My Billionaire Cowboy

Chapter 3

Her night with Bruce had been exciting. Kate could not remember the last time she had been out on a night on the town. She had the chance to have a few drinks, dance, and really let her hair down. And Bruce had been the one to show her that. Most of the guys her own age were so caught up in doing things strictly to get likes on social media. Bruce actually seemed to enjoy her company and enjoy being with her that night. It was refreshing to be the center of his attention.

Kate felt like she was floating on air when she waltzed in to the boutique.

“Wow, what has gotten in to you?” Linda asked.

Kate felt her cheeks go hot. “Whatever do you mean?” she replied jokingly.

“I mean, you look like a whole new woman. What changed from last night to today?”

“Oh, nothing much,” Kate gushed.

Linda tapped her pen on the counter. “I know you are not going to sit and look at me, with that giggling smile and starry eyes and say nothing is going on.”

“I may have gone out on a little date after work.”

Linda dropped the papers she was holding in her hand. “You? Went out on a date?”

‘Something like that. It wasn’t really that serious. Just a little dinner and dancing.”

“That sounds like a date. Not something like a date. A real date.”

“Fine, it was a date. He asked and I accepted.”

“Can I ask who it was?”

Kate waited a moment. She was not sure if she wanted to share who it was just yet.

“All I will say is that he is not the kind of guy you would expect to see me with.”

So, let me get this straight. Not only did you go out on a date, but now you’re being all cryptic with your description of the date and who the date was.”

“I don’t understand. For months, you have been telling me that I should date. And the one time I go out and enjoy myself, you have something to say.”

The bell rang, signaling someone was walking in the door.

“Welcome to Grey’s,” both Linda and Kate greeted at the same time.

“Delivery for Kate.”

The young man standing there held a purple vase with a bouquet of long stemmed lilies and a light blue box tied with a white silk bow. He handed her a card in a blue envelope.

“Thank you.”

Linda was staring at her like she would burst. “Are you going to open that anytime soon?”

Linda pointed at the envelope.

“Yes.” Kate snapped out of the fog she was in and slid her finger along the seal of the envelope.

I had an amazing time in your company. Please do me the favor of joining me on Sunday night for a little business mixed with pleasure.

• Bruce

            “Business mixed with pleasure? Really?”

            Kate was embarrassed by Linda’s teasing. “Oh come on. It’s just a nice gesture after me fitting him for the suit.”

            Something fell out from the envelope on to the floor. “Oh wow. He sent pictures.”

            Linda peeked over her shoulder. “Is that him?”

            Kate nodded as she admired how good he looked. The man that came into Grey’s was mildly scruffy and looked like he worked outdoors for a living. The man in the picture was very dapper and looked like the suit he wore was made just for him. He had his hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail and he was completely clean-shaven. His steel blue eyes were the focus of his face.

“He does not look anything like the man that walked in here the other day. He cleans up well.”

“Very well,” Kate mumbled to herself more than anyone else.

“You act like you did not know he could look this good. Weren’t you just out with him doing dinner and dancing? What did he look like then?”

“Normal. He actually had a five o’clock shadow, jeans, and a button down white shirt. Cowboy boots, a big belt buckle. In no way, shape or form did I expect distinguished gentleman, magazine front cover ready.”

“So now what?”

“What are you talking about?”

Linda rolled her eyes. “I hate when you act like you have no clue what I’m talking about. First off, open that blue box. Second, now that you know that Mr. Cowboy here has the ability to clean it up and look sexy, what happens next between the two of you?”

Kate held her hand up. “Hold that thought.”

She untied the ribbon, letting it slip from her fingers and lifted the top of the box.

“Is it jewelry?” Linda asked excitedly. “Maybe a cute tennis bracelet.”

“And you say that I’m the one with the imagination. Of course it’s not jewelry. We’ve only just met and the date was not a real date, date. Jewelry would be way too much too fast.”

She pulled the contents from the box.

“What is all of that junk?” Linda’s tone revealed the fact that she had been let down.

A huge grin came across Kate’s face. She pulled out the key chain with a French saying on it. Next was a brochure for skydiving, and then a DVD of Finding Nemo.

She could do nothing but laugh.

“I guess I missed the inside joke here?” Linda stood with her hands on her hips, rolled her eyes, and walked off to start pulling a few outfits for a new client.

“Oh goodness. Bruce and I had this conversation about the things that I wanted to do in life that I haven’t done yet. I mentioned I always wanted to go to France, go skydiving, and swim in the Great Barrier Reef.”

“And somewhere in here, you find it endearing that he sent you a key chain, a brochure, and a kiddie movie? Call me crazy, but I’m not seeing the romance in this, Kate.”