Page 1 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)
“ S o you see, if I catch the flies and release them outside, Uncail Frank won’t have to squash them with his flyswatter. It’s the perfect plan, don’t you think?”
With a non-committal grunt, Juliet munched on the apple, her amber eyes sparkling in the long rays of the afternoon sun.
The dappled beams slanted through tall, oval doorways, beyond the lush emerald wonderland of the Irish countryside, their warmth soothing the typical chill of the world.
The sweet scent of blooming heather and yellow furze swirled on a cool breeze, enveloping them in nature’s embrace.
In the distance, blue waters sparkled, frosted with diamond spray as glittery as the tiny fae who made mischief in the whimsical yarns the seanchaí wove.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Ciara O’Connor bit into her own crisp, sweet Gala.
It was a taste of home, here in the unfamiliar stables ten times as large and a hundred times more luxurious than her family’s cozy farmhouse.
Yet somehow the expensive furnishings couldn’t compare to the lovely imperfections of Mama and Daddy’s tiny ranch back home.
Even if it was fun to get lost in the giant maze that was the big boss’s home.
Juliet, clearly sensing she had lost the girl’s attention, whinnied softly.
Ciara chuckled. “I didn’t forget you.” She stood on the bale of hay she had spent twenty minutes dragging from the field.
Even still, she could barely reach the mare’s nose, and then only on her tippie-toes.
She caressed the white heart-shaped spot on the velvety fur.
“When I’m ten, I won’t have to drag this thing over.
” The horse looked on in clear agreement. “I hope the big boss treats you right.”
“She can’t understand you.”
Ciara gasped and spun around. A sharp splinter pricked the bare sole of her foot, slicing pain through her, upending her balance and stealing her breath. Suddenly she was falling, falling, falling…
Until someone caught her.
“Thank you,” she mumbled as the boy set her on her feet. Red heat filled her head, as she hopped from pain as sharp as a thousand bee stings. “My uncail says I should wear shoes, but I like the way the hay feels between my toes.” She grimaced. “Well, usually.”
“My dad would beat me if I went without shoes.”
She looked up sharply. Despite the harsh words, his tone was matter-of fact, his voice mild.
Yet an edge belied the utterance, a flash so quick, she may have dreamed it.
She frowned, peered closer. He was older than her, tall and lanky.
He was kind of cute – for a boy. “Hey, I know you. Your dad owns the ranch.”
He frowned, studied the dusty ground, causing a silky lock of hair to fall across his face.
He swiped at it, then glared at her as if she were equally annoying.
She notched up her chin. Just because her uncail worked for his dad didn’t mean she had to agree with him. “The horse understands me just fine.”
“But she’s an animal, not a person,” he countered with sharp eyes and an even sharper tone. “Dad says she’s no smarter than a rock.”
The horse whinnied softly. Ciara touched her flank, caressing skin as soft as the flowers she loved to twist into crowns. “Don’t listen to him. You’re very intelligent,” she cooed. To the boy, she spoke most firmly, “Even if they can’t understand exactly what you say, they understand feelings.”
He still looked doubtful. “Who told you that?”
“Uncail Frank.”
His expression softened. “Mr. O’Connor?” He took another glance at the horse. “She does look smart,” he admitted. “What’s her name?”
“Juliet.”
He gave a rueful smile. “I’m Rowan.”
“I’m Ciara,” she offered, remembering her manners. He had, after all, saved her from falling. She probably would’ve broken an arm, a leg and possibly her head if he hadn’t caught her.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, suddenly more polite than any boy she’d ever met. What a confusing creature. His eyes darted back to Juliet. “I wish I had time to talk to horses.”
The wistful note in his voice surprised Ciara, and made her sad. “But you live on this amazing ranch. You must have plenty of time to spend with horses. I live on a different continent , and only come for a couple of weeks during the summer.”
“When I’m not at school, my dad gives me plenty of work.
” He kicked the dirt, smoothed it, then kicked it again.
“I might live on a ranch, but I don’t even own my own horse.
I don’t get to spend any time with them.
Or anyone else for that matter.” The last words were muttered, and she wondered if he’d meant for her to hear them.
But she had. Sorrow for the boy who seemed to have it all blazed a challenge. Despite his circumstances, he didn’t seem happy. That wasn’t fair.
So she was going to do something about it. “You can stay with me,” she announced. “Uncail Frank taught me all about horses. I’m an expert,” she said proudly.
“Oh yeah, Cowgirl?” He reached out and ruffled her hair. “And what do you get out of it?”
Now she gave her biggest smile.
“A friend.”