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Chapter 23
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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
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 2
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.
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 3
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
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 4
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
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 5
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
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 6
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
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 7
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
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 8
One month later . . . HELP WANTED Experienced nanny who can cook and clean. Will be required to cook for over twenty-five ppl at times. Living quarters included with salary at The Cross Creek Ranch in Townsend. Salary neg. and depending on experience. Ava lowered the classified section of the paper and looked at Maeve Porter. “You want me to apply to this ad? I don’t have any experience with children – or doing anything that the ad mentioned. “I know, honey, but you do know how to do those things except the nanny part and well, that will be a piece of cake
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The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 23
Lester loved Ava. He truly did. But he hated and despised the pussy she came out of, namely Whitney. “How could you not call me when my only child – our child was in a plane crash and reported missing! How!” Whitney shrieked. “I always knew you were a rude and crude bastard, a liar, a cheat but I never thought you were a complete sociopath! “Yeah, yeah, yeah, what is it the young people say now? All that talkin’ do that shit while you walkin’,” Lester said as he glared at her. “Out the door and out this house so that we’re clear.” “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on, you, you . . . demon from hell,” she sneered. She wore a dark red collarless peplum blazer with a matching pencil skirt. A mink fur was hanging over her shoulders, secured with a gold chain in the middle that hovered above her waist. She looked damn good as always, but the black widow looks good, too, until she strikes. “Detestable woman, if
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 22
The New York Times Society Young Billionaire Heiress Missing! By Judy Budd I had found it suspicious that Ava Bartholomew had not been seen at any summer and this season’s events. After a lot of questioning and digging for almost a month, this reporter has learned – to her horror, Ava Bartholomew has been missing for a little over four months! Apparently, one of her father’s, billionaire publisher and investor, Lester Bartholomew, jets had mal
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 21
Being a smart ass or not, both brothers met her in the kitchen. She had gotten a first aid kit from the hall bathroom. Jesse had wanted a steak over his eye, but Ava had made him use a small ice pack she had made for him. “It’s a waste of food,” she had said haughtily. Jesse’s side was sore, but she couldn’t tell if he had any broken ribs or not. “Even if I do, there’s nothing that can be done about them,” Jesse said. “Ribs have to heal on their own.” Ava cleaned and attended to the cut on Jesse’s hand. Ray held a handkerchief over his nose as she bandaged Jesse’s hand. “Thank you, lovely,” Jesse said. “Would you ever be so kind to get me a beer from the fridge?” Ava got him a beer and even opened it for him with the can opener that was on a magnet on the refrigerator. She handed it to him and went to Ray. “Let me see,” she said. “It’s fine,” Ray insisted. She smacke
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 20
Ava, Ray, and Jesse, said goodbye to Shane, Lance, and Gill and headed for the front door. It was after eleven. “Hey, where are you going?” a man asked loudly. They turned to see Hawk Calhoun. “What about that dance?” Hawk asked. “Oh,” Ava nearly slurred. She had forgotten. “Another time, Hawk, we’re leaving,” Jesse said. “I just want one dance,” Hawk slurred. “It will only take five minutes.” “All right,” Ava said. She didn’t want the situation to escalate all because – “No,” Ray said sternly. Jesse rolled his eyes as he started taking off his watch. “What?” Ava and Hawk slurred at the same time. “You’re not dancing with him tonight or any other night,” Ray said nastily. “I’m not,” Ava squeaked out. “You’re not,” Ray reiterated with determination. “Why –” Ava began. “Why don’t you let the lady s
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 19
Jesse put his arm around Ava’s waist. They had only taken three steps away from the dance floor when Ray and a smaller, younger man had approached them. “What the hell are you doing here?” Jesse asked with slight surprise. “We’re here for a change of scenery. Right, Shane?” Ray said as he looked Jesse square in his eyes. “Yes, sir,” Shane said like a dutiful solider. Jesse’s gaze did not avert from his brother’s. “Yeah. Ava, I don’t think you ever met Shane. Shane, Ava. Ava, Shane.” “Nice to officially meet you, Miss Ava. I sure did enjoy that chili you made over a week ago,” Shane said as he tipped his white cowboy had at her. “Thank you,” Ava said with a little smile. What in the world is Ray doing here? She refused to believe he had come to hang out with this little cowboy. Just the way he was staring at Jesse told her something was going on. “Shane, why don’t you escort Miss
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
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 16
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 . . .
The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy Chapter 15
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
