Billionaire Boss Read Online Free PDF Page A

host it here at the ranch, but it’s time the townsfolk got to know the carpetbagger in their midst.”
    â€œDon’t tell me, tell Kirsten. I may have to be in New York—”
    â€œI don’t give a damn where you might have to be. When I sold you that prized parcel of my land, I told you it came with a commitment to the town—and that means being here.” She winked. “Why don’t you invite your fancy NewYork friends? They might get a kick out of seeing you play ranch hand.”
    He finally laughed. “Hazel, you’re in the wrong element here in this little town of Mystery. I swear you’re diabolical enough to work on Wall Street.”
    The cattle baroness smiled at his flash of white, even teeth. “Why, this ol’ cowgirl couldn’t handle them city slickers, and you know it.”
    â€œNo, they couldn’t handle you,” he said wryly.
    â€œWe’ll give them the chance to find out a week from Friday.”
    He took another long sip of whiskey. And rolled his eyes.
    â€œHazel! I just had to get here and tell you! I got the—” Kirsten screeched to a halt in the parlor, Ebby at her heels.
    â€œOh, gosh, I’m sorry, Hazel. You have company,” she muttered, her gaze going to Seth.
    â€œNonsense. He’s family now just like you are, Kirsten. He bought that land of mine and that makes him a native son.”
    Hazel got to her feet—she was slower than she used to be, but more spritely than most her age. “Now that you’re here, we’re just about tohave some vittles. Come take a place at the table.”
    Ebby disappeared to add the third place setting.
    Kirsten still shook her head apologetically. “No, forgive me. I should have called….”
    â€œSince when do I answer my phone?” Hazel harrumphed. “If you got words to say to me, you say ’em to my face just like in the good ol’ days, or you keep ’em to yourself. So now you two pokes come to dinner before your plate gets cold.” Hazel left the parlor for the dining room.
    Kirsten was alone with Seth.
    She looked up at her boss, her emotions still stinging from their encounter in the creek just hours before.
    Awkwardly she said, “How do you do, Mr. Morgan.”
    â€œMiss Meadows,” he acknowledged curtly.
    She swore there was a twinkle in his cold eyes. Her cheeks heated.
    â€œI hope you don’t mind my barging in like this. I truly didn’t realize you were here.”
    He gave a wry twist to his lips, the lips she still found wickedly evocative and handsome. “Not at all. But if we’re going to work together, and now dine together, I’d like you to call me Seth.”
    â€œCertainly. And you may call me Kirsten.”
    He nodded.
    Even she could see how stiff they were with each other. The kiss that afternoon had seemed to freeze both of them.
    â€œDrink?” Ebby interrupted, offering Kirsten a whiskey and ice.
    Grateful to have something to focus on other than the memory of their kiss, she took the proffered glass and sipped it.
    â€œShe’s waiting,” Ebby announced, a knowing smile on her lips.
    Seth rolled his eyes again. “Oh, I know, one thing we don’t do is keep the queen waiting.”
    Both Ebby and Kirsten stared at him.
    Then they both burst out laughing.
    Ebby finally interjected with, “You know, Mr. Morgan, you’re a quick study, and you seem to be getting things a lot faster than most. I think you might fit here in Mystery after all.”

Three
    H azel’s dinners were famous for their overindulgence, and the current night was no exception. Kirsten was half-tipsy and full to the gills when she and Seth said good-night to the cattle baroness. Having gotten a ride to Hazel’s ranch from her mother, Kirsten reluctantly accepted Seth’s offer for a ride back to his place.
    The mountainous road was no match for her emotions as she sat next to