My Billionaire Cowboy: A BWWM Western Romance by Bwwm Romance Dot Com, Esther Banks Page B

her
head back, listening to the smooth jazz music that was playing in the
car.
    It was nice to relax and feel the vibe and the positive energy. From
time to time, glancing over at him filled Kate with a giddy
happiness.
    “Spending the day with you has been fun.”
    Bruce looked at her from the corner of his eye. “I have had a
good time too.”
    She resisted the urge to ask him where they were going. It would be
more fun if she just went for the ride.
    He turned off of the highway onto a dark road. The exit off of the
highway was so far out it seemed like it was the last exit to
nowhere.
    “I’m amazed that you aren’t going to ask me where
we are going,” Bruce commented.
    “Well, I figured that I’ve been safe thus far with
everywhere we’ve gone. So I think this time will be no
different.”
    He gently patted her on the knee. “I think you will like this.”
    They eventually ended up on a dirt road. The gravel crunching under
the tires of his truck and the high beams on, they made their way
down the road until they reached a large iron gate. Bruce rolled down
the window and punched in a few numbers at the gate code. The gate
opened slowly, gaining them access.
    Bruce drove up the driveway that led to a huge house. The home was
well lit with a crescent shaped driveway.
    “This is my parents’ home. The home that I pretty much
grew up in.”
    “Seriously?” she asked. “Wow.”
    “It’s not too much too fast is it?”
    Kate reached over and kissed him on the cheek. “Are you
kidding? Today seems to be a good day to share.”
    “Great. My mother always has dessert out by now. She makes the
best fruit cobbler around.”
    They held hands as they walked to the door.
    “Bruce, good to see you son!” A tiny lady with the same
steel blue eyes answered the door.
    “Mom.” He hugged the woman and kissed her on the cheek.
    “And I see that you’ve brought a guest this evening.
Hello dear, I’m Bruce’s mother. You can call me Hilary.”
    “Hi Hilary,” Kate extended her hand. “I’m
Kate.”
    “She’s very cute, Bruce. What on earth is she doing out
with you?”
    “Mother,” he replied, sounding slightly irritated.
    “Oh nevermind. You two come on in. I just finished taking the
peach cobbler out of the oven. There is ice cream and some fresh
brewed tea. Your father and I were about to have some dessert. But I
suspect you know that.” She winked as she stood back and let
them in.
    “Hey Pop.”
    “Bruce, ole boy. Glad you made it by.” They pat each
other on the arm and then hugged.
    The older man peeked over his shoulder and looked in Kate’s
direction. “Well now, we are always up for a bit of company.
Hello there, sweetheart. I’m Cal.”
    Kate nodded. “I’m Kate. Good to meet you both.”
    “Welcome. It’s not often that Bruce brings someone here
to meet us,” Cal replied.
    Kate glanced at Bruce, trying to follow his lead. He shrugged.
    “Cal, stop embarrassing both of them. Bruce is not some high
school boy bringing home a date for the prom.”
    “Ah, well. Where’s that pie you made, Hil?”
    “Coming right up, dear. Kate, you make yourself at home.”
    “Thank you, Hilary. I’m looking forward to this cobbler.
I’ve heard you make an amazing dessert.”
    In a flash, Hilary was back out with a tray filled with dessert and
hot tea. “Here we are. A little dessert here for everyone.”
    Their eyes were large, stomachs even larger, waiting for the dessert.
Hilary served them each a plate and she poured the tea.
    “Thank you, Hilary. This is delicious,” Kate commented.
    “Do you cook, dear?”
    “I do. From time to time. I have not a lot lately.”
    The first part of the evening was asking and answering all of the
preliminary questions:
    Where are you from?
    What do your parents do?
    Do you have any siblings?
    What do you do for a living?
    Is styling a real job?

    Kate answered every question with class and poise. Cal and Hilary
were rapid fire, but Bruce sat back for a