Page 35 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire

She drank the coffee and in between sips kept her hands wrapped around the ceramic mug with black-and-white cows. Travis’s whimsical items were one of the things she found endearing about him. Who would think a billionaire would have these kinds of dishes? Or maybe they were Claudia’s touch in the kitchen. Willow was fairly sure Travis hadn’t designed the pots, pans and dishware that went in his kitchen.

Once Mindy finished her cocoa, she was antsy. “Mom, can I go to my room and read or something. I’m bored.”

Willow laughed. Life was back to normal.

“Sure. You go on.”

After about an hour or an hour and a half, the back door opened and Travis walked in.

Claudia jumped up. “Sit, and I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”

“Thanks.” Travis sat at the end of the table between her and Jason. “The sheriff took charge, so my men and I left them to their work. We’ll give statements later. He said we can give our statements over the phone.”

Willow gazed at him. “Thank you. Without you and your men...I—I don’t want to think what might have happened.”

Travis reached over and took her hand. “You’re welcome. We need to talk later. Will you meet me in my office after Mindy goes to bed? I don’t want to be disturbed.”

Her lips turned up. “I’d like that.” I wonder what he wants to discuss?

After she put Mindy to bed, Willow walked down to Travis’s office. Doing so was more difficult than usual. She rapped on the door.

“Come in.”

Travis’s voice sounded even deeper than normal coming through the door. She entered and found Travis sitting on the deep-blue sofa facing the fireplace. He held a glass of what she assumed was Malbec, since that was his favorite. Another glass of wine sat on the table.

“Come have a seat.” He patted the couch next to him.

Willow walked over to the sofa, sat, picked up the wine, and leaned back.

Travis put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

She went easily. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Us.”

She lifted a brow. “Is there an us?”

“I care for you, Willow. More than I ever have anyone before.”

She furrowed her brows. “What do you mean? You care for me?” She took a sip of her wine.

“I want to marry you. I think we’ll be good together.”

Willow closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. This is the man who told me not to fall in love with him; that he’s not the marrying kind. So, what is this about? Her heart was warring with her brain. Her heart wanted to marry him with all of her being because she loved him.

Her brain was telling her it couldn’t work without love. “Marry you? You barely know me. We shared some kisses and a terrible event today, but that’s not enough?—”

He sipped his wine before wrinkles appeared on his forehead, and his eyes narrowed. “Today made me realize how much I feel for you. The thought I could lose you nearly killed me. I wanted to go after Simmons with my bare hands. I’ve never felt like that before.”

Willow’s face heated. She turned on the sofa, so her body faced him. “That’s a wonderfully nice thing to say, but it’s not enough to build a marriage on. I know what it takes to be married, and it’s difficult even with love on both sides. And you’ve never mentioned Mindy? Where does she fit in all of this? I need more than that. More than just caring and if you’re honest with yourself, you do, too.”

“First, you and Mindy are a package deal. I know that. I would love to have her as my daughter. Willow, I know we can make it work. Please.” He was facing her and he took her wine glass and set it on the table and then took her hands in his.

She shook her head again. “I can’t. I have Mindy to think about and I need love, Travis. Caring is nice and I care for you, too. Much more than I want to, but I still need more. I think it’s time for Mindy and me to leave and go back to our condo. If you’re really serious about this relationship, then court me. Prove to me it’s real, and let’s get to know each other better.”

His mouth turned down and his eyes narrowed. “If that’s what I need to do to prove we were made for each other, I will. When will you leave?”

She picked up her glass and stared into it as she swirled the wine. “I don’t see any reason to delay. Your ribs are nearly healed and you’ve been good about doing your PT. I think we can safely leave tomorrow.”