Loving Necessity: The Complete Necessity, Texas Collection

by Margo Bond Collins

  “Wait here,” she said, and disappeared back into the house. Moments later, she reappeared, his check in her hand. “I never did deposit it. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

  Without a word, Cash took the check and ripped it in two. Then he headed back to his truck.

  He still had a few things to do in Necessity to settle his uncle’s affairs. After that, he’d be happy to see the town disappearing in his rear-view mirror.

  And apparently Necessity would be just as glad to be shut of him, too.

  AFTER CASH LEFT, SIERRA hadn’t been able to get back to sleep. Instead, she headed over to Shooters.

  She drowned in her sorrows with drink after drink though this time she was certain a handsome stranger wasn’t going to sweep her off her feet and take her home to have an amazing night together.

  Guess I’ll have to make do with the alcohol to keep me company. Better than nothing.

  She couldn’t believe how much of an idiot she had been. Of course Cash had been bound to figure out the truth sooner or later—she just hadn’t figured out to respond to it.

  Now I’ve lost him forever.

  Hell, she hadn’t planned anything—not really. She sure hadn’t expected him to snap up the first ranch she showed him. Sierra had been shocked at his eagerness. Most billionaires she’d encountered were awfully critical of everything a property had to offer. They asked endless questions and always found something to complain about, no matter how miniscule.

  Not Cash, though. The second he laid eyes on the place, he was certain it was the one for him. He didn’t need to go and visit other properties to be sure. No—he was a man who knew what he wanted.

  And though she would never openly admit it to anybody, Sierra adored that about him.

  So he’d handed her an earnest-money check before the end of the day—for a property she couldn’t sell. She’d still been trying to decide how to handle the situation gracefully—or at all—when he showed back up.

  Still, good riddance.

  The town was a lot better off without him and she was certainly a lot better off without him.

  Except... well, it was half true.

  She’d thought the second that he left she would feel a weight lift off her shoulders and her life could return back to normal. That hadn’t happened. Instead, a gaping hole sat in the pit of her stomach, and it made her squirm with absolute distaste.

  She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d messed up everything.

  “You okay, sunshine?” Sammy asked, handing her another drink. And she lost it. The tears all came flooding out all at once and she sobbed into her hands.

  As much as she longed to regain her composure and act like everything was alright, she just couldn’t pretend anymore. Whatever she might have had with Cash—whatever they could have developed together—had been destroyed. She’d chosen the town over herself.

  Never in her life had the act of being selfless taken its toll quite like then.

  Sammy leaned over the bar and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. “It’ll be okay. Whatever it is, you’ll be fine. And you can always come back here if you need another job.”

  Even through her tears, she laughed a little.

  For the first time, she glanced around. Everyone in the bar stared at her. In moments like these, she would like to say that she didn’t care what others thought. But in reality, she did.

  I hate that this man had makes me so weak.

  And I hate that I think I could have fallen in love with him.

  CASH DIDN’T KNOW WHERE he was going, but he hadn’t been able to sleep, so he’d left his truck in the hotel parking lot and taken off on foot. He kept walking through the night.

  Owls hooted and crickets chirped and in any other situation, he would have loved the peaceful and wonderful night. But not tonight. Tonight, an unquenchable rage filled him. Anger bubbled through him until he felt like a grenade just waiting to explode.

  He needed to get far away from the town as soon as he could, he decided. Take his pickup truck to some brand new town miles away and start afresh.

  Maybe he could find somewhere he would be accepted despite his newfound wealth. Somewhere they wouldn’t judge him as harshly as he had been judged here.

  All the while, he couldn’t take his mind off of Sierra.

  Beautiful, destructive Sierra. The woman he’d thought he was looking for. The one he’d considered pursuing seriously. All of that was ruined now.

  He eventually stopped walking and circled back to his truck. Then he took off driving.

  When he reached the ranch, he pulled over and stared out across the fence again. He hadn’t even realized he had been headed here—his only desire had been to get away.

  But here he was, in front of what he’d thought would be his perfect home.

  Just a fantasy again.

  He still couldn’t understand why Sierra would betray him like that.

  Okay. So he hadn’t been as honest as he could have been—not at first. But after her comments about billionaires in the bar, he’d wanted her to see him first. But now all she could see was the business billionaire side of him—a side he hadn’t even discovered for himself yet.

  He wasn’t good enough, plain and simple. Not for the ranch. Not for the town. Not for the company. And not for Sierra.

  Sierra did deserve better than him.

  She needed someone who was beloved by the town and worked for their money. His success was based on pure dumb luck that his uncle was gracious enough to leave him his fortune.

  With a sigh, he climbed back into the truck, ignoring the beautiful ranch that could have been his own. The rage that had roared inside him settled into sadness.

  He wanted the ranch. He wanted a peaceful life.

  And most of all, he realized, he wanted Sierra.

  Or at least the chance to win her.

  Chapter 10

  By an hour before, Sierra was too exhausted to even move. She rested her head on the bar, having had far too much to drink.

