My Billionaire Cowboy: A BWWM Western Romance by Bwwm Romance Dot Com, Esther Banks Read Free Book Online Page B

conversation. Kate could
tell he was in deep thought about something. If he wanted to share,
he would.
    Within a few minutes, they pulled up at a small restaurant she had
passed by many times. It was a tiny little house called Mingo
Gardens.
    “Oh my goodness. I heard so many good things about the food
here.”
    “Great. I’m glad you’ve heard of it. Come with me.”
    He held her hand as they walked in.
    “Hello, welcome to Mingo Gardens.” The hostess was tiny
and bubbly, full of energy.
    “Yes, we have a reservation. Two for Bruce.”
    The hostess scanned the sheet. “Ah, yes. I see your name here.
Right this way.”
    They followed the woman to a room toward the back. It was mid
afternoon, and the restaurant was full. They continued further back
until they were on a balcony. They were overlooking the city, and the
sight of people walking to and fro was exhilarating as they sat on
the balcony.
    The hostess left them with menus and fresh water with lemon. Kate
glanced at the menu, trying to figure out what she would eat.
    “What are you having?” she asked Bruce, hoping that his
selection would give her an idea.
    “I like the grilled halibut and the penne pasta with an arugula
salad.”
    “Okay, I think I’ll get the antipasto and a side of
artichoke dip.”
    They placed their orders and sat back with their drinks.
    “Is this another one of the places that you like to go?”
    Bruce nodded. “Yes, but I have never eaten on the private
balcony.”
    “Nice. I feel special.”
    Bruce leaned in a bit more. “I hope that you don’t just
feel special because of the gifts.”
    “Not at all. I mean, those are nice, but you have this way of
making me feel like I’m the only girl in the world. At least
the only girl in the world that matters to you.”
    He took her by the hand. “What if that was true?”
    “If what was true?”
    “What if, you are the only girl in the world that matters to
me?”
    The impact of his words hit hard. “How is that possible so
early on?”
    Bruce took a sip of his water, waiting to respond until the waitress
finished serving their food.
    “Kate, if there is one thing I have learned in love and
business it is that you have to strike when the iron is hot. There
are precise moments in life when things happen and when you don’t
go for what you want during that window, you can completely lose the
momentum, or the opportunity at all.”
    “Have there ever been times when you lost the opportunity to
have something you wanted?”
    Bruce looked up in to the sky, as if trying to gain perspective.
“Yes. I have. And it is not easy. But you live and you learn.
And then you live again to more forward and not make the same mistake
again.”
    “Tell me more. That is, if you are comfortable.”
    Before speaking, Bruce finished his food. “I don’t think
the history is all that important. I think what is important is where
I am right now. Where I would like to be right now in life.”
    “And where is that?”
    “Kate, I’m a simple man. I like my liquor, a little
gambling, and I love nature. When I fall for a woman, I fall hard.
And I put everything in to it. I’m not the type of man that
does anything halfway. I believe in making my woman first and that if
she is my woman, that she is exclusively with me, by my side. So if
you and I are to go into this relationship, then I have to let you
know that ahead of time. So you know what to expect.”
    Kate listened intently. Was he telling her that he wanted her to be
with him?
    “Are you asking what I think you’re asking?” Kate
just wanted to make sure that she was not jumping to any conclusions.
    “Kate, I think you know what I’m asking.”
    “Talk about whirlwind romance.” She sipped her wine and
thought about what he was asking.
    “Bruce, we’ve only known each other for a few weeks. I
admit, things progressed rather quickly, but I was not expecting
this.”
    “I’m not the kind of man that sleeps around. When I find
a woman