The Intriguing Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (10 page)

“Gina certainly changed him.”

“Love can do that.”

“I hope you don’t mind my talking about this, but the other night it was obvious you and Gab have a history, and it didn’t end well.”

“I started dating him in my sophomore year in high school. I was sixteen, and he was five years older. He was a friend of my brothers’ and had been around the house for years. But I fell hard for him when he came home from college that last summer before he graduated. My mother wasn’t happy about us dating because of the differences in our age.

“Mom relented, and we dated hot and heavy.” A sigh escaped her lips. “I’d built up this fantasy where he’d graduate from college, come home, and run his parents’ ranch like Sam. Then after I graduated, we’d marry.”

Grace went quiet. Sylvia respected her silence and enjoyed watching the scenery out the window. Then Grace took a deep breath and continued.

“When he graduated, he called. He told me he was joining the navy. He wanted to be a Navy SEAL. He wasn’t ready to settle down.

“Silly me, I suggested we write and keep in touch, but he said he thought it best we make a clean break.”

She glanced at Sylvia with a sad smile. “It was a clean break right through the center of my heart. I promised myself I’d never love anyone that way again. Love makes you very vulnerable. I like feeling secure and in control.”

“Yes, I do, too, but men don’t always understand us.”

“You’re talking about Sam. He’s really crazy about you. If there was ever a man to trust, it would be him.”

“I know and that’s what scares me.”

“Let’s forget men for the afternoon, and eat, shop, and have a great time.”

“I agree.” They smiled at each other, and Sylvia had a feeling she’d made a good friend.

Grace parked in front of a shop that sold curtains and other items for the house. Sylvia followed her inside.

“Ah, Miss Grace, it is so nice to see you.” An older, white-haired man came from behind the counter and hugged her. “Your packages have arrived. Sam will be pleased with your choices.”

“I hope so, Mr. Craddock.” Grace turned to Sylvia. “This is my friend Sylvia Rufus. She’s staying in Frontier City, temporarily.”

Mr. Craddock shook Sylvia’s hand. “Perhaps you’ll find this area to your liking and stay longer.”

“I doubt it. I’m a city girl.”

Mr. Craddock nodded his head at Grace. “Her momma was from the city, but she fell in love with Brodie and that was that.”

“Mr. Craddock and my dad were good friends,” Grace explained.

“I’ll get your packages. Browse. Maybe you’ll discover something else to buy.”

They’d just turned toward the lamps when the bell above the door rang. Gab strolled through the entry. He saw them and walked in their direction.

“This is the last place I’d expect to see you,” Grace said.

“I’m picking up a lamp for my mother. She’s out in the car.” He stared at Grace. “You’ve become more beautiful.”

Grace stepped back and put her hands up as though to ward him off. Her cheeks were rosy.

Sylvia came to her rescue. “Are you staying around for a while, Gab?”

“Yes. My dad isn’t well, and Mom’s overwhelmed. They need me, and I find I’ve missed Frontier City more than I thought.”

“What about your fancy business?” Grace snapped.

“I have an assistant who’s quite capable of keeping things going in New York. I may stay here and run my business from this end.”

Grace jerked back as though she’d taken a blow. “Will your lady friend want to visit you in such a backwater town?”

Gab grinned. “Backwater? I don’t have a lady friend, at least not now.”

“I’m sure you can rectify that soon. Here are my packages. Thank you, Mr. Craddock.” Grace took two packages and Sylvia carried the larger one. It left one box sitting on the floor. “I’ll be right back for it,” Grace said.

“No problem.” Gab lifted the box and smiled at her.

“I don’t want to trouble you. Your mother is waiting.”

“No trouble, and Mom will be pleased to see you.” He followed them to Grace’s car. After the packages were put in the trunk, he insisted Grace and Sylvia speak to his mother.

Mrs. Forrester smiled and took Grace’s hand. “You look so beautiful, my dear. We’ve missed seeing you.”

“I’m living in New York. I came home for a few days to help Sam get his new house furnished. I leave late tomorrow.” She glanced to the side toward Gab.

“We’re lucky Gab is staying with us to help on the ranch. I’m sure your mother misses you being so far away.”

“She’s gotten used to it. I hate to run, but we have other errands.”

“Wait, I haven’t introduced Sylvia to Mom.”

Sylvia shook his mother’s hand after the introductions. Gab had his mother’s sky-blue eyes, but her hair was snow white and she was a small woman both in height and size.

“Welcome to the area, Sylvia. You must come visit us.”

“I will, if I get a chance. I’m working for Sheriff Grady during the week.”

“How interesting. Then you must be considering settling in our little town.”

“Maybe.”

Grace grabbed her arm. “See you, Mrs. Forrester. We have to go.”

Gab watched them get in the car. He had a sardonic grin on his face. As they backed up onto the street, he turned to speak with his mother.

“He really rattles you,” Sylvia said.

“I don’t know why, but yes he does. I’m in love with Fred. He’s flying in tomorrow to meet my family. I’m looking forward to you and my family getting to know him. Do you mind if we skip the meal and go home?”

“No.” Sylvia noted Grace’s fixed stare on the road and saw her bite the side of her lip. Grace Brodie hadn’t forgotten Gab Forrester.

* * * *

Sylvia carried in the last of the packages. Grace had begun to unwrap the curtains. They were a cream color with a faint thread of gold interwoven.

“These are for the front windows. Do you mind helping me hang them?”

“I’d love to. They’ll be perfect in here.”

“I’m glad you like them. I hope Sam does.”

They undid all the furnishings and hung curtains in each room. The bigger box had a beautiful two-globe lamp to sit on the table in the foyer.

“What do you think?” Grace asked as she stood back to admire her handiwork.

