Wives for the Western Billionaires 8
The Intriguing Billionaire Cowboy
Sam Brodie wanted Sylvia Rufus from the time he met her. But his family sees her as a worldly-wise woman, not the wife for Sam. They upset Sam by doubting his ability to know what is right for him. Sylvia’s normal life is disrupted, but she has started to love Sam. Can it last?
When Sylvia gets an anonymous call, she isn’t sure whether to be worried. But the others around her set up a plan to protect her. Sam comes to her rescue, and Sylvia sees another side of him. Just when her life has calmed down, more excitement happens to her in her new position as the sheriff’s assistant. Maybe living in Frontier City isn’t so dull.
Then her mother arrives, and Sylvia faces all her old insecurities about herself and about her ability to love Sam forever. Can their love survive so many trials?
Genre: Contemporary, Western/Cowboys
Length: 42,554 words
THE INTRIGUING BILLIONAIRE COWBOY
Wives for the Western Billionaires 8
Paige Cameron
EVERLASTING CLASSIC
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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THE INTRIGUING BILLIONAIRE COWBOY
Copyright © 2013 by Paige Cameron
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-620-1
First E-book Publication: March 2013
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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THE INTRIGUING BILLIONAIRE COWBOY
Wives for the Western Billionaires 8
PAIGE CAMERON
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
Sylvia Rufus came out of her bedroom at the Brodie house and almost ran into Sam Brodie. “Good morning, Sam.”
“I was coming to knock on your door. Mom has breakfast ready, and after you eat I’ll drive you to your rehab appointment.”
“I told your mother I’m not a breakfast eater.”
Sam grinned, and her heart did a little skip. Damn, the man was much too good-looking.
“Mom doesn’t take no for an answer. We kids found that out in a hurry. It’s easier to give in gracefully. Anyway, she’s convinced you’re too skinny.” Sam looked her up and down. “You look good to me, but a few more pounds wouldn’t hurt.”
They’d reached the kitchen. Mrs. Brodie smiled and placed a plate full of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and biscuits on the table.
“I hope that’s for Sam. I really only eat toast or cereal in the mornings.”
“It’s for you. You’ll need it by the time they get through with you today. Sam, would you like another biscuit and cup of coffee?”
“Sure, Mom.” He sat across from Sylvia. “I had a plateful of food earlier.”
Sylvia took a few bites. It was good. She started eating and ignored the two people smiling at her. How could she refuse such good food after half starving when she was a prisoner?
“You may have won this battle, but I can drive myself to my appointment. Sam, you need to be out on the ranch working.”
“I have a good foreman. He can do without me for a while. After your wrist is stronger, you can drive Mom’s car.”
She frowned at him. He just looked at her in that pleasant, implacable manner he used when he was determined. He might be the peacemaker, as his family called him, but if it was important he could be as hardheaded as the rest of the family.
During her stay at the Brodie ranch she’d found herself fascinated with the family, and she’d studied the brothers whenever they got together for family dinners. They were a lot alike and yet different.
“You are the stubbornest man.”
Sam shrugged. “When it’s needed.” He winked at her then glanced at his watch. “Quit talking and eat. We have to leave in fifteen minutes if you want to be on time.”
Sylvia slowed her eating and sipped her coffee. Sam laughed out loud.
“Now who’s being stubborn?”
She grinned and ate her meal while watching Sam. He and his mother were discussing ranch business. He’d turned his face to the left toward his mom. Sunlight coming in the kitchen window highlighted the gold strands in his light brown hair. When he turned to her, he raised an eyebrow at her.
“Ready to go?”
“Yes. I’ll run to my room and be right back.” She rushed down the hall and into her bathroom, where she brushed her teeth and put on more lipstick. She was still startled when she looked in the mirror and saw the scar on her face. And she hated how it flashed her back to the scene in the underground torture room when one of the kidnapers had sliced her face with his knife. He’d thought she’d tell him where her sister was hiding. But she didn’t. If she had they’d have both died after the men were throug
h with them. She’d been sure she was going to be killed the night Graham and his friend rescued her. She shook her head to clear away the memories. Once she finished rehab on her wrist, she planned to contact a plastic surgeon and hopefully have her face fixed.
