The Maverick's Thirty-Day Marriage
Author
Rochelle Alers
Reads
18.8K
Chapters
17
Chapter 1
Ross Burris was leading the stallion out of the stable to join the other grazing horses when he saw the stray dog coming in his direction. He’d left fresh water in the stable for him. It was a ritual that had begun a week before when Ross found the small brown and tan poodle-terrier-mix puppy asleep next to the horse stalls. But whenever he attempted to touch him, the dog scampered off, which prompted Ross to call him Scamp.
He wasn’t certain where the canine had come from or whether he had an owner. After drinking water, Scamp would disappear and then return in the evening to find some food waiting for him. It was the least Ross could do; he’d always had a soft spot for animals.
Once he’d earned enough prize money as a bronc rider Ross had bought the property with a modest house, barn, a stable with enough stalls for six horses, two outbuildings, and enough grazing land for a small herd. He’d also purchased an abandoned building closer to town in Bronco Valley. Once it was renovated, he planned to establish an after-school enrichment program where volunteers could assist students with their homework, lessons, and test prep. But, that only would become a reality once he retired from the rodeo.
It was the beginning of May, and in another seven weeks he would return to the rodeo circuit, but meanwhile he wanted to enjoy springtime in Montana. The brilliant sun in a cloudless sky indicated another hotter than usual day. Taking a handkerchief from the pocket of his jeans, he pushed back his Stetson and wiped his forehead. Then he began mucking, washing, and hosing the stalls before he climbed the ladder to the loft for a bale of hay.
He’d come to enjoy the physical ranch work because it not only kept him in peak physical condition but afforded him time away from competing. However, Ross wasn’t going to begrudge a sport that had been responsible for him earning enough money for a comfortable lifestyle.
And then there was being in the spotlight as one of the younger brothers of Geoff Burris, known as the Tiger Woods of rodeo. As one of the most famous Black rodeo riders in the country, Geoff had elevated the Burris name so that the hype went into overdrive whenever they competed. For Ross though, since moving onto the ranch, he had come to look forward to spending more time at home than on the road. When he’d mentioned going into semi-retirement, Geoff and Jack had teased him that at twenty-six he was too young to sit on his porch and stare at the sunset like a grandpa. However, what they didn’t know was that he was more like his brother Mike who was in medical school. Except that Ross’s focus, like their parents, was education. Their mother taught kindergarten; their father was a high school principal and basketball coach.
The sun was still high in the sky when Ross returned to the house and checked his cell phone. He had a voicemail message from the Bronco Convention Center’s new marketing director asking him to see her about a promotion project. Curious, he set up a meeting for later that afternoon and got cleaned up.
Two hours later, after Ross parked his Silverado at the convention center, he found Rylee Parker in her office. He knocked softly on the open door and her head popped up. She smiled when she saw him.
“Please come in, Ross. And thank you for coming.”
Ross took a seat opposite her and returned her smile. He pointed to the diamond ring on her left hand. “Congratulations on your engagement.” Rylee was now engaged to local rancher Shep Dalton.
Rylee shyly lowered her blue eyes. “Thank you.” A beat passed, then she said, “I wanted to talk to you about being interviewed by a television reporter doing a piece on rodeo performers. Her boss wanted her to get an exclusive with Geoff, but because he’s out of the country I thought you would step in for him.”
Surprised, Ross leaned back in his chair. He had thought Chuck Carter, the manager of the convention center, had come up with another event, like the Mistletoe Rodeo and Bronco Summer Family Rodeo, which would include the Burris and Hawkins rodeo families. His brother Jack had married Audrey Hawkins and his brother Mike was engaged to Corinne Hawkins. He also did not want to agree to the interview when he knew his days and years as a rodeo performer were winding down.
He shook his head. “I don’t know about this, Rylee.” Ross was hesitant to agree to the interview because he didn’t want to give up spending time at the ranch.
She picked up a folder and handed it to him. “Before you turn me down, please look at this. The reporter works for the Chicago affiliate of a major television station and her credentials are impeccable. And I’m certain a little more publicity can only elevate your family’s profile.”
Ross thought Rylee was coming on a little too strong with her pitch, but the instant he opened the press kit and saw the black-and-white headshot of the reporter he suddenly had a change of mind. Celeste Montgomery wasn’t smiling, yet there was a barely perceptible parting of her lips that drew his rapt attention. Everything about the woman radiated confidence. He flipped through the pages, pretending to be interested, while the image of the journalist’s beautiful face was imprinted on his brain.
“She really needs this interview, Ross.”
“Why?”
Rylee tilted her head. “If you agree, I’m certain she’ll explain everything to you.”
Ross closed the folder and set it on the desk. The near-pleading tone in Rylee’s voice aroused his curiosity. Just why did Celeste Montgomery need this interview? “Okay. Tell Ms. Montgomery that I’ll meet her tomorrow at one at DJ’s Deluxe. I’ll be waiting for her at the bar.”
Rylee laced her fingers together in a prayerful gesture. “Thank you, Ross.”
