The Cowgirl Ropes a Billionaire (29 page)

“Nephew’s?” Evan asked, knowing damn well Nate could afford to send his own kids to school a thousand times over on the salary he earned from Mortimer Innovations.

“Brenda told me yesterday. The sonogram says it’s a boy.” Nate beamed, and Evan understood the sudden sweetness of his brother’s disposition. He knew he’d taken a chance when he chose Nate as his best man, but he figured his brother deserved some sort of recognition. It couldn’t be easy watching him control Mortimer Innovations and know he might never get the chance to do so himself. Now it looked like his gesture was paying off. They were talking—joking, even. It could be worse.

A lot worse, he thought, spotting his bride across the reception hall. He could have refused to go on the show and never met his cowgirl bride.

* * * * *

“You actually rode a stallion?” Craig asked, as they waited for the caterers to carry out the four-tiered wedding cake.

In a moment Bella would join Evan for the cake cutting ceremony, but she appreciated the quiet interlude to connect with her brother.

“Yes. It didn’t go too well,” Bella said. “Wait until you see that episode.”

“Still, you got in the saddle. That’s something.”

She waited for him to say something biting, like he often did. So she was surprised when his tone softened.

“It was all my fault.”

“What do you mean?”

“The day Cyclone died. I saw you there. I should have said something.” Craig turned toward her and she saw anguish in his eyes. “I was too busy showing off to do the right thing. Afterward—what I said to you—I hate myself for that.”

Bella stepped back, his words echoing the pain that had lived in her heart for so many years, until her ride on Thunder had put it all into perspective. “It wasn’t anybody’s fault. It was an accident. They happen sometimes. Besides, you’ve done so much good in the world since then. Think about your work—all the cattle and horses…”

“I’m just a vet, just like you,” he said.

“But you help people with the animals that provide their livelihoods.” She couldn’t believe Craig blamed himself, too. They’d all sacrificed so much time to the bitterness of the past.

“But I’m not brave like you are,” he countered. “You save the animals that people love—the ones that are like family members. There’s a reason I don’t work with pets.”

“Because it doesn’t pay as well?” Bella joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere between them.

“Because I’m not worthy of them. I just stood there the day that Caramel died. I didn’t even go after her.” He shook his head. “It was like I was paralyzed because I cared so much. You’re the brave one. You went after her. You held her as she died. Then you went to work for Maggie. And you didn’t have to beg money from Mom and Dad like I did when you went to school. You did it all yourself. You became a vet, you’ve saved so many pets for other people. You kept on loving animals…” He took a deep breath. “I’m afraid to care about anything. I miss you. I miss our family—the way it used to be.”

Bella blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over. She didn’t want Evan to think she wasn’t happy. She was happy, especially now. “I’m right here.”

“You don’t blame me?” Craig said.

“Of course not,” Bella said. “I always thought you blamed me. We’ve all been torturing ourselves, stuck in our separate hells. It’s time to let it go.”

Craig drew in a ragged breath. “That sounds good to me.”

She pulled him into a quick hug. “It’s going to be okay. Everything’s going to be different now, you hear?”

He smiled suddenly, though she saw the pain was still fresh for him. “Why, because you’re filthy rich?”

She grinned back. “Yep. And because we’ll restore our ranch to its former glory. We’ll restore our family back to its former glory, too. You’ll see.” She squeezed him, then let him go as another guest moved forward to congratulate her. Carl Whitfield, formerly Chance Creek’s richest inhabitant. The millionaire had moved to town to play at being a rancher, and had fallen in love with a local girl, Lacey Taylor. No fairy-tale wedding ended that match, however, and she felt a tug of sympathy for the man. Lacey had left town. Rumor had it Carl planned to leave as well.

Craig patted her back and excused himself. She hoped her words had offered him some comfort, and that they really would be able to regain a closer relationship.

“Welcome to the club,” Carl said, shaking her hand.

“The club?”

“The Chance Creek millionaires club. Although I guess we’ll have to rename it now that a billionaire is moving to town.” He didn’t look exactly pleased at the thought.

“It’s nice that there will be three of us,” she said. She wasn’t sure how to take Carl. She didn’t know him that well.

“Unfortunately, there will only be two pretty soon. I’m leaving. Heading back to California. Chance Creek and I didn’t get along that well.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, touching his arm. “Really, Carl. I know you thought you would make a life here.”

“Well, I’ve got myself to blame for it, don’t I?” he said. “I’m so used to promoting myself I didn’t know when to quit. Folks around here think I’m a braggart and a fool.”

“No, they don’t,” Bella said. “I don’t, anyway.” Although if he’d showed this more human side of himself right from the beginning, Carl would have found lots of people willing to be his friend. “Maybe a break will be good for you—give you something to do and take your mind off Lacey—but I hope you’ll come back and give Chance Creek another try.”

“We’ll see,” he said. “I won’t sell my house until next summer, just in case I change my mind. I’m looking for someone to live in it for the meantime, though. I don’t suppose you and that husband of yours are looking for a mansion?”

She shook her head. “I need to be close to the shelter. We plan to live in my trailer for now. When we get back from our honeymoon, that is.”

“That ratty old thing?” Carl sputtered. “Sorry. I mean, it’s a little rough for a guy like Evan, don’t you think?”

“He’s used to roughing it,” she said, her thoughts slipping back to their time in the little tent in Jasper. “Once we’re back, however, we’ll start hunting for enough land to build our house, plus a new, state-of-the-art clinic and shelter.”

“Evan doesn’t mind leaving San Jose?”

“No, he says he likes it here.” She shrugged. “Plus he wants enough land to run test projects about alternative energy sources and sustainable ranching.”

