The Intriguing Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (6 page)

“Then I accept. I haven’t been to Wagon Wheel, but I’ve heard about it from Gina.”

Sam leaned closer into her space. He wrapped his arms around her body. Her soft breasts pushed into his hard chest and his cock throbbed against her abdomen. “I’ve missed you.”

“I noticed.”

“This week my house will be furnished. I’d like you to have some input.”

“Don’t count on me. I’m too confused to know what I want. If you desire a good old fling, I’m your girl. Commitment to anything scares me.”

“We’ll see if I can’t change your mind. I can be very persuasive.” He kissed her and let her go. “Get to work, woman. The sheriff is paying you good money.” Grinning, he sauntered out the door.

Sam drove to the airport to meet Grace. He tramped through the terminal and stopped to read the gate number where she’d be arriving. Number six was to the right. The plane moved into place just as he got there.

He waved at Grace. Then he noticed a tall, black-haired man steering himself around the crowd and walking off at a brisk pace.

“Was that Gab Forrester?” Sam asked Grace as she got up to him.

“In the flesh. I was surprised when he boarded late and went to first class. He didn’t see me sitting back with the ordinary people.”

“Give me your bag. Do you have any checked?”

“No, that’s it. I have some clothes at home.”

They started walking toward the exit. “Why didn’t you fly first class?” Sam asked. He glanced down at Grace.

“Why waste the money?”

“When have you started worrying about spending money?”

“The man I’m dating is an accountant. He’s very smart and practical.”

“Oh my, what a match.”

“Don’t say anything. You told me on the phone the other night that you’d fallen for someone the whole family felt wasn’t right for you.”

“True, I won’t say another word, but I’ll warn you, Mom might.”

“I don’t intend to discuss my love life with her.”

“You, me, and Sylvia are going to Wagon Wheel tonight for dinner. So dress up and be ready by six. I’m picking Sylvia up around six thirty.”

Grace leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Sam knew she was giving him the signal she didn’t want to talk anymore. She might act like seeing Gab again after several years didn’t bother her, but the guy had broken her heart, and Sam had wanted to punch him out. Grace wouldn’t let him.
I wonder what has brought him back to Frontier City and how long he plans to stay?

When he parked at the ranch house, he shook Grace’s shoulder. “You really were asleep. Been burning the candle at both ends?”

“When you’re on the bottom of the pile in importance, you get all the lowly jobs and get to work late. If you have a social life, it comes afterward.”

“Do I detect a little of the shine has gone off of living in New York?”

“I’m tired. I’ll get over it. There’s Mom at the door.”

Grace got out and ran into her mother’s arms.

Sam waved and headed to his new house. While in town today he’d bought a few items. He parked and got out the extra-large sleeping bag, towels, and a cooler filled with ice and the food and drinks he’d gotten at the local grocery. His refrigerator wouldn’t be delivered for a few days yet, but he did have electricity. If all went well tonight, he’d bring Sylvia back here, and they’d camp out inside.

He walked by the large fireplace in the living room and went into the master bedroom. Light-blue carpet had already been put down. He spread the sleeping bag on top of it. In the master bath he hung the white towels. The smaller fireplace, in the wall facing the bed, was stocked with wood and ready to light. The scene was set. All he needed and wanted was Sylvia.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so anxious and hungry to make love to a special woman.
I guess not since Camille.
The others had been for fun, but he never got serious. He always put them out of his mind when they weren’t around. They hadn’t haunted him like Sylvia did.

He glanced at his watch. He’d better get ready and pick up two of his favorite girls, his mom made three.

* * * *

Sylvia heard the door open and looked around expecting to see Sheriff Grady checking on her again. Obviously, Graham had told him about her caller. But the man entering was much taller. He shut the door and smiled at her. They really bred handsome men here in Montana. His sky-blue eyes and shiny black hair were quite a combination. He put out his hand.

“I’m Gabriel Forrester. You must be Sylvia Rufus. Your old boss gave me a good description. The lady at the restaurant down the street told me I’d find you here. I’ve been sent to protect you.”

“You don’t work for the agency.”

“No, I don’t. I have my own business. But I heard about the job from a friend, and I wanted to come home for a visit. It was good timing.”

“I’m quite capable of taking care of myself, but others don’t agree.”

“It never hurts to have someone watching your back.”

“What training have you had to qualify you to protect me?”

“I’ve been in the Navy SEALs. I left the Navy a year ago and started my own private agency. We protect, rescue, and do numerous other types of jobs.”

“Hmmm.” She grinned. “I guess you are minimally qualified.”

He shouted with laughter. “I’d heard you were one tough cookie.”

“It’s almost time for me to go home. I’m staying at my sister’s, so the first thing we’ll do is move me to a cabin my brother-in-law owns. It’s empty now and there are two bedrooms. We’ll do fine there, and I don’t need to be protected at work. What dummy is going to bust into the sheriff’s office? The caller didn’t make any threats. This may be an overreaction on all our parts.”

“Better to be safe.”

“I’m going out to dinner tonight with some friends. If you’d like to come along, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”

“Sounds good. It’s five. Can you leave?”

“Sheriff Grady said to lock up and go home earlier, but I said I’d wait for five. I’m ready.” She grabbed her purse. “Do you have a car?”

“I rented one at the airport.”

“I’ll call Sam and tell him about you. I’ll ask him to meet us at the cabin.” She got into Gab’s rental car and punched in Sam’s number. She explained about Gab and the cabin. When she clicked her phone off, she looked across at her guard.

“What’d he say?”

“He’s looking forward to seeing you. He said to warn you Grace will be with us.”

