Page 18 of Taming the Billionaire Cowboy (The Billionaire’s Bidding #3)
OLIVER
S ix weeks since the panic attack. A month since arriving at Blazing Trails Ranch.
And one week since I tasted heaven for the first time, which just so happens to be on Carly’s lips.
Now, I don’t even know when I’m going back to Houston, when I’ll get back to the office or to the life I thought I’d always wanted.
There’s no rush anymore. Everything important is here - with Carly, with Bradley. It’s not like it was back in the city, not like it was before when I thought I knew what mattered most.
The old pickup bumps along the gravel drive, the sun already burning bright above us. Bradley bounces on the bench seat between Carly and me, and we head into town, into what I used to think was the middle of nowhere. But now it feels like the only place, the best place.
Our place.
“We’re almost there!” Bradley shouts as if he can’t stand the excitement.
The crowd thickens, the main drag of Miralena looking like a scene from a movie, everyone in the county showing up for the Fourth of July parade.
I didn’t expect any of this. A month ago, I was afraid of letting anything new happen, afraid of letting go and giving up what I’ve always had. Now, spending time with these two is the only thing I’m sure of, the only thing that feels right.
“Let’s get some ice cream first,” Carly says. “Before the line gets too long.”
Bradley nods, as serious as he is when he’s chasing down chickens. “Yeah, before it melts.”
Before I know it, we’re out of the truck and winding our way through the parade-goers, through the families and groups of kids and the summer heat.
It feels strange to be in a place like this, to have the Fourth of July stretch out around me, so big and busy and small-town simple.
It’s chaos and ease. Carly leads us to the ice cream stand and gives the woman there a quick hello.
“What’ll you have?” Carly asks me, and I have no idea.
“Surprise me,” I tell her.
The world spins, the summer light making me dizzy. But it’s not like that meeting in Houston. It’s not a panic I’m trying to get away from, like the panic that put me in this place to begin with.
This time, I love it.
Carly hands me an ice cream, red and blue swirls across vanilla. “This okay?” she asks, pretending not to know the answer.
We find a spot along the sidewalk, right at the curb.
The buildings around us seem to sag from the heat, the sidewalks cracked and uneven but full of life.
The crowd fills in around us, familiar faces for Carly but not for me.
There are shouts and waves, kids I’ve seen before but don’t know the names of, moms and dads who nod in our direction like they can’t believe the city guy from the ranch is out here with them.
What they don’t know is that I can’t believe it either.
My hand slipping into hers, I look at Carly, taking her in. Her shirt hangs loose on one shoulder, the bare skin streaked with dirt from the morning’s work. Her hair is pulled back but already frizzing from the heat, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.
The show starts, fire trucks and floats rolling by, firecrackers that pop and bang through the air, and a local band filling the gaps with more noise and spirit.
“Is it starting?” Bradley asks, jumping up and craning his neck.
“It’s started,” I tell him. “And it looks amazing.”
He squints through the tangle of legs and lawn chairs. “I can’t see!”
“You want a boost?” I ask, and he stares at me like I’m out of my mind, like it’s a crazy offer. But a good kind of crazy.
“Yeah!” he shouts, and I hoist him onto my shoulders, where he laughs with glee.
“Be careful, Bradley,” Carly says.
“I’ve got him,” I promise her.
“There you are!” a woman’s voice says. “We’ve been looking for you.”
It’s two women – Carly’s cousin Ferris, and an older woman. By the way she’s intensely inspecting me, I already know this has to be Carly’s mom.
“Mom,” Carly says. “This is Oliver.”
We shake hands, and Ferris looks like she’s trying not to giggle.
“Nice to meet you,” Carly’s mom says. “I’m Glenda. And look at this big guy!” She pats Bradley’s knee.
He beams down from my shoulders, proud and happy and maybe even loving me a little. I feel my heart swell.
“Where’s your mom?” Carly asks Ferris.
“She’s got the bar open. Waiting for a rush after the parade.”
Carly’s mom is eyeing me again. “You keeping up with our girl here?”
Carly rolls her eyes and gives my hand a quick squeeze. “Trying his best,” she says. “Oliver’s actually pretty good at mucking stalls.” She gives me that teasing look I love.
“I’m still perfecting my technique,” I say, playing along. Carly’s mom chuckles, shaking her head in amusement.
“Glad to hear we’ve got you embracing the authentic ranch experience.” She gives me a warm smile before turning her attention back to Bradley, who is pointing out the different parade floats.
The floats continue to pass by, and Carly stays close to my side. I don’t know what she’s told her family about me, but judging from the way they keep glancing my way, they know that I’m more than just her boss.
My chest swells with pride. I want to be so must more than just her boss, so much more than just another guy. I know it’s early, but I already know I can’t walk away from what we have, from what we’re growing — both with the ranch and between the two of us.
The sun is nearly fully set. The parade is over, but no one is moving to leave. “Isn’t that it?” I ask.
“Now the fireworks!” Bradley shouts.
Carly nods in confirmation. “Now there are fireworks.”
The fireworks go up, bangs and sparks through the evening sky.
“I want one of those,” Bradley says, and Carly and I both laugh.
“You want everything,” Carly says, looking at him with a fond smile.
My chest feels full of every wish, every spark, every possible thing. “Me too,” I tell her.