The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 1) Read Free

wedding.
    Although her dad was a successful attorney with his own firm, he loved saving money when he could. With having the wedding at the resort, he’d saved on the cost of hotel rooms for immediate family, and all of the reception costs. And Howard had enthusiastically embraced the idea. Only now did she know why. It seemed her ex-fiancée would agree with just about anything her father suggested if it meant he was assured a partnership.
    Garrett sipped his coffee. “What are you going to do now?”
    Maddie shrugged before taking a welcome sip of her own drink. She hadn’t thought of anything except getting away from Howard, her parents and her mockery of a wedding.
    “I’m definitely not going on my honeymoon alone. Since my parents hand-picked Howard, he can take them on the honeymoon.”
    He scrutinized her face. “Where were you planning on going?”
    Maddie spooned up a marshmallow, letting the soft, fluffy, vanilla goodness melt on her tongue before answering. “Greenland. Howard wanted to see the Barnacle Goose in its natural habitat.”
    “Greenland?” He frowned.
    “Two weeks.” She took a hasty sip of her drink. Why had she agreed to go to Greenland on her honeymoon? Because somehow she’d known that what she felt for Howard wasn’t the deep, true love she'd always thought she’d experience when she married. Agreeing to go to Greenland for their honeymoon had seemed to make Howard happy. But then she saw the honeymoon itinerary. And her doubts had intensified.
    “I can’t go back,” she added, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. “Not yet, anyway. I’ve taken three weeks off from the library. Two for...” she spooned up another marshmallow, “...Greenland, and another week for unpacking.” At his inquiring gaze she elaborated, “All my stuff is in boxes at Howard’s.”
    “I need some temporary help on the ranch." He watched her in a deceptively casual manner. "I was going to put an ad in the paper next week, but maybe you’d be interested.”
    Surprised flickered across her face. “What kind of help?” she asked cautiously.
    “I’m thinking of renting out a couple of cabins to tourists. They need to be cleaned from top to bottom before I can charge anyone to stay there. I’ll pay you the going rate, and you’ll have a place to stay.”
    “For how long?”
    He smiled. “Three weeks.”
    Maddie stared at Garrett. He was offering her a way out of her current predicament. If she took him up on his job offer, she’d have somewhere to live for the next few weeks, as well as earning some much needed money. She’d be able to return to Portland afterwards with her head held high. One day, she might even look back at this episode in her life as a crazy adventure.
    Except...
    She looked down ruefully at her wedding gown. “I don’t have any other clothes.”
    He smiled reassuringly. “That’s easily fixed. I can lend you some of my clothes tonight, and tomorrow my housekeeper can buy you some on her way to the ranch.”
    “I wouldn’t be able to pay her back until I’ve completed the job.” Maddie bit her lip.
    “I’ve got an account there. You can pay me back at the end of the month when the bill comes in.” He shook his head when she opened her mouth, about to speak. “Don’t argue. We could go to the store now, but it’s closed on Sundays.” At her bemused look he added, “One of the quirks of a small town.”
    “Thank you,” she murmured, warmth rippling through her. Instinctively she knew she would be safe with Garrett. Although cleaning cabins was a little different from working in a library, she was no stranger to housework - unfortunately. Still, it could be fun and she would prefer spring-cleaning dusty old cabins to going back to Portland and having to explain to everyone that she jilted her bridegroom at the altar. There would be plenty of time for all that in three weeks.
    Garrett looked at his watch. “It's four o'clock. The ranch is thirty minutes