“Merriam, I hope that you forgive my charade. I just needed to make him believe that I was still that same underhanded man that he knew a few years ago. My wife was the one that changed me and even after her death, I was tempted to go back to the old ways. In the end, I liked who I had become and I couldn’t in good conscience destroy people’s lives anymore.” I knew that he was fighting demons, but I thought it had something to do with his wife’s memory.
“What makes you think that he’s the end of it?”
“Derek tends to go off on his own and usually leads those that are with him on a wild goose chase. We can continue on our way from here and he won’t be any bother from this moment on.” He pulled me to him and with the adrenaline still rushing through his veins; he kissed me with a passion that was unbound. I felt completely at ease in his arms and I let him manhandle me and run his hands down over my body. He left me flustered and feeling like I was crawling out of my own skin.
We made it to the town in question and the sheriff issued a warrant poster for Colin. They found him and he was convicted. The land that he did have was given back to those that he had manipulated.
I stand here with Vance in this hotel room above the saloon. We have already stripped off our clothes and we are now looking at each other, before falling into bed with only one thing on our mind. We made those sheets burn and our cries of ecstasy was heard all weekend. We finally emerged with smiles on our faces and our hair in disarray. I had found the cowboy of my dreams and he had just given me a night to remember or maybe that was two nights or was that three. It didn’t matter. I knew that that was just a start of a beautiful relationship that had just been consummated.
“We are definitely going to have to do that again and often.” I looked up into his eyes and I saw something that told me that he felt the same way about me.
“Merriam, for a good Christian girl, you certainly can be a bad girl.” If I didn’t have the ring on my finger, I would have agreed with him. We had married last night and this was our honeymoon and to say that it surpassed all expectations would’ve been an understatement. We actually rode off on one horse with the sun setting in the distance and on our way to a new future together.
THE END
Taken by the Cowboy Billionaire
Chapter one
“Brenda, you can’t be serious. They’re never going to listen to you and you’re pretty much going to be a mosquito that is going to be nothing, but a nuisance. You can’t possibly think that they’re going to let go of the purse strings. Don’t get me wrong, I commend you for wanting to do the right thing, but most people won’t see it that way. They’ll see you as another handout, pat you on the head and give you a few measly dollars, but that’s all that you’re going to be able to wrench from their grasp.” Tina had always been the voice of reason, but in this respect, I felt that she was wrong.
“I know that it’s a long shot, but I have to try. These people need to learn that money is not to be used for luxuries like new cars and houses. There is a lot of suffering in this world. Healing that starts right here at home. I may not be able to save the world, but I can start small and work my way up to something with a lot more meaning.” I practiced what I preached, staying out of the way and making sure that I lived by a modest means. I took on jobs and whatever money I made went to the small one bedroom bungalow that I had rented. Whatever was left over was turned towards buying whatever food that I would need and provisions.
“I’m glad that you came to me and getting in the front door is not going to be easy by any means. You’re going to need something that’s going to draw their attention and make them think that you are part of the pack. If you can do that, then maybe you can make them see you. To be honest, I’m a little bit flummoxed that you are even brazen enough to try something like this. If you’re caught, you’ll be thrown into jail and the key will be thrown away. Not even your many friends will be able to help you out of that kind of predicament. I know that I don’t have that kind of money to bail you out.” I knew that I was getting in over my head, but this was too important to let lie.
“This fundraiser might be important to some, but for most of us it’s a waste of time. They are trying to raise money for cancer. I understand that’s a near and dear cause, but we’ve been throwing good money after bad on a subject that has not had much success. I need to get them to throw some of that cash towards my cause of saving animals. It may not seem grandiose, but it means a lot to me.” I was wearing this slinky red dress that I had borrowed from Tina’s closet. I didn’t exactly own something like this and normally I wouldn’t be caught dead in something like this.
“I could go with you, but I think that one of us is going to be more than enough to raise a little hell. That dress is made for your body. If they are not looking at you from the moment that you step through those doors, then I don’t know what will.” I turned all the way around to get a look from every angle and I had to admit that I certainly didn’t look like somebody that was down and out. Anything that I wore was mostly jeans and plaid shirts that really accentuated the positives. “I just hope that you know what you’re doing. If you do find yourself in any trouble, then by all means call me and I’ll be there in a flesh. I’ll meet you at the back door and we can get out of there, before things get ugly.”
“I appreciate that you are always there for me, Tina, but this time I have to go this alone. I’m not leaving there, until I get the money that I’m looking for. A thousand dollar plate dinner is an extravagance by anybody’s standards. For them to fork out that kind of cash, only means that they have more money than brains. There are many causes in this world and everybody knows that each one has its merits. We all have the one that is dear to our heart and this one makes me want to do the impossible. Those billionaires don’t stand a chance. I’m going to bat my eyelashes, show some skin and get them to throw their hard earned dollars in my direction.”
