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

drive from here. When we get home, you can call your friend and arrange for her to send your wallet and I.D.”
    Maddie finished the rest of her hot chocolate. Garrett held open the door to the coffee shop for her, and helped her up to the passenger seat of the SUV. Climbing into the vehicle wearing a full-skirted wedding dress and kitten heels wasn’t easy, but she managed. Especially when accepting Garrett’s help meant she clasped his hand as she scrambled inside.
    The miles sped by quickly. Maddie looked out of the window, admiring the abundant green pasture and herds of cows. She stole glances at Garrett, appreciating his strong, tanned profile and confident driving. Howard had been a fussy driver, insisting on having the radio tuned to a particular classical station and preferring not to talk while he drove - sometimes jerkily. She suddenly realized that she had tried to avoid being in the car with her ex-fiancée at all times, preferring to drive herself wherever she needed to go.
    As they neared his ranch, Garrett pointed out his closest neighbor. “This is my brother Alex’s ranch. He’s got two hundred acres. I keep an eye on it for him when he’s away.”
    “How many brothers do you have?” she asked curiously.
    “Four.” He flashed a smile. “You?”
    She shook her head. “I’m an only child.” She’d often wished for a sister to play with growing up, but it wasn’t meant to be.
    “And this is the start of my ranch.” His voice held a note of pride.
    Maddie gazed at the dense pasture and mountains towering in the background. Cows munched the grass as they drove past, and she was sure she could see horses in the distance.
    “All this is yours?” The land stretched out in front of her. Although she was a city girl, it looked like a vast expanse.
    “All seven hundred acres.” He grinned briefly at her before returning his attention to the road.
    Seven hundred... Maddie couldn’t even begin to think how much land that could possibly be. Except a lot. They turned into a well kept dirt road, coming out into a graveled courtyard after a couple of minutes.
    “This is it.” Garrett pulled up to the house.
    A large, one-story brick house shaped like a T stood before her. Somehow, it looked modern yet homey at the same time. The whole property seemed impressive.
    The front garden sported a few flowerbeds with straggly pink roses in bloom. Garrett followed her gaze. “I keep meaning to do something about those roses.” His lips quirked in a wry smile. “Carol is always reminding me.”
    “Carol?” Maddie crinkled her brow.
    “My housekeeper.”
    Unexpected relief rippled through her, and she told herself not to be ridiculous. She’d just jilted Howard at the altar. She shouldn’t care who Carol was. But she couldn’t explain why she was pleased that Carol was the housekeeper. Unless she was gorgeous - and skinny - and single. Her mouth drooped.
    “Something wrong?” Garrett studied her face.
    “No, nothing,” she replied quickly, pushing all thoughts of Carol to the back of her mind.
    “Let me show you the house.” Garrett ushered her inside. Light and airy, the impressive house had a welcoming air. The large, eat-in kitchen seemed to have all mod cons, including lots of counter space and appliances. By the time he’d shown her the comfortable-looking living room furnished with a leather lounge-suite and big-screen TV, the four bedrooms, three bathrooms and his study, she was dying to take off her kitten heels and sink her feet into the plush beige carpet.
    “Coffee?” They’d returned to the kitchen and Garrett turned on the machine.
    “Please.” Maddie sat down at the table in a rustle of silk and toed off her shoes. Kitten heels were not meant to be worn all day. Not by her, anyway.
    “How do you like it?” He leaned against the counter.
    “Cream, no—” She started to reply automatically. Trying to watch her weight in the lead up to the wedding meant forsaking the