The Country Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4 Read online

  The Country Bride

  Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4

  Copyright © 2015 Pepin Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, places, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles.

  Pepin Publishing

  http://LucyMcConnell.wordpress.com

  [email protected]

  Interior design by Christina Dymock

  Cover design by Christina Dymock

  Other Works by Lucy McConnell

  The Organized Bride

  The Professional Bride

  Undercover Engagement

  Love in Light and Shadow

  Blue Christmas

  The Country Bride

  Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book Four

  Chapter 1

  Paige Baker sat on the first row of bleachers, right in the center, where the auctioneer couldn’t miss her. Even though it was considered spring in California, the morning temperature was cool enough to warrant a hot chocolate, and she’d wrapped an old quilt around her shoulders to ward off the chill.

  “I’ve got five thousand; do I hear five-five?” called the auctioneer in his nasal voice. If Paige hadn’t been able to see him center stage, she would have thought he was plugging his nose. He wasn’t, though: his hands waved around almost as fast as his lips flapped, pointing at bidders and horses and information projected onto the screen behind him.

  Paige raised her eyebrows. This was definitely a higher-class auction than she was used to. Most of the ones she attended on behalf of Camp Buckeye, her family’s business, were held in someone’s barn or arena, and you just yelled out your bid until someone yelled one higher.

  Still, she didn’t feel as out of place as she’d thought she would, especially after her dad went off about the highbrow affair. Her faded jeans might not have had a designer label like the ones on the stunning blond woman sitting next to her, but that didn’t stop the cowboys from checking her out when she came in at the crack of dawn to inspect the animals before the show. She’d flirted with a couple of them, but quickly moved away as their flirtations swelled to innuendos and off-color jokes. Why were good guys so hard to find? Did they really think women enjoyed being the objects of crass comments?

  “Bidding or selling?” asked the blonde.

  “Bidding,” replied Paige, checking her notes against the next horse on the block. It was a quarter horse, chestnut brown, with a swayback that spoke of better days. His docile eyes and bloated belly would have been exactly what Paige was looking for if she were buying for Camp Buckeye, her family’s equestrian summer camp. But she wasn’t here for mediocre. Today, Paige was after the kind of horse that could change her life.

  The horse was moved out and replaced with a sixteen-year-old gelding, who fought the lead rope and nickered in disgust at his handler. Paige relaxed against her seat.

  “What would you say about that one?” asked the woman.

  Paige pointed to her chest. “You’re asking me—my opinion?”

  “Yes.”

  Paige turned and really looked at the woman. She was dressed in expensive clothing with a hint of western, but nothing that said she’d used a widemouthed shovel in a horse stall before. Cultured ... and yet, she’d chosen to sit next to Paige, whose boots were covered in dust and who knew what else. “Um.” Paige took a moment to watch the horse canter around the arena. “He’s a bit high-strung. He’s sound.”

  The woman leaned closer. “Come on. Don’t hold back.”

  Paige grinned. “I think his attitude is rebellious. He’d be hard to handle for anyone without experience, and those who can handle him would need to establish who’s the boss before each ride.”

  Holding out her hand, the woman nodded once. “That’s exactly what I thought. Pamela Jones. It’s nice to meet you, and I appreciate your candor.”

  Paige took her hand and gave it a firm shake. “Paige Baker.”

  “What do you think I’ll get for him?”

  Paige grimaced. “He’s yours?”

  “Yes, but he’s an investment, not the love of my life.”

  Well, if she appreciates candor … “You’ll be lucky to get three grand.”

  The bidding started and ended less than forty-five seconds later, with Pamela pocketing just over twenty-five hundred dollars.

  Paige ducked her head, feeling sorry for the poor sale. Pamela had probably spent that much in the original price of the horse and the cost of feed.

  “We’re on to page three, everyone. If you would please turn to page three in your program,” said the announcer.

  Paige sat up taller in her seat. This was it.

  “Folks, Gray Jet comes to us from Serenity Stables. She’s a real beauty, as you can see. Her manager, Christopher Ramirez, says she’s been saddle broke and is ready for ropin’, steer wrestlin’, or whatever else you want to throw her way.”

  “I’ll bet she is,” muttered Paige as she watched the strong, fine-looking animal enter the arena. The dapple grey was one of the most graceful horses Paige had ever laid eyes on. Darker than other dapples she’d seen, who looked like washed-out Dalmatians, this horse held its head high as it circled the dirt. Maybe Dad was right. Maybe horses do know what they’re worth.

  Serenity Stables paraded three drop-dead gorgeous animals through the auction before the object of Paige’s desires, Annie May, high-stepped her way in.

  Paige pressed her program to her chest and gasped. Every bit the stunning animal her mother was, Annie May was a Lady Antebellum love song, a lazy afternoon ride, and a Friday night under rodeo lights all rolled into one. The horse was coiled and ready to spring but waited for the signal, and she never faltered, never took more lead than her trainer allowed, never disobeyed.

  She. Was. Perfect.

