My Billionaire Cowboy: A BWWM Western Romance (4 page)

“I mean, you look like a whole new woman. What changed from
last night to today?”

“Oh, nothing much,” Kate gushed.

Linda tapped her pen on the counter. “I know you are not going
to sit and look at me, with that giggling smile and starry eyes and
say nothing is going on.”

“I may have gone out on a little date after work.”

Linda dropped the papers she was holding in her hand. “You?
Went out on a date?”

‘Something like that. It wasn’t really that serious. Just
a little dinner and dancing.”

“That sounds like a date. Not something like a date. A real
date.”

“Fine, it was a date. He asked and I accepted.”

“Can I ask who it was?”

Kate waited a moment. She was not sure if she wanted to share who it
was just yet.

“All I will say is that he is not the kind of guy you would
expect to see me with.”

So, let me get this straight. Not only did you go out on a date, but
now you’re being all cryptic with your description of the date
and who the date was.”

“I don’t understand. For months, you have been telling me
that I should date. And the one time I go out and enjoy myself, you
have something to say.”

The bell rang, signaling someone was walking in the door.

“Welcome to Grey’s,” both Linda and Kate greeted at
the same time.

“Delivery for Kate.”

The young man standing there held a purple vase with a bouquet of
long stemmed lilies and a light blue box tied with a white silk bow.
He handed her a card in a blue envelope.

“Thank you.”

Linda was staring at her like she would burst. “Are you going
to open that anytime soon?”

Linda pointed at the envelope.

“Yes.” Kate snapped out of the fog she was in and slid
her finger along the seal of the envelope.

I had an amazing time in your company. Please do me the favor of
joining me on Sunday night for a little business mixed with pleasure.

• Bruce
  

“
Business
mixed with pleasure? Really?”

Kate
was embarrassed by Linda’s teasing. “Oh come on. It’s
just a nice gesture after me fitting him for the suit.”

Something
fell out from the envelope on to the floor. “Oh wow. He sent
pictures.”

Linda
peeked over her shoulder. “Is that him?”

Kate
nodded as she admired how good he looked. The man that came into
Grey’s was mildly scruffy and looked like he worked outdoors
for a living. The man in the picture was very dapper and looked like
the suit he wore was made just for him. He had his hair pulled back
in a sleek ponytail and he was completely clean-shaven. His steel
blue eyes were the focus of his face.

“He does not look anything like the man that walked in here the
other day. He cleans up well.”

“Very well,” Kate mumbled to herself more than anyone
else.

“You act like you did not know he could look this good. Weren’t
you just out with him doing dinner and dancing? What did he look like
then?”

“Normal. He actually had a five o’clock shadow, jeans,
and a button down white shirt. Cowboy boots, a big belt buckle. In no
way, shape or form did I expect distinguished gentleman, magazine
front cover ready.”

“So now what?”

“What are you talking about?”

Linda rolled her eyes. “I hate when you act like you have no
clue what I’m talking about. First off, open that blue box.
Second, now that you know that Mr. Cowboy here has the ability to
clean it up and look sexy, what happens next between the two of you?”

Kate held her hand up. “Hold that thought.”

She untied the ribbon, letting it slip from her fingers and lifted
the top of the box.

“Is it jewelry?” Linda asked excitedly. “Maybe a
cute tennis bracelet.”

“And you say that I’m the one with the imagination. Of
course it’s not jewelry. We’ve only just met and the date
was not a real date, date. Jewelry would be way too much too fast.”

She pulled the contents from the box.

“What is all of that junk?” Linda’s tone revealed
the fact that she had been let down.

A huge grin came across Kate’s face. She pulled out the key
chain with a French saying on it. Next was a brochure for skydiving,
and then a DVD of Finding Nemo.

She could do nothing but laugh.

“I guess I missed the inside joke here?” Linda stood with
her hands on her hips, rolled her eyes, and walked off to start
pulling a few outfits for a new client.

