Her Disguised Cowboy Billionaire (Montana Billionaires #8)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

F riday, mid-July, Bozeman, Montana

Marti Parker sat at her desk in the office she’d decorated to be a comfortable place to work and for Sophie to play. She had a desk set up for Sophie with her own laptop, so if she wanted to play at working she could. Marti also provided a Barbie Dream House and baby dolls, so Sophie could play with whatever her heart desired.

Marti’s desk looked out at the Madison Range. She especially loved it on a day like today, with the sun shining and the snow-capped peaks sitting above the purple mountains. The striking purple color was from the thick pine forests covering the mountainside.

The view was one reason she rented the old Victorian home. It had been remodeled in the past, so it had electricity and a furnace, but she could see large utility bills in her future this winter. So far, she cooled it by having the windows open and getting a cross breeze. Open windows helped her in her office but not so much in the bedrooms upstairs unless there was a storm, since they had only one window in each room.

For a reason unbeknownst to her, they hadn’t put in a laundry room, so she had to go to the laundromat. But even that wasn’t too bad. She got to read romance novels while waiting for her clothes to wash and dry. The place had a play area for the kids and Sophie brought a doll to play with on most days.

Taking breaks to have a tea party with Sophie was something she also did regularly. She did her best to multitask, being there for Sophie while fulfilling her duties as an investigative reporter for The Daily Chronicle.

Right now, Sophie was in her bedroom playing Minecraft, her favorite video game. Marti let her play it for thirty minutes in the afternoon and again after dinner.

Marti’s latest story was an investigation into the KT Cartel and their drug activities in and around Bozeman, Montana. She was at a standstill, fixating on their money laundering operation. Her leads were taking her to the Circle M Ranch and Caleb Malone, billionaire rancher and owner of the tech giant, Malone Technological Solutions, Inc. He was the CEO and sixty-five percent owner of the company. He started the company fifteen years ago when he was twenty-one and grew it into the giant it was today. He was the mastermind behind the operation, as his solutions launched the company. Now, he employed an entire department to come up with those solutions, but he kept his hand in it, helping with the more complex ones.

Her research showed he was a widower with one young son, Danny, six years-old. The same age as Sophie. His mother had died of cancer when the boy was almost two. Caleb had raised the boy himself, and Marti admired that. He could have paid nannies, but he hadn’t—at least none that Marti could find.

Danny went to the same school as Sophie and was in the same grade. Caleb had come to a few of the school events like the Christmas and Spring pageants. He’d even been “room mother” for a day. The kids had fun with that one. Sophie told her they teased him all day long.

She said he was a good sport.

Marti laughed. After all, what else could he do with thirty kindergartners?

Marti was aware of the many events he had missed throughout the year because of his absence from town. She wondered who took care of Danny when he was gone. He must have a housekeeper, or someone like that, who cared for him.

Until about eight months ago, Caleb’s youngest brother Jamison probably helped care for the boy. But Jamison went missing, and no one knew where he was or why he disappeared.

The Malone family was comprised of three children. Caleb, thirty-six, Bethany, twenty-nine and Jamison, twenty-eight. None of them were married at the moment. All of them worked at the ranch—at least until Jamison disappeared—which had been in their family for generations. Their great-great-great grandfather started it in 1847. One-hundred-and-sixty acres was given to homesteaders back then. Now, the ranch was massive at over 260,000 acres, plus another 100,000 acres in grazing rights.Caleb had acquired the additional land and the grazing rights after his businesses took off and he’d become rich in what seemed like overnight.

Marti had finished reading over her notes and was writing the article when her cell rang.

“Hello. This is Marti Parker. To whom am I speaking?”

“Listen, I know you’re looking into the KT Cartel. Something big is happening in Bozeman tomorrow morning at two. If you want to catch them, be at the warehouse at 3400 Industrial, Building C.”

“Rocket?”

The line went dead.

His voice was disguised as usual with Rocket, but he’s always given me good information in the past. I have to assume this is good intel, too.

