Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (9 page)

Seeing her, Gramps rode toward her. “Thought Jackson and you had plans for the day.”

“Nope. We both had things we wanted to do separately.” Samantha took a deep breath. “I’ve missed being out on the ranch. Even a few days in the big city is too much for me.”

Gramps frowned. “You know your life will change when you get married.”

“Not really.
Jackson
’s agreed I can take care of the two ranches while he does what he needs to around the world.” She shrugged. “He’s headed to
Singapore
on Thursday.”

“I don’t think so. He said he’d made plans for someone else to cover for him.”

“Whatever. Today is mine to enjoy what I love doing. Are you staying out here all day?” she asked Gramps.

“No. I’m heading back.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be here to help. See you at dinner, Gramps.” She pretended not to notice the scowl on his face as he rode off.

In the late afternoon, a cooler breeze blowing over Samantha’s face had her looking up. Dark, cumulous clouds were building in the east. She and the others decided to head for home. The breeze soon turned into a strong wind, and large raindrops began to fall just as they reached the barn. Samantha led Princess inside and removed her saddle and rubbed her down.

She was tired, a good tired, and she hadn’t thought of
Jackson
at all—well, almost not at all. Having a day by herself had given her back her equilibrium. She’d not be a pushover for him tomorrow. Feeling very satisfied, Samantha walked briskly through the rain toward the back screen door.

“Sam.” Maria opened the door calling her name. Samantha ran to her and took the towel she offered. “
Jackson
wants to speak with you.” Maria pointed to the receiver hanging from the wall phone. Samantha wrapped the towel around her wet hair and picked up the receiver. “
Jackson
?”

“Did you have a busy day?”

“Busy, but good.”

“Look, something has come up. I’m flying out early tomorrow morning, but I plan to be back by late tomorrow evening. I’m going to have several of my associates and their families join me here for the weekend. I thought you might think about how we could entertain them and their children. My PR person is working on some ideas, but if you have any suggestions I’ll see they get added.”

“Have any of them been to a ranch before?” Samantha asked.

“Not the families. Most of my senior associates have been here for a working retreat.”

“If I think of anything, I’ll give you a call.”

“Good. I’ve got to go. Oh, by the way, have you given our wedding any thought?”

“Not really, and with the rest of this week being so busy, we’ll need to put it off for at least another week or two.”

He laughed. “Not at all. I’ll ask Mrs. Haverty to come here with the rest of the staff. She can help you plan.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll invite Janice. She’s very organized.”

“All right. Talk with you tomorrow night.” The phone clicked off. Samantha glanced around. Maria had left the kitchen to give her privacy. For some reason, her good mood had evaporated. Surely, she hadn’t been looking forward to their ride tomorrow that much. She was tired. A hot shower and meal and she’d be fine. Afterwards she’d call Janice, and tomorrow she’d work with the ranch hands again. Somehow that didn’t excite her as much as it had this morning.

* * * *

Jackson
strode into his office early the next morning. He’d missed seeing Samantha yesterday but hoped a few days apart might help her realize she did want to marry him, and not just because of her grandfather’s demands.

He really did need to be here in the city today. He had papers to sign, and soon he’d have to make a final decision on his replacement. He planned to retire the day before his wedding. He’d still be the major stockholder and president of the board.

All the necessary decisions and plans were coming together. He’d decided on this move six months ago, when he realized he wanted to be more actively involved with all aspects of ranching and the community. He’d tired of the cutthroat rat race.

One of the reasons he’d never seriously considered marriage until now was because he didn’t want to raise a family in that environment. He wanted his full-time home and job to be at the ranch. He’d get to see his children grow, to teach them to ride a horse and to work the farm.

Only a very select few knew about the major changes coming. He’d decided even to wait to tell Samantha. It was vitally important that not even a hint get out until all papers had been signed. His enemies might like to create problems.

“Hello, Mrs. Haverty. How are you today?”
Jackson
smiled at his longtime secretary.

“I’m fine, Mr. Stone. Mr. Terrell is in your office enjoying a cup of coffee.”

“He’s always said you make the best,”
Jackson
teased. He strode to his door and stopped. “Mrs. Haverty, I’d like you to come in after he leaves. I have something I want to ask you.”

She looked puzzled. “Is anything wrong?”

“Not at all, just the opposite. We’ll talk later.” He waved and went in to join one of his best friends, who also happened to be his attorney.

Jackson
hurried through the day. He’d decided to get back early enough to visit Samantha. His strong desire to see her and touch her continued to surprise him. The big question was, did she miss him as much?

By five, he was on his helicopter headed home. Mrs. Haverty had agreed to think about his offer to join him at the ranch as his all-around assistant with the business of running the ranch. She’d voiced her preference for the country several times in his presence, so he expected, if her husband agreed, that they’d move to the ranch shortly after him. She’d known all along of his plans to retire and leave most of the running of his company to one of his current associates.

