Her Billionaire in Hiding (Texas Ranch Romance Book 3) Read online

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  Her other books in this series:

  Her Billionaire Cowboy

  Her Billionaire Protector

  Her Billionaire in Hiding

  Her Billionaire Christmas Secret

  The Billionaire Royals

  The Heir

  The Crown

  The Duke

  The Duke’s Brother

  The Prince

  The American

  The Spy

  The Princess

  AND a Christmas Book, Taming Scrooge

  Her Billionaire in Hiding

  A Texas Ranch Romance

  Sophia Summers

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  Coop Smith boarded a weather beaten and worn passenger boat. A strange sort of kinship to the old craft tugged at his heart. He wondered if his own paint was peeling, his hinges creaking, and his deck needing a good cleaning. He ran his hand along the rough wood railing, careful not to get a piece of it lodged in his finger. He assumed the boat was still seaworthy even though the whole thing must have been nailed shut at the seams.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, mate?” Coop’s best friend Jerry handed Coop his luggage and his dog’s leash.

  “I see no other option.” Coop would miss his best friend, but he didn’t know what else to do “The paparazzi are in a full court press. They’re using me, mate. Now that Clara has died, it’s much worse. They’re like bees swarming around a hive anytime I go into public these days. Every magazine’s front cover has my picture. ‘Eligible Bachelor Ready for Fun’ or ‘Bachelor Shakes Free of Engagement.’ What is wrong with these people?” Coop climbed down into the hull of the ship, where his quarters were.

  Jerry carried one of the suitcases. “Coop, taking this piece-of-rubbish ship seems a bit extreme when you have a fleet of jets at your disposal.”

  The ship was dark and smelly. He had paid with cash, no ID required. His mother was from the States, so he had a US passport, but the less he used it the better. He planned to sneak into the country and leave no record. He had a suitcase full of American bills so he could pay for everything in cash. The news world had become sophisticated in their search for sensational headlines. They’d been chasing him since he was twelve, when his father had died. If he went off the grid like this, he knew they would try to find him. He planned to make it hard.

  “I can’t trust my own pilots to keep quiet.” He handed Jerry the package to give to his mother.

  “I won’t say anything, Coop, but they’re gonna hound me for a while. Maybe I’ll go up and see family in New Zealand.”

  “You can talk if you want to. The last place you saw me was on a ship in Brisbane. You don’t know where I am going specifically—America is a big place.”

  “Maybe I’ll hint about a trip to Greece. Listen, mate, we haven’t talked about it much, but I’m sorry about Clara. It’s not going to be the same without her. I loved her too.”

  “Yeah, I know. Life isn’t turning out the way we all planned.”

  Coop shook his hand, and Jerry turned to leave. “Good luck, mate, see you when you get back.”

  Coop called his dog, Chase, up onto the bed to sit beside him. “We’re doing it, Chase. W’re going to escape.” Chase was an Australian Shepherd and one of the fastest cattle dogs he had ever owned. He went everywhere with Coop.

  The dog whined and rested his head on Coop’s thigh. He must have sensed his dropping mood. Another good thing about America—no one would tell him how much they missed Clara.

  She had been out in her ultra-light plane, checking the cattle. The search planes found her crash site the next day.

  She’d ignored her dad’s reservations about it, Coop’s reservations about it. She had laughed at his worry.

  Clara, why didn’t you just listen for once? She knew the plane was dangerous.

  Coop covered his face with his hands. Chase got up and nuzzled him until he turned on his tablet and pulled up a country western station from the states. “Well, Chase, I guess we better brush up on our Texan.”

  A soft, rich melody came through his tablet’s speaker. The voice was sweet and clear, and a great peace descended upon him as he listened to the lyrics.

  Peace like a river flows through me.

  The words eased his mind and calmed his heart. Coop had been traveling all night and fell asleep to the melody with a tentative smile on his face. Chase nestled down beside him as the ship left the harbor.

  Strobe lights flashed. The smoke rolled in billowing waves at Jessie’s feet. Everywhere she looked, screaming fans jumped and waved. Then as the music began for her next song, “Peace like a river flows through me,” her biggest hit, their cheers rose so high they drowned out the guitar.

  This had been a whirlwind summer, traveling from one booking to the other. The fans were crazy tonight, so she did a second encore. Their excitement filled her with energy she didn’t know she had. Finally, she walked off the stage for the last time, and her crew escorted her to the RV waiting outside. Once they had all the equipment loaded into the truck, they drove off into the night, heading to the next show.

  Alone in the RV, she came down from the high of screaming fans and fell exhausted onto her bed. But she couldn’t sleep. She lay there, looking at posters from her concerts, not quite believing what was happening in her life. As they usually did, her thoughts drifted to the blue eyes of a stranger she’d met on her trip home from signing her first contract. She grinned. What a whirlwind of emotions.