  The bidding started, and Paige waited until the low-ball hopefuls dropped out. No sense upping the cost until she had to. When the number reached ten grand, there were only three people left: Paige, an old dodger on the back row who kept his hat so low she couldn’t make out his face, and some punk in a suit.

  Paige caught Pamela signaling the suit to drop out. He did, and it was just Paige and the mystery man. As the numbers climbed, Paige watched the handler work the lead rope between his hands, the horse now standing just behind his left shoulder.

  Paige lifted her arm as the announcer asked, “Do I have fifteen thousand? Fifteen thousand going once.”

  Paige kept her eyes forward. That was all she had. If she lost this bid, she’d lose the horse and her chance to start her own farm.

  “Sold to the pretty lady on the front row!” The gavel hit the platform and Paige let out a whoop as the thrill of victory over took her. Laughter filled the arena, and Paige’s face turned pink. The dodger stormed out the back exit.

  “That’s all we have for you today, folks. If you’ll come settle up, we’d much appreciate it.”

  Paige hopped to her feet, ready to claim her spoils.

  “Congratulations.” Pamela beamed as if she had won the bid.

  “Thank you.” Paige was so happy, she wanted to pinch herself to make sure this was real.

  “I own a company and I have openings every now and again. If you’re interested, give me a call.” Pamela handed her a business card, and their eyes locked.

  The world tilted, and Paige felt like she was spinning round and round. Th
en, it just stopped, making her lurch out to the sides to gain her balance.

  “I have a good feeling about you.” Pamela smiled and then joined the suit at the exit. They spoke for a moment, and the suit glanced back at Paige.

  Squealing, she hurried over to the long table to settle her account. Tucking Pamela’s business card into her purse, she dug out her debit card. She didn’t need a new job; she was going to build herself a horse-training business.

  Chapter 2

  A light breeze crossed Cody’s skin, and he felt goose bumps prickle to life as he stared at the oasis in his backyard. Counting his blessings could take him days, and that was why, in moments like this, he felt shame for wanting more. Not more things—just one thing that he’d had once and loved more than life itself. But Kylee wasn’t coming back, and he had a little girl who needed a goodnight kiss.

  Being as quiet as possible, in case Addison had already fallen asleep, Cody climbed the stairs. At the top, he stooped to pick up one of Addison’s Princess Pony books off the floor and heard Ava’s voice as the nanny tucked Addison into bed. Not wanting to interrupt a story, he leaned against the wall outside to listen in.

  His daughter soaked up stories, remembering little details and adding her own during the telling. For the life of him, Cody couldn’t understand why her kindergarten teacher classified Addison as learning impaired. She was bright. Yes, she struggled with letters and such, but some kids learned faster than others. When the school year ended, he withdraw her name from the roster of that good-for-nothing school. He’d need to find a new elementary for fall, but he hoped this summer would be a time for Addison to regain her confidence.

  “… and the king sent a proclamation throughout the land that the prince could marry a woman no matter her station in life.” Ava’s voice was like too much salt on popcorn, and Cody frowned.

  “What’s station in life?” asked Addison.

  “Well, back in olden times, a person’s station was decided by the amount of money they had. If they didn’t have any money, then they had a low station. If they had a lot, like the king, then they had a high station,” answered Ava. “So the servant girl was able to wed the prince and move into the palace with her child.”

  “Did she get a new daddy?”

  Cody cocked his head to listen closer. Addison’s voice had taken on a slightly different tone, the one she used when she was thinking things through, and he wondered what was going on in that little head of hers.

  “She did get a new daddy.” Blankets rustled, and Cody heard Ava set the picture book on the bookshelf. “What about you? Do you want a new mommy?” asked Ava.

  Cody about swallowed his tongue. The only thing keeping him from barreling into the room like a mad bear was that a small part of him wondered if Addison felt like she was missing out. He did his best to provide for her every need, but there were some holes a father couldn’t fill in a little girl’s life. He’d hoped he had at least a few more years before the subject came up. She was only eight months old when Kylee died, so she had no memory of her mother. In many ways, Addison was well beyond her age.

  Ava continued, “A mommy would be able to tuck you in at night and take you to school and come to your class with cupcakes on your birthday. Mommies bake cookies and make dinner and braid your hair and take you shopping. They love you forever and ever. Would you like that?”

  Cody held his breath in the silence, but it didn’t stay quiet for long. Addison must have nodded, because Ava continued. “Maybe I could be your mommy. We could be a real family.”

  Cody’s curiosity evaporated under the angry inferno consuming his mind, and his face turned scarlet. Ava had gone much too far with this fairy tale. It was one thing to make advancements toward him when Addison wasn’t around—which Cody laughed off or sidestepped to the best of his ability—but it was completely inappropriate different to brainwash his daughter into believing she needed a mother or that they weren’t a real family without one!

  “Bedtime!” Cody announced as he burst into the room.

  Ava stepped away from the bed, yanking her hands back as if she’d been caught stealing from the till.

