My Billionaire Cowboy

 They crossed paths and at that time figured out that they wanted to be together. They had time to decide what they wanted. And they chose to be together based on that. And I think that worked for them.”

“It makes perfect sense. I get it.”

Bruce turned her around to face him. “As far as you and I are concerned, we are both where we choose to be. And that is what works for me.”

His kisses were always right on time.

“And that kiss works for me. We had better get going before we end up staying here all night and miss dinner.”

“Good idea,” he replied with a smirk.

She locked the door behind them and he escorted her to the car.

*****

They traveled outside of the city, toward the mountains. She laid her head back, listening to the smooth jazz music that was playing in the car.

It was nice to relax and feel the vibe and the positive energy. From time to time, glancing over at him filled Kate with a giddy happiness.

“Spending the day with you has been fun.”

Bruce looked at her from the corner of his eye. “I have had a good time too.”

She resisted the urge to ask him where they were going. It would be more fun if she just went for the ride.

He turned off of the highway onto a dark road. The exit off of the highway was so far out it seemed like it was the last exit to nowhere.

“I’m amazed that you aren’t going to ask me where we are going,” Bruce commented.

“Well, I figured that I’ve been safe thus far with everywhere we’ve gone. So I think this time will be no different.”

He gently patted her on the knee. “I think you will like this.”

They eventually ended up on a dirt road. The gravel crunching under the tires of his truck and the high beams on, they made their way down the road until they reached a large iron gate. Bruce rolled down the window and punched in a few numbers at the gate code. The gate opened slowly, gaining them access.

Bruce drove up the driveway that led to a huge house. The home was well lit with a crescent shaped driveway.

“This is my parents’ home. The home that I pretty much grew up in.”

“Seriously?” she asked. “Wow.”

“It’s not too much too fast is it?”

Kate reached over and kissed him on the cheek. “Are you kidding? Today seems to be a good day to share.”

“Great. My mother always has dessert out by now. She makes the best fruit cobbler around.”

They held hands as they walked to the door.

“Bruce, good to see you son!” A tiny lady with the same steel blue eyes answered the door.

“Mom.” He hugged the woman and kissed her on the cheek.

“And I see that you’ve brought a guest this evening. Hello dear, I’m Bruce’s mother. You can call me Hilary.”

“Hi Hilary,” Kate extended her hand. “I’m Kate.”

“She’s very cute, Bruce. What on earth is she doing out with you?”

“Mother,” he replied, sounding slightly irritated.

“Oh nevermind. You two come on in. I just finished taking the peach cobbler out of the oven. There is ice cream and some fresh brewed tea. Your father and I were about to have some dessert. But I suspect you know that.” She winked as she stood back and let them in.

“Hey Pop.”

“Bruce, ole boy. Glad you made it by.” They pat each other on the arm and then hugged.

The older man peeked over his shoulder and looked in Kate’s direction. “Well now, we are always up for a bit of company. Hello there, sweetheart. I’m Cal.”

Kate nodded. “I’m Kate. Good to meet you both.”

“Welcome. It’s not often that Bruce brings someone here to meet us,” Cal replied.

Kate glanced at Bruce, trying to follow his lead. He shrugged.

“Cal, stop embarrassing both of them. Bruce is not some high school boy bringing home a date for the prom.”

“Ah, well. Where’s that pie you made, Hil?”

“Coming right up, dear. Kate, you make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, Hilary. I’m looking forward to this cobbler. I’ve heard you make an amazing dessert.”

In a flash, Hilary was back out with a tray filled with dessert and hot tea. “Here we are. A little dessert here for everyone.”

Their eyes were large, stomachs even larger, waiting for the dessert. Hilary served them each a plate and she poured the tea.

“Thank you, Hilary. This is delicious,” Kate commented.

“Do you cook, dear?”

“I do. From time to time. I have not a lot lately.”

The first part of the evening was asking and answering all of the preliminary questions:

Where are you from?

What do your parents do?

Do you have any siblings?

What do you do for a living?

Is styling a real job?

Kate answered every question with class and poise. Cal and Hilary were rapid fire, but Bruce sat back for a moment and let them ask as many questions as they desired.

The first round of pie was almost finished just as they ended their inquisition.

“I assume you and Dad have asked Kate all the questions that you could possibly ask a guest in one night?” Bruce asked, eyebrow raised.

Cal raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, hey. We get the point. Just a little friendly conversation here.”

“Kate, it was lovely to meet you,” Hilary said kindly with a smile. “I think Cal and I will retire for the night.”

Hilary took her husband by the hand. He was a bit apprehensive, but followed his wife’s lead.

“Mom, leave everything here. Kate and I will clean up.”

“Thank you, dear. We’ll see you later this weekend for dinner.”

Hilary gave a sly grin and slowly walked off, holding her husband by the hand.    

“Your parents are wonderful.”

“Really? So you’re going to stay and hang out? I thought for sure you would feel run off by the Spanish Inquisition.”

They both laughed.

“I’m not so easily run off. They are sweet, and I know they mean well. It was probably exciting to have their son finally bring someone home for once.”

Bruce became quiet at what was supposed to be a joke.

“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t say anything wrong.”

He shook his head. “No. You didn’t. But you are right about one thing. I have not brought a woman home in, well. I can’t remember how long.”

As they walked the dishes to the kitchen, she asked him something else. “Who was the last person that you brought for your parents to meet?”

The dishes clinked in the sink. The sound of running water. Then Bruce responded.

“I was in my early twenties. I fell for this woman that totally blew my mind and sent me for a loop. She was everything I never thought I would look for in a woman. But I was too involved in building a career, so I let it all go. Let it all slip right through my fingertips. She moved on. And by the time I figured it all out, it was too late.”

Kate just listened, taken aback by Bruce’s confession.

“That’s intense. Now your philosophies on life and love make perfect sense.”

“I hope that they make sense to you because sometimes I don’t get love and feelings and relationships as much as it may seem.”

In that moment, Bruce seemed so vulnerable. He dried his hands on a towel and sat there rubbing his temples, jaw clenched as his mind churned on a memory.

“Love is not so easy. It has been difficult for me as well. I watched my parents in this great love affair and as a child, I loved the soap operas. So now I struggle to find something or someone that measures up to what I thought I saw growing up. Now I understand that what I have to know is that love is different for everyone. And that what may be for me may be completely different than what my parents have and that is okay.”

Bruce’s fingertips on the side of her face were comforting. Her body tingled at his touch. His kiss was exactly what she wanted right then and there was nothing else that she was focused on. Living in the moment was all that was necessary.