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Chapter 17
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The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 18
Jesse wore a brown Stetson, blue jeans that were nice and tight around his buttocks and a long-sleeved, ivory buttoned-down shirt. His features were attractive, nose of average size, brown eyes, and a smile that would make Ms. America contestants swoon. Ava did find him attractive but she found Ray more physically attractive with his chiseled jaw and his once in a while unshaved shadow. Him being in his fifties just made him more handsome and distinguished. His metallic-colored hair shimmered in the sunlight sometimes. If Ray had Jesse’s personality, she might make an outright pass at him. But Jesse was nice enough and seemed fun. Ava could use some fun. Ava had put on a brown leather skirt that came above her knees and a semolina-colored blouse. She left the first two buttons undone. “What do you want to try first? The tequila or the beer?” Jesse asked. Ava picked up the beer mug. “Beer it is,” Jesse said as he leaned back i
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 1
“I know it’s short notice, darling, but I didn’t make this decision on a whim,” Ava said over her cell. She was riding in the back of one of her father’s many limousines. “And I won’t be gone forever.” “I know but I will miss you,” Catherine said with a sad tone. Catherine was Ava’s best friend – from Ava’s side of things. Ava laughed a little. “Are you sure you won’t miss having me under foot? You are a married woman now.” “Of course, I’ll miss you. Cameron will, too. You know he’s grown fond of you.” Cameron Townsend was Catherine’s husband. “That’s good to know,” Ava said with a smile. She glanced out the window. “Oh, I have to go. The driver is pulling into JFK now.” “All right. Call me when you can.” “I will. Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.” Ava clicked off. Ava Bartholomew was twenty-seven-years-old and had no vision, purpose, prospects, or even a man in her life. Everyone she knew was either m
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She woke up to the smell of smoke and ash. The sound of a million pieces of paper being crinkled up echoed around her. She opened her eyes to see charred items around her. Her head thumped and her eyes felt crossed. She was in the middle of a fire – or the beginnings of a fire. It didn’t look like she had long. She did her best to stand, unsteady on her feet. She hissed as pain shot through her lower arm. A loud banging got her attention. It appeared the fire was spreading to some crunched medal to her right. She grunted as she looked around, trying to find a safe path to get away from what appeared to be a disaster area. Luckily, one was to her left. She limped as fast as she could. A brown case with intricate patterns got her attention on the way. She didn’t know what was in it but grabbed it just in case it would be useful. She continued to limp away from the wreckage. She coughed from the smoke. Once she got some distance from the fire, she turned around and looked.
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A few hours later . . . She was admitted through the Billings Clinic Hospital emergency room. She explained what had happened – or what she thought might have happened. The staff was efficient and fast. They had taken X-rays, done a CT Scan, and an MRI. Once that was done, the ER doctor admitted her as an inpatient. All of her tests results weren’t back yet but what they could tell so far was she had a concussion, her left arm was broken, and she had a sprained ankle. Bruises and cuts were on her arms and legs. There was even a large red bruise on the side of her abdomen that she didn’t know she had. Apparently, she had a few cracked ribs as well. Pssh, all she really knew was she was sore all over her body. The Tylenol Redd had given her only took forty percent of the pain away for a few hours. Once they got her a room and settled in, Redd came to visit her for an hour and then said he had to go. “I’m always on the road, but if you nee
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Three days later . . . Lester Bartholomew, billionaire publicist and investor, paced the carpeted floor in his study. His wife, Lisa, was watching him as he did. “Don’t fret. I’m sure the police will find her soon,” Lisa said with soothing in her tone. Lester stopped dead in his tracks. “It’s been three days. Ava couldn’t have wondered off in a haze that far from the crash.” “I’m starting to think my original assumption was right, Lester,” she said. “Ava got to the main road to flag someone down for help. Like you said, it has been three days.” “Yes. Maybe so . . . dear, god. Do you think someone who meant her harm could have taken her?” “I hope not, but Ava can be pretty feisty sometimes. She can get away from someone like that.” “Not if she was injured, and she had to have sustained some sort of injury in a crash like that.” The pilot and the flight attendant’s bodies had been found in
