Page 20 of Rescued By My Small Town Billionaire

Glancing down at B., I suddenly picture her huddled in the cold, mewing for warmth and safety.

“What’d you do?” I ask, my voice quieter than before.

Nathan exhales. “I picked them up. Figured they’d never make it out there on their own. I took them to the shelter in town—except for one.”

I raise a brow. “You kept one?”

A rare, sheepish grin crosses his face. “Yeah. The little guy wouldn’t stop climbing up my arm in the truck. I took it as a sign.”

I smirk. “Didn’t peg you as a cat guy.”

Nathan shrugs. “Didn’t peg you as one either.”

I look down at B., who is now fast asleep in my lap, her tiny body curled into the fabric of my shirt like she belongs there. Maybe she does.

Nathan nods toward her. “Looks like you got one of the others.”

The realization settles deep in my chest. “And Becky got her back,” I say.

Nathan studies me for a long moment before smirking. “Yeah, funny how that worked out.”

I shake my head, but I can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.

B. wasn’t just a kitten that wandered into my life. She had a whole story before this—one that somehow, miraculously, led her to Becky and me.

And for the first time in a long time, it feels like things are exactly where they’re meant to be.

After Nathan leaves, I pick up Becky and we head back to the ranch. She’s quiet during the ride, staring out the window as B. snoozes in her carrier on her lap. I want to say something to ease her worry, but the words don’t come. Instead, I focus on getting her home safe.

Once we’re back, Becky heads to her room to rest while I settle into the living room with B. The kitten stretches out on the couch, her tiny paws batting at the edge of a throw pillow.

“Alright, B.,” I mutter, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. “How am I supposed to fix this?”

B. tilts her head, her green eyes locking on mine as if she’s waiting for an answer. I chuckle, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah, I don’t know either.”

That evening, Becky joins me in the kitchen, looking a little more like herself. She busies herself with tidying up, but I can tell something’s weighing on her.

“What’s on your mind?” I break the silence.

She hesitates, her fingers tracing the edge of the mug. “It’s just… all of this. The fire, the threats. I thought I’d put Paul behind me, but it feels like I’m back where I started.”

“You’re not,” I say firmly. “You’ve built something amazing, Becky. Don’t let him take that from you.”

She looks up, her eyes shining with emotion. “Thank you, Mike. For everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Her words hit me harder than they should, and I take a steadying breath before replying. “You’re not alone in this. I promise.”

Chapter eleven

Becky

Standing in the kitchen, my hands wrapped around a warm mug of tea, I stare out at the rolling fields.

My apartment is ready to move back into, and I’ve arranged with the girls to help me out. I reflect on my time at Thorn Ranch and the family’s hospitality.

Lulu has always been a great friend, and I have so much in common with Julia Thorn. They have made me feel like part of their family.

And Mike. Well, that’s another thing altogether.

---