by Kristen Echo
Billionaire Cowboy Kisses
A Cowboy Christmas Romance (Big Wish Ranch)
Kristen Echo
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue One
Epilogue Two
Author Note
More Holiday Romances
About the Author
Acknowledgments
BILLIONAIRE COWBOY KISSES
BIG WISH RANCH
Copyright © 2020 by Kristen Echo and Kristen Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book or publisher.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
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Website: https://www.echoromance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenecho/
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eBook ISBN:978-1-9992777-7-2
Print ISBN:978-1-9992777-8-9
Created with Vellum
Chapter 1
Trevor
* * *
Find a good woman and get married. The idea swirled through my brain like a tornado, unsettling and bound to only cause damage. I cringed. My best friend, Roger, was out of his mind for suggesting something so insane. We’d been neighbors for four years, and I’d never known him to joke around. Especially not about matters of the heart.
“You’ve dipped into the spiced eggnog too early,” I snickered.
The calendar on the kitchen wall showed twenty-one days till Christmas. I was not looking forward to the holidays. I hadn’t celebrated in years. The sooner December flew by, the better.
“Afraid you couldn’t handle a real woman?”
“Be serious.” I sank onto a hard, wooden chair by his round kitchen table. My heart thumped wildly in my chest. “Maybe you didn’t hear me. I want your guidance about reopening my dude ranch.”
As a long-time rancher, he knew better than I did what challenges I’d face. I had closed the doors when I bought the acreage. I’d intended for the closure to be temporary, but then everything fell apart.
“Heard you loud and clear,” he replied. “You want to fill your house with guests. Start with a wife and then add some kids.”
“Already did the marriage thing, and it didn’t work out. I’m better off alone.”
Roger tipped his cowboy hat, showing me his raised eyebrow. “You were young and married a buckle bunny. No offense, but it was doomed from day one.”
“Forget I asked you. I’ll handle my ranch on my own.”
“Being a champion rider isn’t the same thing as running a ranch. It’s too much for you to take on alone. In your condition, you need someone by your side to help.”
I exhaled, swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth, and tried not to lash out at the mention of my career ending injury. Not a day went by that I didn’t miss bronc riding and the fast pace of the rodeo. I was lucky to be alive. After weeks in the hospital and even more in rehab, I wasn’t crippled, or wheelchair bound, but I would never be the same. My body was held together with more metal and pins than an aircraft. I had limitations that hadn’t existed in my twenties, but I didn’t need anyone’s help.
My hands balled into fists. “What condition are you referring to?”
“Easy there. I just meant ranching isn’t a one man show.”
“I am capable of running this business.” I rubbed my hands on my jeans to stop my damaged knees from bouncing.
“Won’t be easy.” Roger stood and grabbed two beers from his kitchen fridge.
Using the edge of the counter, he opened the first bottle and offered the second to me. I declined with a shake of my head, but he set the unopened bottle on the table in front of me anyway. Roger was in his late forties, and he’d been working on a ranch his entire life. I’d learned a lot over the past few years, but my experience paled in comparison to him and his family.
“Nothing worthwhile ever is,” I replied. “If I wanted easy, I wouldn’t have bought that slice of paradise in the first place. I’ve kept the place in decent shape, but it’s a long way from being ready for guests.”
After my career ended, I needed a purpose. Ranching seemed like a good idea. I had moved to Montana with money to burn and felt an instant kinship with the land. This place was home.
Callie, Roger’s wife, sauntered into the brightly lit room and patted my shoulder as she walked by. “Don’t mean to interrupt, but I need to get dinner started,” she said. “Are you joining us, Trevor?”
“If that’s an invitation, I’d love a home cooked meal,” I answered. Cooking for one never worked out well.
She chuckled. “You are always welcome.”
No more than five feet tall, Callie stood on the tips of her toes to plant a kiss on her husband’s cheek. Over two decades together, and she still looked at him like he hung the moon. I’m not sure my ex-wife ever loved me that much. She loved my fame, the rodeo and all the things I provided, but when push came to shove, she didn’t have my back or share my dreams.
“Darlin, I think Trevor needs your help.” He took a long sip before sitting across from me. “You need to set him up with a good woman. A woman who can handle his moody ass.”
She shrieked like a giddy schoolgirl. I closed my eyes and shook my head. I did not want to discuss my love life with my friends. Getting set-up was bound to end in disaster. Women had expectations from a former rodeo star, and I couldn’t deliver. It was best not to try.
“I’ve been waiting for this day, and I’ve got a few ladies in mind,” she declared. “Bet I could have you engaged by Christmas.”
Tossing my head back, I laughed, but the sound fell flat when no one else joined in. I looked at Roger and Callie as they exchanged a cryptic glance. “That’s three weeks from now. And I thought I was being ambitious trying to open my ranch by summer.”
