Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (20 page)

“You hardly know her. Are you certain you want to make that offer?”

“Yes.” She slid the pans into the oven and straightened to face Angie. “I’m a good judge of character. She’s like a little, wounded, lost animal. I see it in her eyes. This ranch will help her heal faster.

“And by the way, I like the looks of you, too. My boys are choosing fine women for my daughters-in-law.” She walked across to where Angie was putting the omelet on her plate, and hugged her.

“They had a good role model,” Angie said.

Chapter Fourteen

Angie’s cell rang just as she finished breakfast. She stepped outside the back door for privacy. “Hello, Brent. More news?”

“Some. How are you all doing at the ranch?”

She walked down the veranda toward the front of the house. “Your mother and father are great. I haven’t seen your brother but the one time, but it’s early yet. Lily was still sleeping when I came downstairs.”

“Nate wants me to bring her to his office. I’d hoped he might agree to come to Montana, but he’s too busy. I thought I’d fly home later today. We’ll leave in the morning and take you and Lily to see him.”

“I’ll let her know. The next few months, and then when they have the trial, are going to be rough for her. Your mother said she can stay here while she’s going through all of this.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“We’ll see what she wants.”

“I miss you, pansy eyes.”

“I haven’t thought about you at all.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Good.” She laughed. “I do lie occasionally.”

“Hmm, I can’t wait to get there and taste you.”

“There’ll be no fooling around in your parent’s home.”

“Then we’ll have to go camping. See you soon.” He clicked off before she could respond.

Her heart lifted just hearing his voice. She might as well admit she was hopelessly in love with him. She walked back into the kitchen.

“Brent called,” she said to Mrs. Terrell and her husband sitting at the table. “He’s going to be here later today. We’ll fly to Pennsylvania tomorrow.”

Angie sat across from Mr. Terrell. “Brent’s FBI friend wants to talk with Lily.” She heard a sound and turned to see Lily at the doorway.

“What if I don’t want to talk with him?”

“They’ll subpoena you and see you as a hostile witness,” Angie said.

“Don’t you worry, Brent will be right there. He’ll make it as easy as possible for you.” Mr. Terrell spoke up.

Lily wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m scared and confused.”

Mrs. Terrell went to her before Angie could. She guided her to the table. “I’m fixing some pancakes and bacon. A person needs food to face difficult chores. Then you pull your head up and forge forward. I’ve got milk warming, too. You’ll have a hot cup of chocolate in just a second.” She went to the stove and mixed the hot drink.

“Here, enjoy this, and I’ll finish your and Joe’s breakfast.”

“Does anyone ever tell her no?” Lily asked, a faint smile on her face.

“Not me,” Mr. Terrell said. He grinned. “I learned a long time ago to say, ‘yes, darlin’.’ We’ve been much happier.”

Mrs. Terrell laughed. She handed filled plates to her husband and Lily. She poured coffee for her and Angie and joined them at the table.

“I told Angie, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want. You won’t be hounded by the press and will have time to decide what you want to do in the future.”

“Thank you, but that would be an imposition on you.”

“Not at all. We’re leaving in the next few weeks for our condo in Florida. You’d have the house to yourself. But you don’t have to decide now,” Mrs. Terrell said. “Take your time.”

Angie rinsed her cup. “Is it all right if I go for a walk?”

“Sure,” Mr. Terrell said.

“Lily, want to come along?”

Lily jumped up, thanked Mrs. Terrell and followed Angie outside.

“Brent is coming later today. Tomorrow we’ll fly to Philadelphia for us to meet with his FBI friend.” Angie strode out across the open prairie covered in wildflowers.

“You’ll be with me?”

“Yes. I’m here for you as long as you want me.”

“I’m not sure about coming back here. It would be ideal, but I got the sense the other brother Ty doesn’t like me much.”

“He hardly got introduced to you. I’d say give it a chance. You can always leave if he ends up being a grouchy bear.”

“I’ll see. I don’t know which way to turn. My life, as I knew it, doesn’t exist anymore. I understand better how you felt when our mother took you with her. I always envied you. That was wrong.”

Angie glanced at Lily. She looked frail, like a strong wind would knock her down. But she bet her sister was made of sterner stuff. She’d certainly be tested, and soon.

* * * *

Brent’s plane had just landed. He’d barely gotten down the steps before Angie threw herself into his arms. He bent his head and kissed her. Her heartbeat jumped almost out of her chest.

“You didn’t miss me at all,” he teased.

“Your dad is waiting at the truck. I hope we haven’t shocked him.”

“No, I see the twinkle in his eyes from here. After raising three sons, there isn’t much that will shock him. Certainly not love shown to each other.” Brent put his arm around her and they walked toward his father. Mr. Terrell had gotten out and patiently waited for them.

