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

by Paige Cameron

  “Who?”

  “Gab Forrester. He came by before he went back to New York. Did you see him in the city?”

  Grace’s heart warmed at the thought of Gab visiting her mom and saying those words. “We ran into each other and went to dinner last night.”

  “Oh, how nice. When is he coming home?”

  “He told you he was leaving New York?”

  “Yes, he’s worried about being so far from his parents and said he was ready to help with the ranch. I hope he hasn’t changed his mind. His parents are looking forward to his return.”

  “No. He’ll be here in a week or so.”

  “Good. Let’s eat, and then you can tell me what has put the worry and sadness in your eyes.”

  “I’ll tell you and Graham knows a little. But the rest of my brothers don’t need to know, especially not Clay.”

  “We’ll talk later, and I’ll keep your secret. Whatever it is.”

  Grace kissed her mom’s cheek. “I love you, Mom.”

  She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she bit into the pork chop. Grace cleaned her plate and had a large slice of pie.

  “You haven’t been eating well,” her mother accused with a frown on her face. “It’s a good thing you returned home.”

  “I had a delicious Italian meal last night, but I sort of forgot to eat today.” She told her mom about the restaurant and Enrico. “He has a wife, Rosita, who is the fabulous cook. I’ll take you to meet them and eat at their restaurant sometime when I can get you to go to the city with me.”

  “We’ll see. I don’t like to leave home.”

  “Traveling would be good for you, Mom.”

  “It’s hard to leave the place where your heart is.”

  Grace studied her mother’s calm face. “You’ve never gotten over Dad’s death.”

  “You don’t get over such a loss. You learn to live without that person, but they are never far from your thoughts. I’m glad we had such a large family to keep me entertained and busy. And each of you reminds me of him in different ways.”

  “Even me?”

  “Oh yes, very much. He loved you immensely, you know.”

  “I still miss him, too.”

  “Go into the study. I’ll bring coffee, and we’ll talk,” her mother said, changing the subject.

  Grace walked into the study just as the phone rang. Her mother called from the kitchen.

  “It’s for you, Grace.”

  She picked up the receiver gingerly. Surely Fred wouldn’t be calling her here.

  “Hi darlin’, I’m checking to see you got home all right.”

  “I did. Mom and I had dinner. We’re going to sit and visit.”

  “The city is empty without you.”

  “You can’t possibly miss me. There are thousands of people to keep you company.”

  “Not for me. There’s a void here. I saw several people walking around the void on the street.”

  “You are too funny.” She wanted to ask when he’d be here, but refused to let him know how much she missed him.

  “I won’t keep you and your mother from your talk. I’m flying in Friday. Keep the evening open for me.”

  “I’ll think about it. Thanks for the call.” She put down the phone.

  “Did I interrupt your conversation?” her mother asked.

  “No. He was checking to see I got here all right.”

  “Gab’s worried about you, too. I think you’d better tell me what’s happened to bring you hurrying home.”

  Grace told her all of it, including the confrontation at her condo. “Gab doesn’t know about that last part. I didn’t want him to attack Fred and get into trouble.”

  “I can’t believe Fred ruined your birthday party with his setup. Do you think he might follow you here?”

  “No. He’ll get over it with me out of New York. The worst for him will be the embarrassment. But he brought it on himself. I couldn’t endure several months of continuing a fake engagement. It might save him from embarrassment, but I’d have been miserable living a lie.”

  “Of course you couldn’t continue it. But we’ll keep our eyes open. I have a bad feeling about Fred. I didn’t care for him when he visited.”

  “You and my friends, but no one said anything to me.”

  “You wouldn’t have listened.”

  “I know. I was a fool.” Suddenly all the craziness with Fred the past few days swept over her. She blinked her eyes trying not to cry.

  Her mother came to sit beside her on the couch. “No, you were looking for love. But you can’t force it, it has to come to you.”

  Tears ran down Grace’s face. “I know.” She sniffled.

