Impressing Her Billionaire Cowboy Boss: Billionaire Ranchers, #1

By April Murdock

Annie knows better than to act on this crush—her boss is off-limits
There's so much more to Chad Bolton than just looks. He's charming, willing to admit she's intelligent, and he respects her input when it comes to his company… even though she's a new hire.

When the other men laughed her out of the board room for her suggestions, Chad asked her to head a new project for him. Who's laughing now?

Chad knows her ideas are outside the box—and brilliant
Asking her to lead this project just makes sense, but it's probably a mistake. He can't stop thinking about her. She's smart as a whip, makes him think, and challenges everything he thought he knew about his business. But he knows better than to fall for any woman - that will only lead to heartache.

 

But the attraction between them is strong. Undeniable. Keeping things professional is the only way to go. Until that just won't work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweet River Publishing
• Release date: Jan 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224415090

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Chad Bolton stared down at the document in his hand. What would his mother think? She’d hate that he was resigning from the company he and his father had built. Truth be told, it wasn’t his dream. Growing Bolton Farms Inc from the ground up had been something his father had wanted all his life. She might disown him. Well, not really, but she could come close.

Chad put down the resignation letter and pushed away from his desk. He wandered over to the window and stared out at the corporate cityscape. His own metal and brick prison. Just beyond his sights rested the green expanse where his soul longed to be.

Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror, he scowled. Running a hand through his neat, sandy-colored hair, he effectively mussed it. He wasn’t his father. As much as he loved and admired the man, they just loved different things.

He tugged at the collar of his suit and glanced at the portrait of himself, his father, and his grandfather. He’d have preferred following in his Paw’s footsteps. That man could lasso a horse faster than a jackrabbit on hot asphalt.

Chad sighed and dragged a rough hand across his face. He didn’t belong here. He was suffocating. A quiet knock sounded at the door. Sir? They’re ready for you in the conference room.

Thanks, Sarah. Tell them I’ll be just a minute.

Yes, sir.

Chad turned back to the mirror. They’re not going to be happy about this, better get it over with. His hand returned to the knot at his throat, tightening the noose he wore. If all things went according to plan, he’d have his freedom soon enough.

He swiped up the resignation letter and headed out his office door. A petite brunette woman whisked past him. Her hair was pulled into a neat ponytail. She wore a soft, pink sweater, knee-length skirt, and flat shoes.

His eyes followed her as she ducked into the Accounting head’s office. Who was she? He’d never noticed her before. His hand raised to his hair, attempting to tame the now wild locks. Where was a comb when he needed one?

Chad glanced down at the letter in his fingers and back down the hall where the stranger had disappeared. His large hands crumpled the piece of paper into a tight ball and he tossed it in the wastebasket beside him.

Before he took his leave, he needed to find out more about her. Chad shook his head. No, resigning was more important. He was miserable here. Besides, he couldn’t date his employees. But she wouldn’t be his employee for long. A smile spread across his face. Yep, that would change if he got his way.

Sir? They’re still waiting. His secretary pulled him from his thoughts.

Right. I’m going.

Chad meandered down the hall. The carpet didn’t give under his shoes like the dusty earth he loved. The only natural light came from the offices, so the bullpen was definitely too dark. His hands itched to tug at his tie again, but he refrained. Get through the meeting, then find out who that woman was. He had a mission.

The door was ajar to the conference room. Angry voices wafted into the hallway… or were they excited? He leaned his head in. The whole board was already there. They had the whiteboard at the front of the room, and someone had scribbled Bolton Farms on it with a list of some of their services. A few other companies were listed for comparison.

Maybe he could duck out. He could pretend he was sick. He hated these meetings.

Chad, so glad you could make it.

Shoot, he’d been spotted. He plastered a fake smile on his face and took a step inside. Adam, you look… fashionable. Chad’s gaze took in Adam’s high-end pinstripe suit and flashy shoes. Part of Chad wished he was as comfortable in his attire as Adam seemed to be. He was built for this career.

Adam smirked. Better than you, cowboy. His head tilted to Chad’s boots. He knew he shouldn’t have worn them today.

As my Paw would say, the boots make the man.

Adam rolled his eyes and took his seat. Iris got the meeting started, going over numbers for the quarter. Yawn. Chad reached instinctively to pull his favorite Stetson hat over his eyes and pretend he wasn’t here. Oh, that’s right, hats weren’t allowed in the office. Chad folded his arms and slumped back in his chair. At this point, his board probably didn’t even need him. They could handle everything on the day-to-day. He was just the face.

Chad’s thoughts drifted back to the mystery woman. He knew everyone on this floor. Why couldn’t he place her anywhere? Her brown eyes, framed by long lashes, and her cute, upturned nose reminded him of fairies from storybooks.

… that’s why we need to act fast. Chad, don’t you agree?

Chad’s eyes shot to his attorney. Carter’s brows were raised and he was staring at him. In fact, all the eyes in the room were staring at him.

He cleared his throat. Umm... yes, absolutely. Chad smiled and nodded. Great, what did he just agree to?

Adam’s fist landed on the table. But it’s my department. I should be going to the Johnsons’ ranch to win their business.

Carter shrugged. Sorry, Adam. But they requested Chad specifically. He turned back to Chad. You’ll need to assemble a team to get his proposal in place.

