The Intriguing Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (5 page)

Sam was tired and hungry when he came in from herding cattle. The stew his mom was stirring smelled good.

“I’ll take a quick shower then on my way back I’ll knock on Sylvia’s door to let her know dinner is ready.”

“She’s not here.”

He stopped in his tracks and turned to face his mother. His heart sank at her words. “Where is she?”

“Here sister came and got her this afternoon.”

“Damn. I’ll go over there after we eat.”

“It was her decision. I think it’s for the best.”

Sam’s jaw tightened and his muscles tensed. He looked his mother in the eye. “Did you two have words?”

“No. As I said, she made up her own mind.”

“You’ll be alone here when I move to my house next week. I liked the idea of you having company.”

“You liked having her close. You know perfectly well that I can take care of myself. I’ll be fine, and you won’t be that far away if I need you.”

He nodded. “I’ll be back after I shower and change to clean clothes.”

“Are you going to see her after dinner?”

“I don’t know.” He scuffled his feet, and then marched out of the room.

He shucked his clothes and went straight to the shower. The warm water cascaded over his head and down his body. For a few minutes, he just let the water run over him, easing the soreness in his muscles and keeping thoughts out of his head. Then he took the bar of soap and briskly scrubbed away the day’s dirt.

After he dried, he tied a towel around his hips and strolled around his bed to the phone. His hand lingered over the receiver. He wanted to call her. He’d told her he’d take her to see his house. But he was irritated with her and his mother. He didn’t doubt Sylvia made the decision, but he was sure his mother didn’t try to change her mind. Maybe it was for the best. He’d wait until he had his house ready before contacting her. Then when they wanted to be private, he would have a place to take her. Perhaps some distance would help them both be more certain about what they wanted.

He wanted to go get her. But that wouldn’t help her know what she desired to do with her life.

Dressed in jeans and a clean shirt, he headed to the kitchen. His mom had put the stew in bowls and was cutting the homemade bread.

“Get the tea glasses out of the fridge and we’re ready to eat.”

“Sorry I snapped at you, Mom.”

“It’s all right. Times are changing, and it always creates tension for a little while.”

Sam put the glasses on the table and sat. “How did you get so wise?”

His mom smiled. “From living and from raising six children. You learn all along the way. Now eat while it’s hot.”

“Yes, Mother.” He grinned and dipped his spoon into the thick, hearty soup.

* * * *

It had been a slow, quiet weekend. Sylvia was glad to see Monday come. She hadn’t heard from Sam. It had hurt more than she’d expected. She liked his teasing and his attention, if she was honest with herself.

Finally, this morning, she started her new job. “What do you think is the appropriate attire for the sheriff’s office?” she asked Gina and Graham at breakfast.

Graham stopped eating his eggs and stared at her. “Nothing flashy, good old jeans, a shirt, and a vest or jacket is all you need. Oh, and leave the high heels off.”

“I thought I’d wear my satin dress with sparkling heels and a new jacket.” She gave Graham a smug smile.

“All right you two, don’t start at each other. I’ve never seen two people more ready to irritate the other one. Be nice. And Sylvia, Graham’s suggestion was right for where you’ll be working.”

“Don’t worry about us, love.” Graham looked across the table at Gina. “We like irritating each other. It’s fun, but not if it upsets you. I’ll try to do better.”

“Me, too, sis. But Graham’s right. It is fun. We’re not really mad at each other or being mean.”

“I know, but I like harmony in my house.”

Graham came around the table and picked her up in his arms. “Then that is what you’ll have. I’m going to set you in your favorite chair in the family room, and I’ll do the dishes for penitence.”

Sylvia heard her sister’s laugh as Graham walked away carrying her. She saw Gina touch the side of his face and found herself envious
. I’m being silly
. She glanced around at the house. This wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted to work. Well, Gina worked, too, but she went in at nine, not eight.

Sylvia grabbed Gina’s keys. Gina was loaning her her car, and Graham was driving Gina to work. Sylvia went upstairs to finish dressing, and then she’d head to town. She felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach. This was good. She liked being busy.

When she walked into the sheriff’s office, he got out of his chair to greet her. “Punctual, I like that. I’ve been anxiously waiting for you. Now I can get out of the office and visit the businesses. I’ll check on you later to see if you have any questions. If you’re doing all right, I might drive out of town and visit some of the outlying ranches.”

“Where do you want me to start?”

Sheriff Grady swung his arm wide. “Filing, answering the phone, anywhere you want. Here are the numbers of all our cell phones. You just hit the number one twice for me, and two twice for Billy. He’s covering the east and south side of our territory, and Lou is covering the west and north. Lou is double three.”

“Got it. Get out of here, Sheriff, and have a good time.”

Sheriff Brady chuckled. “You sound just like my wife, Sallie.” He waved and strolled out.

She stood in the center and looked around. The place needed plenty of work, especially in organizing. She’d start with his desk and work from there. For the first time in many weeks she felt an eagerness to start a project. She practically skipped to his messy desk, then sat and blew out a long breath. What a job, but she was happy to be have something to do. She smiled and started to work.

* * * *

“Graham, can we meet for lunch? I have to pick up some items in town and thought it’d give us a chance to talk.” Sam sat on his horse and looked across the pasture.

“If this is to talk about your love life, I’m no counselor. Rand came to me and filled my ear. I am not going to be the go-to guy for advice,” Graham grumbled.

“You must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I haven’t heard you grumble since you married Gina.”

“Her sister is here. I don’t like company. I haven’t changed in that way. But we do need to meet. There’s something I want to tell you. I’ll meet you at Millie’s around noon.” Graham hung up.

