Page 16 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire

When the movie was over, Willow stood. “Time for bed, little firefly.”

“Mom, can’t I stay up for a little while longer?”

Willow shook her head. “No. You have school tomorrow. Just because we skipped it today doesn’t mean you can tomorrow.”

“But I don’t have to go anywhere to go to school. Besides, it’s summer. I shouldn’t have to go to school.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Willow placed her hands on her hips. “Listen, young lady, just because you’re homeschooled doesn’t mean we don’t have to keep a schedule. Do you want to be doing homework after school and then after dinner, too, or would you like to spend time maybe in the barn after school?” She glanced over at Travis.

He nodded. “I’ll be in the barn tomorrow afternoon grooming the horses, including Snow, if he’ll let me get close to him.”

Mindy hopped up off the couch. “I guess I’d better get to bed then. See you tomorrow, Travis and Claudia.”

“Goodnight, firefly.” He waved with his right hand.

“Goodnight, Mindy.” Claudia stood. “Morning comes way too early. The cowboys eat breakfast here, so I have to have coffee made by five.”

Mindy’s eyes slammed open. “Wow, that’s early. I’m glad I don’t have to be up that early.” She looked at her mother. “Do I, Mom?”

“Heavens, no. I’ll still be dead to the world at that time of the morning.”

Mindy laughed.

So did Travis.

And Claudia, too.

Willow turned to Travis. “Do you want me to check your back tonight? I probably should and then clean it and reapply the antibiotic, too.”

“Yeah, I’d like that. I’ve moved a lot today and I think the bandages have moved.”

“That tends to happen. We should probably check and re-bandage it at least once during the day and again at night.”

“You’re the nurse. I’m in your hands.”

Oh, if only you were in my hands...and there wasn’t Mindy to consider... or me in your hands would be acceptable, too.

Chapter 4

May 26th

* * *

Gordon Simmons watched Willow’s condo. He’d been lax about being here for the last several days, but that couldn’t be helped. His boss had sent him out of town even though he worked from home. Training, he’d been told. But it wasn’t anything he didn’t already know, and had been a complete waste of his time.

He watched the condo from his car. It was like being a cop on a stakeout. He laughed. Cops. They never could catch him. He knew she had taken out a restraining order here in Lakewood, but that didn’t matter. He laughed. She’d taken one out in Denver, Aurora, Golden, Arvada and the last one was in Brighton.

None of those cops were ever fast enough to catch him. Even if they had, they wouldn’t keep him for long, a day at most, and then he’d be back at it, watching her. Making sure she knew who she belonged to. Soon he’d show her in person. He would have to train her; he knew, and he was looking forward to it.

Her car was in the parking lot as he expected, but it was Friday. She usually did her grocery shopping on Friday. Why hadn’t she left to do that?

No one had gone in or come out all day. Is she hiding from me? Is she trying to change her routine?

He laughed. She should be hiding. Someday, Willow, I’ll have you alone, restraining order be damned. What can they do to me? Lock me up? They’ve locked me up before. So what if they do? I’ll have had Willow before they can stop me.

He watched for her neighbors and looked at his watch. Eleven o’clock. They should all be at work. He took out his lock pick tools and opened the condo door. The extra door locks were no deterrent for him. He let himself in and closed the door quietly.

This would be the best day ever. He’d lock the daughter in her room and finally get Willow alone, then he’d prove he’s all the man she needs.