He still hadn’t quite decided which one he’d choose. For that reason, he had invited them and their families to visit this weekend. He hoped to convince Samantha to be his hostess.

“Let me off at the Rileys’ landing strip,” he said to his pilot.

“Yes, Sir.” The pilot turned the bird due west as
Jackson
settled back in his seat. At his feet was his surprise for Samantha.

* * * *

Samantha heard the helicopter coming close. She leaned as far as she could out her window and saw the big bird landing. Her heartbeat quickened.
Jackson
must have left the city early. She’d just hung up from talking with Janice and arranging her arrival for Friday. Glancing down at her shorts and T-shirt, she started to the closet to change, but the noise outside had stopped, meaning
Jackson
was probably already coming to the house. She put on her tan sandals and hurried downstairs.

His large frame shadowed the doorway as she reached the last step. “Samantha,” he called out.

“I’m here. Just a minute.” She took a deep breath to steady her nerves before forcing herself to walk slowly to the screen door. “
Jackson
, I thought you weren’t returning until late tonight.” She opened the door and stood back as he came in, carrying a carton.

“My work took less time than I expected.” He dipped his head and kissed her mouth. “Miss me?” His eyes held a teasing expression.

“Not at all,” she said. “The time went by very fast.”

“Liar,” he whispered in her ear.

The brown box he held in his hands moved. She heard a noise. “What is that?”

He held it out to her. “My surprise.”

“For me?” Her face flushed with pleasure.

He nodded. “Yes, open it. But be careful, handle gently.”

Puzzled, she sat on the nearest chair and opened the loosely closed lid. Dark brown eyes looked up at her. “A puppy.” She reached in and lifted the small golden-haired dog into her lap. “You’re beautiful.”

“She’s a golden retriever. Her fur reminds me of the color of your hair.”
Jackson
knelt in front of Samantha as she hugged the pup. “Is it all right? I know you’ve missed Sergeant since he died of old age almost two years ago. You swore you’d never have another dog. But I saw this one at a friend’s house recently.” He petted the puppy’s fur. “Their dog had four puppies, and this was the runt of the litter. I thought of you, so I asked to buy her.”

Samantha rubbed her cheek over the silky fur. “She’s precious. Sergeant was just a mutt, but I loved him anyway. He was a great thirteenth birthday present.” She put the puppy on the floor and stood. The puppy immediately began to sniff their feet and the furniture. “What shall I call her?”

“You decide. She’s yours.”

Samantha looked at
Jackson
. “Thank you.”

He reached for her and pulled her close. “Now you can do better than that.” He gave her his half smile that always made her body tingle.

She put her arms around his neck and stretched up on her tiptoes to brush her lips across his.
Jackson
’s arms pulled her tight as his mouth ravished hers. His hard cock pushed against her abdomen. The sound of the screen door opening broke them apart.

“Well, well. Finally, I get to see some passion between you two. I was beginning to worry that you’d concocted this whole thing only to meet my demands. I know how persuasive my granddaughter can be. I was sure she’d convinced you to go along with her,” Gramps said. He had stepped just inside the door and wore a wide grin. He looked more relaxed then she’d seen him in a long time. A rush of guilt went through her hearing his words.

“What do we have here?” Gramps had knelt down to look at the puppy. Feeling frisky, the small pup ran to Gramps and licked his chin. Gramps picked her up, chuckling.

“I brought her to Samantha as a surprise,”
Jackson
said.

“I’m glad. I’ve missed having a dog around here. Of course, I guess she’ll go with Samantha when she moves to your place.”

“I’ll bring her around every day, Gramps. I promise.”

Gramps shook
Jackson
’s hand. “Good to see you back. Why not join us for dinner? Maria always has enough for company.”

“I’d like that. First though, do Samantha and I have time to take a walk? I need to discuss something with her.”

“Sure.” Gramps glanced at his watch. “We won’t eat for another hour. I have to get cleaned up.” He glanced down at the puppy, who was trying to chew on his boot. “She’ll be safe here. Nothing much she can hurt in this room. I’ll ask Maria to keep an eye on her. Go on.” He made a motion with his hands for them to leave.

Jackson
grabbed Samantha’s hand and led her outside. The sunset in the west shed streaks of purple, pink, and yellow across the sky, and a soft, cool breeze blew across Samantha’s face.
Jackson
led her away from the house toward a grove of trees. He didn’t stop walking until the house was out of sight.

Samantha tugged at his hand. “What is so important,
Jackson
? Slow down. I’m almost out of breath.”

“This.”
Jackson
swung her around and against a large oak tree. He moved his body hard against hers and cradled her face in his hands. “I’ve missed you and this.” His lips closed on her mouth. She opened her lips, and his tongue invaded, moving along the inside and over her teeth. Involuntarily, her fingers ran through his silky hair as she kissed him back.