“Oh goodness. Bruce and I had this conversation about the
things that I wanted to do in life that I haven’t done yet. I
mentioned I always wanted to go to France, go skydiving, and swim in
the Great Barrier Reef.”

“And somewhere in here, you find it endearing that he sent you
a key chain, a brochure, and a kiddie movie? Call me crazy, but I’m
not seeing the romance in this, Kate.”

“You must be blind. But that’s not my fault, Linda. It’s
the thought that counts and he thought enough of me to do a little
something special for me. Plus the flowers are my absolute favorite.”

Linda shrugged. “To each his own. I just don’t find it
too sweet. If he was really thinking of you, there would be a plane
ticket to Paris in that box, not a crummy key chain, but hey, what do
I know?”

Kate wanted to answer that question and tell Linda she knew
absolutely nothing about love at all. What Bruce had done meant he
listened to her, considered her feelings, and acted on it by sending
her a gift and flowers. She had not had a man do anything like that
for her and she found it romantic, no matter what Linda thought.

“Well, I don’t know if he would have the money to take me
on some whirlwind trip to Paris anyway. He’s an accountant,
only part time though. That’s why he goes to those gala events.
His family has a small ranch he said is not doing well and he takes
care of his parents. He’s working class just like me so, this
is more than enough. I don’t expect that after going out once,
he would whisk me away on some all expense paid trip.”

“See that’s the problem. You should be expecting those
exotic trips and a whirlwind romance. And preferably from a guy
closer to your age. This Bruce. I mean, he’s attractive and
everything, but don’t you think he’s a little old for
you?”

Kate shrugged. “First off, he’s only forty-one. He’s
not old. Second, it’s not like we are an item. We went to grab
something to eat one time. It’s not like we’re getting
married tomorrow.”

Linda raised an eye brow. “You’re the one who mentioned
Bruce and marriage in the same thought. Not me.”

Exasperated, Kate shook her head and took the items to the back to
her office. Linda meant well, but her comments were not helpful at
all.

Kate wanted to find love, and she knew she would eventually. As far
as she was concerned, love and dating were not top priorities. But
after having such a good time with Bruce, she would at least consider
an occasional night out on the town with good company.

She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. When he did not
answer, she left him a message.

“Hi Bruce, this is Kate. I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed
our evening together. Thank you for making me take time out of my
work schedule to have a little fun. I just got the beautiful flowers
you sent me. And the answer to your question is yes, I will join you
on Sunday. I will talk with you soon.”

She clicked to end the call and realized that she was beaming like a
school girl in love with her first crush.

*****

Once she agreed to go with Bruce to the gala was when the real fun
started. That afternoon, the first of several gifts arrived for Kate.
A gift card for a one hour spa treatment. The next day a card with a
note attached that she had an appointment set for a manicure and a
pedicure. The day before the gala, a corsage, white with faint yellow
coloring and a note saying that she should be prepared for a limo to
pick her up on Sunday at seven in the evening.

She had not heard from him by phone at all, just the daily gifts. In
those few days, Kate anticipated what he would send next but she was
never able to guess correctly. Bruce was full of surprises and she
liked that about him.

Kate went through a lot of thought to choose the correct dress for
the gala. She finally settled on wearing a gold beaded gown,
accessorized by a small clutch. She wore her hair neatly back in a
chignon and her makeup was expertly applied. It had been a while
since she was out to a black tie function. Playing dress up was the
best part of going some place like that.

The limo arrived promptly. She was feeling like Cinderella, waiting
for her coach to arrive.

“Right this way, Ma’am.” The chauffeur stepped
aside the open door.

“Thank you.” Once inside, he closed the door, leaving her
to the chilled champagne that awaited her.

There was an official invitation placed on the seat next to her. She
picked it up, fingering the gold detailing on the border.

Obviously, it was a gallant affair. Hosted by one of the largest
accounting firms in the city, she knew she would have to tolerate
being there while they hobnobbed with some of the city’s most
elite business people. It was something she always wanted to do, so
she resigned to make sure that she smiled, paid attention and was the
perfect date for the evening.

