Enticed by the Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  Fred walked back to the reserved room. Their guests were gathering their things and preparing to leave. Good, he didn’t want to have to give explanations or entertain them. They told him good-bye, and in a few minutes he was alone.

  He sipped on the rest of his wine. He’d gotten her to accept the ring. Now, he’d push her into the wedding.

  Then he remembered Gab Forrester’s gift. She hadn’t opened it. Forrester had been raised in the same small Montana town where Grace grew up. Grace’s expression when he shook her hand worried Fred. Something was going on there, and he didn’t like it. Not if whatever it was threatened his plan.

  Chapter Two

  Gab escorted Stella out of the restaurant. “We’ll eat our cake in the cab on the way to your place. I’m sorry to rush you off, but I couldn’t sit there and watch the festivities. Grace looked sick, and her fiancé was gloating.”

  “I’d say you have a special interest in his fiancée,” Stella said, as she got into the cab he’d flagged down.

  He swung in beside her and gave the cabbie her address. “We’ve known each other a long time. I’m friends with her five brothers.”

  “Five? Wow, that’s a big family.”

  “A great family, they’re good people.”

  The cab stopped at her apartment building. “Come on up for a drink. You can’t call her tonight. She’s probably fast asleep.”

  Gab grinned as they rode up the elevator. “How do you know I’m going to call her?”

  “You’re a man, and you’ve been displaced. You’ll call.”

  The elevator stopped at the fifth floor. They walked down four doors, and Stella let him into her small apartment.

  “You are a scary woman, Stella. If I believed in psychics, I’d think you were one.” He followed her to the kitchen where she got a couple of beers out of the refrigerator and handed him one. He took a swallow and said, “You always know where to find me when I’m not in the office. You have an uncanny sense even if I don’t leave a message of where I’m going to be. Tell me your secret.”

  “Oh no, that’s my security for keeping my job.”

  “You know I’d never let you go. Where would I find such a bossy woman? Mom is comforted knowing you watch out for me.”

  Stella chuckled. “I like your mom. When are you moving to the ranch for good? I’ll miss you at work.”

  “Soon. But I’ll fly in once every two weeks. You and Mac can handle things on this end.”

  “We’ll see. Come on in the living room and tell me about Grace.”

  Gab sat on her couch and leaned back. “Where do I start?”

  “Usually at the beginning,” Stella said.

  He wrinkled his nose at her. “You don’t have to be sarcastic. We met when she started school. I’d become friends with her brothers. I didn’t like girls, and she was especially annoying when her brothers and I wanted to play. She wanted to join us.” He smiled at the remembrance.

  “I think we can jump ahead to when she got more attractive to you than annoying.”

  “That was when I came home for the summer after my junior year at college. She was sixteen, and a sophomore in high school. I was twenty-one. I went to see her brothers, and she opened the door. She looked at me with her sherry-brown eyes and smiled. Her beautiful auburn hair hung halfway down her back. I was a goner.” He shook his head. “Why am I telling you all this? I must be nuts. Suffice it to say that was long ago, and I’ve been far away since.”

  “You told me because you see me as one of the guys, and we are good friends. When you saw she was engaged to someone else, it shook you.”

  “Women. You think you have all the answers.” He put his empty beer can down. “I’ve got to go. See you in the office tomorrow.” He hugged her at the door. “You’re like the sister I never had.”

  “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  “Don’t get used to it. Tonight’s an aberration. Tomorrow I’ll be the big, bad boss again.” Then he took long strides to the elevator.

  When the doors closed, he leaned against one wall. Grace is engaged to that wimp of a man. But she is going to be my wife, although she won’t accept my proposal yet. I’m not going to lose her. When I get home, I’ll make a plan to get Fred Vine out of her life. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it.

  * * * *

  Grace woke, and sat on the side of her bed. Her tiredness lingered, but the headache had gone. Mentally, she pushed herself to get up and head to the bathroom.

