AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, Mitchell’s got some fancy-ass program that will track it all. Probably even tell ya when the damn thing shits.”
I laughed. I was glad to see Mitchell was settling right into the ranch. He was meant to be there and we all knew it. He’d gone off to be a cop as a way of separating himself from Steed, even though they were two completely different people. But somehow he’d found his way back to the ranch, and my father and brothers couldn’t be more thrilled.
“How about I come out there? Sit in and listen in on the meeting. Wouldn’t hurt to be kept up to date with things. Then afterwards we could talk a bit. I need some advice and you are the only one who can help me.”
“I think that sounds like a plan. We’re meeting in Steed’s office at ten and can go for lunch afterwards to talk.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Sounds good, son. Talk then.”
“Okay, Dad. See ya tomorrow.”
Hitting End, I set my phone down and got back to work. Talking to my father about the ranch must have been what I needed. I was soon lost in the contract. When my work phone buzzed, I glanced up to see it was nearly time for Mallory to arrive.
“Mr. Parker?”
“Yes, Karen?”
“There’s, um, someone here to see you.”
“Do they have an appointment?”
“No, she doesn’t.”
I smiled.
“Is it Mallory?”
There was a slight pause. “It’s not Mallory. It’s Harley Carbajal.”
Sitting back in my chair, I then cursed under my breath. My heart started to race, and my hands shook.
What in the fuck is wrong with me? So what if Harley is here. Maybe it’s time I just got this shit over with.
I stood up and made my way to the lobby.
When I walked out and saw her, I almost stopped breathing. She was beautiful, even dressed in scrubs covered in cat and dog fur. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she looked…panicked.
“Harley, is there something I can help you with?”
She looked nervously at Karen and then back to me. I could see the worry—or maybe it was fear—in her eyes. “I know you don’t want to talk to me, but I need your help, and it’s sort of an emergency.”
My stomach lurched when she said I didn’t want to talk to her. I’d been a dick the last few weeks. Hell…the last few years. Shit. It had been nearly ten years. Glancing at my watch, I knew Mallory would be walking through the door any minute for our lunch date.
When I focused back on Harley, our eyes met. It killed me to see the way she was looking at me. Pleading with me to give her five minutes for an emergency.
“I’m meeting someone for lunch. I have about five minutes. Why don’t we head into my office.”
I could feel Karen’s stare as I let Harley walk by. When I looked at her, Karen lifted a brow and crossed her arms.
Pointing to her, I muttered, “Stop giving me that look.”
“What look? The one that says you’re taking your ex-girlfriend into your office when your current girlfriend will be here any moment for lunch?”
“Hush!” I whispered as I followed Harley into my office and shut the door. Karen shook her head from side to side. I couldn’t stop this freight train that was approaching. It wasn’t like I could kick Harley out of my office. I was running for mayor, she was a constituent, and I had to talk to all of my constituents, right?
Stealing a breath before I went through the door, I realized this was the first time in almost ten years we had been alone together. A part of me wanted to run away, but the part that wanted to know what the emergency was—and also how Harley had won over Waylynn—was taking the lead.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
She stood there wringing her hands, staring at the floor. My chest clenched. Something was wrong. I knew Harley, and she wasn’t the type of woman who got scared easily.
“Harley? What’s going on? What’s so important that you needed to see me?”
When she started pacing, I grew more worried. I had the urge to help her, but I was now worried Mallory would be showing up any second.
“Harley! I don’t have all day, for Christ’s sake. What’s the emergency?”
Stopping in front of me, she took a shaky breath and blew it out.
“I think he’s found me.”
My eyes widened. “He’s found you? What, do you have a stalker or something?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“Sorry, that came out all wrong. It’s Doc Harris’s brother. He’s…”
In that moment, the door to my office opened. Harley paused, not wanting to finish her sentence as Mallory stepped in. From the angle she was standing, and with the door wide open, Harley was blocked from Mallory’s view. She was wearing a long jacket and the moment I looked at her, she undid the belt and let it fall open.
