Billionaire Flawed 1(123)
Adam shook his head. When he stood, so did Cody. They both walked to the kitchen, where Adam poured himself a cup of coffee. He offered it to Cody, who shook his head.
“Stuff gives me the jitters,” he said. “Can’t concentrate.”
Adam stood with one hand wrapped around the coffee cup and the other in his jeans pocket. “I’ve been lonely a long time, Cody, since before you got here.”
“That is a long time, boss. I’ve been here going on three years now. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you in the companionship of a woman.”
“I always thought the bachelor life was what I wanted. But now I’m reconsidering.”
“You need a woman, boss.” Cody agreed, nodding. “You deserve to have a family if that’s what you want. You thinkin’ maybe I should find a loft or another place to live?”
Adam shook his head, running one hand through his dark hair as he took a drink of coffee. “No, you can stay on here. There’s plenty of room.”
“Ain’t you gonna want some privacy?” Cody asked, tipping his hat back on his head.
“If you want to stay somewhere else, I won’t stop you,” Adam replied.
Cody shook his head. “I’d rather not leave, boss. I was jus’ sayin’ if you want privacy, I can.”
“No need for you to leave. We’ll build you a cottage of your own on the property if we have trouble with the privacy topic. But Lord willing, I’ll get a good woman who will make a fine wife and…”
Cody smiled. “You want some kids runnin’ around, do ya?” He laughed. “I like kids. I got four little nieces and nephews, as you know.”
Adam nodded, smiling with him. “Yes, they are very rambunctious, aren’t they? Perhaps I will not have that many children.”
“Is that even up to you?”
They both laughed.
“I’m about to go send this ad to Virginia. Do you want to ride along? I wanted to talk to you about the eggs.”
“The eggs?” Cody looked at him confused.
“Yes, come along with me and I’ll explain.”
When they got to the post building, Adam was disappointed to see that it was not open. He thought it was always open. Cody slid from his horse and approached the door to read a piece of paper someone had stuck there. He came back to the horses, looking up at Adam.
“Sister died,” he said simply.
“Well, is there only one person who works at this place?” He frowned. He wanted to send the ad immediately.
“Sorry, boss. Looks like you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to put in your ad. You look like you’re getting’ pretty anxious about it. You really want to do this, don’t you?”
“I feel that this is what God’s put on my heart, yes.”
“I reckon you talked to Reverend John about it.”
“I sure did. Just today.”
Cody nodded. “That’s why you’re so anxious. You got confirmation from someone you trust.”
Adam gave his farmhand a narrow look. “You’re pretty smart when you wanna be, Cody.”
Cody laughed. “Jus’ cause my words are lazy doesn’t mean my brain is.”
Adam laughed with him. It was a good point.
“I guess we gotta go back and take care of the eggs then.” Adam sighed with resignation. He turned his horse around and headed home.
Chapter Three
Lilly was more nervous than she had ever been in her life. She was hurrying back from the post office with a letter for Angelica that she knew her friend was not going to expect. And Lilly was terribly afraid she would reject it completely and be angry at Lilly for what she’d done behind her back.
The letter was from Adam Burrows in Elko, Nevada. Lilly had found his ad in the newspaper and responded, signing Angelica’s name instead of her own. It was the only way she knew of to ensure that Angelica would be taken care of first. She would travel with her, with her own money that she had been saving, and hope for the best.
But Lilly hadn’t mentioned a few things about Angelica when she’d responded. She’d used perfect English – or as near it as she could come – and hadn’t mentioned the death of Angelica’s father. Nor had she said how stunningly beautiful Angelica was.
Her heart beat hardest at the thought of the final blow in her deception. She had signed the letter as “Angela Davenport” rather than Angelica DiAntonio. The last name in itself would give the whole thing up.
Lilly’s sense of guilt washed over her as she berated herself for the entire scam. How would Angelica react? Would she even go through with it? It had been three weeks since the death of her father. She was back to working but was only doing that – living, existing. She had no vibrancy left, other than her outer beauty. It never reflected her inner sorrow, except when she was crying.