  Growing up in her small town, Jessie had been singing at church picnics and state fairs since she was sixteen. A few months ago, during her sophomore year at college, an agent asked her for a meeting. He praised her voice and the songs she had written. Eventually, after two more meetings, she had an appointment to meet with the A&R director for a major record label. The agent had flown her out to LA and put her up in a five-star hotel. It all seemed like a dream. On the day of the meeting, Jessie felt wary but decided it was just nerves.

  Walking into the director’s office was unreal; Jessie couldn’t keep her eyes off of the walls covered with pictures of recording artists she recognized. The office was huge. A large sofa sat against the wall, and the picture window viewed all of Los Angeles valley. The A&R director was a rather large, older man who asked her to stand up and turn around. She felt weird about it, but he explained they needed to get an idea of how she would look on stage. She smiled and went along with it.

  She went to the meeting prepared to sing some of her music but wasn’t asked to sing anything. Jessie was then ushered to the waiting room while her agent continued the meeting without her. In just a few minutes he returned, all smiles, with a contract. Jessie was thrilled to sign the eight-page document. I am 20 years old, and I have a contract with Cardinal Records! Life was sweet.

  The agent said he would take care of everything. The studio provided the band, the costumes, and the RV, as well as all the advertising. All she had to do was be ready for a summer tour. Her mind was whirling as she left the office. There was so much to think ab
out and do. Back at the hotel, Jessie called her parents. “Mom, they gave me a contract!” she yelled, running around the room and taking a flying leap onto the bed.

  “Darling, that is wonderful. Dad wants to talk.”

  She knew what was coming. “That is great Jessie, but what about your schooling?”

  “So far, Dad, it’s just summer tours.” She hoped that would calm his worries. “I can’t wait to see you. I’ll be home tomorrow!”

  Almost every night, while she waited to calm down after a show, she relived all that had happened these last few months. It was always hard to believe she was in the company’s RV, heading for yet another show.

  On her way home from signing the contract, Jessie’s flight had landed at the Houston airport. From there she got a taxi to the bus station, where she purchased a ticket to her hometown on the Texas-Louisiana border. She was sitting by an open-air coffee shop, waiting for her bus, when a beautiful Australian Shepherd came running over and sat right in front of her. When she looked down at him, he put his front paw on her lap.

  “Oh my goodness, you are beautiful.” She petted the dog, which only encouraged him. He rose up to try to lick her face. “Wait a minute, puppy, we only just met.” She laughed as she pushed him back down.

  A man ran up and grabbed the leash. “I am so sorry. He’s lost his manners. Chase never runs away like this.” His warm eyes met hers. And did not look away. They were kind and sparkling with interest.

  Jessie looked back, searching for something she couldn’t quite find. She smiled. “I love your dog. He’s so friendly.” Chase must have taken that as an invitation because he tried to get right up into her lap. “Oh my goodness, he is very friendly.”

  The man reached over to pull his dog down as Jessie tried to help him. Their hands met. The thrill that went up her arm flustered her, and she blushed furiously. He returned some pressure on her hand, lingering there with a question in his eyes.

  After a moment, he shook his head and patted his dog. “All I can say is he knows a beautiful sheila when he sees one.”

  “Sheila?” Jessie straightened her skirt.

  “Oh, sorry. Woman. A sheila is a woman. ” He paused. “Listen. This might sound…” He stopped and ran a hand through his hair. “Never mind.” His smile grew. “Good to see you.”

  They called his bus, and he tried to pull Chase away, but that dog had put all four legs stiffly forward and was pulling backwards on his leash. “What is wrong with you?” The stranger looked back at Jessie apologetically and smiled, lifting his hand in farewell. “Come on, Chase!”

  Jessie had to laugh at the spectacle they were making. She loved the dog, and the man was not too bad either. He had neatly trimmed, dark hair that was sun-bleached in front. He looked like he worked outside, his tan was so dark. Jessie couldn’t help noticing his physique under his fashionably tight shirt. And he was tall—probably 6’6”. But what most intrigued her were his beautiful, sad eyes and the open, inquiring look on his face. That look had asked her a question; it felt like the whole world had passed between them then. She had never experienced anything like it.

  When he’d left, she had an impulse to call him back. To say, “Wait, don’t go.” But she hadn’t. She’d just waved as he climbed onto his bus.

  Her bus was called. She shook her head in wonder at the whole experience and got up to leave. Was love at first sight a real thing that actually happened to people? She couldn’t explain the feelings she was having or her sorrow at seeing him leave. Now that he was gone, she felt like part of her had gone with him.

  Thinking back, Jessie had only been home for a few days when her agent called. “It’s time. The tour begins in a week, and we need to record some songs. The RV will pick you up in two days, and we will head to Nashville.”

  When the day arrived, Jessie toured the RV with her parents. It was impressive. Everything was brand new. She had a large bedroom with closets galore. Her mother opened one and gasped. “Jessie, look at all these beautiful costumes! Are these all for you?”