They pulled up to the condo in the city where she had met Bruce for
his fitting. As he walked outside, she saw him come out in a
perfectly tailored tuxedo. His hair was pulled back in a pony tail
and he looked red carpet ready.

“You look wonderful,” she said as he got in the limo.

“I learned from the best. But I must say, you look sensational.
I can’t wait to see how this dress fits you in all of the right
places.”

Kate sipped her champagne as the limo drove off to their destination.

“I have to say thank you.”

“For what?”

She placed her hand on his knee. “For all of the gifts. The day
at the spa was sensational and of course the manicure and pedicure
was as well.”

He nodded. “My first thought was to send you shopping for a
dress of your choice. But I figured that was not in order since you
are a stylist with your own boutique.”

They both laughed.

“I think you are right about that, Bruce.”

“I hope that you liked everything. It was the least I could do
for the woman that agreed to be my date to this gala.”

“You really did not have to do all of that for me, Bruce.
Really.”

He took her by the hand, kissing her skin gently.

“Oh but I had to. A woman like you in the company of a man like
me.”

“You say that as if being in your company is a challenge. Trust
me when I say that it is not that hard. I am enjoying the company.”

The grin that came across Bruce’s lips was one of relief.
“That’s good to hear. I hope you will still feel the same
after tonight’s gala. It’s just going to be a bunch of
talk with numbers and things that are uninteresting to people who are
not in the accounting world.”

“I’m sure I can find my way tonight. It will just be nice
to share another evening with you. Our first official evening out.”

“Official? We are making this official are we?”

Kate thought about it for the moment. “At least we can start
with this evening. Take it baby steps from there.”

Bruce held out his hand. “Agreed.”

Kate shook his hand.

Bruce pulled her in for a kiss. His tongue danced lightly with hers.
His lips were soft and the kiss was so gentle, it left her wanting
more.

“We should stop before you ruin your perfect makeup.”

The truth was that she did not want to stop, but she nodded.

“It’s for the best anyway. We’re here.”

She gasped as she saw the venue. It was a five star hotel she often
heard of that boasted an elite ballroom and luxury accommodations.
“Wow. I’ve seen this place in the local magazine, but
I’ve never been here before.”

Bruce stepped out of the limo first and turned to offer her his arm.
“Then we get a chance to mark something off of your list of
firsts.”

Kate smoothed her dress as she stepped out of the limo. Several
couples were entering the hotel, arm in arm.

“You look ravishing,” Bruce whispered in her ear.

Her cheeks felt hot, she could tell she was blushing.

“Thank you,” she whispered back.

As soon as they stepped in the grand ballroom, Bruce began to smile
and greet others as he and Kate walked in on the scarlet colored
carpet. It seemed that he knew everyone. He whisked Kate around,
introducing her to everyone who cared to ask about the identity of
his lovely date.

The day before, Kate was nervous, thinking she would not fit in to
Bruce’s world. But tonight, she realized they had much more in
common than she thought. Watching him work the room, she saw him as
someone other than the style challenged cowboy that walked in to
Grey’s Boutique so many days ago.

Tonight, she saw the accounting executive that was savvy businessman
who could think quickly on his toes. He was witty and charming and
Kate was mesmerized by his ability to work a room full of people.

“Ah, Bruce. Good to see you tonight. And what did you have to
do to bribe this lovely lady to keep your company this evening?”

Bruce gave the man a hearty pat on the back. “Carl, good to see
you as well. This is my friend Kate. She is a fashion stylist. The
best in the city. A graduate of the Milner Fashion Institute, she was
the top in her class and works with some high profile names in the
industry.”

“Wonderful to meet you, Carl.”

“Likewise, Kate. What an impressive career. Were you the one
responsible for that expertly tailored suit we saw Bruce wearing at
the last function?”

“Yes, I was.”

“We were all admiring his choice. Make sure I get your
information this evening. You are sure to get some more business
before the night is over. You are very talented.”