Page 29 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)

She grinned. She wouldn’t guess how he figured that out, but she couldn’t be mad. Not when the world was so wonderful. “Fine. We’ll go to the diner, but while we’re there I’m talking to Chelsea. And once we get home, I’m getting straight to work.”

“ We’ll get to work.” He squeezed her hand.

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

And then, just because it was only customary to celebrate good news with a kiss, she reached for him.

What a kiss.

The diner was busy when they arrived, even though it was late for lunch and not quite dinnertime.

But the charming eatery was never truly quiet, and at busy times the wait could exceed an hour.

There weren’t many options in Waterstone besides the diner and The Bread Bowl, and both offered delicious food and warm service.

Rowan inhaled a breath of Irish home cooking. Sunlight beamed through large picture windows, illuminating wildflower centerpieces and smiling faces above delicious delicacies. In the corner, a small trio played a lively Celtic tune, a captivating harmony of fiddle, flute and sweet soprano voice.

Of course, nothing was as captivating as the woman next to him.

Yet the past cast its shadow like an approaching storm, the memories a reminder of his mistakes, a warning for the future.

The reasons they couldn’t be together loomed, as true now as back then.

He was still his father’s son. He could never be the man she desired, give her the family she deserved.

He couldn’t risk being a cold and heartless father.

Even if she somehow accepted that, how could he let her give up the family she envisioned?

How could he find a way to traverse the miles that would soon separate them?

Yet how could he let the extraordinary woman escape?

He shook his head, cleared the cobwebs of the past to focus on the present. Today was a day to celebrate, to rejoice in what they accomplished. Ciara deserved his undivided presence.

He saw Chelsea first. Wearing blue jeans and a polo with the diner’s logo, the waitress greeted them with a friendly smile. “It’s great to see you again. Come on in.” Grabbing two menus, she led them to a corner booth.

“It’s fantastic to see you, too,” Ciara gushed, with the smile of someone about to burst with a wonderful secret. “I need to speak with you, but first we need to talk to Grandma Leigh. Is she available?”

“Sure.” Grinning wider, Chelsea placed the menus on the table. “I’ll tell her you want to see her.”

Ciara squeezed Rowan’s arm, and he winked in return. Her joy was simply too infectious to resist. He handed her one of the menus. “Don’t forget to order.”

“Who cares about food at a time like this?” She tossed the menu aside. “I’ll just grab a side salad.”

Ciara cared for everyone and everything, but neglected herself. Not anymore. “That’s not enough.” He handed the menu back to her. When she didn’t take it, he donned a stern expression. “Fine, I’ll order for you. Ahhh, I see they have boiled stink bugs.”

“You’re kidding.” She grabbed the menu. “You made that up.”

“They may not be served here, but they’re a real delicacy.” He took the menu back. “They taste like apples. Maybe they can make a special order for y–”

“Fine.” She grasped the menu again, flipped through the pages. “Would Irish stew and colcannon make you happy?”

“Exceedingly.”

She huffed out, but her smile never left.

Chelsea came back with two ice waters with lemon and took their orders.

They both ordered the stew, colcannon and a salad – as an appetizer.

Shortly after Chelsea left, Grandma Leigh arrived, carrying two platters of crisp romaine covered with beefsteak tomatoes, sweet onions and colorful peppers.

“Hi folks. Chelsea said you wanted to see me.”

“That’s right.” Ciara clapped. “We have amazing news.”

Rowan listened silently as she recounted the story, sharing every single detail of the contest and the meeting with Mrs. Murphy.

Grandma Leigh was nearly as excited as Ciara, and promised complimentary Irish chocolate pots de crème in celebration.

Finally, Ciara reached the part that involved her.

“If it’s still okay with you, I’d like to talk to Chelsea about a position. ”

Grandma Leigh smiled warmly. “Absolutely. Her shift will be over by the time you finish your meal. I’ll let her know.”

Ciara thanked the older woman. With one more hearty congratulations, Grandma Leigh left. Before he could speak, a voice sounded from behind them. “Rowan Byrne – I thought I recognized you.”

Rowan turned as a smiling woman sauntered to the table.

With long blond hair, sultry lips and flawless skin, she was strikingly attractive, yet it was something he objectively noticed rather than a source of desire.

The woman would have appeared more in place in a Dublin skyscraper than rural Ireland, dressed in a sophisticated pink suit and 4-inch pumps. She looked vaguely familiar.