Chad sat up in his seat and glanced down at the papers in front of him. What were they discussing now? He picked up paper after paper and glanced at the whiteboard. A proposal for what exactly?

Adam chuckled. And you want to send knucklehead? Come on, Carter, tell the Johnsons they would rather work with me.

Chad shot Adam a warning look. Don’t forget who singlehandedly tripled this company’s profits in the last five years. You were saying, Carter?

Carter sighed. Terry Hill Ranch is looking for a new company to provide horses, training, et cetera. They will be sending out invites to the competing companies and we are in the mix.

Chad raised his brows and whistled. That’s a great opportunity. Where are we at with the acquisition?

Carter shook his head and continued. You’ll see in the reports. This would push Bolton Farms to the top company in the state.

Chad nodded. This would be an amazing opportunity. One he could get behind. Picking up the information for the proposal, Chad noticed something not quite right. The Johnsons out at Terry Hill Ranch had used their last supplier for a whole lot more than horses.

He held up his hand. Hold on one minute, folks. Y’all are missing one great big fat detail.

The board collectively swung their attention from Carter to Chad. Carter raised an eyebrow. And that is… what?

Chad leaned back in his seat. This is what he was good at. "Terry Hill Ranch is known for a lot of things. Their last provider facilitated their reputation by offering mare management services, hosting clinics, and who knows how many other events. And Terry Hill is lookin’ to expand. There’s no way Bolton Farms can even compare to the last company. Never mind those other ones you’ve listed. Sorry, folks, but I think Bolton Farms is out of the running."

Disappointment washed over him. It would have been the perfect good news to tell his mother before notifying her he wanted to step down. Now he’d have to come up with another way to soften the blow.

The board was now in an uproar. Carter had turned to Iris and demanded to know if the numbers were correct. Didn’t matter, though, because he knew the company’s ranch. There wasn’t enough acreage or facilities built. Even if they got an appointment with Terry Hill, they’d have to put in a contingency that Bolton Farms was prepared to expand everything to their satisfaction.

Now would be the perfect opportunity to sneak out. While all the department heads argued over what they could do to place more favor with his company, he could easily escape. Chad sat up and slowly pushed out his chair. They weren’t paying attention to him. He shook his head. That was what happened when you put a bunch of corporate moguls in one room.

Movement at the front of the room caught his attention, his eyes following. He froze. It was her. The brunette pixie who’d almost run him over. How had she slipped in without his notice? How had no one paid her any attention?

She was staring at the board, her head tilted to the side, the stack of papers still in her arms. She took a few steps to the board and picked up a dry erase marker. Putting the cap in her mouth, she bit it off and poised her hand to write.

Her small, neat script contrasted sharply with the haphazard scribbles already listed. Beneath Bolton Farms she erased the number for the acreage and wrote in a much larger number. Under pros, she wrote down a list of services he knew they weren’t currently providing anyone. Stepping back, she gave a short nod, placed the cap on the marker, and returned it to the board.

Turning around, she headed straight to Iris’ side. She put down the stack of papers in front of his lead accountant and waited. No one beside Iris changed their behavior. No one seemed to care she had changed the board. Who was this woman?

Iris finished signing the paperwork and returned the stack to the woman, who quietly thanked her and made her way back around the table. Her brown eyes met his for only a second before she looked at the ground and slipped past him.

Chad’s attention moving back at the board, he rubbed his chin. Jumping to his feet, he startled the board members, who grew quiet. He strode to the door. Hold on a second! Get back in here and explain this, please.

CHAPTER TWO

Annie Shipley paused. Mr. Bolton couldn’t have been speaking to her. He had more important things to do. Slowly, she took a step forward.

Miss, I know you heard me. His voice was louder now. He didn’t sound upset, at least not yet.

Annie glanced over her shoulder and met the deep green eyes only a few yards away. Yes? Did you need something, Mr. Bolton?

Mr. Bolton stepped out of the conference room, his arms folded across his chest. Please come back in here and explain the changes you made on that board.

Annie swallowed. I’m sorry, sir, but these documents are due in the next twenty minutes. If I don’t deliver them to accounts payable, I could lose my job.

Mr. Bolton snapped his fingers. Sarah? he called over his shoulder.

Yes, sir?

Take these documents down to accounts payable for me, will you?

Sarah bobbed her head and scurried over to her. She held out her hands, waiting for Annie to relinquish the paperwork.

Annie pursed her lips together. If she didn’t hand them over, she could be fired anyway. These documents need to go to Jenny. She’s waiting on them.

Sarah smiled at her. I’ll get them to her. Don’t you worry.

Sorry. Annie tossed the apology over her shoulder. She didn’t like other people doing her work for her. She had always been able to pull her own weight. Turning back to Mr. Bolton, she squared her shoulders and followed him back in the room.

Every eye was on her as they entered. Iris raised an eyebrow at her. Great, she’d have more explaining to do. Iris especially didn’t like when someone made waves in her department.

Mr. Bolton’s light touch on the small of her back nudged her forward. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but this young woman has made a few adjustments to Carter’s list.

All heads swiveled to the board at the front of the room and back to her. Annie’s cheeks flushed.

Would you care to share with us the changes you’ve made, Miss…

Iris spoke up. This is Miss Annie Shipley, Chad. She’s one of my newer hires.

Mr. Bolton’s brows rose. Well, Miss Shipley, he motioned to the board at the front of the room with