“I love the furniture, and these final touches make the house into a home.”

“Not quite,” Sam said from behind them. “A wife will be what really makes this a home.”

“You have someone in mind?” Grace teased and laughed when Sylvia blushed.

“I do, but she’s stubborn as the mare I’m training for her to ride. I’ll win them both over yet, given time.” He winked at Sylvia and her face got hot.

“I don’t think I’m needed here. I’ll go help Mom and visit with her. See you tomorrow, Sylvia.” Grace hurried out the front door and got into her car. They heard her motor as she drove off.

“Did you have fun today in Wagon Wheel?” Sam asked. He’d stepped into her space, and her breathing increased with his nearness. His fingers brushed across her cheeks.

“I love to see you blush. Then I know I’m getting to you. You might verbalize your determination not to be committed, but your body says you are coming under my influence more every day.”

His husky voice ran through her veins like a shot of whiskey. He was right. The silence in the room beat against her as she tried to think of a response he’d believe. Her thoughts were scrambled. She, who’d been known for her smart, tart answers, had no comeback.

He pulled her tight into his arms. “I can’t believe I have you speechless.” Tipping her head up, he kissed her softly on the mouth. “Show me all the changes Grace made today. I like the curtains.”

Grabbing at any straw to change the conversation, Sylvia nodded and said, “I do, too.” She walked him through the house to see all the curtains they’d hung. “You must have noticed the lamp when you came in.”

“Briefly, mainly my attention was centered on you.”

“Stop. Please. All this adoration is making me uncomfortable.”

“Why?” He bent down to look straight into her eyes.

She turned away and walked to the front door. “Please take me back to the cabin.” As they walked, she added, “I don’t know why.”

Sam opened the truck door for her. “You do. But you aren’t ready to share the reason with me.” He walked around to the driver’s side.

Damn, the man is too observant and too smart. I have to get out of here before I lose my heart.

* * * *

Sunday was a clear, bright day, but cooler. Sylvia dressed in black slacks and a jade-colored sweater and slipped on black, low-heeled shoes. She left her dark-brown hair hanging loose across her shoulders. A spritz of her favorite perfume and she was ready.

Sam had called to say he’d pick her up, and her heart had already started beating faster. She was getting addicted to his smile and his sexy body. She’d tossed most of the night thinking about him and what she needed to do.

There was no way she could see a happy ending for them. She’d be like her mother and grow tired of the country, leaving Sam and any children behind.

Everyone had always told her how she looked like her mother and Sylvia had feared she was like her in other ways. She’d seen the hurt her stepfather had tried to hide from them. She refused to do that to Sam.

A knock on the door got her attention. He was here. She swallowed around the lump in her throat. Her thoughts had made her sad.

“I’ll be right there, Sam.” She hurried into the bathroom and put a little more blush on her pale cheeks. Then she hurried out to join him.

The ride to his mother’s was silent. When Sam parked by her house he turned to Sylvia. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“For one reason, after you said hello, you stared silently out the window.”

“I guess I don’t have much to say today.”

“Don’t be nervous about meeting the family. They’re going to love you.”

Sylvia gave him a wry smile. “I seriously doubt that. You have to admit they’d rather see you interested in someone else.”

“No, they want me to be happy.”

“Don’t risk your happiness on me. I’m a bad bet.”

He leaned forward and kissed her. “The greatest risk has the biggest payoff.”

“But if you lose…”

Sam put his finger across her lips. “I don’t believe I will lose. Still, if I do, I’ll know I’ve tried my best. I won’t regret trying, but I would regret it if I didn’t. Mom’s at the door waiting. Let’s go in.”

“I’m perfectly capable of getting myself out of your vehicle,” Sylvia said, when Sam came around to her side and started to pick her up.

“But this is so much fun. I like to feel your warm, soft body against mine.” He swung her out and let her body slide against his as he set her feet on the ground.

“Remember your mother is standing at the front door,” Sylvia whispered.

“Then she’ll see me kiss you,” Sam whispered back. He kissed her softly on the lips.

Sylvia pretended to frown, and then pulled away to walk toward the house. “I want your mother to like me. Be good.”

“Welcome, Sylvia. I’ve heard all about your new job. How do you like it?” Mrs. Brodie hugged Sylvia and walked in with her and Sam.

“I like the sheriff and working in his office. He let me ride out with him the other day.”

“Sheriff Grady is a good man.” Mrs. Brodie took Sylvia’s hand and walked her around the room, introducing her to all her family.

Grace was standing with two men. One was tall with dark-brown hair and cool blue eyes. He had high cheekbones and a firm jaw. He gave Sylvia an appraising look.

“This is my oldest son, Clay. He works in New York most of the time. The other gentleman on Grace’s left side is her friend Fred Vine.”

Fred was only slightly taller than Grace. He had blond hair and light brown eyes. His cool smile didn’t reach his eyes. He was neatly dressed in a brown suit, but somehow he didn’t look near as impressive as the men around him dressed in jeans.

“I’ll leave you here for a minute. I’m taking Sam with me to help me lift something in the kitchen.” Sam smiled and followed his mother.

“I’ll get you a drink,” Clay said. “Why don’t you walk with me. You can tell me what you’d like.”

As they wove their way around the other family members, Sylvia glanced up at the handsome man by her side. “Did your mother ask you to talk with me?”

His eyes went even colder. “No. My mother does not interfere with her sons, but I do, occasionally.”

“Actually she has tried to interfere. I know the speech. I’m not the right type for Sam. I’ll hurt him, and I should go back to the big city where I belong.”

A slight smile curved his lips. “I wouldn’t have been quite so blunt. But you have it about right.”

“I keep warning Sam to protect himself and stay away from me.”