Page 7 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

SEVEN

SHANNON

I arrived at the Rooftop Bar twenty minutes before we were due to meet so I could grab a good table.

I was second-guessing every decision I’d made, from the fact that I’d suggested what amounted to a date restaurant, to what I’d worn.

Of course, I hadn’t had much say in my wardrobe.

As soon as they found out my plans for the evening, Zoe and Fiona had climbed into my closet to make their selections and not allowed me in.

If it had been just Zoe, I might have been able to stand my ground.

My long-time best friend and future sister-in-law could usually be reasoned with.

But my little sister was a force of nature and arguing with her was about as productive as herding cats.

I was reminded of that the other night at the Squeaky Wheel.

So now here I was in a sleeveless navy silk top and dark jeans that sold the date vibe way more than anything I would have chosen.

I worried that it was too dressy just to talk business, even though Fiona had assured me she’d wear the same thing to pick up groceries.

I had drawn the line when my sister had suggested wedge sandals, opting for ballet flats instead.

The sun was setting in the distance, filling the sky with pink and blue stripes.

I grabbed a high table overlooking Poplar Spring’s downtown, where we wouldn’t be too close to the rest of the two-tops.

It was Thursday night at one of the coolest bars in town, of course it was filled with people on dates.

I gazed around the rooftop deck, realizing that the smarter idea would’ve been to hit the local dive bar, the Squeaky Wheel, with Declan.

We might’ve run into some of the ranchers and could’ve wound up having easy, organic conversations to help them realize what a great guy he was and what an asset he’d be to the area as the new vet.

Or even the Bite and Brew; although that might generate some unneeded gossip.

But no, I’d stupidly opted for the cool spot, wanting to impress him.

Fiona had told me about it and since I never had the chance to go out out, I’d jumped at the chance to try it without my sister and Zoe in tow.

Except, it wasn’t a date, despite how I looked or where we were.

I sipped the water a server had dropped off, trying to be in the moment instead of spinning out over the fact that Declan and I were about to spend the evening together.

Talking business—I had to keep reminding myself of that.

I realized that my part of our little arrangement was going to be easier than Declan’s.

He was an amazing guy, and even from the brief examination of Belle, I could tell that he was a talented vet.

The rest of the town just needed the chance to get to know him and then they would quickly get behind him.

I doubted I’d have to do much more than facilitate a couple of introductions.

Declan would be able to handle all the rest of it himself.

But when it came to him helping me, every time I tried to envision the changes he was going to suggest to my program, I felt my hackles rise.

I hated change.

My phone sounded off in my purse and I dug it out, happy for the distraction.

It was an email from Mary Dugan, the woman selling Sunshine, saying that she was finally open to offers.

The horse was perfect for the Lost Valley breeding program, and the mare wasn’t a hot property that was going to attract a ton of bids, so I felt relatively safe even though I wasn’t able to put in a bid right away.

I started writing a response when a voice came from behind me.

“Hey.”

I jumped and turned around, then wanted to jump again when I saw Declan standing there.

He’d obviously gotten the memo about the expected dress code for the spot, and was dressed in a slim fit blue button-down, pressed jeans, and the cleanest cowboy boots I’d ever seen.

“Wow,” he said, giving me a quick once over that made me sit up straighter. “Looks like you’ve never seen the inside of a barn in that outfit.”

I blushed. “I’m way overdressed, but I don’t get out much, so…”

“Well, that’s a sin,” he said, sliding into the chair across the table. “That means you’re working too hard.”

I held back from telling him that it was because no one was asking me.

“Nice place,” he said, glancing around. “Crowded.”

“Yeah, I hadn’t considered how busy it would be, especially on a Tuesday. If you’d prefer, we could go somewhere else?” My bad decision was making me feel itchy. “The server is in the weeds.”

“I’m fine to hang here if you are,” Declan said. “I sort of like the view.”

It felt like he held my eyes a beat longer before he looked out at the skyline.

“We’re here to work, so let’s get to it,” I said, ignoring what couldn’t possibly be a flirty moment. Even if it had felt like one. “I think a great strategy is to hit up several of the ranchers at once; kind of a planned coincidence, you know?”

“And how would we do that?”

“I know for a fact that a bunch of the guys go to the Bite and Brew for a late breakfast after the Cattlemen’s Association meetings, so we could show up there.

Oh, and there’s a big community planning meeting coming up on the sixteenth for the rodeo Amy Thorne is organizing to raise funds for the community center rebuild.

Everyone is going to be there. You should come to that too.

Show that you want to be involved in the community, not just work here, you know? ”

“As long as it’s off hours or I can work it in between appointments, I’m in.”

“That’s just off the top of my head, but I know there are other ways you can win folks over. Ooh, like the carnival! Maybe you could set up a booth where you do demos, or have a raffle for free checkups?”

Declan shook his head in amazement. “Wow, you’re going to keep me busy. But Ruth will have made up her mind by the time the carnival rolls around. I only have two months to convince her.”

“That’s right,” I said with a furrowed brow. “We need to work fast.”

“Yeah, speaking of working, let’s talk about you a little. You’re going to be busy too.”

I flapped my hand at him and wrinkled my nose. “I’ll be fine.”

Declan frowned. “Wait, hold on a minute. Are you saying you don’t want my help now? I don’t want this to be a one-sided partnership—and I really do think I can help you start to turn things around.”