  “I like Gab, but right now I could sock him in the jaw for hurting you. He could have at least written and called for a while and not smashed your dreams with one cold phone call. You never have forgotten him.”

  She gave her mother a watery smile. “I’ve tried. But it wasn’t all his fault. I built a relationship in my mind that didn’t exist.”

  “You’re tired. Go to bed and sleep late in the morning.” Her mom headed out of the room with the tray and empty coffee cups. “I’m glad to have you home.” She walked out the door.

  “And I’m happy to be here,” Grace mumbled. She walked down the hall to her old room. The furniture was polished and the bed turned back. It took Grace about three minutes to get under the covers. She hadn’t bothered with showering or taking off her makeup. When her head hit the pillow, she went to sleep. But in her dreams, a dark entity ran after her, cackling with laughter.

  “I’ll get you,” the male voice called out. “You’ll pay for your sins.” Then hands reached across the blackness and tightened around her throat. She screamed and sat straight up in bed.

  Mom came running. “Are you OK?”

  “It’s nothing, just a bad dream.” She sat on the side of the bed and shook.

  Mom sat and put her arm around her. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

  “No. I’d rather forget.” Her trembling had stopped. “You can go back to bed. I’m sorry I disturbed you.”

  “Call out anytime you need me.” Her mother stopped at the door, reluctant to leave.

  “I’ll be fine, Momma.”

  She smiled. “It’s been a long time since any of my children have called me ‘Momma.’ It feels good.” She went out and pulled the door partially shut.

  Grace hadn’t told her mother the dream, because she didn’t want to admit at the last minute, when the hands wrapped around her throat, she saw Fred’s face.

  * * * *

  It took until Friday morning to convince her mother she’d be safe at the cabin. “Fred hasn’t contacted me. I’m sure he’s back at work and getting over the whole fiasco.”

  “I think you’re being overly optimistic.”

  “Gab arrives this afternoon. Will you feel better if I hire him to protect me?”

  “He’s going to be busy at his folk’s ranch. I’d like you to call or go into town and talk with the sheriff or Sylvia about Fred. They can keep a lookout for him.”

  “All right. I’ll go by there on my way to the airport to pick up Gab.”

  Her mother smiled. “You two must have gotten some things straightened out. I’m surprised you agreed to drive to the airport for him.”

  “He wants to be friends. We’re trying it out.” There I go stretching the truth. But I can’t tell my mother he and I are also trying out being lovers.

  “I’m glad,” her mother said.

  “He’s also hired me to decorate his new home. My first job back in Frontier City.”

  “A good place to start.”

  “Mom, I’m going to move my stuff today. I’ll come by often to see you.”

  “I know. I worry about you more because you’re my only daughter. But your dad and your brothers taught you how to handle yourself. Take one of the guns and a rifle. I’ll feel better knowing you’ll have protection, if needed.”

  �
��You’re making me nervous, Mom.”

  “Sorry. It’s a mom thing. My instincts are making me uneasy. I wish you’d let me tell your brothers.”

  “We’ve gone over this before. I’ll let you tell them if I get scared, and I will take the gun and rifle. Does that satisfy you?”

  “It’ll have to do.” She grinned at Grace. “Go on. Get settled in the cabin. At least Fred hasn’t been there.”

  Grace borrowed her mom’s truck until she could get a vehicle of her own. Her mom had the car to drive.

  When she opened the door, the cabin smelled musty. Grace threw open all the windows and soon a fresh breeze cleared the air. She unpacked her clothes and put them in the master bedroom. Afterward, she walked around the cabin, exploring.

  “I like this. Perhaps I will buy it from Graham,” she murmured to herself. His study would be a perfect place for her studio. Plenty of light came in the two big windows, and she’d add more light inside.

  There was an extra bedroom for company, and although the living room and kitchen were small, they suited her. Cooking wasn’t something she particularly loved to do like her mom. Mom had taught her to be a good cook, so when Grace had to or felt the urge, she knew how.

