Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Sunny
I try not to look at the clock on the wall for the hundredth time. Iverson is due in the office in a few minutes. My stomach has been fluttering since this morning. We have to act like professionals. No quick fuck like the last time he was in my office.
I want a quick fuck. I’m addicted to that man.
After our second night at the mine, Iverson and I settled into a routine of meeting there a few times a week. On the weekends, his brothers are there. Iverson and I will just talk until they come back from the river and leave. It’s safer than the tack room.
It’s only been three weeks, but I worry that Iverson is going to put a stop to our clandestine meetings. He’s been quiet. Still sweet and thoughtful, but something’s keeping him in his head. Is he getting tired of sneaking around like I am?
He told me about that woman who propositioned him at the bar and that he doesn’t plan to take her up on it. He thought I should know in case I hear something and point out it’s another change in his routine. People could talk, but he doesn’t care. Then I won’t care.
But also, how could that woman have had Iverson and then walked away? Her mistake is my good fortune. One day, it’ll be my heartbreak. Waiting for someone to catch us grates on my nerves.
The sneaking around, it’s wearing on me. The last time I left to spend a Saturday night in Iverson’s arms under the shadow of the mine, Daddy pestered me about where I was going. He asked about friends I was seeing, who I was spending all my time with, and what we were doing.
I hated lying, but I told him I was stargazing and getting some me time.
I was gone from home for years for school, and I wanted to reconnect with the land.
He must not have believed me, so Mom started in.
She wanted to come along, but I’d left before she could get ready. I got the silent treatment for a week.
It was easier to sneak out of the house when I was in high school.
But then I had my sisters to help me lie and figure out a plan.
They were usually crawling out windows with me.
Even then, we didn’t dare spend too much time at whatever house or pasture party we frequented.
Our presence would rain hell down on the host if we were found out.
There’s a knock on the door, and I look up. Iverson’s got a sexy smile on his face, and he’s leaning against the doorframe. He’s got a hip cocked out and a thumb hooked in his pocket. His cowboy hat is in his other hand, resting against his thigh. “I can see that beautiful brain working, Sunny.”
“It is.” Always about him.
He glances down either side of the hallway before sauntering in, closing the door behind him.
I rise and circle around my desk. All the pent-up stress and desire since our last time together push at the seams of my mind, anticipating the release. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
He closes the distance and tosses his hat on my desk, then curls an arm around my waist, drawing me in tight. “You’re not the only one.”
His lips meet mine, and the simmering heat in my stomach blooms. I wrap my arms around his neck and greedily kiss him back. It’s Wednesday, and we haven’t crossed paths since our Saturday night under the stars.
The door squeaks open, and I jump back with a gasp.
Iverson’s arms reluctantly slip from around me, and a flash of disappointment hits his eyes. Guilt immediately wells inside me.
Daddy’s glaring at us from the doorway. “I knew it,” he grits out. He points a beefy finger toward Iverson. “Pack your shit and get out.”
“Daddy—”
“Tell Durban and Haven that I’ll send their last checks with yours.” Daddy’s face is red, and if Mom didn’t have him on a strict blood pressure diet after some heart episodes years ago, I’d be worried.
“You’d fire my brothers because of me?” Iverson asks, as calm as I’d ever seen him, but then we all know the answer. Is he finally relieved to be done with the worry? To be done with me?
Daddy waggles his finger. “Do they know about this?”
“No,” I say.
“Yes,” Iverson speaks over me. “We’re all adults.”
“She’s my daughter, and you were told the rules,” Daddy shoots back.
“Daddy.” I’m done with this bullshit.
“With respect, Bill , your rules suck,” Iverson says flatly.
Daddy’s face turns redder. “Don’t call me Bill. You will respect me in my place of business.”
“Why?” Iverson asks. “You’re not respecting me. And you’re not respecting her.”
I blink at Iverson. He’s not just sticking up for himself and his brothers. He’s trying to advocate for me.
Daddy blusters. “I know what’s best for her and this ranch, and it’s not you.”
“You’re not the only one who wants what’s best for her.” Iverson narrows his eyes. “You’d lose three employees over this?”
Daddy stalks closer. “Listen?—”
“I quit.” I straighten and lift my chin.
Daddy takes a breath like he’s going to keep speaking, and then he stops and shakes his head. “What?”
Iverson peers at me, astonishment scrawled across his face.
“I’m done, Daddy. You’re overstepping, and I can’t have it.”