  “Yes, Mom. They’re not actually mine, they’re just to use for the shows.” The rest of the RV was a kitchen-living room combination.

  Her father sat on the large sofa and put his feet up on the coffee table. “I could get used to this.”

  She sat down beside him and hugged his arm. “I am going to miss you and our home so much while I’m gone.”

  They said their goodbyes. Her father shook hands with the driver. “Take care of my girl.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Her parents put her dog, Patch, inside so he wouldn’t chase down the RV. She stood looking out the back window and waved goodbye. Tears fell on the windowsill, and her throat tightened as she watched her home until they turned a corner, and it was gone.

  As the driver entered the highway, she realized some of her initial excitement was gone. Leaving her family and everything familiar behind was more difficult than she thought it would be. And if she were being honest with herself, she was still affected by the explosion of emotions elicited by a complete stranger at a Houston bus station. This would make a good song. She laughed and wondered if he liked music. She had to admit, even though her performing dream was coming true, there was still a longing in her heart, a ridiculous yearning for a complete stranger with a beautiful dog.

  Chapter 2

  Jessie soon got into the routine of shows and travel. She loved sharing her feelings through music. And the crowds’ responses gave her ideas of how to make the show even better. Life sped on like a fast-moving train, going too fast to jump off.

  Her mom called at the end of each week and asked how she was doing.

  “My days are full, Mom, from morning to night. I barely have time to sleep.”

  “Should I not call so often, then?”

  “No, it’s the only reality check I get around here. I have a couple weeks off. I really need some home time.”

  The excitement of being able to go home again pulled her out of the unexplained sadness she sometimes felt. She still spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about the man at the bus station. It was ridiculous since the likelihood of her ever seeing him again was slim to none. But he persisted in her dreams and her idle thoughts, nevertheless.

  The day for her break arrived. Her suitcases were transferred to the limo, and she was finally on her way home. “Edgar, thanks for driving me. I am so excited to have some time with my family.”

  Her limo driver nodded. “I’m looking forward to some time off too.”

  She nestled back into the plush seats and got out a book, but her mind wandered. It would be fun to tell her parents about the tour. They would be amazed at how much money she was making. She had enough now to pay off her parent’s mortgage.

  Thinking about the surprise she had for her parents filled her with joy. Jessie got a soda out of the limo’s cooler and smiled as she remembered making the town’s banker promise not to tell anyone. In her town, no one needed Facebook to hear the latest. One visit to the bank and you got an earful.

  I need the peace of the bayous. Their house was on a hill surrounded by forest, most of which was underwater. Jessie was proud of her parents. They worked hard and had stayed afloat when hard times closed many of the businesses in town.

  She had worked at their convenience store and gas station over the years, but she had always known she’d leave. She had bigger plans for her life. Music brought her solace and joy. The music scholarship she’d gotten made it possible for her to attend college, but it wasn’t a full ride. Her Dad was moonlighting to make enough to send her the extra. She was excited to finally be able to give something back to her parents.

  She missed Patch most of all. That dog was her best friend. She’d have to bring him with her when she went back on tour.

  Jessie wasn’t sure what breed Patch was. She had been out in the woods one day, hiking around looking for dewberries when she heard whimpering. She followed the sound and found this adorable white p
uppy curled up by a big rock.

  “You are so cute! Don’t worry, I am going to take care of you.” She carefully picked him up and checked him for injuries. “You just need some good puppy food.”

  That was four years ago. Patch followed her everywhere, stood vigil at the gas station, and was friends with everyone in the town.

  Jessie loved her town. She had fun memories of almost everyone. It was to her music teacher that she owed the most. Mrs. Wixom had been her mother’s fourth-grade teacher and Jessie’s as well. Once she retired, she began giving voice lessons at her home.

  Jessie remembered walking by her home one day, singing as she went along. Mrs. Wixom was sitting on her front porch and stopped her. “Jessie would you come over for a minute, I want to talk to you.”

  “Jessie, you have a beautiful voice.” Mrs. Wixom said. “With your golden hair, beautiful eyes, and this voice, you could be famous one day. If you stop by now and then, I could teach you how to give your voice more power.” That began a wonderful friendship. Jessie learned how to develop and train her voice, increasing her range. She was also taught ways to use her voice to show greater emotion. “You can use your music to uplift and encourage people, Jessie. Music is a powerful motivator.”

  Every time Jessie went on stage, she thought of Mrs. Wixom.

  Chapter 3

  Chase and Coop were having withdrawal after they left that beautiful sheila at the station. Chase howled when they put him in his travel crate, and Coop wanted to join in. This strange, empty sorrow perplexed him.

  “Listen, Chase, we’ll feel better once we get to the ranch.” But he couldn’t erase her beautiful face from his mind. Her kind eyes, her large and contagious smile. He had heard about people finding their true love in an instant. If that is what this is, why did I let her go? He felt guilty even having such thoughts after Clara’s death. But he couldn’t deny the strong desire he had to stop and go back. Even Chase felt it.