Teaching Her Billionaire Cowboy Rookie - April Murdock Page 0,1

the Boltons. But if his behavior that evening had taught Ty anything, it was that Mick needed someone who would accept him unconditionally. Hopefully, the Boltons were those kind of people.

He tucked the letter back into the stack and zipped the duffle closed. It was only ten o’clock. It wouldn’t be too late to drop in on a Friday night, would it? Then Ty could move on to the next town over and get ready to start his job at the auto repair shop.

Ty climbed into the truck and glanced in the rearview mirror. He ran his hand over the close-cut army hairstyle he’d grown to love, the blond hair almost disappearing against the back of his head. Mick might have let himself go, but Ty knew better. A man could only be respected if he acted the part.

He shoved the key into the ignition and the truck purred to life. A smile crossed his lips. Perfect. Placing his hand on the seat beside him, he glanced over his shoulder as he backed out of the parking space. He pulled onto the road and headed down the highway. Bolton Farms was only five miles away. Ty would get there in no time. And maybe they’d let him stay the night so he wouldn’t have to find a motel at this hour.

Spotlights lit up a sign for Bolton Farms. He craned his neck as he drove under it and whistled. This must be one of those nice ranches. One of those places rich folks visit to pretend they’re cowboys. He’d never been to a ranch before, but who would want to hang around animals all day long if you had the money to do something else?

His truck bumped over the dirt road as it twisted toward the property. Shadows of trees on the perimeter of the road swayed as he passed. His headlights flashed on one of the largest homes he’d ever seen in his life. Who were these people?

Mick hadn’t stirred since Ty had tossed him in the back. He’d be surprised when he woke up surrounded by a family he claimed he didn’t have. Ty smirked. All Mick needed was a place he could call home.

Ty didn’t need one, but Mick sure as heck did. It didn’t matter that Mick had no clue about Ty’s struggles with his own family. Ty had a handle on it.

He put the truck into park and walked around to the back. Mick was still out. Maybe a nice bucket of cold water would fix that. Ty’s eyes roved the property. This was a ranch, there ought to be a bucket somewhere. He glanced at Mick. Then again, the family inside that nice big house wouldn’t like a soaking wet visitor to come in and mess everything up. Ty’s mother would have thrown a fit.

Ty leaned against the tailgate and folded his arms. He could wait for Mick to wake up, but then the possibility of finding a place to stay would be next to none. The lights were off at the big house too. They might not take too kindly to being woken up and having to deal with a couple of inebriated strangers.

His gaze drifted to the large barn a few yards away. What were the chances they could sleep it off in there and meet the family in the morning? That might be the best course of action. Spending the night in a barn wasn’t as bad as some of the places they’ve had to hunker down in.

He turned around, pulled open the back of the truck, and dragged Mick to the edge. After he heaved the unconscious man over his shoulder, he strode toward the barn. It would only be for a few hours anyway.

Once inside, he wandered toward the back where bales of hay had been stacked. A handful of bales had come apart, probably as the owners of the ranch dispersed them. The hay on the ground would make a decent place to put Mick.

Ty groaned and flopped his pal on the ground. He dusted his hands together and glanced around the darkened barn. It was warm enough, quiet too. Yes, it would do for one night. Then he’d move on to the next town and start over.

Chapter Two

Penny Taylor wandered through the fields toward the property line that split her ranch from Bolton Farms. The basket in her hand was filled with raspberries she’d picked just as the sun came up. Midge would love to add these