“You’re pretty with or without the makeup.”
His voice startled her. Looking in the mirror, she saw Sam leaning against the side of the door. His golden-brown eyes held her mesmerized. Her heart beat faster as he came into the room and stood behind her. Leaning down, he sniffed her hair. “You smell like sunlight and spring flowers.” His arms wrapped around her body as his lips gently kissed her neck.
“What are you doing?” Her voice quivered.
“Letting you know you’re important to me. I was worried when you took so long. You were remembering the nightmare.”
“How do you know?”
“Your eyes look very sad when you are thinking of that time. Forget the scar. I seldom notice it. To me it’s your badge of courage.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s time to go to your appointment. If you need me to drive you or do anything else for you, I’m here.”
His husky voice made her hot. She spread her arms and pushed him away. “I’m not ready for a romance. I’m a city girl, and you are a cowboy born and bred. The two can never be happy together.” She lowered her eyes and swallowed around the tightness in her throat. Her memories did make her sad, but so did the thought of when she’d leave the ranch and Sam. Still, she knew herself. This man would not do for her. She’d hurt him.
“Afraid to give romance a try?” He’d stepped back, and she walked into the bedroom, got her purse, and led the way out.
She didn’t answer until they were in the car. “I’m not afraid of anything. But you’ll be hurt, not me.”
“I’m a big boy. I can take the hard knocks, if they come. I’m betting that I can change your mind and convince you that you are a cowgirl who got lost in the city.”
Sylvia had to chuckle. “You’ll lose.”
“It’s my gamble.” He reached across and touched her hand. “I want to make love to you, to kiss your gorgeous body all over, and put my cock in your sweet pussy. I want to see your eyes when you explode from my lovin’.” He pulled into the parking lot at the hospital.
“You are very sure of yourself.” His words had her pussy clenching with desire and lust rushing in her veins.
“Shall I come in with you?”
“No.” She jumped out and practically ran to the hospital door.
“I’ll go see Rand and pick you up in an hour,” he hollered after her.
Sylvia stopped just inside the hospital lobby to regain her composure. In her mind all she saw was the two of them wrapped around each other. Who knew the quiet, innocent brother had such sexy thoughts about her. He’d been such a gentleman. Wow! She got on the elevator and tried to push the salacious pictures in her mind to the back. Rehab was important.
Her cast had finally come off after six weeks, and after several weeks of rehab, she saw quite a difference. She could have driven herself, but she gave in to be with Sam a little longer this morning. In a little over two months, she’d gotten too fond of him.
What she needed to do was concentrate and get well. If she didn’t hurry and leave Frontier City, she might get confused about what she wanted for her life. It certainly wasn’t living on a ranch, near a small town, in the middle of nowhere.
* * * *
Sam opened the back door to his brother Rand’s medical office. He walked in and waved at Andy, Rand’s partner.
“Is Rand in his office?”
“Yes, our new secretary is the bossy type. She said she’d lock him in there until he signed the paperwork she needed to send out.”
“I’ll go save him,” Sam said. He walked around the corner to Rand’s office and put his head in the door. “Have time to go for coffee?”
“I’d better just take a break here.” Rand got up and poured Sam a cup. “My secretary filled the coffeepot for me, but I have to sign these papers before I can leave this room. I think she took lessons from Mom.”
“Sounds like it. You should have seen Mom convincing Sylvia she had to eat breakfast. It reminded me of when we were all at home.”
“Those were good times, but these are good, too. I’m a happily married man with two babies.”
“I think it must be catching. I’ve been feeling lonely myself lately.”
“Mom’s houseguest wouldn’t have anything to do with those feelings?”
“She might.”
“Be careful.”
“Mom’s already said all that needs saying.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Because I’m thinking of jumping in with both feet and trying to win the city girl.”