  Cody wished she had just stolen his money. That would have been forgivable. Manipulating a child, his child, was deplorable. Walking quickly to Addison, Cody kissed her on the forehead and then the nose. “Are you snug?” he asked, tucking the blankets around her legs and working to hold back his anger. There was no need for Addison to think he was upset at her.

  She giggled. “Yes!”

  “Good.” He tickled her knees until she squealed. “Love you.”

  Addison kissed his stubble-covered cheek. “You’re like a porcupine, Daddy.”

  He tickled her once more, just for good measure.

  “Love you,” she said.

  Cody straightened and met Ava’s gaze. He motioned for her to follow him out, and he didn’t stop until he was at the bottom of the stairs. With each stair, his steps grew heavier until, by the time he reached the bottom, he was stomping. “Ava,” he began, working to keep his voice low so as not to disturb his daughter, “I overheard what you said to Addison.”

  Ava bit her bottom lip and shifted so she was closer. “I hope it wasn’t too forward. I think we’re both thinking the same thing, and I wanted to gauge her feelings on the subject.”

  Cody leaned away from her. “And what is it we are both thinking?” Might as well hear it all.

  “I’ve seen the way you watch me, and together we are so good with Addison.” Ava’s hands went to his chest and slid up to his shoulders. He fought the urge to swipe them away as if they were spiders or snakes. “You need to let go of the past, Cody. Let me help you forget your pain, forget Kylee.” Her hands caressed his arms. “We could have a June wedding.”

  Cody jumped away. He didn’t want to forget Kylee. Why would he? She was the bright star in his life. “Ava, this isn’t happening.” He wagged his finger back and forth between the two of them.

  Ava’s arms had remained frozen in the air at his sudden withdrawal. Only now did they drop to her side. “Are you sure you wouldn’t at least consider us?” she asked, her voice small. “We could keep it under wraps and just see how things went.”

  Cody tried to picture a life with Ava. It was preposterous. He’d hired her because of her degree in education—he’d thought she’d be able to help Addison catch up before starting school in the fall—and she’d worked on Addison’s reading; but he felt no spark, no draw, no attraction toward her. Though she was what many men would consider fetching, the idea of making her his wife was repelling. “I’m sorry,” he said evenly.

  Ava’s lips pulled back into a sneer.

  In her seamless transformation from sugar sweet to downright nasty, Cody’s remaining doubts about sending her away were set free. How much of Ava’s happy countenance was balderdash and how much of it was sincere, he’d never know, nor would he care to take the time to contemplate the question. Her true colors were written in that scornful look.

  “I’m wasting my time here.” Ava flounced up the stairs.

  Cody followed quickly behind—not because he wanted to change his mind or keep her here, but because he wanted to stand guard over Addison until this wretched woman left his home. He stood in Addison’s doorway, making a mental list of the things he had to do once he escorted Ava out. Top priority was changing the key code to the front gate so she could never get back in.

  Following Ava out the back door, Cody grabbed his cell phone. Neither of them said a word as Ava chucked her suitcase in the back seat of her sedan. She slammed the door and, with a final flip of her hair, gave Cody the bird and pulled out.

  Cody raised an eyebrow at the farewell. He hit a button on his cell and pressed it to his ear. The squabble with Ava was a minor inconvenience. As the owner of several dealerships, he’d learned to let angry gestures roll off his back so he could move on. Tonight, he had more pressing matters to spend his mental energy on than an exploitative nanny
. By the time her taillights hit the main road, Ava was already a distant memory.

  As he listened to the phone ring, Cody’s eyes roamed the pool, the private hot tub with a waterfall, the palm trees, the palm fronds, the closely cut grass, and the padded lounge chairs. The yard was meant to be a piece of paradise, and yet he hardly used it.

  “You’re the boss.” Christopher gave his customary greeting upon answering the phone. He was twenty years Cody’s senior if he was a day, and Cody enjoyed his company.

  “Just checking in to see if we’re all ready for the auction tomorrow.”

  “We? You mean you’re coming?”

  Cody got the impression he was needling him. “By we, I mean you.”

  “Right. We’re good. Gray Jet and Gray Rose should fetch a fair price. The two geldings will bring in some good money with the training they’ve had. It’s Annie May who’ll bring in the big bucks. You sure you want to part with her?”

  Cody clenched and unclenched his hands. Annie May was the offspring of May June, Kylee’s champion barrel-racing horse, who had died in the same accident that took Kylee’s life. He hadn’t seen Annie May since the day Addison had climbed into one of the stalls and he’d banished the horses from his property. Kylee had meant for Addison to have Annie May when she began racing, but that wasn’t going to happen. Horses were a huge part of Kylee’s life, and for Cody, being around them was like scrubbing an open wound. He didn’t hate the animals. He still respected them. Because of that respect, he was doing what he believed was best for Annie May. She would be much happier learning to compete and answering the athletic call that came through her bloodline. Selling her wasn’t an act of desperation; it was, at least in his mind, an act of mercy. “I’m sure. When do you pull out?”

  “I’ll leave the stables at six in the morning. That will give me time to get the horses settled and happy before they go on the block.”