“If you’re serious, I can lend you a few hands while you sort out hiring a crew. Should leave you plenty of time for entertaining.” Roger swallowed another mouthful of beer, making me suddenly parched.
“To be honest, I’m not looking to date. Company would be nice, but I just want to open my dude ranch and—”
“Live happily ever after,” Callie finished. Her eyes sparkled with possibility.
“No. I’m not chasing fairy tales.”
Callie offered a kind smile that didn’t reach her blue-gray eyes. “Since you moved to town, you’ve been so lonely. Besides visiting us, you never leave your property.”
“I like my place. I don’t—”
“Trevor, I’ve kept my lips sealed because it’s not my place to interfere, but you have to stop hiding,” she huffed. “You aren’t a young man anymore and no one expects you to do the things you used to. It’s time to accept who you are.”
“Point made.” I waved her off.
I had loved everything about my life until the rug was pulled from under me. Within the blink of an eye, I lost my career and my wife. My ex stuck by my side for a little while, but my accident changed everything. She hated the idea of running a dude ranch, but she hated the slower and broken version of me more. She had expected me to fight harder to get back to the rodeo lifestyle. Wh
en it became clear that wouldn’t happen, she bailed. I didn’t chase her.
“Maybe it is time for me to try something different.” I’d been alone for too many years. I pushed away from the table and paced the small space. My legs ached. I had to use the damn cane to support my weight.
My friend finished his beer and placed the empty bottle on the table. “Be nice to put an end to the rumors.”
“What rumors?”
Roger cleared his throat before responding. “Didn’t mean for that to slip out. It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. What rumors,” I repeated.
“You’re too rich and famous to socialize with common-folk.”
I laughed. Those rumors were absurd. I wasn’t the only billionaire in Montana. There were plenty of well-off ranchers.
Callie slapped her husband’s shoulder. “Don’t lie. Ladies are saying the fall broke more than your legs and back. If you catch my meaning.”
Dammit. This was exactly why I’d stayed away from dating. I’d have to prove my manhood was still intact. I was fully capable of satisfying a woman. My cock wasn’t broken, but it hadn’t seen any action other than my hand in years.
“Stop. I get the gist, but it’s not true,” I countered.
They shared another glance, making me wish I hadn’t come for my weekly visit. “Trevor, put an end to the small-town gossip once and for all. We have some great ladies,” she said, trying to entice me.
Anyone who followed my sport knew about my fall from grace. I made a mistake and got trampled. The pity in their eyes was a constant reminder of my failure. Hell, every step I took reminded me I was half the man I used to be. “I just want to focus on business. Love can wait.”
“If you’re bored, ranching isn’t a hobby,” Roger said. “It’s work, and it’s not like you need the money.”
When my father died, I had inherited his billion-dollar oil business. The corporate world never fit my personality. I’d spent my summers on my uncle’s ranch and dreamed of being a cowboy. Instead of living my days behind a desk, I sold his company. I spent the next decade dominating the rodeo and making a name for myself outside of his shadow. I didn’t need to reopen my ranch, but my life felt empty. Not that I’d ever tell them that tidbit.
“It’s not about money,” I barked.
“I’m confused. Are we talking about ranching or women?” Callie asked as she washed a handful of vegetables in the sink.
“Both. Trevor wants to reopen his ranch and take on guests again. I suggested he look after his personal life first.”
She laughed. It was a sweet sound, but my molars gnashed together as I leaned against the doorframe. My casual pose couldn’t hide the tension spreading across my shoulders when Roger laughed too.
The land and the animals deserved to be shared with the world. The place was too big for just me. For the first time in my life, I might have taken on more than I could handle. I didn’t like that feeling. This was my dream. Big business and suits never fit right. Buying a ranch in the mountains wasn’t an easy decision, but I had no regrets. I wasn’t afraid of the hard work and long hours.
“Why do you find it funny?”
“Sorry for my outburst,” she said, facing me. “I agree with Roger. Also, I assumed when you closed, it was for good.”
I shook my head and removed my cowboy hat. A few strands of dark hair fell over my eyes, but I left them as I slid the worn leather between my fingers. “Never meant to close it entirely at all, but I had my hands full with the unhappy wife, and broken bones. My head wasn’t on right. I’m done with all that finally. Be good to share the place again and meet people.”
Roger slapped his big hand on the table. The bottles rattled but didn’t fall. “With the holidays coming, you’re lonely. It’s understandable.”
“No,” I shot back far too quickly. There was some truth to his statement, but I’d never admit it. “If I wanted to date, I would, but I don’t.”
