Keeping Her Billionaire Cowboy CEO: Billionaire Ranchers, #2

By April Murdock

Faye doesn't want a man who can't hold his own on a horse.
If someone called her a city girl it might ruin her day… or make her laugh because she's anything but. When the new CEO drops the ball on an event and stalls a big announcement, she challenges him to do better. And her challenge seems to bring out his competitive nature. A nature she's going to have to gently poke.
Who said city girls have more fun? Country girls get to push more buttons. And Adam's buttons are fun to push…

Adam isn't taking his shiny new title of CEO lightly.
He's been dreaming of running a billion-dollar corporation since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. Sure, the transition hasn't been smooth every step of the way—they never are—only one obstacle seems to be getting in his way. Faye. She's beautiful, capable, and a thorn in his side.
Adam expected to make enemies in his new role, but he'd love to have her on his side and he'll do whatever it takes to win her over; even if it means making her fall for his cowboy charms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweet River Publishing
• Release date: Feb 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224555901

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

He wasn’t jealous. Just because Chad Bolton had the money, the career, and now the girl, didn’t mean Adam Tucker was jealous. No. Adam knew his place. Ever since they were kids, Chad had it easy. That’s just the way it was.

Adam leaned back in the leather office chair and spun around to face his window. Normally he hated different. But this? This was a good different.

The chair squeaked as he shifted for a better view. Resting his chin in his hands, he smiled. His whole life had been building up to this moment. He finally got what he deserved. A seat at the table.

Chad’s old office didn’t quite feel like home, but it would soon. The minute Chad got back from his road trip with Annie, he’d completely vacate the premises.

His office door banged open. Adam swung back around and came face to face with a woman who looked as untamed as the wild horses in the westerns he liked to watch.

Sarah burst through the open door. I’m so sorry, sir. I told her she needed an appointment.

Adam fixed his eyes on the woman. Red, wavy hair was pulled away from her face but a few strands had made their escape. They framed a heart-shaped face that had a smattering of freckles which ran across the bridge of her nose. His eyes met hers, green eyes that flashed at him. It’s okay, Sarah. Thank you.

Sarah nodded and exited quietly, closing the door behind her.

Adam stood up and tugged at his vest, smoothing out the wrinkles. Folding his arms across his chest, he squared his shoulders and stared at her. This must be some emergency for you to put Sarah in such a tizzy.

Her face burst into a flame of color. Adam fought the urge to smile. The fair ones could never hide their true feelings; their skin almost always gave them away. He held out his hand. I’m Adam Tucker.

The woman’s brows shot up and she looked around. I’m here to see Bolton. Where is he? This is his office, isn’t it?

Adam twisted his outstretched hand and curled his fingers inward before dropping it. I’m sorry, but Mr. Bolton no longer works in this building.

The woman scowled. What? she said through clenched teeth. Then who’s in charge?

Adam smiled. I’m the new CEO. You can call me Adam.

Well… Adam… if you’re the CEO, then this is your problem now. She charged forward and slapped a piece of paper on his desk. Folding her arms, she smirked at him. Welcome to the rodeo.

His gaze traveled from her face to the piece of paper on his desk. Who was this woman? Someone who worked at Bolton Farms? He reached for the slip of paper and let his gaze linger on her. She wore a fitted, button-up flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up to just above her elbows, a pair of tight jeans that showed off her figure, and boots. Muddy boots. Excuse me, but didn’t you have some other kind of footwear you could have brought? You’re tracking mud everywhere.

Adam shifted his gaze to the carpet where boot prints were clearly visible. Mud. Wrinkling his nose, he met her gaze again. Honestly, this is a professional work space, ma’am. I’d appreciate it if the next time you came here, you treated it as such.

She snorted. A little mud never hurt nobody. You look like you could use a good roll in the mud. Take you down a peg or two.

Adam’s eyes narrowed. Who was this woman? He finally stared at the paper in his hands. Glancing back at her, he shrugged. This is a flyer for the event Hickory Hollow is hosting. He put it down on the table. I don’t see why this warrants you barging into my office and getting it filthy with those boots of yours.

Her mouth dropped open and she took another step closer. She jabbed her finger at the flyer, pointing to the date. "That’s what’s wrong. Right there. This event wasn’t supposed to happen for another two months."

He looked closer. It says the event is next weekend. You have two weeks. I don’t see the problem.

She groaned. Of course not. ‘Cuz you’re just a dumb city slicker who only cares about the numbers in the bank account. She reached across the desk and poked him in the chest. "Put your money where your mouth is and get out to Hickory Hollow to set up, then. You do have two weeks, after all." Her voice mimicked his.

She swiped up the piece of paper and stormed out.

Adam smiled despite himself. She was a fiery one. She couldn’t be serious. He returned to the window, his hands behind his back. Below, a beat-up truck blocked the entrance to the building. Shaking his head, he watched until a beautiful redhead stomped from the building and got into the vehicle. The engine wouldn’t turn over right away. After three attempts, the old Chevy started and sped out of the parking lot.

He returned to his desk, sat in his chair, and picked up the phone. Dialing Chad’s cell number, he couldn’t get his mind off the woman. No one had ever spoken to him that way before. It was both obnoxious and amusing. He hoped he’d see her again.

What do you need, Adam? You assured me when I chose you as my replacement, I wouldn’t have to worry about a thing going on in the office.

Adam could hear the smile in his voice. He was loving the fact that Adam needed help. He shook his head. Well, he’d eat his words soon enough. You remember scheduling that spring event with Hickory Hollow? The one where you make the announcement that you’re merging your services?

You mean the summer event?

You messed up, Bolton. The flyer that got mailed out two weeks ago says it’s next weekend.

