Just Gettin' Started: BWWM Interracial Cowboy/Western Romance (Westbury Ranch Book 1) Read Free Page A

done a good job of it. I talked to some of the ranch hands and got to know how you brought it around, right from the pit of bankruptcy.”
    “I want to do more,” she expounded in a determined manner.
    He could see that she was the type of woman who did what she said.
    “And it’s not going to be easy, so I need to give it my full concentration.”
    Graeme wasn’t a fool. He could see where this was going. “And you don’t think you would be able to do it if there was a man in your life?”
    “I’m glad you understand.”
    He didn’t like it. Sure, she was focused on her work. He admired people who could do that, who had the ambition and guts to make things happen, but it didn’t mean she needed to spend her life alone, without someone by her side.
    Perhaps she did have a problem getting involved with him, but what if he wasn’t her employee? “Would you change your mind if I wasn’t working for you?” He tipped his hat to look into her eyes. “Because I would quit this job in a minute if it gave me a better chance with you. I like you a lot, and I want to see if that leads us somewhere.”
    She smiled a little, even though she appeared a bit taken aback by his blunt admission. “I admire your honesty, and frankly from what little I’ve seen of your work, I would sleep with you in a minute, if it meant that I get to keep you on my ranch.”
    He laughed. “Ah! I think I could be persuaded to stay.”
    “But you’ve already signed the papers,” she reminded him.
    He groaned. “Shit! If only you had told me this before.”
    Her laughter rippled across the meadow. “Come on. A race to the other end of the meadow. Let’s see how King measures up against your horse.”
    They took off. The stallion and the gelding enjoyed the free rein as they galloped across the meadow. Graeme also relished the wind in his hair and the slap of it on his face. He loved working outdoors. It was the only thing he’d ever known and without it, he might as well be dead. But he wished the woman who rode beside him gave him more than a passing glance. If he had her in his life, things would be far more interesting, but so far, she wasn’t willing to give him the time of the day.
    They both reached the place at about the same time. “Wow! That horse can gallop. There aren’t many horses that can keep up with Sauron.”
    “I like your gelding. He’s got heart.”
    A woman who understood his horse was worth fighting for. “So, where are we?”
    Cullen nodded, as if she understood instinctively what he meant.
    One more point in her favor. The woman was perfect, and they would fit well together, but only if he could convince her of that.
    “We’re in the same place. I’m not looking for a complication right now.”
    “It’ll be easy,” he assured her. “We work together, laugh, and then make love.”
    She threw back her head and laughed. “You’re a persistent man, Graeme.”
    He pulled a face. “I take it that it’s still a no?”
    “I can’t afford to concentrate on anything other than my work,” she reiterated.
    He didn’t quite believe her. There was something more to this story than she was telling him. Now that he’d set his eyes on her, Graeme was willing to wait. Granted, patience wasn’t one of his strongest virtues, but when he put it into action, he never failed to achieve the success he wanted. It seemed better to change the topic for now. “So, you’ll need to hire more people if you want to expand into cattle.”
    She appeared relieved that he wasn’t pushing his luck. “Yes, I know. Maybe we could start small with…hmm…let’s say ten cattle, and then build it up. It’s not really for quick bucks that I want to do this.” Her eyes gleamed as she told him about her plans, proof she was happy he’d veered off the topic she’d been trying to avoid.
    Cullen was devoted, and he admired that. Graeme loved his work and he respected those who had the same commitment to their career. “ I know a