I’ll call Mrs. Bainbridge and see if she can watch Sophie tonight. I have to make sure she’s safe before I go to this warehouse. Maybe I should have someone come with me. Caleb Malone would be a good person if he considered it. After all , it’s his ranch operations that are being used to launder some of the money.

She punched in the number for the Circle C.

“Hello, yes this is Marti Parker. I need to see Caleb Malone today. It’s very important. Yes, I’ll hold.”

A few minutes later, she heard the speaker. “Yes? Yes, I can be out there in thirty minutes. See you then. Thank you.” She shoved her phone into her back pocket and grabbed her purse. “Sophie! Mommy has got to run an errand. Let’s go.”

The little blonde girl ran out of her bedroom and down the stairs. “Where are we going, Mommy?”

“We’re going to Danny Malone’s house. I need to speak to his father. Maybe you and Danny can play together.”

Sophie jumped up and down. “Yay! I like playing with Danny. He’s nice.”

“I know you do. Now, let’s go.”

They went to the two-car garage, a more recent addition to the Victorian home. It was hotter than the house because it was shut up all day still, it was probably cooler than outside.

Marti buckled Sophie into her booster seat. Then she walked around the car and slid in behind the wheel of her red Ford Mustang.One of the few things she’d gotten in the divorce from Vance Parker.

When they were on the road and out of town, air conditioner going full blast, Marti checked the time on her dashboard. She was making good time and would be a little early for their appointment. The countryside was rolling hills that were mostly grazing land. Some of it had been sold and apartments or condos were being built. The sign said “Now Leasing” but she’d learned that didn’t mean a thing about which type of complex it would be.

Sophie had on her headphones and listened to Taylor Swift, her favorite singer.

Marti couldn’t help but wonder about the wealthy and powerful man she was about to see. Yes, they’d met before, but she’d never made this kind of request of anyone. But Caleb Malone had a stake in this, whether or not he wanted to see it. She would have to convince him if need be.

Pulling up to the gates, a metal archway with the Circle M brand on it, she stopped and punched the button on the speaker.

“How may I help you?”

“I’m Marti Parker and I have an appointment with Caleb Malone at two o’clock.”

“I’ll buzz you in.”

The gates slowly opened.

When they were wide enough, Marti drove through and down the long driveway to the ranch house. She’d never been here before and so was amazed to see the number of buildings.

Sophie took off her headphones and looked around the ranch as they drove.

“What are all these buildings, Mommy?”

“Well, those big red buildings are barns. And I see a chicken coop next to the closest barn. The house has a swimming pool or so I’ve heard. Wouldn’t that be fun to have at our house?”

It was mid-July, and already the temperature felt like mid-August. The high today was supposed to be ninety-three degrees, a record if it reached it.

She pulled up to the front of the huge two-story log house. Next to the double entrance doors were floor-to-ceiling windows. They would let in lots of light. That was the one thing she missed about her old house in Connecticut. All the daylight. It had lots of windows and skylights so that every room was lit with natural light during the day.

At night, overhead lights had been available if needed, but Marti had usually made do with the table lamps in every room but the kitchen. There they had dazzling track-lighting. She liked to see what she was cooking.

Shaking her head, she got thoughts of her old house out of her mind and concentrated on Caleb’s home right in front of her.

Steps led up to a wide covered porch that wrapped around the house, at least on the sides she could see. Holding Sophie’s hand, they crossed the porch and pressed the doorbell.

Shortly, the door opened, and a tall, slender woman with long, brown hair in a braid that hung over her shoulder stood to the side.

“Hello, you must be Marti. Please come in. I’m Bethany, Caleb’s sister. Let me take you to his office.”

After Marti and Sophie entered, Bethany closed the door. They crossed the living room, which had brown slate tile on the floor and scattered rugs of various Native American designs. Two sitting areas, both with long leather couches and overstuffed chairs, spread across the large room. One was in front of the fireplace, and the other backed to the kitchen.

