Page 75 of The Billionaire and the Maid

I pull down the long drive toward the stables. “Well, thanks for nothing, you two. I’m going to go find my lady and take her for a ride.”

They both bust out laughing and I realize my Freudian slip too late.

“I’m going,” I say through a clenched jaw.

“Good luck, dude!” Tate says.

“Go get me a female cousin!” Laurel yells before I hang up and park my car. I love them, but damn they are annoying at times. But as I open my car door, I can’t fight the twitch of my lips that begins to turn into a smile.

Ella’s new car is parked a few spots over. She fought me on that one. Her old one even had some name or something, but it was a freaking death trap. At least Gus helped me talk sense into her.

Ella comes out of the stable already riding Ridgely. “Took you long enough. We were getting restless, weren’t we?” she says, patting her horse.

Little does she know the surprises awaiting her. She looks happy, so much happier than the day I saw her with the vase. She officially graduated a month ago. I watched my woman walk across the stage and get her diploma and I’ve never been prouder in my life. Even her stepmom and stepsisters attended. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that was only because my mother and father were also there, and my mother was raving to everyone at the tennis club about how amazing Ella is and how her company is already doing so well. Ella was surprised to see her stepfamily, but they were polite and, of course, had excuses for not attending dinner afterward. Considering all the legal issues Nancy is facing now because of our little discovery about her fake trust, I’m surprised that she showed up and was, dare I say, pleasant. But I’m glad she’s been MIA lately. I think Nonno’s words were the best said that day, “good riddance.” Greta, Gus, and David all came along too, and I’ve never seen Ella so happy. I only hope I can make today rival that one.

“Rook is saddled already. He’s waiting for you,” Ella says as she motions with her head toward the stable.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” I say as I head inside and find Rook ready to go. I pat my pocket for the tenth time since I left my home office. “It’s a big day today, buddy,” I whisper as I place my foot in the stirrup and settle myself in the saddle. A stable hand comes over and I look down at him. “You know what to do?”

“Yes, sir,” he says as he holds out his hand and I pull the small box from my pocket. He takes it.

“Hurry,” I instruct and he nods as he runs off out of the back of the building.

I get myself situated and I nudge Rook who walks us out to meet Ella and Ridgely. “So tell me all about this new client,” I say, trying to distract myself more than Ella.

Ella launches into her day, telling me all about her newest client. She’s excited and I grin at her enthusiasm for her new project. She’s an amazing designer. I’ve already hired her for the campaign for my next shoe release.

We guide the horses to our spot. The one by the pond where she can see the property where she grew up. We stop at the top of the hill and look out over the vista.

I glance behind us, making sure my plan is still on track. I smile as I see some familiar faces pop out from behind trees and then quickly hide again.

It’s now or never, I think to myself. “Let’s go sit on the bench,” I suggest. I had a bench placed out here a few months ago and we’ve enjoyed many lazy days sitting and talking…along with some other activities.

She hops off Ridgely and takes a seat and I join her. “I have a few surprises for you,” I start as I turn toward her.

“Oh?” she asks. I’m always trying to give her surprises because I love the look on her face. I love that I can bring her joy. I never want to stop making her smile. But I’m not sure how I’ll be topping today. Hell, I can barely contain my own smile.

Ella

Chase has something up his sleeve. I’ve guessed this since he made a request on such a random day to come out here. We normally have a routine. I’m wondering if it has to do with my parents’ property. I turn toward him.

He pulls a folded envelope out of his pocket and hands it to me. “Open it,” he whispers.

My hands tremble as I open the envelope and pull out a piece of paper. I read it twice to make sure I’m not hallucinating.

I look from the paper to Chase and back to the paper. “Is this…am I?” I stammer, unable to find the words.

“You’re the owner now,” he says.

“What?” I ask as I feel my eyes begin to fill with tears.

“Nancy decided not to fight it. She got a small parcel that your parents owned down the street. We found that with some digging around. I’m sure she’ll develop it at some point, but this”—he motions with his arms wide open—“is all yours, princess.”

“It is?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“Uh-huh,” he replies.

I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I murmur as I pepper his face with kisses. He laughs and grabs my face, planting a firm kiss on my lips before pulling back.

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