Page 27 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire
“Mom.”
Mindy walked in, rubbing her eyes. “Can I get a drink of water?”
Willow slid from the sofa and walked to her daughter. “Of course, you can, sweetie. Come on to the kitchen.” She turned back toward Travis. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”
“I’ll be here.” He patted the sofa next to him. “Keeping your seat warm.”
Willow gave him a small smile and put her arm around Mindy’s shoulders. “Let’s go get you that drink.”
Mindy gazed up at her and nodded. “Mom?”
“What is it, sweetie?”
“Why are you and Travis sitting so close together?”
Willow continued walking toward the kitchen. “Um, well, that way we don’t have to talk loudly. We didn’t want to wake you.” She got a glass and filled it before giving it to her daughter.
Mindy lifted a brow and gazed at her mother. “Really?”
“Really.” Willow kissed her on the top of the head. “Now, go to bed.”
“’Night, Mom.” Mindy walked out of the kitchen and back to her room.
Willow followed her as far as the staircase and then traveled back to the living room. She sat next to Travis, picked up her wine, and took a sip.
“How’s Mindy? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. I should have given her a glass of water before bed. I usually do, but I forgot.”
He walked his fingers up her arm. “Did you have something else on your mind tonight? Hmm?”
“Maybe. But I shouldn’t forget my responsibility as a mother. That was not well done.” She set her wineglass on the table. “As a matter of fact, I should get to bed.” Then she softened her voice. “How about a raincheck?”
He waggled his eyebrows and gave her a sexy smile.
She pushed up from the couch. “I’m going to be alone. I’ve got some thinking to do.”
Travis rose with her. “Sure, but Willow, it was just a glass of water.”
She turned on him. “It wasn’t just a glass of water. It was the first time I haven’t thought of Mindy before myself. That’s not right. She always comes first. She has to. I’m sorry, Travis, maybe next time.” She hurried out of the living room and up the stairs.
Am I right? Should I be devoting everything to Mindy? I’m her mother, but does that mean I need to put all my wants, desires and life on hold? Or do I just need to find a way to combine the two? Why is this so hard? It’s never been hard before. Because you’ve never felt about anyone the way you do about Travis. Why Travis? Why now? Because he’s nice and strong. He likes Mindy and, most importantly, she likes him.
The next day Gordon Simmons picked up his binoculars and watched Willow head to the barn like she did most days. What was so interesting in there? It’s just a bunch of horses. Then he saw the little girl leave the barn. Willow and the man stayed. Every time, they stayed.
I wish I had a way to see what they were doing. Though, I think I know. Unfortunately for the man, Willow doesn’t belong to him. She belongs to me, and soon I’ll show her just how much she belongs to me.
How will I get Willow alone? I figured out a way to get on the ranch without being seen. It’s too big for him to have someone everywhere all the time. And finding this hiding place so close to the house was a definite stroke of luck, for all the good it did him. She always seems to be with someone. The rancher or her daughter or a woman who must be the housekeeper. She was always with someone.
He cursed. He must be patient. She would end up coming to him. Just wait. Patience is a virtue and for Willow, he had all the patience in the world, but his patience was at an end. It was time to make her his.
Two nights later
After dinner, Willow approached Travis, holding two glasses of wine. “Want to cash that raincheck tonight?”
He flashed a grin. “Yeah, I’d like that very much.”
She headed to the living room and sat on one of the leather sofas. Over the back of it was a warm cashmere blanket. Perfect for cuddling up with. She set the glasses on the table in front of the couch.