Sam looked at his phone and grinned. He was glad Graham hadn’t changed too much. He liked his brother just the way he was with a few of the rough edges rubbed off by his lovely wife. Sam rode across to his foreman.

“I’m going into town. I’ll pick up what we need. Is there anything else you want to add to the list?”

“No, and take your time. It’s good to see you relaxing the reins a bit. I’d begun to think you were never going to trust me enough to give me some responsibility.”

“I always trusted you.”

“It didn’t feel that way.”

“I’ll be damned. I’m learning more about myself every day. Thanks for the input.”

Sam rode to the barn and headed into the house to change. Grace was arriving late today, and tomorrow they’d start working on his house. He was getting anxious to see it completed. It’d feel strange living alone. He never had before. Even in college, he’d had a roommate.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, he headed to Millie’s place. Graham had beat him. He stood at the door waiting for Sam’s arrival.

“Welcome, Sam and Graham,” Millie said. “I always like to see you Brodie brothers. Sam, you don’t come to town often enough.” She led them to a booth.

“That may change, Millie. My foreman told me I don’t take enough time off.”

“He’s right. You’re only young once. You’d better take advantage of it like Graham here. He found a nice woman who can actually put up with him. There’s hope for you, Sam. What will it be, coffee or iced tea?”

“Iced tea for me and one of those great hamburgers,” Sam said.

“Same for me.”

“Got it. Be right back with your drinks.”

Sam leaned back in his seat. “What do we need to talk about?”

“Sylvia.”

“Mom’s not anxious to have her return to the house.”

“Why? Mom always welcomes people.”

“She’s afraid I’m falling in love with Sylvia, and she doesn’t think we’re a good match.”

Graham didn’t speak until Millie set their tea glasses down and walked away. He took a long swallow of the sweet tea.

“She’s right and you know it. I was interested in Sylvia once, but I watched her. Trying to tame her would be like taking a wild horse and trying to break him to the saddle. In the end, he’ll buck you off and hurt you bad. Damn, there I go giving lovelorn advice. Just kill me now.”

Sam laughed. “You’ve sure been tamed. You were the one brother that I never expected to see fall so hard. Hell, I thought you’d end up a cantankerous old man.”

Humor lit Graham’s eyes. “So did I, but Gina saved me. There’s something else we need to talk about. Sylvia received a strange call at Mom’s house the same day she moved to our place. The person didn’t identify herself, but Sylvia said it sounded like a woman.”

“Why didn’t she tell me?” Sam frowned and leaned forward.

“I think she had other things on her mind, mainly the two of you and your relationship. Anyway, we’ve been in touch with the agency where we worked in the past. They think it’s the woman who was here in disguise to try and kidnap Gina.”

“Is she after Gina again?”

“No. This time Sylvia is the target. Apparently they never got along. Sylvia killed the man this woman, her name is Giselle Brinley, thought she loved. She may just want to annoy Sylvia and frighten her, or she could want revenge. If Sylvia had died as a prisoner, that would have given her satisfaction, but Sylvia didn’t.”

“Sylvia has to be guarded at all times. I’ll…”

“Hold on. Our old boss is sending a guard to keep a lookout for her. He’s arriving this afternoon. Meanwhile, Sylvia is working in the sheriff’s office starting today. I doubt this woman will come around there to hurt her.”

“Does the sheriff know?”

“I called him this weekend. He agrees she’ll be safe in the office. He plans on being out some today, but he’ll call frequently and check on her. He can use the excuse of her being new. She’d hate to think we all doubted her ability to take care of herself. She has an ankle holster and a gun in it. She’s a good shot.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I didn’t think you would, but if you are serious about wanting her for your wife then don’t come across as too possessive or protective. Respect her skills. Here comes Millie with our burgers before I completely embarrass myself and give more advice.”

As soon as Sam ate, he stood up to go. “I’m leaving you with the bill.”

“I don’t have to ask where you’re headed.”

“Nope. I haven’t been to the sheriff’s office in a while. I’m going to visit.”

“Remember what I said,” Graham hollered as Sam rushed off.

* * * *

Sam opened the door quietly. Sylvia was leaning down to pick something up from the floor. Her sweet derriere sent his blood pressure into the stratosphere. He wanted to cup her butt and squeeze the soft cheeks. Suddenly, she straightened and turned.

“You.”

“Better put a bell on this door so you’ll know when someone enters. Another man might just walk up and take hold of your sweet bottom.”

“Another man wouldn’t be having such salacious thoughts.”

“Ah, honey, we’re all men. And we all admire a woman’s body.”

“Hmm, what brought you here? I bet Graham called and complained about having company.”

“Sort of.” He walked close to her and backed her up against the desk. “He also told me about your phone call.”

“Since marrying my sister the man has become a complete chatterbox.”

“Oh, he’ll hate that description. I can’t wait to tell him.”

In spite of herself, she had to smile. “I have a new job.” She motioned to the office around her. “I’ve been working all morning, and it looks better already.”

“I never pictured you in this setting.” Sam glanced around. “But it suits you.”

“I didn’t either, but I’m so happy to be back at work. Being busy makes me feel good. Apparently it doesn’t have to be life-or-death situations, or at least for now I feel that way.”

“My sister is coming in later today. I’d like for you to meet her. How about we three go to dinner tonight? I’ll drive us to Wagon Wheel. They have some very nice restaurants.”

“Won’t your mother want your sister home the first night?”

“We’ll have dinner fairly early. I’ll pick you up around six thirty. Grace can visit with Mother afterward. Mom will see plenty of her. She’ll be here until next Sunday.”