Page 10 of Her Wild Cowboy Billionaire

“That would be unfortunate because you’re right. Grilled cheese sandwiches and opening a can of soup are my only cooking skills.”

“Mine, too. Mindy is used to eating takeout and takeout leftovers with a canned vegetable on the side.” She felt a comradery with him she hadn’t felt for any man except her deceased husband, Alex.

“Well rounded meals, as long as we’re not talking breakfast.”

Willow chuckled and almost punched him in the arm for his silliness...like she used to do with Alex.

Like all the other furniture in the house she’d seen, everything in the room was made of varnished oak. The choice of light-colored wood kept the space bright. The bed was a queen-size and covered with a patchwork quilt, as had been the bed in her room.

“This will be perfect for Mindy. Thank you for not putting us in the bunkhouse.”

He boomed out a laugh.

She joined his laughter with her own.

They left the bedrooms and headed downstairs. From outside the kitchen, she heard Mindy’s laugh and the scent of freshly baked cookies permeated the house. She looked at Travis and lifted a brow. “Should we see what’s so funny?”

He waved his left arm, as wide as he could, for her to enter first.

Mindy and Claudia were both covered with flour and one tray of cookies was on the floor. The kitchen smelled wonderful. Freshly baked anything smelled good to Willow.

“What are you two doing?” Willow put her hands on her hips and did her best not to crack up.

“Mom, we made cookies.” Mindy happily pointed to the counter where probably two dozen cookies were cooling on two racks.

“I can see that. How did you manage to get flour all over each other?”

Travis chuckled behind her.

“Shh.” Willow said, turning. “You’re not helping.”

He shrugged and tried to look chastised, but then he burst out laughing and instantly groaned. “Sorry.” But the smile was back on his face a few seconds later, even as he held his ribs.

Willow shook her head. “You’re as bad as they are.”

Suddenly Willow felt something hit her in the chest. She looked down at the floor and saw a glob of cookie dough. It left enough flour on her blouse to make another batch of cookies. Willow frowned and opened her mouth in shock, then she dusted the flour from her blouse. “Hey, what do you think you’re doing? This is my best blouse.”

“Sorry, Mom, but you need to lighten up and have some fun.” Mindy did not look in the least like she was sorry.

Willow looked at her daughter and then at her blouse and slowly shook her head. Then she started giggling. Just like Mindy. Her child was having fun, and Claudia had helped her to do so. She couldn’t be angry if Claudia wasn’t. This was her domain, and if she didn’t mind it being covered with flour, so be it.

“Mindy, you need to help me bring our luggage upstairs. I have a job.”

“We get to stay? Yay!” She ran to her mother and threw her arms around her. And then she moved to Travis and hugged him until he groaned. “Thank you, Mr. Morgan.”

“Travis.” His voice was strained from the force of the hug. “Call me, Travis.”

She lifted her head and stared. “Thank you, Travis.”

“You’re welcome, little firefly.”

Mindy looked over at her mother without letting go of Travis’s waist. “Mom. I have a nickname. I’m a firefly.”

She was bright like a firefly. Willow smiled as she thought of her daughter. “Yes, you are. Now, since I don’t want you tracking flour through the house, maybe Claudia can help you clean up a bit before you come to see our new rooms.

Suddenly, Mindy’s face fell. “Will he find us here? I don’t want to move again.”

Willow’s heart broke. She hated Mindy was afraid, that she had to visit with friends over the internet and not in person. She went over to her daughter and dropped to one knee. “He won’t find us here. Travis already knows about him and if the bad man finds us, he’ll help us. We’re safe here, sweetie.”