Women had flocked to me for all the wrong reasons. I had enjoyed the attention in my twenties and had my heart broken far too many times. I had been focused on the living large and riding hard. Deep down, I’d always known I wanted to put down roots and have a big family. If I hadn’t been so preoccupied with my ambition and career, I’d have seen past my ex’s exterior beauty and discovered how different our goals were before I put a ring on her finger. After years of legal battles, the ink had dried on my divorce papers and I had no idea how to move forward. The prospect of wading through the gold-diggers to find someone honest and trustworthy held zero appeal.
A chorus of giggles wafted behind me from the hall. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted. Roger and Callie had four girls, ranging from twenty-three to sixteen. They were all curvy, red-haired beauties like their mother. I didn’t turn around at the sound of them no doubt laughing at me too.
“Well, that’s too bad.” Callie planted her hands on her wide hips. “If you had a partner, life would be a lot easier. I think it’s time you reconsider.”
Roger joined his wife by the counter and draped his arm over her shoulder. “Family values mean more than you realize. Part of the reason our previous neighbor’s dude ranch was so successful was their family. It’s a shame none of the kin—”
“You’ve both lost your damn minds.” I shuffled my boots and winced as pain radiated through my leg.
“Hold your tongue,” she snapped back so fast, I almost dropped my hat. “Lord knows, I’ve been holding mine for a while now. It will be good to see you settled. A man your age should already have a few babies running around those acres.”
At thirty-five-years-old, I had plenty of time to make babies. Roger shrugged his shoulders, not daring to argue with his wife. Smart man. I knew better as well. Callie had chewed me out a few times over the years when we didn’t agree. I respected her for speaking her mind, but her views were outdated and old-fashioned. A modern ranch didn’t need to be owned and operated by a family. I could do it alone. But did I really want to? No.
“You’ve both given me a lot to think about. Thanks for your time. I’m not staying for dinner.”
“Suit yourself. But I’ve got my heart set on setting you up with the right gal,” Callie stated. “In fact, I’ll send one over soon enough.”
Once she set her mind on something, there would be no talking her out of it. I nodded and put on my hat before stepping towards the door. My heavy steps creaked over the wooden floors.
“Exciting times, Trevor,” she yelled after me. “You’ll see. I’m a great matchmaker.”
“Can’t wait,” I mumbled.
As I marched towards the exit, I spotted Rose seated alone on the stairs. Her head was bent, and long auburn tendrils covered her beautiful face as she kicked off her cowboy boots. Her sweet honeysuckle scent drifted over me.
“Hi, Trevor,” she said without looking up.
Any other day, I would have stayed to chat, but I was in a foul mood. “See you around, Rose.” I tipped my hat and kept walking.
Chapter 2
Rose
* * *
Sometimes asking for forgiveness was better than getting permission. My parents were strict and a tad controlling. When my older sister, Darcy, got sick everything changed. Going away to school or work wasn’t an option, but she was better now.
“Rose, are you trying to break our hearts?”
I rolled my eyes at my mamma’s question. Every kid eventually left the nest. I had planned to leave sooner, but for Darcy’s sake I’d opted to stay. Helping my sister through her illness was my duty. I didn’t mind at all, but she no longer needed me. I had outgrown our ranch and needed an adult adventure.
“That’s not my intention.” I rubbed her arm to soothe the sting, but she brushed me away. I had expected my parents to be disappointed with my decision to move out, but this blew me away.
In reality, the sky wasn’t falling. As we stood outside, a few flakes of snow landed on my boots. I shook them off, rocked on my h
eels and looked up. The dark clouds overhead matched my mood. A storm was coming.
“I forbid it,” Daddy repeated for the third time. “The answer is no.” His voice boomed like rolling thunder.
Twirling a lock of auburn hair around my finger, I glanced at the bag by my feet. A layer of white covered the blue, hiding the handles. I never should have set it down and started this conversation. Leaving was hard for me too. A lump formed in my throat and my eyes filled with tears. I should have gone behind their backs and not told them my plans. I had suspected this type of outlandish reaction but hoped for the best. My daddy was a reasonable man but overprotective. In his mind, all his kids would stay working at his ranch forever. His cheeks were red and a vein in his neck throbbed. I hadn’t seen him this angry in a long time.
I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to back down. “It’s not your decision. This is my life.”
It was rare for him to lose his temper, but the last time hadn’t been pretty. The barn still had a few bullet holes from his tirade.
“You are my daughter,” he barked.
“And as our baby girl, we deserve to know what you are thinking, Rose?” Mamma’s nostrils flared. “Does this have anything to do with a boy? I thought you broke up with Scott.”
Shuffling my feet over the brown grass that poked through the snow, I debated the best way to answer. My decision to leave had nothing to do with Scott or any other boy. I was ready for a relationship, to find that someone special, and make love for the first time. But I would never tell my folks those private details. I didn’t mind working for my parents, but my life had become far too predictable. Too boring. With Darcy in remission, it was time to leave.
