Teaching Her Billionaire Cowboy Rookie - April Murdock Page 0,10

was not the life he’d chosen for a reason. Bolton might be able to make it work, but it just wasn’t for him. He needed simplicity.

Ty straightened and headed the rest of the way through the hall, down the stairs, and toward the front door. He passed the kitchen where an older woman—Midge—cleaned up the remnants of breakfast.

The large wooden door swung quietly as he pulled it open and exited out into the already warm summer air. Ty let the door click behind him and he galloped down the steps, out into the sunshine. His hand rose to block the sun from hitting him in the face. He’d have to get one of those cowboy hats Bolton had hanging up all over the place, but first he’d find out if Bolton could use his help.

Wandering over to the barn he’d spent the night in, Ty ducked his head inside. Bolton wasn’t there. He headed away from the barn and walked around to another. Again he was disappointed. The place was so large, he’d have a heck of a time finding the man unless someone could point him in the right direction.

A slight woman exited a smaller building a few yards away. She glanced at him, her eyes narrowing before she closed a door and headed his way. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’ve met you yet.” She held out her hand. “I’m Annie.”

Ty shook his head. “No, ma’am. I’m Ty. Could you tell me if you know where Mr. Bolton went off to?”

Her brows furrowed and she glanced around the property. “He shouldn’t have gone far. But then, sometimes he comes up with one excuse or another to go riding. Let’s see if Bolt is gone.”

“Bolt?”

Annie nodded. “Chad’s horse.”

“Does everyone call him Chad?”

She smiled. “Not everyone, but I’ve got special permission.”

Ty lifted a brow. What kind of permission was that?

Annie lifted her left hand, showing off her ring finger. “He’s my husband.”

Bolton was married. And it wasn’t to Miss Taylor. The speed of his pulse ticked up a few beats. That meant she was available. Ty gave his head a sharp shake. She might be available to someone, but she wasn’t available to him. No, not even that was true. She could be involved with someone else entirely. As far as he was concerned, she was off-limits.

They entered the barn and Annie guided him about halfway down. A large, black head popped out of an open stall. Ty jumped back and let out a loud curse. Annie’s face whipped around to stare at him.

Heat crept up his neck. “My apologies, ma’am.” He’d need to get used to being in polite company again.

Annie snickered. “Your language doesn’t bother me. I’ve heard worse, I can assure you.” She patted the beast’s nose. “Well, Chad didn’t take Bolt for a ride, so he must be around here somewhere. Maybe you should try the utility shed on the other side of the house. That’s where we keep the ranching equipment.”

Ty nodded. “Thanks, ma’am.”

She shook her head. “And you can stop calling me that. I may be the woman of the house, but I’m not nearly old enough for that name.”

He swallowed, a smile pulling at his lips. “Of course.” Ty hurried out of the barn and paused as he stared north, where Miss Taylor was last seen walking. He could easily abandon his quest for Chad and find her. He could ask her if she was involved with anyone and if she would be interested in spending some time with him. Then he could take her hand and caress it with his lips, pretending it was her lips he touched.

Stop it. She was not his to think about. He hit the side of his head with his palm. If he couldn’t get this under control, he’d have to leave without an explanation. Not to Mick, not to Chad, and not to her.

A scowl crossed his features as he stormed off in the direction Annie had indicated. Chad had better be there, or—or he’d end up heading north no matter how much that choice would cost him.

The sound of a man cursing loudly caused him to stop in his tracks. Well, Ty had found someone. Hopefully it was the man he’d been in search of this whole morning. A wrench went flying out of the shed, followed by a pair of pliers. Another curse erupted and Ty smiled. He knew that frustration, and he knew it well.

Ty made a beeline for the entrance and hopped