“You’d quit because of me?” Iverson asks softly.
I nod, captured in the beam of his stunned brown gaze. “Yes. I like you, Iverson. A lot. I want more, and I hope you do too.” My shoulders hang. “I should’ve done this before I cost you and your brothers your jobs.”
“You didn’t cost us our jobs. Your dad and his need for control did.” Iverson’s smirk lacks humor. “But I’m not the rancher who’s going into the fall and winter short three experienced employees.”
“Jamison.” Fear laces Daddy’s voice. “You’re not quitting.”
“Yes, I am.” I hold Iverson’s warm gaze. “And I’m moving.” I switch my attention to Daddy. My chest constricts. The hurt in his face guts me, but I have to do this. “Not anywhere on Hawthorne land either.”
He recoils. “I’ve already talked to the builder?—”
“Exactly, Daddy. I’ve asked you repeatedly to stay out of my house-hunting efforts.” I throw my arms out. “It’s too much. I want my own life. I’ll always appreciate everything you and Mom have done for me, but I’m my own person.”
“You’ll quit over him ?”
“Yes, but also, I’m quitting for me. You won’t respect my boundaries as your daughter or as your employee.”
My pulse jackhammers. I’m in over my head.
I quit my job over a man. I might’ve gotten to this point eventually, but between Iverson and this office, my choice is clear.
Yet I don’t know if I martyred myself for a reason other than independence.
Will I be looking for a job and a place to live as a single woman?
I chance a peek at Iverson, but his expression is full of shock and dismay. Is that pride in his eyes or wishful thinking?
“You’re making pretty big decisions for a guy you’ve just met,” Daddy warns. “I think you need to slow down and think about things. You don’t know Hennessy. You have no idea if he’s even a good man or not.”
Iverson pivots to face Daddy. “You know what kind of man I am.” His tone is even, almost dangerous. Daddy insulted him.
Daddy holds a hand up. “I know you’re a good employee. I haven’t heard about you sleeping around, but I know you ain’t abstinent.”
“That’s my point. You’ve assumed what I’m like.
I could’ve had a different woman every night, and that would’ve stopped as soon as I met Sunny.
It’s only been her since I met her, and it’ll always be just her.
I am a good man, William. And your daughter makes me want to be a better one.
Just so happens, my brothers and I were ready to put in our notice.
Only we were going to be considerate and offer to stay long enough to train the new people in.
Guess I don’t have to worry about that.”
My heart leaps, knocking my guilt back. He was planning to quit too? All three of them?
I slip my hand through his, afraid he’ll walk out and leave me behind. “You were going to quit?”
“Sunny, I’m dying to take you on a date. I want to show off the woman I’m wild about.”
It’s amazing I don’t melt into the floor. “You do?”
“And if I have to quit to do it, that’s what I’m going to do.” He tips my chin up. “But I’m not a man without a plan.”
I’m distantly aware of Daddy watching us, but Iverson is the center of my world.
“What you said about land management not being straight buy or sell stuck with me,” Iverson continues, ignoring Daddy.
“I talked to the guys, and we’re all ready for something different.
For more. So I did some research, I talked to Myles Foster, and we’re doing more.
” He grins, delight radiating off him. “You’re looking at one of the investors of the next Foster House distillery.
Not only that, I’m going to be learning how to run the place and make some damn good whiskey. ”
He sounds so excited and proud. I clutch his hands and jump up and down. “Seriously?”
He laughs. “I’m almost as excited as Durban. He’s been figuring out how to become a master distiller.”
“You’re sure about all this?” He’s not making changes for me, but I feel responsible.
“It’s time.” He strokes a hand down my face. “We knew we didn’t want to sell, but we weren’t sure what to do or how to use our dad’s land in a way that’d help us and honor him.” He tips his forehead closer to mine. “You really want to keep me around?”
“I really do.” I stand on my tiptoes to bring my mouth closer to his.
Daddy clears his throat, but I don’t pull back. I plant a kiss firmly on Iverson’s lips.
Daddy clears his throat again. “Can we talk about this?”
“I think we’re done talking, Daddy.” I’m ready to get Iverson to myself and not have to hide it.
“There’s no need to rush off.” My dad shifts his weight. His brows are drawn, and his mouth is in a troubled line.
I grip Iverson’s hand tighter. “I have a date that’s long past due, Daddy. I’m going to grab my things from the house and then take my boyfriend out to lunch.”