Secret Billionaire's Stubborn Cowgirl (The Secret Billionaires 1)

“It’ll be fine.”

Grabbing the ladder, she shook it. The whole thing creaked. “Okay, you’re the boss, boss. But why didn’t you buy a new ladder?”

Zach shook his head. “Why waste money?” He started up the ladder, calling down to her to hand up a hammer, nails, and shingles. She fetched the materials from just inside the barn door, handing them up. He’d brought out the supplies yesterday when he’d set up his office. The ladder kept creaking, but he just needed one more nail.

He glanced down at Lucy. “Can you—?”

A cracking sound cut through his words. He had time for a curse before the rung under his left foot gave out. He grabbed for a hold, but his glove slipped. He

could only catch the side of the ladder and then he was falling.

“I’ve got you,” Lucy yelled.

He had time to glance down at her, see her arms stretched wide and her feet planted. Then he fell onto her.

He tried to catch her and roll with her—he didn’t want to break her their first day out. She had to be a lot stronger than she looked. She hung onto him, too, rolling with him. They came to a stop next to a battered bale of straw, both of them breathing heavy. He could hear her gasp for air—he was doing the same.

Pushing up, he looked down at her.

Legs tangled, chests pressed close, his hips grinding into hers—he couldn’t think. Lordy, what was he doing here? He couldn’t do anything except stare into those wide green eyes. He had his arms either side of her head with his palms flat against the ground. Her right leg was placed firmly against him—if she moved they’d both be embarrassed pretty damn fast.

Her lips parted with a gasp and all he could think of was how soft and inviting they looked. She gasped again and his mouth dried. She was warm and soft—and probably needed some air, not him crushing her.

He pushed back and up and held out a hand to her.

Moving slow, she sat up, dusted herself up and stood—without his help. She kept staring at him as if it was his fault he’d fallen. And it probably was. He frowned. “Maybe I do need a new ladder.”

She nodded. “Uh hun. You can get a good deal at Barney’s in town. Maybe bring it out—in a truck, too.” She slapped the dirt off her hips and waved a hand at the barn. “I think I’ll go clean stalls, if you don’t mind.”

The barn hadn’t been used in years. Charlie had obviously been using the place for more storage—and pigeons had been using the place to roost. They carried out boxes, broken equipment, axes, shovels missing handles, and more junk than anyone should keep. Zach was careful not to mention falling on Lucy—or how near he’d come to kissing her. But he couldn’t stop sneaking glances when she bent over to lift something.

Two hours later, Zach glanced at the pile of junk now outside the barn. “Doesn’t she throw anything away?”

Lucy actually offered him a small smile. “Charlie can make all of this into stuff tourists will buy.”

“Really?” He frowned. “You’re not just having me on.”

“Would I do that?”

“That and more,” he muttered. They repaired the broken stall dividers, and just after noon, Zach decided it was time for a break. “How about something to eat?” he asked.

She glanced around. “You mean something other than moldy hay and composting straw?”

He smiled. “I’ve set up an office in a trailer about a half mile down.”

She followed him to the trailer. He’d brought it with him, and located it close enough to the fields that he could use it as both a place to take a break and a place to work—it was also the only spot on the farm that had any kind of cell phone reception. Gesturing for Lucy to have a seat, he headed into the kitchen area. “I’ve got a hoagie and beer? That okay?”

“Letting me drink on the job? That’s pretty lenient of you, boss.”

“You know, you could drop that joke anytime.”

She smiled as she accepted the bottle from him. “So we never did talk about money.”

He cut up the hoagie and pulled out some plates. “Is it always about money with you?”

She stared at him. “What—you’ve got something against it?” She waved her beer bottle. “You have enough to lease this farm for a year.”

“And...that’s enough to interest you is it?”