My Billionaire Cowboy

Kate began asking him the questions on the questionnaire. They went over everything from favorite color to what his daily outfit looked like.

After the tenth question, it looked like Bruce was checking out.

“Just a few more questions, Bruce,” Kate responded, engrossed in recording the answers to the questions.

Bruce leaned back and crossed his leg. “Look, I’m a simple man. I like my dungarees, my boots, and my hat. I have probably twenty pairs of the same pants and just as many white shirts. When I work the ranch, I wear a black t-shirt and dungarees. This hat is one of my favorites, and I like my belt buckles shiny. But of course I can’t show up for this meeting with my client like this. I just need one of those monkey suits and I’ll be on my way.”

Kate set the computer to the side and gave Bruce her full attention. She could see that he was going to be a harder client to break.

“Bruce, I live and breathe fashion. I have been styling people as long as I can remember. This is what I do. You have to trust the process. I can definitely make you look great, make sure you feel comfortable, and I promise you that you will look way better than a monkey in a suit.”

A grin spread across Bruce’s lips.

“Ah ha! I knew I could get you to relax a bit. Now, we’ll go over to the fitting area. I need to get your measurements. Right this way.”

Bruce stood there stoically, and Kate caught him admiring himself in the mirror. She laughed at his actions as she pulled out the tape measure.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” she shook her head. “Can you take your hat off please?”

He nodded and removed the hat, revealing salt and peppered graying hair. Bruce was naturally handsome and on top of his outwardly hard demeanor, there seemed a bit of a gentle nature in his eyes.

Kate began taking his measurements and tried to create a little small talk. “So, you said that you work on a ranch. Where do you live?”

“A woman that listens to the little things. I like it,” he commented. “I help my parents with their ranch about thirty miles outside of the city.”

“Your parents? That’s nice. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that owned a ranch.”

“It’s a small thing. Not really anything serious. My parents own the land and a few cattle and chickens. Nothing expansive or anything like that. Have you ever been outside of the city?”

Kate shook her head. “Not really. Maybe once or twice on a school field trip or so. I’m a city girl. I love L.A. and wouldn’t really live anywhere else.”

She recorded the last of the measurements. “There now. We are all finished. Hope that was painless.”

“Yes, pretty much. I survived.”

“Good. Now I have a few things in mind for you. I have to pull a few things from a couple designers. Is your event business casual or black tie?”

“Business. Let’s just say, I need to wow a few people and really make an impression.”

“Impressions are my thing. Bruce, you are in good hands. I will get these outfits pulled and come out to bring them to you for a fitting in the comfort of your own home in two days.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Bruce slid his feet in his boots. “I will expect to see you in a few days. Other than that, is there anything I can do for you?”

“I think that about covers it, Bruce.” She extended her hand to shake his.

“Thank you for your business.”

“You are very welcome, Kate. I’m trusting you to find just the right monkey suit.”

She playfully rolled her eyes. “Will do.”

*****

After Bruce left, Kate could not shake the giddy feeling that churned inside of her. She liked a challenge. And Bruce’s sense of style was just that. A challenge. His fashion sense left a lot to be desired. That was usually the case with most of her clients, but working with Bruce, she would have to start at square one. Her clients came to her at varying levels of style, but since she mostly worked with rich businessmen and businesswomen and Beverly Hills housewives, she usually had a little something to work with.

She would have to put in a lot of work convincing him to wear what she suggested. It was obvious that he had a strong personality. He seemed a bit stubborn and stuck in his ways, but that would not be unlike every other socialite she had worked with. Her clients were quirky and she had a knack for dealing effectively with them so that would not be an issue.

Kate wondered if Bruce knew that she knew he was staring at her when she worked on his computer profile. His eyes traveled the length of her body when he spoke to her. She wondered what was going on in his mind when they spoke about his ranch and how he wanted to make a good impression at his event. From the look in his eyes, she could tell he was not thinking about the subject at hand. She knew what it looked like when a man admired her.

It had not been that long since she was the object of interest for someone. Men eyed her all of the time. She was a natural beauty. Long straight jet black hair, mahogany complexion, curvy hips, and an impeccable sense of style. Kate loved life and at twenty-seven, she felt like she had the world at her palms.

“Hey there, I’m back,” Linda called out from the front door.

“Oh great. Just in time.”

She finalized the rest of Bruce’s profile and turned to Linda.

“Wait, what is going on here?”

Kate looked around. “What are you talking about?”

“Who was here? You look, you’re blushing.”

Kate felt her cheeks heating, and all of a sudden she felt nervous.