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

Charlie’s eyes brightened and she asked, “Hey, isn’t that the firm that does all those Super Bowl ads? The ones with the cute horses and puppies?”

Zach nodded. “We do a lot of ad work—and PR. High end marketing.”

“How high?” Lucy asked.

Zach rubbed his upper lip. “Well, we billed out about two hundred last year.”

Face pale, Lucy said, “Somehow I don’t think you mean dollars. Is that thousands?”

“More like billions.” Lucy sat down in a chair so fast that Zach wondered if her knees had given out. “My brother and I, we’re the main shareholders, but we’re salary just like the rest of our staff.”

“And rich,” Charlie muttered.

Zach threw a glance at her. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking any more than he could see on Lucy’s face what might be going on behind those sharp green eyes. He knew what usually happened. People found out he had money and they started acting differently around him and toward him. He let out a breath. “This is my get away. We encourage everyone in the company to take a three-month sabbatical and go do something else.”

“And you came here.” Lucy nodded. “We’re your vacation. You come out here to rub shoulders with us normal folks before you go back to the big city.” The words came out with an edge.

Zach rubbed a thumb against the worn wood of the kitchen table. “You’re making it sound like I’m some jerk, here to take advantage of you.”

Lucy shook her head. She stood. “No...not a jerk. Just a guy who thinks he can buy anything—and everything. Well, I guess you’ve got a great story to take back with you. I guess you’ll be heading out to take up your real life now you’ve had your fun with the locals.”

Climbing to his feet, Zach spread his hands. “Now you can see why I didn’t tell you. Because of this!”

“What—you thought I’d be thrilled to have...to...” Lucy broke off the words. “Dammit, I don’t need some guy coming in here and thinking he can buy me. What, you thought you’d just play the hero for me? Fix all my problems and then I’d be falling all over you?”

Zach could feel his face flushing hot. He crossed his arms. “Well, I sure as hell didn’t do this to get into your pants. No need for that the way you threw yourself at me!”

Sucking in a breath, Lucy stepped back. He saw her fists clenched and wondered if she’d punch him—she wasn’t the type to go for a face slap. Hell, no, she’d probably break his nose.

Chin coming up, she pressed her lips tight. “I’m going to go visit my mom. Should have done that earlier today. Do me a favor—don’t be here when I get back.” Turning, she stared for the front door.

Calling out after her, Zach yelled, “A thanks would have been nice for saving your butt!”

“Thanks. Now don’t let the door hit your ass on your way out!”

The front door slammed.

Zach pushed out a breath and glanced at Charlie. “Looks like I’m not welcome here anymore.”

Shaking her head, Charlie came over to him. “Well, I’ve sure never seen two more bullheaded people than you two.”

He turned to stare at her. “Don’t you start taking a strip out of my hide.”

Charlie grinned. “Sit and eat. And then you can tell me, since you’re so good with plans, how you’re going to make things right with Lucy.”

Chapter Thirteen

Lucy strode down the hallway to her mother’s room. The place smelled of disinfectant and flowers—and old people. The staff did what they could to brighten up the place. Yellow walls, cheerful posters, bright streamers hung up anytime anyone had a birthday. Lucy still found the place depressing, and guilt nipped at her for having to put her mother in such a place as this.

But now, if wasn’t giving all her money to Martino, maybe she could do better. She couldn’t bring her mom home, not with all the nursing and medications her mom needed, but she might be able to afford a better place. It stung, too, to think of what Zach could afford—the rich guy. Was she an idiot for pushing him away? But she knew too well now—thanks to Martino—what kind of strings could come attached to a man. There’s been a time—a really short one—when she’d thought Martino might help her instead of saddling her with her daddy’s debts.

She let out a breath of air. She had to admit, it felt good to think of him in jail and off her neck. Even if he got out on bail, he’d be thinking

she was dead. Or at least that he couldn’t get any more money from her. He wouldn’t come looking for her—or her mom. Not ever. He had his own headaches now.

She slipped into her mother’s room.

The rooms all had two hospital beds each, but right now her mom didn’t have a roommate. A TV opposite the bed was playing some movie with the sound off. Her mother sat in a chair beside the bed, staring out the window at the parking lot lights and bushes.