  Again. God, what am I doing with my life?

  She hadn’t been happy since she’d decided to take up hating billionaires.

  She barely noticed when the two men who sat either side of her with proud smirks on upon their faces.

  “That billionaire guy has gotten outta here at last,” one man said.

  Sierra jolted upright at the voice. Thomas and Henry Davis.

  “We got you to thank for that,” said Henry.

  “Sierra saves the day once more. Good going, kiddo,” said Thomas.

  She despised the fact that they were actually praising her for stealing Cash’s money.

  Worse than that, though, she had stolen his dream to settle down here, make a home for himself in what she knew was really a nice town, despite a few unpleasant residents.

  The guilt was almost more than she could bear.

  “Good riddance I say,” Thomas continued. “Terrible, he was. Absolute scum of the earth.”

  Sierra’s fists balled up and she slammed them on the bar. “You don’t even know him,’ she declared. “Neither of you know him. He’s just a stranger and right up until you started in on him, he was nothing but polite to you.”

  Both men looked stunned. “You don’t know him either, darlin’,” said Henry.

  “I think maybe I know him better than I know myself,” whispered Sierra, and then quickly closed her mouth, fearing she’d said too much.

  She overcame her embarrassment and continued for Cash’s sake. “You should be ashamed of yourself, pushing a good man out of this town because you’re jealous. Imagine being in his shoes.”

  For a second she was sure that the glance the men exchanged was one of rage. But she quickly realized it was a look of embarrassment. Henry laughed nervously.

  “Perhaps...” he began.

  “Maybe we were a bit too harsh on the fellow,” Thomas acknowledged. “We were just having a little bit of fun at his expense with the whole Rattlesnake
Hill thing.”

  “But I heard it was old man Holgate who really laid into him,” Henry added.

  Sierra couldn’t believe her ears. Were the grumpiest guys she knew actually showing sympathy for a so-called entitled billionaire? She’d heard of miracles but never experienced one like this. She didn’t know how to respond.

  Sierra’s entire body tensed up. Her cheeks flushed a bright crimson and her mouth went dry. She couldn’t believe herself.

  Was this really the person she had become for the sake of others’ opinions?

  She’d never been able to put herself first and now she’d let others determine her actions. The lines between right and wrong had become blurred. Her satisfaction was plastic and her pride was false.

  Oh, no. Nothing I’ve done was truly me.

  She had lost who she was a long time ago and was struggling to figure out who she was now. She hated whoever this was that she was now.

  Have I become a monster? A heartless human being? I can’t believe I did that to Cash.

  “I’ve made a huge mistake,” she breathed out.

  She never thought she would be able to say or even think those words. She always had everything in order and nobody ever doubted her persistence.

  But whatever she had had with Cash was the most real thing she had ever experienced.

  This genuine guy had seen passed her superficiality and found a true part of her. The part of her that might have allowed her to fall in love, perhaps for the first time.

  Thomas eyed her carefully, unable to figure out what she was thinking as she stared at nothing. He gave her a nudge and asked, “You okay there, darlin’?”

  She flinched when he touched her, having been completely lost in thought. A shake of the head confirmed his worry.

  “You had too much to drink?” asked Sammy. “Maybe we should get you home.”

  She shook her head once more. “No time for that. I’ve got to go get Cash...”

  Before she could bolt off, Henry grasped her arm. “It’s too late for that. You don’t want to say anything you regret, do you?”

  “I’ve already said too much I regret.”

  “Think this through, darlin’. You’re steaming drunk. You go run after him right now, you’ll likely trip yourself up on your words.”

  Sierra considered what Henry said. She hadn’t thought of herself as being too drunk but the second she stood up, the world spun.

  Better to go home now and sleep it off. I’ll consider my plan in the morning.

  But she knew she wouldn’t change her mind.

  It wasn’t too late, she convinced herself. She didn’t know where he was but she was sure she would find him. The town was only a small place and if he left, it wouldn’t take much to tempt him back.

  She knew what she had to do. And all it would take was a few phone calls.

  In the morning, she promised herself.

  She would find a way to convince Cash to give her—and Necessity—a second chance.

  Chapter 11

  A harsh knocking on Cash’s hotel room door woke him the next morning, waking him from a dream that he couldn’t remember.

  When he looked out through the peephole and saw who was there, he wished for an instant that he’d driven away the second he got behind the wheel.

  “Morning,” said a muffled voice through the door. “Can I talk to you?”

  Hesitantly, Cash opened the door to her. But he didn’t invite her in.

  “I never really got a chance to apologize for what I did.” Sierra’s voice was solemn and considerate as she carefully chose the right words to say. “I am deeply sorry for what I did to you.”

  Cash couldn’t think of how to respond. He was still angry, still hurt—but he was glad she was here. Not only did she have the principle to apologize but there was something about hearing the sweet music of her voice that was great to wake up to. And now that she was here, he was glad he hadn’t left town.

  I don’t think I could bear never seeing her again. The thought startled him.