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Eighteen months earlier . . . Ray was tired of being in the dark. He wanted to know what was going on with his wife and he wanted to know now. For the past six months, Lillian has been acting strangely and out of character. She was more argumentative and unsatisfied. No matter what Ray did it wasn’t enough or what she wanted. It was like she was a totally different person. Also, Lillian would disappear hours at a time with no believable explanation to where she had been. Recently, Lillian had expressed aspirations of being a professional country singer. Ray didn’t have a problem with it per se but it was hard to make it in the music business no matter how good a person could sing. And they had two children that needed to be cared for. He had tried telling Lillian that, but she had taken it the wrong way. She accused him of trying to stifle her dreams. “Why are you trying to keep me in a box? I’m a great singer and you know it. And the b
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The present . . . Three months later . . . It had been three months since the plane crash, and Ava was doing somewhat well. Her bruises and scratches had faded away to her relief, and her sprained ankle had heeled six weeks ago. She had just gotten the cast removed from her arm yesterday. However, she wasn’t making any progress in recovering her memories. Her behavioral neurologist and psychologist had told her to not be discouraged, but she couldn’t help it. She loved Mrs. Porter but she wanted her own life . . . and place. It was Labor Day weekend in Helena and the city was hosting an event in the park for the holiday. The city park was open to citizens who wanted to picnic and play games that were provided by the city. Ava attended the event with Mr. and Mrs. Porter and one of their sons. He came to visit for the holiday. Mr. Porter, didn’t have to pull a haul until Tuesday so he was home for a few days.After A
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Raymond Steele flipped the burgers on the grill. He had just finished flipping the steaks. He had brought his family to Helena for the Labor Day picnic in the park and firework show later on. He had come with his family and some of his employees on the ranch. The employees had brought their families. Taking all that into account, there were at least thirty of them. Luckily, they were able to find a spot that had two picnic tables. The guys put the table together, making it easy for them to set up a buffet style meal. While everyone was off doing there on thing and exploring, Ray elected to stay at the grill. Sometimes cooking on the grill relaxed him – like now. The sun was going down. Almost everyone had eaten. Ray cooked the rest of the meat so it wouldn’t go bad. It wasn’t that much left. Just six burgers and four steaks. Ray put down the spatula and exhaled. He stepped away from the heat of the grill to take in the scenery. Helena ha
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The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 18
Jesse wore a brown Stetson, blue jeans that were nice and tight around his buttocks and a long-sleeved, ivory buttoned-down shirt. His features were attractive, nose of average size, brown eyes, and a smile that would make Ms. America contestants swoon. Ava did find him attractive but she found Ray more physically attractive with his chiseled jaw and his once in a while unshaved shadow. Him being in his fifties just made him more handsome and distinguished. His metallic-colored hair shimmered in the sunlight sometimes. If Ray had Jesse’s personality, she might make an outright pass at him. But Jesse was nice enough and seemed fun. Ava could use some fun. Ava had put on a brown leather skirt that came above her knees and a semolina-colored blouse. She left the first two buttons undone. “What do you want to try first? The tequila or the beer?” Jesse asked. Ava picked up the beer mug. “Beer it is,” Jesse said as he leaned back i
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 17
Saturday night . . . Ava had cooked racks of lamb, asparagus, and roasted potatoes for dinner. It was the first time she had cooked lamb and it turned out great. The boys seemed to like it. Ava had wrapped up a plate for Ray and put it in the microwave as usual. She hadn’t seen him since the day they had all gone riding and she was glad – in a way. Despite his attitude, he was easy on the eyes. But Jesse was handsome, too, in his own right and she would be looking at him half the night. Ava and the kids walked out of the kitchen to the living room. “Will you two be all right until your father gets home?” Apparently, Ray, Gill, and Wes rode out on the range to check on a small herd that had wandered to the east end of the property. “Yeah,” Dax said as he plopped down in an arm chair. He swung his leg over one of the arms. “Are you going to get ready for your date with Uncle Jesse?” Tom asked as he sat down Indian s
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Monday . . . Since Saturday afternoon, Ray had avoided Ava like the plague and she was glad of it. He hadn’t sat down at meal times with the boys or Jesse. And when Ray was at home, he went straight to his bedroom or study. Jesse had come by her quarters Saturday night after they had all gone out for dinner. He had brought her two pieces of pepperoni pizza. “Don’t let Ray upset you. It was obvious you remembered that you knew how to ride and very well I might add.” “Thank you,” she had said and took the small box that said Frank’s on top of it. “Sure. And one more thing. Ray doesn’t want the boys to know you have amnesia. That’s why he interrupted out there this afternoon. It was obvious you were going to tell them.” “Yes, but it’s not a secret.” “Well, Ray wants it to be a secret from the boys. He said he didn’t want the boys to know you were sick. He’s afraid it might upset Tom and . . .