Chad cursed on the other end. You have got to be kidding me. I’m going to be gone until next Thursday. You need to send out a reprint. They can’t get ready that fast. He spoke with someone in the background. I’m going to have to turn around and get this sorted out.

Look, Chad. I got this. I’ll head out to Hickory Hollow myself if I have to. How hard can it be to set up corrals and food trucks?

Adam, I know you’ve prided yourself on getting us new clients, but I don’t think you realize what it takes to get an event like this set up. There’s millions of things to coordinate⁠—

Don’t worry about it, Chad. You just finish your delivery and get back in time to cut the red ribbon or whatever you do at these things. I’ll make sure everything goes off without a hitch.

He hung up before giving Chad another opportunity to argue with him. Chad was just overreacting. Everything they needed was already at the ranch, right?

Adam pushed a button on his phone.

You need something, Mr. Tucker?

Sarah, could you cancel my meetings for the next couple of days? I need to make an appearance at Hickory Hollow.

Should I cancel them for the whole week?

Adam tapped his finger on this desk. What if he was wrong? If he needed to supervise things at the ranch until the event started, then maybe it would be best to remain cautious. Actually, make it two weeks. I don’t plan on being out of the office the entire time, but if something happens and Hickory Hollow needs me there, it would be best to push out all other items on the agenda.

Two weeks? Sarah’s voice rose a few octaves.

Yes. Notify Carter and Iris. If there’s an emergency, I’m sure they can handle it. He hung up the phone and got to his feet. Gathering his things, he glanced one last time around his new office. Yes, this was where he belonged. He’d be counting the minutes until he was back in here putting out fires just like the one that beautiful filly started.

CHAPTER TWO

Faye gripped her steering wheel tighter. The gall of that Mr. Adam Tucker! He had to be the most obtuse CEO she’d ever met. How did he manage to be the leader of the biggest company in this part of Texas anyway? Where was Bolton? He’d assured everyone at Hickory Hollow that they were in good hands.

She growled and hit her palm on the steering wheel. Why did city men have to act like they were smarter and better than everyone else? Her shoes weren’t that muddy. Okay, maybe they were. There was a rain storm yesterday that made exercising the horses that much more difficult.

If Brady hadn’t thrown a fit about the flyer, she wouldn’t have gotten in her car at dawn to make the trip into the city. He said she needed to do something because she was the events coordinator. At this rate, she’d either be fired or forced to step down. The stress of merging with Bolton Farms had already taken its toll.

She arrived back at the ranch by lunchtime, swerving to avoid a trailer belonging to one of the hosts of the Natural Horsemanship Clinic. From the looks of it, the trailer held a couple head of cattle. Growing up on a cattle ranch, she loved her position in the saddle as she cared for her herd. Every little cowboy or cowgirl should have that opportunity.

Faye found a place to park and hopped out of her truck. From across the pasture, Brady strode toward her, his hat shading his eyes so she couldn’t tell if he was happy to see her or not.

What did Bolton say?

Great. Brady’s tone was one she knew all too well. Irritation. She took a deep breath. If she didn’t remain calm, the two of them could end up screaming at each other again. It wasn’t that they were angry with each other, Brady was just naturally defensive around her.

Faye reached into her truck and retrieved her own hat. Bolton wasn’t there.

Brady’s eyes widened. What? Did you ask where he was?

Faye squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t even ask to see if the man was at his ranch. She’d been too preoccupied with Adam’s blue eyes. No. There’s a new CEO.

He brought his fist to his mouth. Shoot, I remember now. Annie mentioned something about Bolton taking a more hands-on approach at his ranch. Who’s the new guy?

She fought the blush she knew would cross her skin. Just thinking of him made her angry and intrigued at the same time. Some guy named Adam Tucker.

Brady ripped off his hat and ran his hand through his brown hair. Well, did he say he was gonna fix it?

Her cheeks flashed crimson. Not exactly.

Not exactly? Faye, what happened? I thought you were going to give him a piece of your mind.

She folded her arms and scowled at him. He said two weeks was enough time to prepare and we’d be fine. I told him he could come right down here and do it himself.

Brady laughed. If you think some guy in a suit is going to come down here and get this place ready for the Bolton-Hickory Celebration, you’re dumber than you look, Faye Wilson. He replaced his hat and walked past her toward his truck.

Where are you going? She hated the way her raised voice made her sound desperate.

I’m going to fix what you couldn’t. He opened his truck door.

She ran after him, slamming the door shut before he could get inside. Oh no, you’re not. If this thing fails, it’s not on us. It’s on him. I told him he had to fix it. Chad Bolton still runs the show. If this blows up in his face, then Bolton will have to find a new replacement. People like Tucker shouldn’t be running Bolton Farms if he can’t figure out what it takes to get these events going.

Brady studied her, his eyes narrowing. Hickory Hollow’s reputation would be on the line too. Do you want to risk losing what we’ve built so far?

Faye hesitated. Brady had a point. Then her eyes brightened and she smiled. But if we manage to do this all on our own, we get more credibility. We can take Bolton aside and let him know Tucker dropped the ball. I’m sure there are people better qualified than him.

Brady smirked as he looked past her. Faye fought the frustration that came with not being listened to. She clenched her fists at her side. Brady, are you even listening?

Better qualified? Talking about anyone I know?

Faye froze. She looked up at Brady, her eyes widening. He’s right behind me, isn’t he? she whispered. His smirk widened. She spun around and came face to face with Adam Tucker. She eyed him from his perfectly coifed hair down to his shiny, top-dollar shoes. How on earth did you get here so fast?

Adam’s fingers flew to his tie,