“Good to see you, son.” Mr. Terrell gave Brent a hug. “She”—he nodded toward Angie—“is a fine young lady.”

“That she is. How’s the rest of the family?” Brent asked as they all got in the front seat of the truck. Angie was squeezed between son and father. Brent put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

“Your mom is good. Ty will be better after the anniversary on Monday. He always gets grumpy a few days before. I hear you can’t stay long.”

“No. Now that they have Yannell in custody, the FBI is determined to start the process quickly to keep him behind bars. I’ll be taking Angie and Lily with me tomorrow to see Nate Glynes. You remember meeting him, Dad?”

“Yep, a man obsessed if I ever saw one. What’s he going to do now that he has his man?”

“I’m not sure.”

They turned up the drive to the house. “I heard a rumor you had bought a ranch in Texas?”

“I did.”

Mr. Terrell glanced at Angie, and then back at Brent. “Planning to settle in Texas and give up your other job?”

“If I get the answer I want, I’ll settle.”

Angie blushed knowing exactly what question he was referring to.

“Guess it’s a good thing your cousin, Dirk, joined the family conglomerate, or else Ty would be on his own here in Montana.”

Brent frowned and looked across at his dad. The truck had stopped. They got out and walked toward the house. “Do you think Ty would want to move to Texas with the rest of us?”

“Nope. This land”—his father swept his hand around—“is in his blood like it is in mine. Your mom and I go away from the cold winters now, but I have to come back in the summer and touch my feet on this particular ground. It’s been in the family for ages.”

“Dad, we never meant to hurt you by not living here.”

His father gave Brent another hug. “No hurt to it, son. A man has to find his own way. I’m just saying Ty’s way is this land.”

Brent’s relief shown on his face.

“Your mom is waiting to see you,” his dad said.

“Dad, will you have two horses saddled for Angie and me. I want to show her some of my favorite places.”

“Will do. Go on in first though and eat some of that chocolate cake your mom baked.” Mr. Terrell waved and walked toward the barn.

“We’ll hurry,” he whispered to Angie. “I can’t wait to have you to myself.”

A flicker of heat began to build inside her. “I’ll grab my hat and yours. I saw one in your closet.”

“Meet me at the barn in fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll be there.” Angie ran up the steps as Brent went into the kitchen to see his mother.

* * * *

“We’ll head east,” Brent said, leading the way on a big, brown stallion. Angie’s horse was a pretty chestnut mare. The snow-covered mountains against the blue sky made a beautiful picture and showed the vast expanse of the land.

Brent let his stallion go flying across the flat land.

Angie rode slower. She enjoyed watching him ride a horse. He definitely had an affinity for them. His body flowed in harmony with the horse’s movements, like watching a symphony in motion.

Earlier, when Brent started to ride out of the barn, the stallion had begun to dance around. Brent had whispered in the stallion’s ear and rubbed his hand along his mane. The horse quivered for a moment, and then calmed. He’d been fine since.

Brent pulled up and waited for her. “I couldn’t resist letting him have his run. Sorry I left you behind.”

“No problem. I enjoyed the slower pace. What are you bringing me all this way to see?”

“Come. Behind the trees is a large hill. We’ll ride to the top of it.”

The trees created a cool canopy of shade. They stopped at a stream and let the horses drink. Brent had pushed his hat back. He turned to Angie. “This might be a good place to stop and rest. Those pine needles under that tree behind you look like they’d make a soft bed.”

He swung down and unwrapped the rolled blanket attached behind his saddle. He spread the blanket under the tree.

“Are you going to join me?” His eyes had darkened to a midnight blue.

She slid down into his embrace. His hard cock rubbed against her abdomen. “Do you think we’ll be able to make love in a bed? We always seem to be outside on a blanket.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. With you I could do it upside down in a closet.” He took her hand and led her to the blanket.

“Have a seat.” He made a flourish with his hands.

Angie laughed and sat. Brent knelt at her feet and pulled her boots, jeans, and bikini panties off. Then he pushed her down and straddled her body. Next went her pullover shirt and her front-snap bra.

“I like those kind,” he said, as he threw the bra and shirt to the side. “They’re easier to get off.” He bent his head and kissed her. His tongue swept inside her mouth, caressing the interior.

His hands covered her breasts, kneading the softness. Hot, sweet desire raced in her veins. Then he kissed her skin all along her neck.

Brent ran his tongue over her pulse point. He raised his head. “I’d almost believe you loved me just from the reaction of your body. But I suppose it might be lust.

“When you told me you were sleeping in my old room last night, I envisioned you there. All my young teenage dreams of a beautiful woman in my bed had come true. Only I wasn’t with you to complete my part of the dream. So now I’m going to do just that. First, I’m getting rid of these clothes.”