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Ava, Ray, Jesse, and the boys had ridden out to the stables. Ray was a little surprised when Ava immediately took an interest in the horses. Her brown eyes literally lit up. “Oh, aren’t you a beauty,” Ava said as she approached the American Albino. “I just finished breaking him in two weeks ago,” Ray said. “So be careful. You never know.” “Oooh, I’m sure we’ll get along fine,” Ava cooed as she rubbed the side of the Albino’s jaw. “What’s your name, darling?” “His name is Whisper,” Tom answered. “How cute. I’ll ride this one,” Ava said with too much confidence. She hadn’t ridden before. “You should ride Ella instead. She’s used to beginners,” Ray stated. Ava opened the door to the stall like he had never said a word. “Well, looks like we’re saddling up Whisper,” Jesse commented. Ray didn’t like it but the way Ava was acting she didn’t give a damn. What had gotten into
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As told, Ava had breakfast on the table at eight. Ray asked Dax for more details concerning the game last night. If you would have come last night, you wouldn’t have to ask. Yet, she kept quiet as Dax answered his father’s questions. That’s when she realized that Dax wasn’t as enthusiastic as he was last night at the diner or coming home when talking about the game. Ray didn’t ask Tom anything at all. Matter of fact, Ray hadn’t even said good morning to anyone. He just sat at the kitchen table and started talking. Ray finished his breakfast and told the boys he would see them at lunch at left. No have a good day. I’ll be at such and such in case you guys need me. Nothing of the sort at all. Ava began to clear Ray’s dishes. She had been quietly eating in the corner next to the sink. She did that because she didn’t want to infringe on their family time, but she wanted to be close enough just in case one of them needed something
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It was half time and the game was tied fourteen to fourteen. Jock and Gill went with Tom to the bathroom as Ava and Jesse got refreshments at the concession stand for everyone. Ava thought it was a good time to pick Jesse’s brain as they waited in line. “It’s a hell of a game, isn’t it?” Jesse said. “It is. Very exciting. And I had no idea that Dax was the quarterback – or that he could run so fast.” “So, you like football.” “It appears so,” Ava said. “Who knew?” “Are you following the game all right?” “I got the gist of it.” “If you’re confused about something, just ask, okay? I won’t mind.” “Thanks. But right now, I have questions that isn’t about the game itself,” Ava said. “Why can’t Ray make time for Dax’s games? Even some of the ranch hands are here to support him and they’re not his uncle like you.” “Well, they’ve all known Dax since he was a baby, number one
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Two days later . . . Ava walked to the back of Ray’s home with Ray behind her. She carried her trusty carry-on as Ray carried her one suitcase. She only had the clothes Mrs. Porter had given her. It was about a week and a half worth of clothes at the most. Mrs. Porter had also given her a hundred and fifty dollars for spending money, kissed her goodbye, and wished her luck. Ava had tried to tell her she didn’t need the cash. She still had most of the money she had found in her carry-on after the accident. “Stay in touch now,” Mrs. Porter had said as Ava got into the Uber. “Keep walking past the pool. The place you’ll be staying is up ahead,” Ray said behind her. Ava did as instructed. He could be a gruff speaking man at times, but as long as she did the job to his satisfactory she shouldn’t have any big problems from him. “Here?” She pointed at a small building that was only a few feet away from the pool.
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 11
The ranch hands were filing into the room like they were starving to death. Dirty and tired from the range, they were looking forward to a home cooked meal – and they wanted it on time. It was five minutes after twelve and there was no sign of Ava. However, stacks of bowls were already on the table and place settings with spoons and napkins were already down.“What she do? Cook the meal and leave?” Ray asked flippantly as he crossed his arms over his chest.Ray and Jesse stepped inside.“I doubt it since I drove her here. I’m sure Ava has everything under control,” Jesse said. “I smell food and it doesn’t smell bad at all.”Ray grunted.“I’m going to let her know we’re ready.”“Oh, no, you don’t,” Ray said. “You’re going to check on her and try to help her. She has to get through today on her own.”“I guess if she doesn’t you won’t hire her.”“That’s right.”The boys began beating their fists on the table. They didn’t have much patience this time around.Jesse’s right brow crinkled. T
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The Cross Creek Ranch was over thirty thousand acres. Ava couldn’t comprehend that much land. The Steele family raised cattle and bred horses. Mrs. Porter had helped Ava grocery shop and gave her a few recipes to choose from but that was it. That was the limitation of her help for the exception of giving her a few tips. One being, to arrive at the ranch as early as possible to start cooking the meal. The ranch hands were coming off the range after being out there for almost a week. They were expecting a good hot meal. Mrs. Porter arranged for Jesse Steele to pick Ava up along with the weighty pound of groceries to drive her out to the ranch. Jesse drove a dark gray Ford Ranger. It looked brand new. Jesse and Ava had made small talk until they left the Helena city limits. “Mrs. Porter told us you were in a plane crash out in Willow Springs,” Jesse began. “I was.” “She said you lost your memory. Like you have amnesi