“Don’t look at me to try to change your mind. We all have to do what we have to do. Why aren’t you on the ranch at this time of day?”
“I took some time off.”
“You never take a break.”
“I brought Sylvia to the hospital for rehab.”
“Ah. A woman who can pull you away from your duty. You are serious.”
“I have a good foreman and lots of good cowboys.”
“We’ve been telling you that for years and you’ve never listened. Next you’ll be going on your first vacation in five years.”
“Maybe if Sylvia goes with me.”
“Sam, I think you should visit Graham and Regina. Discuss your feelings with them. I’m afraid you may be headed for heartbreak.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Rand chuckled. “I think we all said that at one point or another and look at us now.”
“I’m ready. I want what you all have, a wife and family.”
“Most of us thought you were waiting for Camille to move back to Frontier City.”
“I was, for a while. But I got over her. I’m keeping you from working.” Sam grinned and nodded to the stack of charts. “Have fun.”
He strolled back outside. He had forty-five minutes left to wait. Sam was not used to having idle time. Restless, he walked toward Millie’s restaurant. There was always someone to talk with, or he’d buy a paper and read it.
“My eyes must be deceiving me. I’ve never seen Sam Brodie in my place at this time in the morning. Did your momma quit feeding you?”
“No, Millie. She fed me fine. I have some time to kill, and I figured there’d be someone to talk with at your place.”
“Time to kill? Now I know the world is coming to an end. You never take time off. Tell me the truth.” She stared up at him. “What really brought you to town?” She picked up a menu and walked him to a booth while waiting for his answer.
Sam sat and took the menu. “Our guest is getting rehab on her wrist. I drove her to the hospital.”
“Your momma could’ve done that.”
“Yes, she could have.”
“Love is in the air for you Brodie brothers.” She didn’t wait for a comment back. But with a big smile on her face, she rushed off to greet her next customer.
Damn, there were no secrets in this town. He loved living here, but not being able to hide anything was one of the downfalls. Was he in love with Sylvia or in lust? He hadn’t taken a vacation in a long time and his love life had been rather sparse.
There was no rush. He had time to figure out his feelings. By having Sylvia at the main house he was getting to know her better than if she’d stayed with her sister, Gina. His house would be finished next week. He’d ask her to help him decorate.
Although Grace had plans to arrive Monday and help him. He’d let them both guide him in his purchases. He and Grace were close, and he wanted her opinion of Sylvia.
Sam picked up his paper and opened it. Time would tell, but it was probably lust, not love.
* * * *
Sylvia waved to the rehab tech and went down on the elevator. She glanced at her watch. It had been exactly one hour. Sam is probably bored. Good, maybe he�
�ll let me drive myself on Friday.
He was waiting in the car. Her heart did that silly lurch it always did when she first saw him. When he spotted her, he got out and opened her door.
“My lady.” He made a flourish with his arm. Then he waited until she was seated, closed the door, and walked around to the driver’s side. “How did it go?”
“Fine. I’m a little sore from the exercises today. But the tech said he didn’t think it would take much longer to get my wrist in as good a shape as possible.”
“Don’t rush things. We enjoy having you around.”
“In a few weeks you’ll be wishing I’d go back to the big city.”
“Never.” Sam started the car and drove toward the ranch.
Sylvia looked at him. “Sam, don’t let me hurt you. I don’t know what I’m going to do in the future, but I’ve never planned to live in a small town, not since I left home and went to the city.”
“What didn’t you like about where you grew up?”
“My mother.”
“Well, she isn’t here.”
“No, but I also felt hemmed in. There’s so much going on in the big world out there. Aren’t you curious? Don’t you want to see other countries?”
He turned into the drive to the ranch house. “I visited Dirk when he was working overseas. He took a vacation, and we visited a number of countries. I guess that satisfied my curiosity. I came home and started working on the ranch and haven’t gone anywhere since.”
“The rest of your family has all lived away from here for a while. Why not you?”
The Intriguing Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 1
