The Grumpy Boss Cowboy Billionaire

Chapter 21

Emma

My phone pinged with a text message for about the hundredth time in the last fifteen minutes. I was running late and Victor was waiting. I typed in the last of the schedule for next month’s planned events, hit save, and then print. Yanking the page off the printer, I raced out of our shared office, through the hallway, and into the bright Arizona sunshine.

I paused long enough to admire the bustling park around me, our tour guides leading family groups, horses and riders milling around in period costume. Everyday I had to pinch myself as a reminder that this was my reality—we had made our dream come true.

The park had opened with booming success, blowing all our expectations out of the water. We were booked to the maximum for the entire summer, and into the fall. As we headed towards winter, when I’d expected we would slow down—maybe give Victor and I a chance to breathe—when we were approached by several senior travel groups. And historical societies. Not to mention, the business groups that hoped to hold company events with us. So, the park stayed open and operational the whole of last winter.

Due to popular demand, we’d been forced to triple the amount of staff, as well as hire more period actors from other schools beyond just Phoenix. Notah had moved from being just our livestock manager to Secondary Park Overseer, while his son, Alex—who had just turned 18—became our Stable Manager.

Victor texted again, letting me know he was over by the north paddock, studying the latest herd of wild mustangs that had been trucked in from San Luis. We started the Mustang Roundup this past spring, a conservation effort to protect the wild horses and give people an additional taste of the Wild West.

I caught a glimpse of him standing at the fence, with an older man in a suit. I took a deep breath and strode forward with confidence, moving to Victor’s right side, and hooking my elbows over the fence beside him.

“Sorry, I'm late.”

He turned to me and planted an enormous kiss on my lips, surprising me and leaving me breathless. The man next to him cleared his throat and I pulled away, blushing, before leaning around Victor to address him. My stomach dropped as I realized it was his father.

“Good morning, Mr. Sullivan.”

His hard blue eyes studied me, softening.

“Good morning, Emma.” A small smile graced his handsome face.

Victor laced his fingers in mine, glancing down at me. “My father was just dropping in for a surprise check-in, and was just telling me how pleasantly surprised he was that we had made this a success.”

His voice sounded slightly smug, but I felt like he earned the right to gloat, at least a little.

I glanced over at his father, who looked properly embarrassed.

“What Victor means to say is I had serious doubts about his ability to take the park from the nightmare that it was when he bought it to what it is now. And I was completely blown away. I’ve been watching the reviews and the financials, but to see it in person…” He gestured at his surroundings.

He turned to Victor and offered his hand. I could feel the tension leave Victor as he relinquished his hold on my fingers to shake his hand. “I’m sorry that I doubted you, son—your commitment, your dedication, and your fortitude—to see what you have achieved here is astounding.”

He released Victor’s hand and stepped around him, toward me, offering his hand.

“Emma—I apologize for being curt and dismissive when we first met outside the park. I acted like a pompous prick, and I am sorry that that was your first impression of me.” He gave my hand a warm, firm shake. “I’m Victor’s father, James Sullivan. And I’m so grateful that you came into Victor’s life. From what he’s told me, it sounds like you’re a pretty astounding young woman, and he’s lucky to have you.”

He turned slightly towards his son. “Which I hope you make a point to tell her on the daily, lest she forget it.”

Victor raised his hands in surrender with a laugh.

“I do my best.” He glanced down at his watch. “Speaking of which—Emma, we are due at the reenactment paddock in two minutes to catch their newest show. Dad—”

He turned his million-watt smile on his father. “Would you please accompany us?”

James returned the smile to his son.

“It would be my honor.” He tucked my hand in the crook of his elbow and we set off, following behind Victor.

We took our spots at the back of the crowd, standing because there was no available seating, as the park players explained the background of their scene to the audience. I felt my phone vibrate with a call and I excused myself several steps away to take it.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Pierce? It’s Todd Abraham, your attorney.”