  After unpacking, she walked around the outside. She did like to work in the garden and plant flowers around the house. She’d wait until next spring to start her planting. Soon, it’d be too cold.

  She glanced at her watch. Time to shower and change if she was going by the sheriff’s office like she’d promised her mother. She dressed in a new pair of jeans, a long-sleeved yellow shirt, and her old boots. Then she tied her hair back in a ponytail. In the mirror she saw a cowgirl. Gab would grin when he saw her.

  It was cooler here than in New York. She grabbed a light jacket and went to the truck. Then she drove to town and parked in front of the sheriff’s office.

  Sylvia glanced up when she walked in the door. “Welcome home. I wondered when you’d get to town. Sam wanted to come right over, but I suggested we give you time to settle.”

  “Thanks, I needed the time. Is the sheriff around?”

  “He’s out visiting with the townspeople.”

  “I’d hoped to tell you both at once, but you can relay the message.” Grace told her about Fred. “I don’t want my brothers to know what a fool I was, so don’t tell Sam.”

  “If it’s part of my job, I can justify keeping a secret. Do you have a picture of Fred?”

  “I brought this one taken of us at his office party last summer.” Grace pointed to where she and Fred stood.

  “Not the best, but it’ll do. I remember him from the party shortly before our wedding, but the sheriff might need a picture to recall him.”

  “Mother is more worried than me. I’m sure he’s back at work and putting me out of his mind.”

  “Don’t underestimate the situation. Remember, I was stalked by a woman for revenge. Revenge is a strong motivator. I don’t want to scare you, but I want you to be on the alert. Don’t take unnecessary chances.”

  “I won’t. Mom would like to hire Gab to protect me like he did you, but she knows he’ll be busy helping his parents. Although I suspect my brother was involved in your protection, too.”

  “You and Gab are speaking?” Sylvia looked surprised.

  “Yes, he’s convinced me to be friends. I’m going to the airport now to get him.”

  Sylvia smiled. “I’ll bet he’s trying to convince you to be more than friends.”

  “You might win that bet. But to love someone you have to trust them. I have trust issues with Gab.”

  “Give him time. He’ll convince you.”

  “You like him?”

  “Yes. I do. And girl, he’s one good-looking hunk of man. If I hadn’t fallen so hard for Sam, I’d have been interested.”

  “He always did turn a woman’s head. See you later.” Grace waved good-bye. The town was quiet, and there were few people walking around.

  She was letting others make her nervous. She hadn’t had any more nightmares and no calls. She was right about Fred, and they were all wrong. But instinctively, she glanced down the street on both sides.

  Chapter Seven

  Gab put down his suitcase and twirled her around. “I missed you,” he said when he set her on her feet. Several disembarking passengers smiled. Grace’s face flushed hot.

  “Behave. Do you have any checked baggage?” she asked.

  “This is it, my carryon. I’ll bring more clothes from my apartment next trip. My cleaning lady is going to pack them for me. I didn’t want to waste another day getting home.”

  “I called your mother to assure her I was meeting you at the airport. She and your dad are very excited to have you at the ranch. She said your house is all completed, but for a few small interior jobs.”

  “I’ll show you the place tomorrow, and you can start thinking about what I need. Order whatever, I’ll give you my credit card.”

  They were walking toward the parking lot. “That’s a lot of trust. I could go wild and buy the most expensive items.”

  “Buy whatever you want. Whether you accept it or not, the house is going to be yours, as my wife.”

  “Gab, I haven’t agreed to marry you. We’re trying for friends.”

  He put his suitcase into the back of the truck and swung in on the rider’s side. Grace had expected him to ask for the keys to drive. She went around and got in.

  “I won’t decorate your place unless you tell me what you want. My likes or dislikes don’t matter. You can’t make me feel guilty and like I have to marry you because the house is decorated to please me.”

