Page 34 of Wild Sanctuary

“About the quarterly projections. West mentioned.” She chews her bottom lip as she nods slowly. “He also said Marcus would be a good interview. Knows the financial history of Glacier Ridge better than just about anyone.”

“He does.” I nod sharply, grateful for the change in direction. “I’ll ask if he can meet with you tomorrow after our meeting in town.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Then she arches a playful brow. “So Friday for you, hmm? Gives you two more days to practice your avoidance tactics.”

“I’m not avoidin’ you.”

Not well, anyway.

“You’re absolutely avoiding me, Wyatt.” She grins even as the sound of my name on her lips hits me somewhere it shouldn’t. “The question is why. I’m very charming. Ask anyone.”

I pull off my hat, run a hand through my hair, and settle it back in place. “Charmin’ ain’t the word I’d use, Daisy-girl.”

“No?” She steps closer. “What word would you use?”

Dangerous. Distracting. The reason I haven’t slept properly in a goddamn week.

“Persistent,” I state flatly.

She laughs, that real laugh, warm and bright, and I feel my mouth threaten to twitch, but I clamp down on the urge.

Of course she catches it anyway, and her eyes light up like she’s won the lottery.

“Was that almost a smile?”

“No.”

“That was definitely something. A twitch. A micro-expression. Something.”

“I reckon you’re seein’ things.”

“I have excellent observational skills. It’s literally my job.” She’s stepped even closer without me noticing. Close enough to smell that shampoo again. I should’ve walked away before she closed the gap. I didn’t learn a damn thing at noon. “I’m going to make you smile before I leave, Wyatt Hartley. Consider it my secondary assignment.”

She states it like it’s a fact. Like she’s decided it’ll only be a matter of time.

“You’ll be disappointed.” I shift my weight back, putting another inch of air between us and her scent.

“I’m never disappointed. I’m tenacious.” She closes the gap I just made, her chin tipping so far back to hold my gaze that it’s a wonder she doesn’t lose her balance. The top of her head doesn’t even reach my shoulder, and she’s staring me down like she’s got sixteen inches on me instead of the other way around. “Friday, then. I’ll bring coffee.”

“I don’t need⁠—”

“It wasn’t a question.” She smiles again, softer this time, and it’s somehow worse than the grin. “See you then, Wyatt.”

She turns and walks back toward the cabin, her ponytail swinging with each step.

I watch her go, utterly unable to make myself look away.

She’s trying to make me smile. That’s what this is. Some kind of game, some challenge she’s set to keep herself amused during her stay. Get the grumpy rancher to crack.

I should find it annoying. I do find it annoying.

But underneath the annoyance is something infinitely worse.

Hope.

Five days. She’s been back five days, and I’m already white-knuckling it. That’s the whole goddamn problem with Daisy Monroe. She doesn’t even know what she does to a man, and she never will.

I’ll make damn sure of it.