Page 21 of My Billionaire Cowboy Protector

“I don’t think I need this many clothes,” Taylor protested.

“Yes, you do. You need morning clothes, afternoon clothes, and evening clothes. You also need a formal dress for the dinner party. On top of that, you need shoes, bags, and you will need a necklace, earrings, and bracelet for the formal occasion,” Willow said.

“No jewelry. I can find something of my own,” Taylor protested.

“Lane has billions of dollars that he doesn’t know what to do with. He hired you to be an actress in a play. You must look the part,” Willow said.

“I haven’t noticed you going out on any dates. Who are you going with?”

Willow smiled. “No one. When I was in college, I started hanging around the party crowd. I went way down a dark path for a while. I was dating this guy who I was head over heels in love with. He overdosed on heroin. I was destroyed and it nearly sent me over the edge.”

“I’m so glad that you’re doing great now,” Taylor said. “I never would have guessed that you experienced that. You seem so put together.”

“I went to counseling and I also decided that I wanted to get myself together. I didn’t want to live my whole life partying and drinking. I never touched drugs, but I was drinking a lot and I knew my life was going into the toilet.”

“Inspiring story. If you can get yourself together then it gives hope to others,” Taylor said.

Willow finally decided that Taylor had everything that she needed for the two-day trip to New York.

“I’m starving. Let’s have lunch. There is a PF Chang’s around here and they are my favorite Chinese food place.

After they ordered, Taylor asked, “Who is going to be there and what are they like.”

Willow laughed and said, “It’s a good thing that Lane gave you the entire day off. There are eight boys and one girl. Lane is the oldest. Colton is the second oldest. Ryder is third in line. He is the vet. Sawyer is a pediatrician, Gunner is a contractor, Brooks is the cattle commissioner, Bryce is a rodeo pro, and Dylan is a lawyer. All of us are very laid back and easygoing for the most part – at least until we get riled.” She grinned widely. “We are each ten months apart. None of us is married or evenseeing anyone seriously. I think that Mom hopes if Lane finds a woman and settles down, the rest of us will follow suit.”

“You guys sound like you would make a fun party.”

“We do. Most of our cousins, aunts, and uncles are the same. But then, there are thoseotherpeople,” Willow said, rolling her eyes as she said “other.” “The oil business is full of socialites, old money, elite snobs, and people who just think their poo is odorless if you get my drift.”

Taylor nodded.

“I mostly ignore them or make fun of them,” Willow said. “I find them mostly amusing. They have absolutely no clue about the real world.”

“Great. I don’t know how to deal with them,” Taylor said. “My mom owns the diner and dad owns the garage. We are about as blue-collar as you can get.”

“Just smile and nod. Pretend to sneeze when you need to laugh.”

Taylor laughed. “Thanks for the tip. Do I need a hankie for that?”

“No, a normal tissue will be fine.”

“Good to know. I’m not sure I could handle it if we went in search of lace-edged ladies’ hankies after we ate,” Taylor said.

“We do have to buy you a couple of suitcases, as well as a bag for your dress,” Willow said. “You can’t roll your new outfits into your duffle bag and hoist it over your shoulder.”

“That might shock a few people. But rolling the clothes is a good way to avoid wrinkles.”

“True enough,” Willow agreed. “We’ll also have to do something about those nails before we go. Luckily, I have a manicure set at the house, so I can take care of that.”

“I’ve never had a professional manicure,” Taylor admitted. “I break out the emery board and file them down. If they seemflimsy, I put some clear coat over them. Ranching is hard on the nails.”

“It is,” Willow said. “I have to do mine, too. I have a tendency to bite my nails when I get anxious, although I’m working on that.”

Taylor had just finished hanging up everything so it wouldn’t wrinkle when Lane knocked. He asked if she wanted to go for a walk.

The moonlight streamed through the trees and the stars danced in the night sky. They stopped by the creek and watched the fairy lights dance on the water.

Lane put two fingers under her chin and tilted her face toward him. He kissed her passionately, consuming her as though he was starving. They wrapped their arms around each other, their bodies pressed tightly together. Taylor felt as though she could melt into him.

---