“I guess it depends on what you suggest.” Just talking about it made me feel uncomfortable. I’d looked at the templates Zoe had set up for Josh, but I wasn’t sure how to incorporate them into my program. The financial spreadsheets made my head hurt.

“I already told you, nothing that goes against your core values, I swear. I’ll start slowly, with a few apps. I promise you’ll be happy.”

“Ooh, did I just hear Dr. Declan Morris say that he wants to make you happy?”

As soon as I heard the voice, I immediately shifted into a defensive posture.

It was Becca Johnson, carrying a neon-blue drink as she sashayed up to us.

She was in stilettos and tight jeans, paired with a sheer white top that dipped low in front.

Her tan looked good now, but I knew in ten years she’d be paying the price for it.

Hopefully, she’d also be paying a price for a lifetime of being a petty, manipulative bitch, but I wasn’t holding my breath on that.

“Oh, hey, Becca,” Declan said with a smile that pissed me off. Didn’t he know how fake she was? Of course he didn’t. Much like every guy I encountered, Declan looked like he was mesmerized by Becca. “We’re just talking about the Lost Valley breeding program.”

Becca put her drink down on the table, still barely acknowledging me.

“Oh my gosh, Declan, speaking of breeding programs, I need to get you out to my place again soon. That mare we weren’t sure about?

Well, the pregnancy took! I swear, there must be something in the water at Black Hat Ranch, because every horse we touch turns to money. ”

“Is that all that matters over there?” I murmured into my water as I took a sip.

“I’m sorry, did you say something?” Becca asked, fluttering her lashes at me.

I shook my head. “Nope.” At least, nothing she’d ever do anything about with her need to put money before the health and safety of your horses.

Becca immediately lasered back in on Declan. “Anyway, the next time you come, we need to focus on the horses instead of spending so much time catching up. Got it, mister?” She poked his arm playfully and giggled. “We had too much fun!”

“Yeah, it definitely wasn’t easy for me to get my work done,” he answered in a vague way that made me wonder if there was something going on between them. He’d barely talked to me during the appointment with Belle. So why did Becca get the chatty Declan and not me?

“I’ll call you to set something up real soon.” She glanced between us. “So sorry for interrupting your date, you crazy kids.”

Becca hovered as if she was waiting for confirmation or denial. I certainly wasn’t planning to give her the satisfaction… but Declan jumped in.

“Oh, no, this isn’t a date,” Declan said quickly.

“We’re talking business. I’m helping Shannon with some modernization plans for her breeding program.

Working on efficiencies, maybe some new apps and computer programs, that sort of thing.

Brainstorming ways to streamline admin stuff so she can spend her time where it counts. ”

My face went hot. Of course Declan didn’t have a clue about the bad blood between me and Becca, but why would he even imply in front of someone who he knew was a competitor that the Lost Valley program was in some kind of trouble? And why was he so quick to backpedal about being on a date with me?

Becca giggled. “Oh my God, I wish I had time to brainstorm! We’re so busy working that I barely have time to think.

But I remember those days, before things took off.

” She gave me an insincere smile. “Good for you. I know you guys have been around for so long, and it’s probably easier to just keep doing things the same old way, even when it’s holding you back from real success.

Lucky you, to have someone like Dr. Morris to help out. ”

I tried to fight through my fluster and growing anger to answer Becca, but it was too late. She picked up her drink, gave Declan a wink, and sauntered back to the bar. Declan watched her walk away.

“She’s been a great client for Ruth. They’ve got quite the booming operation over there.”

“I need a real drink,” I said, ignoring the comment and craning my neck to look for a server. When I finally caught his attention, I beckoned him over.

“I was checking out the menu and the appetizers look great,” Declan said to me as the server hovered, waiting for us to place our orders. “Want to split a few?”

I frowned at the menu. We weren’t on a date—as he had just made abundantly clear—so why would we share food?

“I’m just going to have an IPA. Whatever you’ve got on tap,” I said to the server. “No food for me.”

“Oh, okay,” Declan said quietly. “Uh, me too, then. Just a beer for now.”

I tried to tell myself that the brief, unpleasant interaction with Becca was like medicine that I needed to swallow.

Unpleasant, but necessary because now I knew that there was absolutely nothing going on between me and Declan.

At the same time, Becca had lit a new fire inside of me to grow my business.

I was going to do whatever Declan suggested, as long as it didn’t go against what I believed was best for Lost Valley.

We’d entered into a business partnership for a reason, and I was going to use it to get exactly what I needed.

So there was absolutely no reason to feel sad about the fact that Declan seemed way more into Becca than he was me. It didn’t matter. Declan was still going to do what we’d agreed to, so everything was fine. I pulled a notebook and pen out of my bag.

“You were starting to say something about apps?” I held the pen above the page.

A shadow crossed Declan’s face. “Right. Uh, okay, I think you should start off with a pedigree tracker. It’s an easy way to ease into adding more tech to your operation.”

“Pedigree tracker,” I repeated back to him, writing it down. I flicked my eyes up at him. “We’ve got a lot to cover, and I hate to take up too much of your time. Seems like you’re a busy guy.”

Declan cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, frowning at me. “Thanks. Appreciate it.”

I kept my eyes focused on my paper and tried to ignore the way the chill in the air had nothing to do with the setting sun. “Okay, what’s next?”