Pushing to his feet, he stood and nodded. “You’re welcome.” He was curious as to why Celeste had accepted the assignment to do a story on Black rodeo performers. He was also curious if she would look as good in person as she had in her photo, and there was only one way to find out, and it would be to meet her the following day.
I suppose one Burris is better than no Burris.
That was what Celeste Montgomery continued to tell herself as she walked into the upscale barbecue restaurant in Bronco Heights. When Rylee had called to tell her Ross Burris was willing to meet her, she’d immediately researched him. And what she’d discovered had given her pause. Unlike his brothers Geoff, Jack, and Mike, Ross had come to be known as a Rodeo Romeo. The consensus was he had a different woman in every town, and his reputation as a love ’em and leave ’em guy had relegated him to bad boy territory.
Celeste wasn’t sure of Ross’s romantic exploits, but she was certain her boss had sent her to Montana to get rid of her. Well, Dean Johnson might have it in for her, but Celeste was determined to prove she could manage any assignment.
Dean had wanted her to get an exclusive with Geoff Burris, but with him out of the country on an extended vacation with his fiancée, she settled on the next best thing. Another Burris brother.
Celeste pulled back her shoulders when she walked into DJ’s Deluxe and saw Ross Burris sitting at the bar. It was no wonder women flocked to him like bees to flowers. The man was gorgeous. She didn’t know why, but Celeste thought he would’ve worn a plaid shirt, jeans, and boots and not the snap-button white shirt, black suede jacket, tailored slacks, and shiny black boots. So much for her believing the stereotype of the quintessential cowboy. He picked up a black Stetson off a stool and met her as she extended her right hand.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Mr. Burris.”
“No problem, Ms. Montgomery.”
Celeste felt the calluses on his palm and a shiver of awareness shot up her arm when she looked up into the large deep brown eyes that she found mesmerizing. She struggled to pull her gaze away and her eyes lit on his mouth outlined by a trimmed mustache and goatee. “Please, call me Celeste.”
Ross inclined his head as he released her hand. “I will only if you call me Ross.”
Celeste smiled at the same time she drew in an audible breath. She didn’t know why, but meeting Ross Burris had taken her breath away. “Then, Ross it is.”
“Do you mind if we conduct your interview over lunch?”
“Of course not.” Celeste hadn’t had anything other than a cup of coffee earlier that morning because she spent hours on her laptop scrolling through posts on social media while jotting down notes. And she was glad Ross had suggested eating at DJ’s Deluxe because she loved barbecue.
Ross seated Celeste, then rounded the table to sit opposite her. He knew it was impolite to stare, but he couldn’t pull his gaze away from Celeste as he focused on her long black straightened hair and expressive brown eyes and delicate features in a flawless khaki-brown complexion. Everything about her screamed big-city elegance with her black tailored pantsuit, designer heels, and matching handbag. Pearl studs in her ears and the strand on her slender neck completed her professional look.
“Would you like something to drink before we order?” he asked as he lowered his eyes.
“Yes. I’d like a sparkling water.”
Ross signaled for a waiter and put in their beverage requests. He waited for her to peruse the menu and when the waiter returned with their drinks, they both placed their orders.
Lifting his glass of craft beer, he touched his glass to hers. “Work is good, provided you do not forget to live.”
Celeste peered at him through her lashes. “Did you make that up?”
Ross shook his head, smiling. “No. That’s a Bantu proverb.”
She went still. “You know about the Bantu people?”
He looked surprised. “Surely you researched me.” At her nod, he added, “And what did you uncover?”
A beat passed while Celeste took a sip of water. “That you don’t have the best reputation when it comes to women.”
Ross shook his head. “You can’t believe everything you read.”
“Oh, it’s like that,” she said, as she gave him a look that he interpreted as disbelief. “You’re denying what’s been posted on social media, that you’re a love ’em and leave ’em guy?”
“Vehemently. Now, do I look like the type to take advantage of a woman?”
“I don’t know, Ross, because I don’t know you.”
He grinned across the table. “Are you saying you would like to get to know me?”
Celeste’s jaw dropped before she quickly recovered. There was no way she was going to permit herself to be drawn in by this cowboy oozing sexual magnetism. She had worked much too hard to be taken in by the charm he flaunted like a badge of honor.
“If you mean getting to know you well enough for you to grant me an interview, then yes.”
“If, and I say if I agree to the interview, then I want final approval on whatever you submit to your network.”
“Are you saying you don’t want me to question you about a recent incident involving a Texas woman and a video of your breakup?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
It was obvious from his expression that he didn’t like her mentioning his reputation with women and she decided to press the issue. “What about the other women who posted similar comments about you?”
His back straightened. “Do you plan to interview me about the rodeo or my personal life?”
“But isn’t your personal life tied to the rodeo?”
“No. What I do as a bronc rider has nothing to do with what I do when I’m not competing. And as a professional journalist I’m certain you don’t believe everything you read on the internet.”
“Yes, you’re right about that. But as a journalist I must have the facts.”
