from everyone, will help me focus on the work and on how I’m going to get Mr. Odell to agree to hear my proposal.

I’m willing to negotiate with him—I’d even grant him a concession I’ve never offered anyone else, just because of the story Haven told me about his mother.

I know it’s not orthodox, but I don’t care if it means closing the deal and leaving town.

My objectivity went out the window a long time ago.

I know I should call my father and ask him to send someone else in my place, but that would be a failure for me—and my first one at that.

I don’t want to start letting him down so soon.

What am I saying? I never want to let him down.

My father built this company from nothing, overcoming hundreds of obstacles and giving up many things, but he never quit.

I admire him for it and I want to show him I’m just like him.

That nothing can beat me. I won’t accept less. I’d be ashamed of myself if I did.

As I drive farther from town, my determination to achieve my goal grows. Barnaby isn’t the first tough nut I’ve had to crack and I know I’ll change his mind. As for Haven, I just need to remember to say no to everything except what’s good for the firm.

“Pretend he’s Carson,” I tell myself, looking for my eyes in the rearview mirror for a moment. “Even though he’s not. Just ignore your body, Debra.”

When I look back at the road, a deer standing right in the middle of it scares me half to death.

I stomp on the brake with both feet, as if that’ll stop the car faster.

At the last second, to avoid hitting it, I yank the steering wheel and veer off the road.

When I open my eyes—I’d closed them instinctively—I see the deer walking away as majestically as it is calmly, while I try to control my breathing and keep my heart from leaping out of my mouth.

“Oh my God!” I exhale hard and rest my forehead against the steering wheel.

When I feel calm enough, I step out to assess the damage.

The deer came out unscathed, but I can’t say the same for my convertible.

Even if I could get it out of the ditch—which I won’t be able to—I doubt it would get very far because, even with my rudimentary knowledge of mechanics, I know that’s not the correct position for the front right wheel.

If it were a person, I’d say it just broke its arm.

“Just what I needed.” I kick the wheel in frustration and the only thing I accomplish is hurting my foot. “Shit.”

“If you kick harder you might manage to straighten it.”

I let out a scream and spin toward whoever just spoke behind me.

I find a man looking at me with amusement.

He has tousled blond hair and two days’ worth of stubble that makes him look sexy.

He also has the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.

For a moment, I lose myself in his gaze and can’t form a word.

Only when his smile widens do I snap out of it.

“If a kick could fix it,” I say at last, “I’d give it a few more.”

“I’m afraid you wouldn’t accomplish anything.” He approaches me with feline movements, but they seem so natural I can picture this being his normal way of walking. “Except maybe a bruised foot.”

“And releasing tension.” I shrug.

“There are more pleasurable activities for that.” He winks at me as he walks past.

He goes over to the car for a thorough inspection.

I watch him in silence and can’t help admiring his backside.

Impossible not to when he’s crouching right in front of me, putting it enticingly on display.

He’s wearing a very fine suit, though he must have left the jacket in his car because he’s only got the pants and shirt.

His shoes—immaculate until a moment ago—are expensive.

Whoever he is, he has considerable purchasing power.

And if his clothes didn’t tell me, the BMW convertible he’s driving would.

“Can it be fixed?” I ask him.

“If I knew anything about cars, I could tell you.” He gives me another dazzling smile.

“And what exactly have you been doing, then?” I raise an eyebrow and cross my arms.

“Trying to impress you.” He wipes his hands on his pants without caring about the stains. “But I see I’ve failed miserably.”

“Men…”

I throw my hands up and walk over to the car to retrieve my bag. I’ll call a tow truck, which is what I should have done from the start. We’re in the middle of nowhere, so it’ll take forever to find me, but I have no other choice. The sooner I call, the sooner I can get back to civilization.

“Where are you from?” he asks while I’m searching for the insurance number on my phone.

“More like, where am I coming from,” I clarify. “The town next door.”

“What’s a woman like you doing in a place like that?” I look at him seriously, and he smiles. “I say that because it’s not exactly a tourist destination.”

“I’m there on business.”

“It’s not like there are many job opportunities there either.”

“I’m not looking for a job—I’m trying to create them,” I explain without actually looking at him. “Great, no signal out here.”

“That’s normal in this area.” He offers me his hand. “Come on. I’ll give you a ride. We’ll talk to Rocko so he can come get your car. He’ll have it good as new. Best mechanic around.”

“You mean the only mechanic,” I correct. I lock the car and follow the man to his. As much of a stranger as he is, either I go with him or I stay here alone until someone else comes by. And I doubt that’ll happen anytime soon.

“That too.” He laughs.

“Do you know the town?” I ask.

“Born and raised there. Had to leave for work, but I come to visit whenever I can.”

“It’s not a town that offers great opportunities for building a future,” I admit.

“At least not on a large scale,” he agrees. “The city is the way to go if you want to satisfy your ambitions.”

“I’m hoping to change that very soon.”

“Don’t tell me you’re looking to invest in the town.”

“My father wants to partner with Odell Textiles.”

“Good luck with that.” He whistles before speaking. “Barnie’s a tough nut to crack.”