  I’d like to go home this weekend and let Mom worry over me. Mom would be thrilled if I ever admitted that to her.

  Usually Grace hated it when she was ill and her mother hovered around her. She wasn’t really sick now, but sixty- to seventy-hour weeks had caught up with her.

  A flash in the bathroom mirror caught her eye. She stared at the ring on her left hand, then groaned.

  The memory of last night flooded her brain. She had accepted his proposal. It wasn’t a bad dream. She’d swear the ring tightened on her finger. This was much more permanent than an understanding. Perspiration broke out on her forehead.

  Her phone on the bedside table rang. She rushed to answer it, and then hesitated. She hoped it wasn’t Fred. She wanted to talk with him, but not until she’d had her coffee and knew exactly what to say. She glanced at the number. It wasn’t familiar. “Hello.”

  “Hi. I wanted to be sure you were all right this morning. Last night you looked pale. I realize you were excited about your birthday and engagement party. But you didn’t look well.”

  Gab’s warm, smooth-as-good-whiskey voice slid through the phone lines and across every nerve in her body. She plopped onto the edge of the bed.

  “I’m much better. Something I ate didn’t agree with me.”

  “Or maybe getting engaged had that effect on you.”

  “Why would my engagement make me ill? Fred and I have had an understanding for some time.”

  “Your overwhelming enthusiasm last night convinced me you were happy about the engagement.”

  “You don’t have to sound snarky.”

  “Well, you’re a bit irritable and touchy for a happily engaged woman. If you were my fiancée, you’d be purring this morning.”

  An image of Gab and her rolling around on her sheets, touching, kissing, and loving made her heart pound and her insides quiver.

  But it was just her imagination as it had always been. Gab had never made love to her except in her dreams. She tried to swallow around the lump in her throat.

  “You’re a big talker,” she finally got out. “You let your chance go by. I’ve got work to do.” She hung up before he responded. Then she sat and stared at the ring. She’d go to work and tell them she was resigning. She’d thought about going home and starting her own line of clothes. There was no better time than now.

  I made a horrible mistake last night, but I couldn’t say no and embarrass Fred. Still, I guess he isn’t going to feel any better when I cancel our engagement.

  Grace put the ring in her bedside-table drawer and slid it shut. There, she could breathe better.

  On her ride to work, the same question she’d had last night came into her mind again. Why had Fred decided to propose now? She didn’t believe his story about her brothers’ happy marriages influencing him. And Fred didn’t make quick decisions.

  Had he heard about Clay’s prominence in the financial hub of New York and realized her family’s wealth on his visit to the ranch? Did that precipitate his actions?

  She glanced at her cell phone. She could call Clay. He’d take care of any problems Fred might give her. No, she was a grown woman, and he’d treat her like his little sister. Grace preferred none of her family, except her mother, know of her mistake. She was embarrassed.

  “Here you are, lady,” the cabbie said. She paid him and got out. This was her first unpleasant job of the day. Her boss wouldn’t be happy.

  Grace had the same sick feeling in her stomach as last night. She hated co
nfrontation. She’d considered calling and making an appointment to see her boss, but decided surprising her was best. That way she wouldn’t have time to think of a million hurtful remarks to throw at Grace. Her off-the-cuff words would be bad enough.

  She let herself into the building with her employee key. Several people looked surprised at her lateness, but smiled and waved.

  Her boss was in the main room as she’d expected. Two of the top designers were with her, several seamstresses, and a salesman.

  “What are you doing coming in late?” her boss asked. Are you sick? You look fine to me.”

  “I could lie and say I was sick.”

  Someone gasped and her boss’s face turned an ugly, reddish-purple. “That is grounds for dismissal, but because of your budding talent, I’ll let it pass, this once. Get to work. You can stay late to make up for the missed hours.” Her boss turned back to the people standing around her.

