Free Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron Page A

upset him and not accomplish anything. She kissed him on the cheek and stuck her head in the kitchen door to tell Maria good-bye. Then, she and Jackson went to Gramps’ truck.
    “Since you have to drive me home, and you’ll be returning on your own, I won’t keep you with me as late as usual,” Jackson said.
    “Like there is anyone around here that would harm me.”
    “Even in the country, strangers can be passing through.”
    “I suppose.” She climbed into the driver’s seat.
    Open truck windows let in the sweet fragrance of night-blooming jasmine. Samantha glanced at Jackson . “You look tired.”
    “I had a busy day, and there’s a full weekend ahead.”
    “Why did you decide to have your employees here at this time? It seems like later after our wedding might have been better.”
    “Well, there’s something I haven’t told you. Guess now is as good as any time. You mustn’t tell anyone, preferably not even your grandfather or Maria. I trust them, but just a slip and the wrong person might overhear and upset my plans.”
    Samantha drove into his yard and stopped the truck by the front door. The house was dark, and only the stars and moon lit the area around them. She turned in the seat to face Jackson .
    “Whatever are you talking about? You’re making it sound very mysterious.”
    “I’d planned to have it as a wedding surprise for you.” Looking directly at her, he said, “About six months ago, I realized the times I was the happiest were when I stayed at the ranch. Building my business had been exciting the first years. Not so much anymore. I’m tired of traveling, staying in hotel rooms, and even when I was at my townhouse or the beach house in Florida , neither felt like home. Not like the ranch did. To shorten the story, I’m turning over my company to one of my senior associates to take on the job as CEO. I’ll stay on the board and keep the majority shares.” He opened his door. “Let’s go inside to discuss this further.”
    Shocked by his words, Samantha followed him. She’d never expected he’d ever decide to leave the high life in the city. He’d never given any indication he didn’t love the traveling and being so busy.
    Jackson flipped on lights as he went through to the kitchen. “I’ll get us a glass of wine. Make yourself comfortable.”
    She wandered across the large living room to the side windows. Outside, the trees waved in the breeze and a lone hound dog howled. She wasn’t sure how what Jackson had just told her might affect them. She’d expected, wanted to take charge of the ranches, and thought they’d see each other mostly on weekends or maybe not even that often.
    “Here’s your Riesling wine. Come, join me on the couch. Tell me what you’re thinking about?” Jackson asked as she settled at one end of the long sofa and curled her legs under her.
    She stared into her wine and then took a sip before speaking. “You let me believe I’d have the running of the ranches while you jetted around doing your corporate business.”
    “You made the suggestion to run my ranch and yours. I never said yes or no.”
    Temper rising, she took another big swallow of wine, hoping she’d cool off enough not to lose her temper. “That’s semantics. You let me think you agreed.”
    “No, as usual, when you want your way, you don’t look or notice the other person’s reaction. You assume they agree with you if they don’t verbally say no. So I suppose, knowing you, I am at fault.” A wry smile crossed his face.
    Samantha handed her empty glass to him. “Now you’re being patronizing. I’m going home.”
    She started to leave. She stopped, surprised to see Jackson ’s face flush and his lips tighten. He rarely lost his cool.
    “Just remember, not a word to anyone. Hopefully, you can get past your childish temper tantrum and help with my guests, perhaps even be my hostess during the activities. They’ll arrive at the airport in the morning.”
    Hot anger rushed