  “You’re a really great guy, Cash, and I hate that I did that to you. It was stupid. It was wrong.”

  Cash nodded, but didn’t answer—he was too busy looking at her. He nearly lost his breath. Her beauty radiated even more this early morning. She looked even more beautiful without her makeup on. In the natural light, he could see that she had light freckles painted over her cheeks and nose. Her eyes looked more silvery blue than ever and he felt like he could get lost in them for years.

  “I know my words mean nothing, really. Anyway, actions speak way louder. So I managed to get a counteroffer from the landowner. A real deal, this time. Because who cares what everyone else thinks about you? You are entitled to getting the ranch of your dreams. So, what do you say?”

  Cash realized that she had been carrying this conversation all by herself, but all he could do was stare at her.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, shifting uncomfortably.

  “Why are you doing this?” he asked, the growl in his voice a little deeper than usual.

  She glanced away and bit her lip, embarrassed. “I don’t know. I thought you’d appreciate it.”

  “I do. But why?”

  “Just get dressed and come with me,” she said.

  She waited outside, tapping her foot. When he stepped back out, she was waiting by his truck. “You’re driving.”

  Cash shook his head in bemusement. “Where are we going?”

  “I need to stop by Shooters first.”

  “Fine.” He tried to conceal his annoyance, but he couldn’t.

  Sierra met his irritation with a smile as he parked at the bar. “Come inside with me for a minute?”

  “It’s a little early for a drink, isn’t it?”

  Sierra laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” asked Cash, curious.

  “Nothing!” she said, adopting a stern look. Her eyebrows knitted together and she sounded offended that he would even ask her such a question.

  Cash shrugged it off. Sierra was a mystery to him. He was uncertain if he would ever figure her out.

  But I’d like to try.

  She led him up to the bar and opened the door. When he stepped inside, a loud cheer emerged, making Cash’s heart do a back flip. Banners decorated the walls and there were at least twenty people inside, the most Cash had ever seen in the bar at any given time. Each person had a genuine smile with a hint of guilt painted on his or her face—except Sierra’s secretary Gracie. She simply looked delighted.

  Balloons floated through the room and there was a cake in the middle of a buffet table. The icing spelled out the words “WELCOME HOME CASH.”

  Cash gave Sierra a questioning look. “But I didn’t leave.”

  Sierra’s joyful expression softened into a wry smile. “I kind of thought you did.”

  “I was going to but... I didn’t.”

  Sierra beamed at this and took his hands in hers. “I want this to be your home. I think this is the perfect place for you to settle down and become who you really are. You can find yourself here.”

  That was all Cash could have ever longed for.

  “There’s more to you than the typical billionaire. You’re a genuine guy, Cash. Much more than we expected.”

  Cash grinned. “So, do you guys usually have parties at seven o’clock in the morning?”

  Sierra gave him a playful nudge with her shoulder. “Anything for you.”

  “Anything? Oh, I’d better run now!”

  This time he received a light punch in the arm. “Watch it.” She led him to the table. “Do you like the cake? I made it myself. I hope you’re not allergic to chocolate. Or eggs. Or icing. Are people actually allergic to icing? Is that a thing? Anyway—”

  He was staring at her again.

  “Oh, God. I’m babbling. I am so sorry. I do this when I’m nervous, or excited, or...”

  “It’s perfect, Sierra. Absolutely perfect.”

&nbs
p; Her expression softened again and she matched his smile, beaming.

  Cash took Sierra’s hand and tugged her behind the bar, toward the storage room.

  “I need to talk to you,” he said. “Alone.”

  “What’s the matter? I thought you’d like this,” said Sierra, avoiding his eyes.

  Her disappointment created a pit in the bottom of his stomach. He couldn’t leave her thinking like that. “I don’t like it, Sierra. I love it. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before.”

  His tone was on the brink of confession, and he felt like he was pouring out his heart and soul.

  “I can get the paperwork for the ranch for you to sign now. Get you moved in as soon as possible.”

  As much as Cash appreciated that, right now he didn’t care about the ranch, or his future. All he cared about was the moment he and Sierra were sharing.

  As long as they were together, he could be living under a bridge for all he cared.

  “Move in with me.”

  He said the words aloud before he’d fully considered the idea. Yet somehow, though it was crazy, it felt right.

  Sierra blinked at him, astounded. “What? Are you insane? I can’t.”

  “Why not? Give me one good reason why.”

  “Because I have my own house.” Sierra released his hands and folded her arms. “I barely know you. You could be a serial killer or a psychopath. You could eat TV dinners.”

  Cash arched an eyebrow. “I’d let you sleep in my room.”

  Sierra’s mouth fell open. “You’d what?”

  He nodded seriously. “Absolutely. As long as you promised not to steal any of my money.”

  He managed to keep a serious face for a full ten seconds while Sierra spluttered, and then he howled with laughter.

  Sierra huffed, releasing her balled fists. She both hated and adored the way Cash got her so worked up. And secretly, she was pretty sure she loved everything about him—part of her wished he weren’t actually joking.