Page 55 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
“Now?” Chelsea blinked, but she recovered quickly. “That would be great.”
“I know it’s short notice, but everything is moving so quickly, and I could use someone right away. This is what we need…” Ciara spent the next few minutes outlining the position, detailing everything from pay and hours to dutiesand responsibilities. Chelsea spoke afterwards, outlining her education, experience and skills, a background that would be invaluable to the fledgling operation. Grandma Leigh hadn’t been exaggerating when she said Chelsea underutilized her skills. Not only did she have an M.B.A. from a respectable university, but she’d been in high level positions in several companies, performing a wide array of functions.
Chelsea’s personality was as impressive as her resume. She was confident and kind, intelligent and personable. She was a gifted orator, portraying vivid stories interjected with dashes of humor. By the time the hour passed, Ciara had found her candidate. “I’ve heard enough.”
Chelsea bit her bottom lip, yet she sat up straight. Ciara looked to Rowan, and he inclined his head. She didn’t need to ask to know his opinion. “Would you be able to provide references?”
Chelsea swiftly nodded. “Of course.”
“Then…” She paused. “I’d like to offer you the position.”
Chelsea’s cheeks pinkened with unmistakable joy. “Do you mean it?”
“You’re great,” Ciara said honestly. “I never thought I’d find someone with such outstanding qualifications in Waterstone. I don’t have a lot of time, but I can give you a few days to consider it.”
Chelsea turned to Grandma Leigh, who was servicing a table just a few feet away. The proprietress looked up, winked at her daughter-in-law and gave a thumbs up.
The soon-to-beformerwaitress chuckled. “No privacy in this small town,” she grumbled, but her voice was thick with affection. She straightened. “I already know my answer. I’ll take the job.”
Yes.Ciara clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful.”
Chelsea beamed as if she’d found the fabled pot of gold underneath a rainbow. “I was so excited, I never even asked the name of the rescue.”
Ciara opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She laughed and shook her head. “I haven’t any idea. Up until today, it was just a dream. Now it’s a dream come true. I’ll have to figure out details like that. You’re already helping!”
Chelsea laughed. “I can’t wait to get started, but I have to talk to Grandma Leigh before I give an exact start date. I don’t want to–”
“Just give me until the end of the week.” The proprietress suddenly materialized behind them, no longer pretending she hadn’t been listening. “One of my friends asked about a job for her daughter a while ago, and I’m pretty sure she’s still unemployed. If that doesn’t work out, there are always college kids looking for work.”
Chelsea took her mother-in-law’s hand. “Are you sure, Leigh? Because if–”
“I’m sure.” The older woman didn’t let her finish. “You’ll do great.”
Ciara couldn’t agree more.
Suddenly the lyrics to “Money, Money, Money” rang out. Ciara lunged into her purse and fished out her phone, her lungs seizing as the Caller ID lit with the bank phone number. Before she could say anything, Rowan gestured to the door. With a quick wave, she rose and dashed into the brilliant afternoon. “Good afternoon,” she greeted in forced casualness.
She listened carefully, her heart beating faster with every word the banker said. Yes, she was approved for the loan. Yes, the full amount. Could she come right now to sign the paperwork?Yes.
With a somber affirmative to each question, she calmly hung up the phone. Then, she released a not-so-calmsquealof joy.
Rowan grinned as he exited the building. “I take it everything is all right.”
“Everything is better than all right. It’s perfect.” And it was. The horse rescue was really happening. They had sufficient funds and their dream location. They’d already filled a position and had a lead on more. As for what was happening between her and Rowan?
That was the most exciting of all.
Do not approach her. Do not go to her. Do not inform her she is yours.
Rowan had no reason to visit Ciara until their date that evening. No reason to begin a conversation, interrupt either of their endless tasks. In fact, a hundred reasons existed for him to stay away. And yet…
He couldn’t.
He hadn’t felt such a pull to a woman since… well, her. He was a strong man., but every instinct commanded him to take her back into his life, this woman he never should’ve let go. He’d stayed away for her, so she could have the life she deserved, without a man who’d inherited his father’s darkness. Now there were even more reasons to be cautious, literal miles that would soon divide them. And yet, how could he stay away?
Even here, his responsibilities were endless. Since he’d officially moved his base of operations to the ranch, his huge backlog of work had followed him. Not long ago, he would have thrown himself wholly into his work, dedicating fourteen hours a day to managing affairs, yet now he sought more balance. Delegating more work to his brothers, Rodrigo and other trusted employees, he focused on the most important tasks. He even gave in to his desire to spend time with the horses.
Then he gave in to his desire to see Ciara.