The dress was amazing and turning one way or the other would show more of my body than I had ever shown before. Even going out on dates, I never really went all out. Casual was my claim to fame. I think that I might have gotten some of those guys back to my one bedroom flat by putting myself out there. I wanted people to know who the real woman was and to accept me for what I brought to the table. I didn’t want to put on airs or make them think something that wasn’t true. I had no interest in pulling the rug out from underneath their feet after the fact.
“It’s a good thing that you’re using my car, because nobody would take you seriously, if you showed up in your heap. That thing should be registered, as a health scare. You have exhaust leaks and the smoke that you forcefully put into the air is atrocious.” I was all about the environment, but the one thing that I couldn’t afford was a good vehicle. Thankfully, I only used it on those occasions that were absolutely necessary. Otherwise, I would resort to taking public transportation in the form of a bus or taking the subway. I liked mingling with the locals and I imagined what their lives would be like and I put myself in their shoes.
“I think that by being an only child, I was given too much attention. I started to see that others didn’t have it that good and I did my best to make their lives better. Christmas to me was taking my toys that my parents had given me to those that were less blessed. My parents had a lot of money and they were all about luxury.” By the time that I was old enough, I left home and never looked back. I had no interest in inheriting that kind of cash. I became of age two years ago and I shocked them by giving up my fortune to charities. I only took what I needed.” I’d told Tina that story and she had shook her head with disbelief that I would actually let go of the kind of money that could keep me happy, until the day that I died.
“Don’t get me started on that subject. We all struggle from day to day to make ends meet and you had everything given to you on a silver platter. I don’t know that I would’ve been, so callous to give away all of that money. I do have to praise you for your giving nature. You came
from a house that wallowed in their wealth. You could’ve become ego driven, completely devoid of human emotion and yet you turned into a woman that has the interest of the entire world on your mind. You wear your heart on your sleeve and sometimes that is going to come back and bite you on the ass.” I put on the high heels and the black wrap around my shoulders and I knew that I was ready to mingle with those that were more influential than they realized.
“I’m very grateful for your assistance, Tina. I need to make an entrance that is going to make it impossible to deny me entry. I’ve put into place a plan of attack and according to my watch, things should be coming to a head very soon.” I doubt that my mother and father would approve of my methods, but this was my life and I wasn’t going to let anybody dictate the terms. “Jamie should have everything prepared and all I have to do is show up at the right time. If I can time this right, then they won’t even ask me for identification. They’ll be too busy putting out a metaphorical fire to worry about party crashers. Besides, I’m not going to look like somebody off the street.” Just looking in the mirror, I felt different, almost privileged and deserving of the kind of accolades that would come my way.
“You don’t look like the same person. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you were one of those over privileged rich kids. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that you were a trophy wife for one of the many men that have decided to take their midlife crisis in a different direction. Instead of buying a car that’s an extension of their manhood, they indulge in their sweet tooth by grabbing on to something pretty and a little bit too young for their own good. I would say that you’re going to fit in nicely.” I had been training myself. I’ve gone over all the etiquette about what spoon and what fork to use for any circumstance.
I knew how to carry myself with a regal bearing, instead of somebody that was walking hunched over like some kind of Neanderthal.
“I think that the only thing that I’m going to have to be careful is about security. Everybody else will accept me, but some of those security guards can be very detail oriented. Most of them come from a line of work that involves the military. It’s the kind of discipline that’s going to be hard to maneuver behind. I can’t help the person that I am and I’m not going to allow others to tell me how to act. I don’t mind putting on a show, especially for a good cause, but this is definitely not me.” Even wearing this dress felt like it was cutting off my supply of oxygen.
“I know that you’re not gonna wanna hear this, but you tend to put your head in the noose too often. You don’t know when to quit and you don’t even know the meaning of the word no. I sometimes think that you go overboard, but it’s always for a good cause. I’m going to say a silent prayer that you make it out of their without being found out. These people take these fundraisers seriously.” I wanted to scream at her, but she really did know that this was how living a life of luxury had caused me to react.
“I don’t know why, but I feel guilty about how I was raised. I need to find some way to cleanse my soul. This is my way of helping those less fortunate with four legs. Humans are going to kill each other and there’s nothing that I can do about that. What I can do is make sure that animals are given the respect that they deserve. There is an animal hospital nearby that is begging for an influx of cash and I plan to give that to them. There will be no strings attached and they can do with the money what they see fit.” Getting those with money to pry open their pocketbooks with a crowbar was not going to be easy. I had to play this just right, or my ruse would be found out and everything that I was working for would go up in flames.
Chapter two
I got to the charity and I checked my makeup in the mirror. I’m not one to put any on and even looking at myself now, I felt like a common streetwalker. I did not want to call attention to myself, but this was the only way to get past those that were looking for anything that was unusual. I heard what sounded like a backfire and then a canister of tear gas was released into the crowd. Two more were shot off simultaneously and Jamie had certainly come through in the pinch.