For a second, Sylvia saw his eyes flash and his muscles tense. Then he shrugged, pulled out of the parking space, and headed out of town.
This might be a very interesting evening
.

She directed him to Graham’s new house and soon had her few things moved. Graham and Gina had waved them off. Graham had a big smile on his face.

Sylvia took the larger bedroom and quickly got ready for her date. Gab had checked all the rooms before going into the smaller bedroom.

She chose a short, slinky black dress and wore her highest heels. It was nice not to have to worry about being taller than her date.

When she came out Gab was sitting in the living room dressed in black slacks and a white shirt. He’d hung his sport coat over the arm of his chair. If not for Sam, she’d be tempted by this gorgeous man.

Sam knocked and walked briskly into the room. Sylvia almost grinned. He had one speed most of the time, hurry.

“You look gorgeous.” His eyes roamed from the top of her head to her feet. A flush of heat followed his eye movements. She was sure her whole body must be bright red. Stepping closer, he tipped her chin and, bending down, kissed her mouth. Then he glanced across at Gab.

“Welcome home,” Sam said and shook Gab’s hand. Gab had stood and looked beyond Sam. “She’s waiting in the car.”

“Does she still hate me?”

“I don’t know, man. You crushed her. She started not to come tonight. I talked her into it. I want her to meet and get to know Sylvia.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior,” Gab promised.

“You’d better be. I wanted to punch you out before, but she stopped me. If you hurt her again, I’ll knock you down no matter what she says.”

“And I’d deserve it. Don’t worry. I’m here to protect Sylvia, and to see my family. I don’t plan to be in her vicinity after tonight.”

Sam put his arm around Sylvia’s waist. “Let’s go. I’ve got reservations at the Steak Palace for seven thirty. It’ll take most of that time to get there.”

Sam and Sylvia walked to the car. He put her in the front seat and introduced her to Grace.

Gab strolled slowly behind them. When he caught up, Sam opened the car’s back door. “Grace, you know Gab. He’ll sit with you. Play nice, you two.”

“Hello, Grace.” Gab got in and sat close to the door. Grace hugged the other side.

“I was surprised to see you coming home. Last I heard it had been a few years,” Grace said.

“Yes, but Mom and Dad came to New York several times. Mom loves the plays.”

“Well, I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.”

“I’ve called them. I plan on going out to the ranch tomorrow to see them while Sylvia’s working. Would you like to come along?”

“No thanks. I’ll be busy getting Sam’s house decorated, and I want to spend time with my mother.” She turned and looked out the window, stopping any further conversation.

Sylvia turned an eye toward Sam. He winked and shrugged. Evidently, Gab and Grace had been a pair and something happened. Sam had told her Grace was twenty-four, so Grace would have been young when the split occurred. Gab looked older than her.

To fill the silence, Sylvia told them about her first day at work. When they got to Wagon Wheel, she looked all around.

“This is a much bigger town than Frontier City.”

“The town is bigger, but we have as much acreage in our part of the county. The town limits are way out past the actual business area,” Sam explained. He turned right and went down two streets then parked by a large two-story house. “This is it. The best steaks in this part of Montana.” He went around and opened Sylvia’s door.

Gab got out, but Grace hurried to open her door and come around to Sam’s other side before Gab could help her. Gab’s jaw clenched tight, but he didn’t say anything. Sylvia felt a little sorry for him. Still, she hadn’t heard the whole story.

They were seated right away, and Sam steered the conversation around Grace’s work. She got very enthusiastic when talking about designing clothes. Sylvia saw why the family called Sam the peacemaker. He adroitly moved the conversation from one topic to another. If Grace or Gab started to have words, he asked Sylvia a question. Still there was an underlying tension at the table. Sylvia was glad when it was time to leave.

Riding home, Sam glanced in the rearview mirror at Gab. “I’ll drop you off at the cabin. If Sylvia’s willing, I’m going to take her to my place. I’ll bring her back later. Sis, I’m dropping you off at Mom’s. She’ll be waiting to talk with you.”

“That’s fine with me. I’m tired,” Grace said. She looked out the side window as she had on the trip into town.

Gab agreed. “Knock on my door when you get back,” he told Sylvia. “Then I’ll know you’re in safe.”

“I can protect myself from the car to the cabin.”

“He’s right, honey.” Sam threw a glance in her direction. “Humor him, for all our sakes.”

Irritated by all the men around her, Sylvia chose to look out her window. Thankfully it didn’t seem to take as long coming back as it did going.

Gab waved as he got out and went inside the cabin. Grace took a deep breath and moved more to the center of the backseat.

“Tell me again how you are over Gab.” Sam frowned in the mirror.

“Don’t start with me, Sam. I’m in a bad mood. I should have stayed home.”

“I agree. Next time we’ll leave you behind.”

“Hump.” Grace folded her arms and glared back.

Sylvia looked from one to the other. “Sam, watch the road. Grace, if you wanted Gab to think you’re still mad at him for whatever happened, you succeeded.”

Grace put her head down. “I don’t know how to act around him. I thought I’d gotten over any feelings I had for him. Then he walked out and all the memories flooded over me.”

“I’m sorry, sis.”

She raised her head and nodded, but Sylvia had seen the tears.

Loving someone could hurt. She wasn’t sure she was brave enough to try for the real thing.

* * * *

Sam opened the door to his house and switched on the lights. Sylvia walked inside. He’d left a lamp lit and the soft glow warmed the red oak floors. The huge fireplace was made of rock, and soft cream-colored walls gave a picture of warmth, comfort, and sturdiness.

“I like the living room very much.”

Sam took her hand and led her through a dining room with windows showing the woods and on to a large, homey kitchen.

“It’s much like your mother’s.”