  People had started to talk. “I resign.” The whole room went silent.

  “Resign?” Her boss’s voice raised several octaves.

  “I’m giving my two weeks’ notice.”

  “But you can’t. We’re in the middle of finishing our fall line. I planned to mention your name as one of our upcoming designers.”

  “I’m giving my notice.” Grace said firmly and stared directly into her boss’s glaring, brown eyes. Grace saw a flash of dislike.

  “Get out, you ungrateful little twit. You’ll never work in this city again.” She got in Grace’s face. “I promise you.”

  “I didn’t plan on it. I’m moving home.” Grace walked out.

  Relief swept over her. She hadn’t wanted to work out the two weeks. Her boss would have made her life hell the whole time. She hurried to her desk, got her few personal items, and told her shocked friends good-bye. Outside, the air smelled fresher. A weight had lifted off her shoulders.

  She hadn’t realized or admitted the pressure she’d been under the past two years. She’d denied her unhappiness to her family, wanting them to view her as an independent, adult woman.

  How will my brothers react to my returning home? I can take some teasing, but they’d better not say we told you so, or I might have to punch them. She smiled at her thought.

  Grace returned to her apartment to get the ring. She rode up to her private foyer and her half of the twentieth floor. Clay had insisted on this for safety.

  He was the worrier in the family. In a city the size of New York, he warned she could be kidnapped and held for ransom or someone might break in to rob her. He hated her traveling around town after dark. Today, she was glad she’d gone along with his choice. After arriving on her floor, she released the elevator and locked her elevator doors, so it wouldn’t stop at her suite.

  Once she unlocked her double-door entrance, she carried her personal things from work inside, dumped them on a chair, and locked herself in. Grace took a deep breath. She’d never been so glad to be alone and know no one could bother her. Once she unplugged her landline, she’d have shut out all possible annoyances. Her cell was already set on only family, which didn’t include Fred.

  She changed into jeans and a T-shirt, took her cell phone and a glass of orange juice, and walked out on the balcony. With the pencil and pad she’d brought out with her, she listed what she had to accomplish before returning to Frontier City, Montana.

  First she’d end her engagement. Fred’s moods hadn’t been good recently. He wouldn’t take the rejection well. Nevertheless, she intended to give his ring back.

  Grace placed a call to his office. His secretary answered. “Fred’s in an important lunch meeting. By the way, I hear congratulations are in order. When’s the wedding?”

  “Fred and I have to talk about that.”

  “From what he said this morning you two will be marrying soon.”

  “Tell him I’ll call back later this afternoon. Bye.” Grace shut off her cell. She stared at the ring twinkling on her finger. When she went to take it off, it stuck for a second. She yanked it free and returned to the bedroom to place it in the drawer. The damn thing knows I don’t want it.

  She returned to the sunny balcony. Next, she’d call Rita.

  “Hi. Are you still speaking to me?” Rita asked when she answered.

  “Of course. I wanted to thank you for the birthday party. I’m sure Fred left most of the planning to you.”

  “I never expected he’d propose.”

  “I know. I didn’t either. My accepting was a mistake. I’m planning to give him the ring back and make my move home. I’ve already resigned from work. As soon as I can meet with Fred and end our engagement, I’ll be ready to leave.”

  “Wow, you work fast. Will I see you again?”

  “Sure, I’m keeping my condo, and I’ll have to visit New York from time to time.”

  “I hope this move will be a good one. I’m elated you’re still friends with me. I swear I’ll never plan another surprise party for you or any of my friends. I’ve learned my lesson.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. Take care.” Grace had suspected Rita was unsettled by last night’s events. She hadn’t wanted to go home without talking to her. Now there were two more calls to make before trying to reach Fred.

  Grace drank more of the sweet, cold, orange juice. She checked her list. She had a favor to ask her brother Graham. She’d phone him, and then she’d call Mom.

  Grace speed-dialed Graham. “Hi, Gina. How are you?”

