Page 39 of Mother Clucker

David towered above half the patrons in this place. He would even without the added height of his cowboy hat and boots.

What was it about tall guys that made my heart go pitter pat? Especially this tall guy, whose attitude was as big as his boat-sized feet.

Drawing in a breath, I headed to the back corner where, thankfully, I saw Drew also. At least I wouldn’t be alone with David. That would have been too . . . weird.

“Hi.” I smiled.

“Hey, darlin’,” David replied with a knee-weakening smile.

Drew stood and pulled a chair around for me to sit in. “Hey, Heather. Nice seeing you twice in one day.”

It was a little startling to realize it was just earlier today that I’d stopped by the farm to check on the crew’s progress and found David out of sorts.

Between then and now I’d discovered so much about David Strickland and his company—both good and bad.

It felt like the longest day of my life and it wasn’t over yet.

David waved to a passing waitress as I settled in my seat. “What do you want to drink?” he asked.

There was a country band blaring in one corner. The two men had bottles of beer in front of them. And there was so much neon promoting various brands on the walls it was almost blinding. I had a feeling getting a decent wine would be asking too much, even if we were in California.

“I’ll have what you’re having,” I said.

It seemed like the smart move and I wasn’t opposed to a nice cold beer once in a while, especially in such an appropriate setting.

David placed the order and turned back to me. “So, you’re fast.”

It took me a second to pin down what he was commenting about. Probably not that I’d arrived in barely twenty-five minutes. Definitely not about how I’d come in like a minute with my vibrator while thinking about him last night . . .

David had to be referring to my having something to show him regarding the campaign for his company.

I shrugged. “It’s what I do.”

The truth was I was bored in that condo all alone. I’d already binged through the whole new season of the show I’d been waiting to air, and now I’d have to wait another year for the next season.

Given that frustration, I was so annoyed by the thought of that wait that I didn’t want to give any more of my time or attention to another show right now.

Working on David’s project seemed the best distraction. And once I got started, there was no stopping.

I glanced around. It was loud in here, but luckily I was a woman who was always prepared. Well, mostly. I pulled my ear pods out of my purse and handed them to him.

He looked at me in question.

“I have a video I want you to watch,” I said as I found it on my cell. “It’s just preliminary. Really rough. But I think it will give you an idea of what I have in mind. It’s got audio but I don’t think you’ll be able to hear it without earphones.”

In fact, I was shouting at him now so I was sure of it.

“All right.” David stuck the ear pods in his ears and took the cell I offered.

I was dying to run around behind him so I could watch along with him. See both the spot and his reaction to each part of it as he saw it for the first time. I restrained myself and stayed in my seat.

“What’s all this?” Drew frowned at David then glanced at me.

“David didn’t tell you?”

Drew laughed. “No. But I’m not surprised. He keeps things close to the vest.”

“I offered to work on a public relations plan for Strickland.”

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