To Love A Cowboy: A Billionaire BWWM Western Romance by BWWM Club, Esther Banks

you
were not there. You did not answer your phone, so I decided to take a
walk. I could not sleep."
    Bruce stood there, hands in his pockets, alternating his glance
between looking at her and staring off at nothing in general.
    "I could not sleep either. I mean, I know you had to be out
late, but I'm not used to that. So I could not rest until you got
in."
    "I'm sorry about that." It was all Kate could think to say.
    Bruce shook his head. "Don't apologize. You were out there
working, chasing your dreams. Don't apologize for that."
    The silence that settled between them was awkward, so Kate began
walking slowly. Bruce began to stroll beside her.
    "There is no manual for this," she blurted out. "I
really don't know how to balance all of this."
    "You are right. There is no manual to help you figure out how to
handle all of this. But you have to do your best to balance all of
it. Give every part of your life equal time."
    "Equal time with only twenty four hours in a day. There in lies
the problem. What do you suggest?"
    "Kate, I can't tell you the answer to this. Only you know what
you want and how hard you will work for that."
    Kate was not sure she was okay with the way the conversation was
going.
    "I just thought you would have some type of advisement on how to
do this. I know you've been here before."
    Bruce turned to her. "The last time this was an issue for me, as
I've told you before, I did not handle it correctly."
    "But at the time, you thought you were doing the right thing."
    "At the time, I did think I was doing the right thing, yes. But
now that I'm older and have a bit more perspective, I feel that I
know what is ultimately more important to me."
    Frustration was setting in. "Hindsight is twenty twenty."
    She hated being in a position where she would be made to feel like
she had to chose between love and her career. She was supposed to be
able to have both and be successful at both. And it would have been
ideal for someone just to tell her the answer so she could handle it
correctly the first time.
    "The only thing I can think to do is apologize for being so
late. But I'm not apologizing for why I was late."
    Feeling backed in to a corner, all Kate could think to do was stand
her ground.
    "Look, I'm not telling you that you have to apologize for any of
it. I knew when I met you what I was in for. I'm dealing with a
driven, ambitious woman. I knew there would be times our relationship
would have to take a back seat to your climb to the top. It's just a
bit difficult when it happens."
    Kate threw her arms around Bruce. Somehow, she wanted a hug to make
it all better. It would not be that easy.
    "I checked in with Amelia. You have some free time this morning.
If it's alright with you, I have something planned for the two of
us."
    "That would be wonderful. I would love that."
    Feeling more settled about the situation, Kate breathed a sigh of
relief. She closed her eyes and let the calm of the moment wash over
her.
    Bruce's lips brushed hers. His hands slid around her waist, pulling
her into his hard body. A moan escaped her as he planted tiny,
feathery kisses on her throat. She turned to the side, making sure he
had full access to her erogenous zone.
    "Maybe we should take this inside."
    "Or maybe we should enjoy the little show we are possibly giving
someone," Bruce suggested.
    She giggled. "I like the thought of that." Kate peered up
at the cottage, but it was way too dark out to tell if anyone was
peeking from their window.
    In Bruce's arms, everything felt just right for the moment. There was
no need to push the issue any further. She would let things be and
live in the here and now. And right here, right now, she had a man
that loved her and was willing to stand by her side, even when she
had not put him first. That had to count for something.
    *****
    Sleep was no where in sight. It was impossible to rest. Partially
because there was so much in France that she wanted to see, and
partially because she was in one of