  “Feeling as big as a house, but soon I’ll be slim again and have our baby to hold.”

  “I’m happy for you both. Is Graham around? I have a favor to ask him.”

  “Sure, he’s writing, but it’s time for lunch. I was planning to interrupt him anyway.”

  In a few seconds, Graham answered. “What’s wrong? You never call me.”

  “I’m sorry I haven’t. I’ll start calling you every morning.”

  “No, you won’t. And if you did, I’d have to come to New York and make sure you understood. I don’t take calls during the day, unless it’s an emergency.”

  “This is sort of one.” Grace explained about her short engagement, and her desire to come home to Frontier City and rent his cabin. “But don’t you dare tell the other brothers I was engaged.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m determined to stay out of my siblings’ love lives. You could stay with Mom.”

  “I want to be alone to work on some of my ideas for design.”

  “And you want to rent my cabin?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hmmm, my old place is going to be known as the retreat for lonely, confused women.”

  “Do you still use it?” Grace asked.

  “Nope. I find I write better close to my wife, and don’t dare comment on that remark.”

  “I won’t, except to say I think that’s so sweet and lovely.”

  She chuckled for the first time since her engagement when she heard Graham groan. “I’ll strangle you, sister or not, if you tell my brothers what I said.”

  “Now we both have something on each other. They’d love to razz you, but I bet their wives could tell secrets on them they wouldn’t want us to know. Can I rent the cabin?”

  “No. I’ll loan it to you. I may sell it if you’re interested in buying.”

  “I’ll see, but thanks for letting me use it. Go eat lunch.” Grace clicked her cell off and went to her kitchen. She hadn’t been hungry earlier, but since her plans were going well, she’d gotten an appetite. Afterward she’d call Mom and lastly, Fred.

  She’d left the most difficult call for the last. She had no idea how Fred would react when she told him she wanted to give his ring back. He definitely wasn’t going to like it, and although she’d seldom seen his temper, he did have one. Thinking about another confrontation took her appetite away.

  Chapter Three

  “Mom, I want to come home to Frontier City.”

  “You know you can visit anytime. When will you arrive?”

  “I didn’
t make myself clear. I’ve quit my job, and I plan to come home, move into Graham’s cabin, and try to start my own line of clothing.”

  “My, you’ve made a lot of plans. Are you certain this is what you want?”

  “I’ve never been so sure.”

  “And I couldn’t be happier. I’d hoped you’d come to this decision. I’ll have you nearby. You have a great talent. I’m sure you’ll be a success on your own.”

  “You’re my mom, but I hope you’re right.”

  “Moms are always right.”

  “I’ll be home within a day or two. I have a few things to take care of before I can leave.”

  “What will you do about your condo?”

  “I’ll keep it. If I’m a success, I’ll come to New York on business, for shows and things. I like having my own place and privacy.”

  “I’m excited for you. See you soon, honey. I love you.”

  “Love you, Mom.” Grace put her phone down. She waited a few minutes before punching in Fred’s number. His secretary answered.

  “He just got back. I told him you’d called. I’ll put you through.”

  Grace tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair. She wanted to get this over with.

  “Hi, Grace. What’s up?”

  “I thought we might meet for dinner tonight at that nice restaurant down the street from your office.”

  “You aren’t working late?”

  “Not today.”

  “I’m sorry to say I can’t join you tonight. Tomorrow’s Saturday. We can go out to dinner and celebrate. I’ll take you to that restaurant in the swanky hotel. The one your friends said had delicious food. We’ll treat ourselves.”

  “The place by your office will be satisfactory. No need to spend all that money.” Grace bit her lip. Guilt made her face flush, and she hated lying more than she hated surprise parties.

  “I insist. Shall I come get you at, say seven o’clock?”

  “Don’t bother. I’ll catch a taxi and meet you there.”

  “Good. Tomorrow at seven.”