I stepped out of the car and looked at the reflection of the woman that I was supposed to be. In place of my dark hair, I had colored it blonde, turned up and showing the sensuous part of my neck. I was hiding the fact that I was only 5’4 by wearing 4 inch heels.
People were screaming and the smoke was burning their eyes. Security was now taking action, pulling out billy clubs and their walkie talkies to coordinate some sort of rebuttal.
Holding a handkerchief over my face, I climbed the stairs in between two security guards that had no idea that I was there. I followed the railing, holding onto it for support. I got to the front door and there was nobody manning the booth with the names currently written down. Everybody that was on that list would have to check in, but this distraction was the perfect way to slip in unnoticed.
“I have no idea what’s going on out there. I can’t see a damn thing. There seems to be some kind of protest. The guards are trying to clean things up, but it appears that we’re going to have to call the authorities to make an appearance. If I was out there, I would hog tied the lot of them. I know the Mayor personally. I’ll give him a call and see what he can’t do to expedite things.” This guy was what was wrong with society today. He was wearing his black cowboy hat, his bolo tie and looking every bit the billionaire cowboy. “I pay good money in taxes and I reckon that I can get the Mayor to see my way of thinking. If not, then I’ll just give a sizable donation to the police mans ball. That should suffice to make them get off their asses.”
I hated people like this and they really did get on my last nerve. I wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth, but doing something like that would only put my actions on display. I needed to fly underneath the radar and make it appear that I was one of them. It felt distasteful for being dishonest, but I couldn’t see any way around it.
“We shouldn’t concern ourselves with something that is below us. I intend to enjoy the dinner, no matter if the steak is too tough. I could probably get something better back home. My cook makes an amazing array of foods. She is always surprising me with one culinary delicacy after another.” This man had a bit of gray in his hair, but there was still youth behind his eyes. “My name is Wilma Amherst.” He turned his attention away from what was going on outside and followed my slinky self into the dining room. I had taken him away from calling the Mayor, which should give Jamie enough time to wrap things up.
“I’ve been to a lot of these things, but I think that I would remember somebody like you. I also know the Amherst family.” I thought that my ruse was going to be discovered. I was sweating. It was a good thing that I put on an extra layer of deodorant, before coming here. “They are good friends of nine and what side of the family do you come from?” He was a little suspicious, but I was going to have to put his mind at ease. I had done my research and I knew that a distant cousin had been pretty much out of the limelight for a few years. There was only one photograph of her and Wilma liked to keep things more private than public.
“I’m sure that you’ve heard of me and I don’t make many appearances, but sometimes for a good cause I will go against my basic nature. I’m not one to mingle and I’d rather stay in the comfort of my luxurious home than to venture out into the public eye.” I was acting like I was better than everybody else. It hurt me to say the words and I thought for sure that my face was going to crack.
“I agree. I have an estate a few miles away. I’m always flying from one location to another, but this will always be my home. I may like the finer things in life, but there are simpler things that make me smile. The sound of hooves hitting the ground, as I push Rodrick to his limit is like music to my ears. I hear him exerting himself, breathing heavy and he makes me feel at one with nature. Animals are the lifeblood of any community.” His love for his four legged friends was admirable and I felt like we had a connection that went beyond this type of atmosphere.
“I own three
of my own horses and they are the love of my life. My dearly departed husband never really had any love lost for animals. He would rather buy expensive toys, than to give the horses the time of day. He’s not much for giving at all. I understand his reasoning and there are a lot of people that have their hand out. I just don’t have time for any of that. I would rather ride into the sunset, until I found a suitable spot to sit and take photographs. My love of photography has grown over time and my subject has always been those of the animal variety. I find a certain charm and life behind their eyes that I don’t find with anything else.” He was hanging off of every word and he was sipping that champagne and making a face. I could see that he was more at home with a bottle of beer in his hands.
“I don’t know why they don’t have more variety at these things. We’re paying $1000 a plate. There has to be three or four dozen people here. Do the math and you know that they could afford a lot more than what they are offering. I guess I can’t blame them and the money that they fork out to feed us is money that is not going to find its way into the hands of those that need it the most. I don’t care about any of that. I want what I want and I have the kind of money to get it. I don’t know about you, Wilma, but I get a little sick and tired of coming to these things. I have more important things to do. There is a party that is going to be off the chain. I’m leaving here shortly and maybe you should join me. You don’t want to be here, anymore than I do.”
“I would love to skip out of this place, but I think it might be rude to the other guests. I may be a socialite, but I don’t feel that way deep down. I would rather throw down cash and walk away from all of this. Perhaps, if you give me your donation, I can slip it in with the rest of them. I’m just going to leave a blank check with the amount of $200,000. If you could do the same thing, then we won’t feel, so guilty about leaving in the middle of everything.
Taken Captive By The Highlander (Scottish Highlander Romance) Page 45