Page 5 of Impossible Love

Yes, all three of the men in the hangar were quite tall and muscular, but my attention didn’t go to the other men. I was drawn to that man in particular. He was exceptionally handsome, dark, and brooding, with a serious jawline, thick black hair, and a wide mouth. His expression was too intense to be considered friendly.

He threw me off guard.

And here I am, ten minutes later, still thrown off guard. As I wait and wait and wait for a nonexistent driver.

Ridiculous.

It’s all totally ridiculous.

I’ve never let a man get me in this state before. I’ve had my share of men in my twenty-eight years, but one quick glance never sent me reeling like this. And plenty of them had beautiful eyes. In fact, most of them did.

But not gorgeous violet eyes.

Since I’m of no use to anyone at the moment and appear to be stranded at this airport, I allow my mind to wander. I imagine my fingers running through that black hair, tugging on it as he makes love to me. Who am I kidding? There’s no making love with a man like that. He’s all animal instinct. Being with him would put my cardio fitness to the test.

But that’s okay. I wouldn’t mind the challenge. I’ve been a runner since boarding school. My lung capacity is off the charts.

I wonder who he is. Obviously a cowhand, by the way he was dressed. He was wearing a pair of jeans, cowboy boots, and a tattered plaid shirt with rolled-up cuffs and a frayed collar.

I gnaw on my lower lip. I’m not beyond slumming, but I’ve never been even remotely attracted to the cowboy type. A lot of women love that look, but I’m more of a suit-and-tie girl myself. But I bet he’d make a very good ride.

Ride ‘em, cowboy.

Enough of the fantasy cowpoke. I take a deep breath and think about the reason I’m here. For my job. But how am I supposed to do my job if no one ever comes to pick me up? I hate waiting. Waiting is not one of my strengths.

Millicent calls me back. She’s trying her best to track down the car company she hired but is only getting their voicemail.

This is not acceptable. She apologizes profusely, asking if she has my permission to leave my mobile number with the company so they can contact me directly. I say yes, but really, I’m about ready to scream. And it feels like all the moisture is being sucked from my skin.

I should be on my way to my meeting by now. I should be in the car. A driver should be taking me to Yosemite Ranch. And yet none of those things are happening.

I dig out my phone and call Millicent, even though we hung up barely a minute ago. I don’t know how she puts up with me. But she answers at the first ring, just like she always does.

“I’m so sorry, Victoria! I still can’t reach anyone!”

“Well then, what are my options? Oh, and by the way, please book me a facial as soon as I get back. It’s dry as day-old toast out here.”

“On it! And as far as options go, I’m working on getting a rental car delivered to you in Sweetbriar. I’m on hold right now.”

“All right. Call me back.”

Three minutes later, an unknown Nevada telephone number calls me. I answer, and it’s an elderly woman who sounds out of breath. She tells me that her name is Elsie and that her great-grandson Clem can’t pick me up because his wife is in the hospital.

“Sorry to hear that. Please send another driver right away.”

“He’s my only driver.”

My left eyelid twitches. “You’re a car service with one driver?”

“And one car.”

I can’t help but laugh. What kind of hell have I found myself in?

“It’s because his wife is in labor. She’s a little bit early. They think it’s a girl. It’s their first, so everyone is very excited.”

Except for me. I’m not excited.

“Someone giving birth is not my problem,” I say. “What is my problem, however, is the fact that I’ve paid in advance—I’ve paid a lot in advance for this service.”

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