She’d been right about the windows. Floor-to-ceiling windows were on the front and back sides of the living room. Those on the front faced south and looked over the Gallatin Range and the back faced the Bridger Mountains to the north. Both views were magnificent.

They walked by a wide staircase that split at the top, leading to what she thought might be two separate wings of bedrooms. Her research into the assessor’s records showed the home had eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms and was almost 7,000 square feet in size.

As they passed the open kitchen and dining room, Marti couldn’t help but feel a small yearning. She could expertly cook a meal in a kitchen like that. Lots of counter space above the cupboards and an island shaped like an artist’s palette. Black granite with gold streaks running through it covered the surface.

At the other end of the kitchen, she saw an enormous table that sat at least twelve.

Marti and Sophie continued following Bethany down the long hall. She finally reached a door at the end on the right side and knocked. Then she opened it.

“Caleb? Marti Parker is here,”said Bethany.

“Send her in,” replied a deep baritone voice.

His voice had always melted her insides , even the few times she’d met him at parent-teacher meetings.

Marti walked in and held out her right hand. “Mr. Malone, thank you for seeing me.” She turned around to Bethany and smiled. “Before you go, I need to ask a favor. Do you think you could take Sophie to visit with Danny? I know it’s not a proper play date, but I’d rather she not be privy to this conversation.”

Bethany smiled and nodded. The smile reached her eyes, and they crinkled at the outer edge. “Of course. Danny will be glad for the company. Being way out here, it’s difficult for him to play with other children his age.”

Marti waved a hand. “I understand. We’re on the outskirts of Bozeman and with my schedule, Sophie doesn’t go on many play dates, either.”

Holding her hand out to Sophie, Bethany waited for the little girl to take it. “Shall we go see Danny?”

Sophie bounced in place and then took Bethany’s hand. “Yay! I get to play with Danny.”

Bethany and Sophie left the room, closing the door behind them.

Marti smiled. She loved seeing Sophie happy. Her smile faded. She worried about keeping her daughter safe. Marti was doing some very dangerous investigating, and if the cartel found out, she couldn’t imagine what lengths they would go to in order to keep the information under wraps.

Caleb cleared his throat. “Please sit, Ms. Parker.”

Marti sat in one of the leather Queen Anne chairs in front of his enormous desk.

The room was definitely a man’s room with dark, heavy furniture that looked to be made of mahogany. He had a large leather chair behind the desk which seemed much too big, considering it only had a laptop, a phone and a wire basket with papers. He got a lot of natural light from the floor to ceiling windows along one wall. In front of the windows were one rubber plant and two stands with philodendron plants that had spread, and the vines were now growing along the ceiling. The floor was covered with several Native American rugs.

Caleb wore a plaid flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow, revealing muscular forearms. His hair was dark brown and just a little too long, curling at his collar. His eyes were steel gray. She could see them turning icy if he was angry.

“What can I do for you?”

“First, please call me Marti. We’ve met enough times that I think you can get away with it.” She smiled. “Second, I’ll get right to the point. I’d like you to accompany me to a meeting tonight. I’ve gotten a tip about a shipment by the KT Cartel. It’s in the same area your brother disappeared, and I thought it might have something to do with your brother.”

Caleb’s face momentarily showed signs of anger at the mention of his brother.

Had she touched on a sensitive subject?

She barreled on. “Plus, I need the support. I admit I’m scared to go by myself, but I will if necessary.”

Caleb leaned his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. “Thank you for asking me. To be honest, I’d rather you didn’t go?—”

She sputtered and immediately stiffened.

He held up a hand. “But I know that will not be happening, since you are the one who got the tip.”

“You’re darn right it won’t be happening. You should be happy I thought of you at all.”

His lips quirked up on one side.

Marti had a hard time keeping from fanning herself. She felt a sudden heat, and all her lady parts were alive with… anticipation? That made little sense. She hadn’t been the least bit interested in Caleb Malone before. Why now?