  He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to him. “Shut up, darlin’.” His mouth captured hers, and the heat from his kiss sent a heat wave throughout her body. Then he sat her back in the driver’s seat. “Drive me home. I’ll walk you through the house tomorrow and tell you my likes and dislikes.”

  She drove in silence. I’m not sure if I’m mad at him or glad he accepted my conditions so readily. When they got to the turnoff, she glanced in his direction. He was looking out the side window at the wide-open prairie.

  “Does it feel good to be here?” she asked, breaking the silence between them.

  “Strange, but good.”

  “Why are you angry?”

  “I’m not angry at you, maybe frustrated. The anger is directed at myself for the way I treated you, and now I’m reaping the consequences. I’m not a patient man.” He grinned. “I guess I hoped you’d fall into my arms and forgive me. I know I’m being a silly man, as you’d say.”

  “You took the words out of my mouth. What happened since the other morning? You accepted it would take time for me to see if I could trust you.”

  “Then I missed you like crazy since Monday and my thoughts and hopes got all mixed up.”

  “Friends first, and then we’ll see.”

  “Friends with benefits?”

  He winked and scooted across the seat, closer to her. Her heartbeat quickened, and his scent tantalized her. His thigh brushed hers. It wasn’t accidental.

  “I’d say no to the benefits, but my body would make a liar out of me. Just remember good sex doesn’t mean we’d have a good marriage.”

  “It’s certainly a place to start. I wouldn’t complain.”

  “Men!” She drove around the circular drive and parked in front of his parents’ house.

  His mom and dad rushed out to greet their son and her. Grace stood back and enjoyed seeing them hug Gab. His mother put her arm through his and started to walk inside. She glanced at Grace. “I’ve been cooking all day. You’ll join us for dinner, won’t you?”

  “No. You deserve Gab’s undivided attention on his first night back home. I’ll see you tomorrow, Gab.”

  He walked to the truck to open her door. His parents went on inside. “I’m sorry about tonight. They’re going to want me here at home to talk about plans and old times.”

  “My mom would be the same way. Enjoy.” />
  “I’ll call in the morning and come get you to see my house. Then we’ll have dinner together later.”

  “Sounds like a good plan.”

  Gab pulled her against his warm, hard body. His cock pulsed against her abdomen. “He’s disappointed.”

  “So I gather.” She kissed him good-bye and got in the truck. When she got to the main road, she decided to go to town and get more food for her pantry and fridge. She was restless and didn’t want to go back to the empty cabin.

  In the grocery store she ran into several old friends who stopped to talk and ask questions. Once she’d freed herself of them, she hurried to finish the rest of her shopping. She put the bags in the backseat of the truck and had started to climb in when something across the street caught her attention. Her heart jumped and beat faster.

  A man, Fred’s height, was walking along the sidewalk. But he had on jeans and a flannel shirt, and Fred wouldn’t be seen in such attire. He’d pulled his hat down on his head, and from the back she saw black hair. Fred was blond. Either the man was passing through or a new resident. It wasn’t Fred. She let out the breath she’d been holding. Her mother had her on edge. She got into the truck and headed out of town.

  From her rearview mirror she watched for a car or truck following her. But she saw no one. Her body relaxed a little when she turned off at the cabin. Graham had a long drive. At this moment she was glad his desire to keep people out had led him to arrange the driveway where the cabin was hidden from the road.

  * * * *

  The lawyer he’d seen had disappointed Fred. He’d encouraged him to forget about the breach of promise suit, especially after Fred told him that Grace’s brother was Clay Brodie.

  “I don’t intend to ignore the impossible situation she’s put me in and all the embarrassment. If you don’t take the case, I’ll find another attorney who will.”

  “I’ll take it, but I’m warning you her brother has the best and most expensive lawyers in town. He’ll come after us.”

  “I’m not afraid of him.”

  “Maybe you should be. I’ll do the best I can for you.”