“Do you know him? What a stupid question,” I answer myself. “Of course you do. In that town you’re all like one big happy family.”

“And not so happy. Having your neighbors know your every move isn’t always ideal.”

“I suppose not.”

“Have you talked to Haven yet?” I tense when I hear his name, but he doesn’t seem to notice. “He might be easier to persuade.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Every time I come back, I try to convince him to come with me,” he adds, confirming what I’ve told him. “But he sees it as some kind of disloyalty to his father or something. He’s going to waste away there.”

“If I can get Mr. Odell to sign the agreement, maybe you’ll finally be able to take him.”

“Are you going to fire everyone?”

“I just make the deals—the rest isn’t my business.” He looks at me with distrust. “As far as I know, we’ve never fired anyone. We want the company to grow and turn a profit, but never at the expense of the local people.”

“No offense, but aren’t you a bit young for that much responsibility?”

“Says the guy who’s fifty.”

“I could be a pizza delivery man.” He grins shamelessly.

“Sure. How many pepperonis did you sell to buy yourself that suit?” I point at his clothes. “Or this car?”

“All right, you got me.” He doesn’t seem embarrassed by his little fib because he keeps smiling. “And you’re right—experience doesn’t always come with age.”

“Thank you.” I tilt my head toward him and he smiles again.

“I’m curious. How did you end up in a ditch?”

“I didn’t want to become a deer killer. I’m sure Mr. Odell would have used it against me.”

“Wouldn’t put it past him.” He laughs. “Barnie is quite the character.”

I have a feeling he’s more than just an acquaintance, but since I’d rather not find out they’re family or something, I don’t ask. I’ve already got enough to deal with.

It doesn’t take us long to reach the town and he accompanies me to Rocko’s garage.

He also takes care of explaining where the car is, which is lucky because I wouldn’t know how to describe it.

Afterward, he insists on walking me to the inn, even though it’s not far, to make sure I don’t run into any more trouble.

He’s a gentleman with a roguish streak who makes me laugh.

And although my day hasn’t gone as planned, meeting him has helped ease the tension a little.

Still, I need a day of reflection, so I’ll lock myself in my room as soon as I say goodbye.

Maybe I can use the time to start drafting the parts of the contract I’m already clear on.

The rest will have to wait until I can speak with the employees and review the account books.

“It has been a pleasure, miss.” He bows with a practiced flourish when we’re already in front of the inn.

“Likewise. You saved my life.” I exaggerate a bit and it makes him smile.

“Since I’m your knight in shining armor, might I know your name before someone in town tells me first?” His question amuses me and I smile.

“Debra.”

“Beautiful smile, Debra.” He bows again and takes my hand to kiss it.

“Joe Tipton, at your service. My house is two streets up—white facade with green windows, hideous, I know. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to come by or…

” I watch him dig through his wallet until he pulls out a card with his name alongside a couple of phone numbers and an address I assume is his primary residence.

“You can call me at any hour of the day or night.”

“I don’t think it’ll be necessary to bother you while you sleep. Besides, that would be very rude of me.”

“I wouldn’t complain if you did.”

He looks me up and down and although he tries to be discreet, he fails. Or maybe he wasn’t trying to be, so I’d know exactly what kind of bother he’s referring to.

“Thank you for everything, Joe,” I repeat to see him off.

I’m not in the mood for games or flirting. Besides, blonds have never been my type. And even if they were, right now there’s only one man permanently occupying my thoughts.

“See you around.”

He turns and walks away with that hypnotic gait that forces you to watch whether you want to or not.

I’d love to know what they feed the men in this town to make them so infernally attractive.

I pull my gaze away and enter the inn, determined to sneak up to my room unseen.

Maybe then they’ll leave me in peace until dinnertime.

“Dear.” Ethel intercepts me when I already have one foot on the stairs. “I thought you’d be out all day.”

I’m not even going to ask how she knew I’d left, because I didn’t tell anyone and I made sure no one saw me go.

“I had a little mishap with the car that forced me to come back. But I’m fine, no need to worry.”

“And you walked back? Where did it happen?”

“I ran into Joe Tipton.” I’m not going to lie about that because it’ll be on everyone’s lips soon enough. “He offered to drive me to Rocko’s garage. He’ll take care of retrieving and repairing the car.”

“Joe is in town? How wonderful!” She lights up. “That boy is a treasure. Haven will be thrilled. They’re good friends. They even went to college together. Such a shame Joe had to go so far away for work—we miss him terribly around here.”

“I’m sure you do.”

I climb a couple of steps to end the conversation because I don’t feel like learning anything else about Joe now that she’s mentioned he’s Haven’s friend, but she doesn’t seem ready to let me go yet.

“Come now. You need to eat something, dear.” She takes my arm. “I won’t have you going all day without a bite.”

“I’m not hungry, Ethel.”

“Nonsense. I’ve made the house special today. You’ll see—you’ll be going for seconds.”

Before I can refuse again, she’s already seated me at a table and ordered the food for me. And much as it pains me to admit it, she’s right. I end up having seconds because it’s to die for.