Teaching Her Billionaire Cowboy Rookie - April Murdock Page 0,4

on her hips. “You wouldn’t do that.”

He cocked a brow. “Why not?”

“Because you’re honest.”

His brows pulled lower over his eyes and he leaned in closer to her so their faces were inches apart. “Don’t make assumptions on first impressions, honey. You might be disappointed.”

“I can handle disappointment, but I won’t tolerate disrespect.”

He straightened and tipped his head to the side. “You don’t like when I call you honey.”

A smile pulled at her lips. “I don’t care what you call me. Like you said, a name is just a name. But at least you know mine. I’d prefer to use yours rather than handsome stranger.”

For the first time, he smiled. “I suppose that is a little long.” He folded his arms across his broad chest. “You can call me Ty. But like I said, I’m just going to be here long enough for my friend to find his family.”

Chapter Three

She was a spitfire, and Ty couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She wasn’t afraid of him and she didn’t allow him to push her around. That kind of personality could be due to her ranch upbringing, but it could be something deeper.

He opened the back door of his truck and pulled out the letter from the bag. When he slammed the door shut, she was there, arms folded and staring at him with those warm, brown eyes. Those pools of melted chocolate pulled him in the instant they met his. He scowled and shoved the letter at her. “Give this to your boss.”

Miss Taylor took the letter and glanced at him momentarily. “I don’t work here.”

His brows shot up. “Why on earth are you here this early?” Maybe she was involved with Bolton on a more personal level.

She lifted her eyes to meet his. “I live next door. I brought some fresh raspberries for the housekeeper.” She said it like it was the most natural response in the world. They had to be dating. The thought left a sour taste in his mouth.

“You came here at six in the morning to bring raspberries? Did I cross some kind of interdimensional rift or something? Who delivers raspberries before the sun is even up? Who are you people?”

A smile crossed her face and she turned to walk toward the barn. “I don’t know where you’re from, but here, we care about our neighbors. They’re like family.” Or a family she planned to have in the future.

His nose wrinkled. “Family” was a swear word as far as he was concerned. That word only brought bad memories and reasons to stay as far away as possible from the place where he grew up. They walked in silence the rest of the way. Miss Taylor didn’t pull out the letter, despite the obvious curiosity that fell off her in waves. She could have easily snuck a look just to see what they were dealing with, but she didn’t. That was more than he would’ve done. Hadn’t he gone through all of Mick’s personal belongings so he could bring the man here?

Ty rubbed his head and followed Miss Taylor until they were again at Bolton’s side. She handed him the letter and placed her hands behind her back. They were definitely involved. They were neighbors and that was where this kind of thing started.

He glowered at the two of them. His chest tightened and he folded his arms. A small part of him wanted what they had. No, that wasn’t right. He couldn’t see what they had. He glanced at Miss Taylor. That small part of him wanted her.

Ty shook his head and shifted his feet. But that didn’t make sense at all. Getting into a relationship with anyone was asking for trouble. He was meant to be alone—forever. There would be no wife, or kids, or any of that because of the mess he left behind. A woman would only complicate things further.

Bolton tugged the letter out of the envelope and his brows lifted. He glanced at Mick on the ground and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. A curse slipped between his lips and Miss Taylor stiffened. Bolton’s eyes darted to Ty’s. “I need to make a call. Can you help bring him inside?”

The urge to say “I told you so” rested on Ty’s lips as he watched Miss Taylor’s mouth drop open. He nodded. Chad hurried out of the barn, leaving Ty alone with Miss Taylor.

“So it’s true?”

Ty shrugged and leaned over Mick. “I have no idea.” One thing was for certain, he