“Sustainable ranching? He better take care he doesn’t make himself as unpopular as I am around here,” Carl said.

“Actually, Jake Matheson seems pretty interested in that idea.” She nodded across the room at Rob Matheson’s older brother.

“Let me know if you think of anyone else who’d like to stay at my place.”

“What about Cab? Maybe he’d like to spend the winter there.”

“The sheriff? Now that’s not a bad idea.” Carl shook her hand again and made his way through the crowd toward a knot of cowboys. Bella crossed the room to join her husband, her thoughts lingering on Carl’s mansion. She was sure he’d filled it with plenty of precious things that needed to be looked after; but it lacked the one thing he wanted most—the woman he loved.

She was so grateful fate had pushed her and Evan together. She didn’t care where she lived as long as he was there.

She must be the luckiest woman in the world.

* * * * *

“Come on, I’ve got a surprise for you,” Evan said.

How many more surprises could her life hold? Bella wondered lazily as she allowed him to pull her up off the chair on the balcony overlooking a nearly deserted beach below. Mexico had quickly become one of her favorite places, after Chance Creek, of course. They’d rented a secluded, but fully-staffed beach cottage, and relished the luxury and peace that surrounded them. “Where are we going?”

“On a little hike.”

She cocked her head, taking in the backpack he wore on his back. “I thought you just ducked inside to get your sunglasses.”

“I did, but I did a little packing, too. No more questions,” he added, putting a finger to her lips. “Just follow me.”

She gave the impending sunset behind them a last, longing look. She’d become a connoisseur of spectacular Pacific Ocean sunsets, but she allowed herself to be led downstairs and outside, down to the beach itself. Coming around a curve to a stretch of sand hidden from the building, she stopped when she took in the sight before her.

A tiny tent stood pitched in the sand.

“Is that for us?” she asked, suddenly very aware of her husband.

“Yep.”

“No cameras? No interruptions?”

“Nope.”

“And you intend to spend the whole night with me this time?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said and drew her into his arms.

As the edge of the sun dipped below the horizon, Bella kicked off her sandals, unwrapped the sarong she wore around her waist and shimmied out of the bottoms of her bikini.

“Hold up, there, beautiful,” Evan said, but he laughed and shucked off his own shorts. “Actually, go as fast as you want.” He came and helped her undo the clasp of her halter top.

As it fell away, Bella stood back and let him take her in, familiar by now with the warmth of his regard and the love that shone in his eyes. She tugged him toward the tent and dropped to her knees to unzip the opening, smiling at the hitch in his breathing that told her what he thought of that particular sight.

She couldn’t get inside fast enough, and Evan took forever to fold his bulk into the tiny space, but when they’d zipped the netted opening back up for a hint of privacy, she lay back and let the moment draw out.

“Did I do good?” Evan asked her.

“Better than good. I think we need to have one of these pitched in our backyard at all times.”

“We can sleep in it every night until we build our house.”

“Sleep? What’s sleep got to do with it?” She snuggled in close and turned over, spoon-fashion. Might as well finally finish what they started back on that most frustrating night of her life back on the show.

“I was hoping you’d remember this,” Evan said, sliding his arms around her, and hugging her close. As he set out to explore her body with his hands, caressing every curve, stroking her breasts, teasing her nipples, the fire within that seemed insatiable whenever he was near began to build anew.

She loved the feel of him nestled against her, the hardness of him pressed along her skin. She loved knowing what was to come, but relishing every moment of the process it took to get there.

She began to rock back against him and heard his murmured grunt of pleasure. As he slid a hand lower, exploring her, stroking her, she parted her legs, allowing him better access.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?” he said.

“I love you.”

He stroked faster and with a moan of wanting, she eased into position, telling him she wanted more, now—right now.

He pushed inside her, but only just a little, then pulled out before pushing in again. With each stroke he reached a little farther, but his slow pace and teasing motions stoked her fire so high she nearly cried out in frustration. Reaching behind her, she gripped his hip and tried to pull him inside. Evan only chuckled into her hair.

“Patience,” he said.

“I’ve never been patient! You know that!”

“I do know that,” he said, and pushed all the way in with a strong stroke. Bella gasped and moaned as he pulled out and pushed in again. This time his pace suited her just fine and she moved with him, every stroke a streak of liquid pleasure between her legs.

“Is this good?” he asked as if he didn’t know the answer.

“Yes!” she gasped. “More.”

“You got it,” he said and redoubled his efforts.

Just when Bella thought she couldn’t contain her desire anymore, she went over the edge and came in crashing waves of sensation and pleasure. Evan came with her, his shouts of release echoing in her ears like the crash of the surf on the sand outside their tent. When they collapsed together, spent and blissful, she reached back to give him a kiss.

“Just give me a minute and we’ll do it again,” he said, kissing her back.

“You promise?”

“As many times as you like. To the victor go the spoils.”

She rolled over to consider him. “You sound pretty pleased about that.”

“Losing that show was the smartest thing I ever did.” He reached up and tugged one her curls. “I love you, Bella.”

“I love you, too.” And she reached for him again.

About the Author

Cora Seton loves cowboys, country life, gardening, bike-riding, and lazing around with a good book. Mother of four, wife to a computer programmer/eco-farmer, she ditched her California lifestyle eight years ago and moved to a remote logging town in northwestern British Columbia.

Like the characters in her novels, Cora enjoys old-fashioned pursuits and modern technology, spending mornings transforming a neglected one-acre lot into a paradise of orchards, berry bushes and market gardens, and afternoons writing the latest Chance Creek romance novel on her iPad mini. Visit www.coraseton.com to read about new releases, contests and other cool events!