I took another sip of coffee and smiled. I was happy for Heather and Kenny.
“Have you heard from Miles this morning?”
I sighed. “He left a message. I called him but he hasn’t gotten back to me. I’ve sent him a few texts as well and haven’t heard back. I need to run to The Mercantile and check on an ad. Hopefully they have it up and running. It’s to promote the fall festival. After that, if I don’t hear from him I’ll swing by his place. He probably was too drunk last night to charge his phone.”
“Do you mind if I hang here at your place a bit more? I think I’m going to go for a ride, and I’d like to shower before heading out afterward.”
I stood. “Have at it. I’m going to check on that ad and then I think head on to Miles’s house. I’m sure he’s nursing a hangover.”
“I’m sure. Did you see the cheap-ass beer Trey bought?”
I chuckled. “Have fun on your ride! It’s a beautiful fall day.”
She smiled and raised her coffee mug. “Thanks for the fun night! I forgot how fun slumber parties were.”
“We need to do that once a month!” I said, walking back into the house. I tried calling Miles once more and it went to voicemail.
“Hey, it’s me. I’m here at the store checking on an ad, then plan on heading your way. I hope you’re not too hungover. Call me when you get this.”
After showering and getting myself ready, I rushed out the door and headed to The Mercantile.
My stupid anger had slipped away as the night went on. I understood that Miles wanted a night with his friends, I trusted Miles not to do something stupid, but I did need to make him understand how hurtful it was that he just left me sitting there.
I walked through the front of the store and saw Lyndsey and Katy working. Lou and Mark worked during the week mostly, and Lyndsey and Katy worked weekends.
“Morning, girls. Been busy today?”
“It was busy this morning, but things have slowed down,” Katy replied.
“My folks in?”
Lyndsey shook her head. “They were earlier, but they went to the library.”
“That’s right. It’s the fall book fair!” I said, heading back toward my office. My parents had volunteered every year for the fall book fair ever since I could remember. It had always been one of my favorite events of fall, that and the fall festival.
After I dropped my purse on my desk, I took another look at my phone to see if I had anything from Miles.
Nothing.
A strange ache formed in my chest, and I started to worry. I sent him another text and went to hit send when a knock sounded on my office door. I hadn’t shut it fully, so it pushed open, and I nearly fell out of my seat when I saw who was standing there.
Peter Warner. Miles’s father.
“Peter?” I said, quickly standing.
“No, no. Go ahead and sit down, Kynslee.”
I glanced behind him to see if Miles was with him.
“The young girl up front, Katy, I believe was her name, told me to come on back when I told her I was your boyfriend’s father.”
I felt ill. How in the world did Peter know about me and Miles? Surely if Miles had talked to him, he would have told me. Narrowing my eyes at him, I sat back down. “Does Miles know you’re in town?”
“Yes, he does. I just left the farm. We’ve got an interesting deal going on, Miles and I.”
I lifted a brow. “Is that so? And why should I care?”
He dropped his head back and laughed, then looked directly at me. “So he hasn’t told you yet?”
Tilting my head, I leaned back in my chair and shot daggers at him. “Peter, I’m very busy and not in the mood to play games. What’s your point?”
He lifted a brow. “Sounds like you don’t know the part of the deal where I hand over the title of the farm under the condition that Miles gets married in the next two weeks.”
It felt like someone had dropped a lead brick into my stomach. Much to my own credit, I didn’t so much as flinch, but I was positive Peter saw the shock on my face. Maybe a little hurt was also mixed in there.
My head spun, and I had to sit there like nothing was wrong. I’d known there must be a reason Miles had showed up that day and wanted to cash in on that promise, as he had so eloquently stated. He was using me. I was being played as a fool and I had fallen right for it.
Again.
I was going to be sick. I needed to get Peter out of my office now.
“Peter, I’m not sure what game you’re playing, but I don’t have time for this.”