Caleb leaned back in his chair and held a pen between his hands. Then he leaned forward again and set the pen on the desk. “You’re quite the little spitfire, Ms. Parker…er…Marti.” He cocked an eyebrow and pursed his lips. “It’s a good thing I like spitfires. Now, please sit, and tell me why you think you need to go.”

“It’s my tip. I’m doing an investigation into the KT Cartel for my employer. I want to bust them wide open and stop their operations in Bozeman. I hear too many horror stories about kids taking fentanyl, and I want it stopped before it reaches my daughter.”

Caleb frowned. “I want the same thing, and you’re right. We are losing too many young people to this drug. It’s time for that to stop, at least, in Bozeman.”

Her heart tripped when she realized he would go with her. “So, does that mean you’re coming with me? I need to know so I can get Sophie to the sitter.”

“What time is the meeting?”

“Two AM.”

“Why don’t you and Sophie stay here? We can go together, and the kids will be well taken care of. And, above all, safe. You don’t want anything happening to Sophie or your sitter if things go south.”

Marti chewed on her lips and furrowed her brows. “You’re right. I don’t. Are you sure it’s not an imposition?”

He rose and walked around the desk to stand in front of her. “Why don’t you go home and get whatever you and Sophie need for the night? Danny will be beside himself with excitement. His first sleepover.”

Chuckling, Marti nodded. “Sophie’s, too. I should say goodbye and make sure she’s okay with staying here.”

“Of course, follow me.” He led the way out of the office to the family room.

The kids were playing Minecraft, which was Sophie’s favorite game.

“Sophie.”

The girl turned toward her mother. “We’re not leaving already are we, Mommy?”

“Well, that’s the question. I have to go get us clothes because we’re spending the night. Do you want to go with me or stay here with Danny?”

Sophie didn’t miss a beat. “I want to stay. We just started playing the game.”

Marti smiled. “Okay. Come give me a kiss before I go.”

Sophie set down her controller and ran to her mother.

Marti knelt.

Sophie placed a loud kiss on her cheek.

Marti wrapped her arms around her for a hug. “Okay, sugar bear. I’ll be back before dinner.”

The girl ran back to Danny and the game. “Okay. Bye, Mommy.”

Shaking her head and chuckling, Marti rose. “I guess I know where I come in…second to Minecraft. Why am I not surprised?”

Caleb grinned. “Don’t we all? Minecraft is Danny’s latest obsession.”

“Hers too. Well, I’ll be off, if you’ll show me the way to the front door.”

“Sure. Follow me. Don’t be too long, because we eat supper at six.”

“Don’t worry, I should be back in about ninety minutes or less. That will depend on the traffic, but I’ll do the best I can.”

“I’m sure you will. And bring bathing suits. Danny likes to play in the pool after supper. As a matter of fact, I’m glad you’re leaving Sophie here. She and Danny are busy playing, and I’d hate to break that up just so she can ride in the car for an hour.”

She lifted a brow. “That’s very nice.” She furrowed her brows. “I’m assuming you wait for thirty minutes before going in the water.”

He dismissed her supposition with a wave of a hand. “That’s an old wives’ tale. You just need to make sure you haven’t eaten too much. If you have, then you’ll be sick whether you get in the pool or not.”

“Yeah, I suppose so.” She stood. “Well, I better be off so I can get back. Thank you for coming with me tonight and for letting Sophie stay.”

When they got to the front door, he turned to her, narrowed his eyes, and stared. “I think this could be the start of a very nice partnership.” He winked and held out his right hand. “To partners.”

She took his hand and shook it. “Partners.” She opened the door and stepped out into the blistering sun, put on her sunglasses, and hurried to her car. She started the engine and cranked the air conditioning to full blast. Then she headed home.

I’ve never worked with anyone, much less a man like Caleb Malone. Agreeing to spend the night was probably a bad idea, but Sophie will love it, and she needs to have a friend. Do I need a friend, too? Is that why I agreed to partner with Caleb?