I glanced over at the crowd, where Victor was looking at me with furrowed brows of concern.

“Yes, hello Mr. Abraham. I’m kind of in the middle of things right now, can I give your office a call later?”

“No need, Ms. Pierce. I just wanted to let you know that I came from the sentencing hearing for Mr. Hastings—after Mr. Sullivan’s assistant confessed, there really was not much defense for any of his crimes—he pleaded guilty to bribery, espionage, and conspiracy to commit arson. Even though it was his first offense, he was sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Additionally, his lawyers have reached a settlement offer for the class action that Mr. Sullivan had brought against them, which will need to be finalized, but will ultimately bankrupt Hastings Housing.”

I shook my head in disbelief, laughing softly.

“That’s amazing news. I’ll let Victor know.”

“Have a great rest of your day, Ms. Pierce. We’ll be in touch.” I disconnected the call and walked back over to where Victor and his father stood.

“They got Hastings,” I whispered in Victor’s ear when he looked at me questioningly. "We won't be hearing from him again for a long time."

A giant grin stretched across his face before he raised his hand and waved.

“I have something!”

My stomach dropped and I went cold. What is he up to? He grinned at me and tugged my hand, pulling us forward and ducking through the fence rails. Alex and Notah stood on the dais inside the corral and offered us a hand, pulling us onto the stage. Our Navajo stage players stood around us in a small circle as Notah handed Victor the microphone. He smiled at me and raised the mic.

“When I first bought this park, I thought the most important thing to do was to get it fixed so it could make me money and prove my father wrong.”

I heard James laugh in the back of the group and I glanced over. Alarm bells rang as I looked over the crowd, zoning in on each of my siblings, Ashley and her husband, Karl, and Nahuel, who all waved at me. I turned back to Victor, who was facing me, watching my expression.

“But these three months have taught me that, more than making money and proving a point, is that I found someone who is my match in every way—who challenges me, questions me, forces me to question myself and who I trust—she picks me up when I’m struggling, and comforts me when I’m low. I guess what I’m trying to say,” He sank down to one knee, eyes on mine as the crowd gasped, whispering hushed conversations amongst themselves.

My heart hammered in my chest as he opened a ring box, offering me the most beautiful, delicate antique ring, metal caging around a brilliant winking diamond. He continued to stare at me, smile on his face.

“Emma Pierce..." He shook his head and corrected himself, "Dr. Emma Pierce…would you make me the luckiest man in the world and marry me?”

Tears burned my eyes as I fought and failed to keep the giant smile from my face.

“Yes,” I whispered.

He surged to his feet and pressed a kiss to my lips, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around, as everyone applauded and cheered. When the kiss finally broke, he lowered me down to my feet, touching his forehead to mine. I closed my eyes and savored the moment.

“You’re crazy, you know that?”

He laughed. “Crazy for you.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding his gaze. “You know what I’ve learned?”

His eyes lit up. “Tell me.”

I bit my lip before smiling. “That we never really lose the ones we love. Even when we don’t realize it, they are around us, supporting us, caring about us.” I gestured to the crowd. “They’re the ones who show up unexpectedly and always want us.”

“That’s what makes a family,” He murmured. “You taught me that.”

He kissed me again, pulling him tight against his body. Notah clapped him on the back.

“You two have plenty of time for that. Now go see your families before you set off on your flight.”

I frowned up at Victor. “Our flight?”

He laughed. “The Sullivan-Pierce world tour kicks off this evening, with a flight to London.”

I felt my mouth fall open. “London? But what about the park?”

He nodded toward Notah. “I’ve got my highly trustworthy Park Overseer on it. We’re long overdue for a break, and when we first met, you said it was your dream to see the world. I'd say you've waited long enough.”

"Victor, oh my God." I threw my arms around him, hugging him tight.

"You changed my world, Emma... And now, it's time to let me return the favor."