She came extremely close to him. “I’m Andrea Crane,” she said in a syrupy voice. “We went to school together when we were teenagers. I was sooo excited when I heard you were back.”

In his peripheral vision, Ciara narrowed her eyes. For once, he had to fight to keep his neutral expression. Did she realize no woman but her inspired his unbridled attraction? He turned his attention back to Andrea. “I remember you. You were in student government, right?”

Andrea smiled widely. “That’s right. Now I work in the local government, running Waterstone’s events and activities.”

“That’s great to hear. Congratulations.” He gestured towards his companion. “This is Ciara O’Connor.”

Ciara now wore the neutral mask he usually donned. But just as he rarely felt nothing, her fiery emotions broke through the facade. He tried not to bask in it, really he did, but it was hopeless.

She actually cared.

“Nice to meet you,” Ciara said politely.

With a distracted nod, Andrea turned back to Rowan. “I heard you moved away. Is this a temporary visit or something more permanent?”

Rowan glanced at Ciara, captured her gaze before responding. “I’d say it’s pretty permanent.”

Ciara’s eyes widened.

Andrea pushed inappropriately closer. “That’s wonderful to hear. I bet you and your brothers are living the bachelor’s dream.” She touched his shoulder. “A lot has changed since you left. I’d love you show you around.”

“Thank you, but I’m a little swamped right now.” He reached out and took Ciara’s hand. As both women looked on in surprise, he continued, “We’re starting a joint venture that’s going to take all my attention.”

“I see.” Andrea’s expression tightened, as she settled on the linked hands. “I didn’t realize.”

Ciara parted her lips, looked torn between supporting and kicking him. Before she could do either, Andrea backed away. “I’d better get back to the office. They’re lost when I’m gone for more than a few minutes. Are your brothers around?”

Making a mental note to warn Spencer and Quinn, especially as he remembered her less-than-friendly tactics from high school, Rowan shook his head.

“I’ll be seeing you around. Bye!” She gave him a chipper wave, completely ignored Ciara and left.

Ciara was still looking at their joined hands. “What just happened?”

He sipped the water with the hand that wasn’t linked with hers. “I believe I just successfully imparted our relationship to her.”

“Would you mind imparting it to me?” She blushed. “I can’t believe I said that out loud.”

He bit back a chuckle. Everything she did delighted him. “I think you already know what’s happening with us.”

“Why don’t you tell me?”

His smile faded as he gripped the damp outer surface of his cup.

The words were far simpler than her true query, the question a shallow reflection of the one burning in her expression.

She wanted him to share his feelings, the emotions that drove him.

It was the one thing he couldn’t do. “I’ve been pretty clear. ”

“No, you haven’t,” she denied. “You’re a private man, but you don’t let anyone in. Not your friends, not your brothers and not me. You believe you have to walk alone.”

He tightened, discomfort tensing taut muscles.

He couldn’t refute the obvious truth – he didn’t open up, not to anyone.

It was who he was, who he had to be. With his father’s passing, he was responsible for so much, and for so many.

He could never meet his responsibilities if he allowed emotions to rule him.

Only the horses saw his true emotions.

Yet now he had a new awareness, one he hadn’t even realized existed. He loved his family and his horses, but Ciara’s presence revealed their true depth – more than he ever imagined.

“I understand how hard this is for you. I know your father was… difficult.”

Rowan crossed his arms, sat up straighter. “My father was fine,” he said a tad too sharply. He lowered his voice. “He may not have been the nicest of men, or the most giving, but he was strong and powerful. He provided for his family.”

“He provided for your physical needs,” she countered, the understanding in her voice almost undoing him. “But what about your emotional needs? You may not have been hungry for food, but you were starved for affection. He made you hide your feelings, act like you shouldn’t have them at all.”

For a moment, Rowan didn’t move, could barely breathe, at her all-too-accurate perception. His father had forbidden him to show emotion, ordered him to keep them inside and focus on his responsibilities. And for both his childhood and adult life, that was exactly what he did.

Until Ciara came along.

“I’m not saying you need to change.” She reached out, took his hand. “You’re an amazing man, exactly the way you are.” She blushed slightly. “I just think you’d be happier if you let people in, if you let…” Her voice trailed off, but the words hovered in the air. If he let her in.

What if he did? What if he allowed her into his life, eschewing the past and ignoring the future he didn’t deserve? What if he broke all the rules, found a way they could stay together?

“What if I simply keep you?”