Ross took a drink, then his eyes met hers, and she felt as if they saw straight through her. “Let me ask you, Celeste. What do you know about the rodeo?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“I don’t understand. Why have you been assigned to cover a sport you know absolutely nothing about?”
Celeste knew she had to be straightforward with Ross for him to agree to be interviewed. “I had no input when it came to this assignment.”
A slight frown appeared between Ross’s eyes. “Something’s not adding up. You claim you’re clueless when it comes to knowing about the rodeo, yet you’re assigned to interview one of the sport’s more popular bronc riders?”
Celeste lowered her eyes. She knew it was time to become completely open with Ross. “It’s my boss.”
Ross leaned over the table. “What about him?”
“I used to think he doesn’t like women. Then I realized he just doesn’t like me, and lately he’s been making my life a living hell. He’s setting me up to fail when assigning me to a project I know nothing about because he wants me to quit, but I refuse to give him that satisfaction. He sent me to Montana because for him it’s out of sight, out of mind.” She paused. “It’s unprofessional of me to dump this on you, but you need to know why I really need this interview.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Celeste. I’m certain if we put our heads together, we can kill two birds with one stone.”
Her brows creased as she gave him an inquiring look. “Two birds?”
“You can help me repair my bad boy image while I can help you keep your job.”
Now she was intrigued. What exactly was he planning in that handsome head of his? “How?”
“It’s something big, but I’m not certain whether you’ll be able to manage it.”
Celeste, aware of Ross’s reputation as a player, hoped he wasn’t about to try and mess with her head. She’d had enough of that with her last boyfriend. “I won’t know what it is until you tell me.”
“Marry me.”
Ross watched as she held a napkin over her mouth to stifle the laughter she was helpless to control. She was still laughing when the server set their orders on the table.
“What made you come up with something as ludicrous as that?” she asked, once the man walked away.
Celeste may have thought it was ludicrous, but for Ross it wasn’t. “I know you’ve read things about me on social media, but I need to explain the last one that has generated overwhelmingly negative comments about me.”
“Tell me about it.”
“I met that woman in Texas, and we shared dinner twice because I found her interesting, but nothing beyond that. She thought we were a couple and when I told her we weren’t she turned on me.”
“She claimed you were a couple after two dates?”
Ross nodded. “Yes. Unfortunately, it was played out in a restaurant where someone videotaped her rant and posted it. What followed was an onslaught of postings that basically said Ross Burris is a dog who thinks that commitment is a four-letter word.”
“What about relationships?” Celeste asked.
“I haven’t had many serious relationships because I haven’t wanted one.”
“You don’t want a serious relationship, yet you want me to marry you?”
Ross wanted to tell Celeste that he wasn’t ready for marriage, but circumstances beyond his control dictated that he had to do what was necessary to make his dream of opening the student center a reality. While on the rodeo circuit, he’d spent his free time taking online courses at graduate school and now that he was ready to embark on the second phase of his life, negative comments on social media were threatening to derail all he’d sacrificed to achieve.
Ross nodded again as he stared at his steak burger covered with a balsamic glaze and topped with bacon jam. “If we marry, then I know things will change. What’s being posted bothers me because I know, and my family knows, none of it’s true.”
Celeste pointed to his plate. “You need to start eating before your food gets cold.”
After Ross took a bite, he told Celeste about his future plans. “I want to start a nonprofit after-school learning center for kids in Bronco Valley. But those plans may be impacted because of the negative comments about my character. I’m giving the rodeo another four years before I stop competing full-time.”
With wide eyes, Celeste asked, “You’re retiring?”
“Not completely. I still plan to compete but part-time.”
Celeste was more confused than ever. Ross wanted her to marry him—a stranger—but how could that help him, or better yet benefit her? “This sounds much too confusing for me, Ross.”
He reached across the table, then held her hand. “We’ll have to become consummate actors and appear to have fallen madly in love with each other. It’ll have to look like you’re so special that I couldn’t imagine my life without you, and I had to propose marriage. That this is the reason I didn’t become involved with other women because I was in love with Celeste Montgomery. I’m certain this backstory will surpass you interviewing my brother.”
Had he been kicked in the head by a bull one time too many? “Nobody is going to believe that, Ross. That we were seeing each other secretly.”
Ross increased his hold on her hand. “Would you believe that you’re the first woman I’ve ever felt an instantaneous connection to? When Rylee showed me your press kit with your photo, I knew I wanted to meet you.”
Celeste was helpless to ignore the tingling sensations that made her more than aware of her physical reaction to Ross Burris. That told her his charm wasn’t lost on her and that she had to be careful not to be taken in by it. Neither could she ignore his intention to set up a nonprofit for schoolchildren. Maybe he was right and the online negative comments about his treatment of women were wrong. Still...
“I don’t know, Ross. This all just seems so...ridiculous. I—” Her words were cut off when her cell phone dinged a familiar ringtone. “Excuse me, but I must answer this. It’s my boss. Hello, Dean.”
“Did you get the interview?”
Celeste closed her eyes and held the phone away from her ear. She didn’t know why he had to shout whenever he spoke to her. “Not yet. But I’m working on it.”
“You gave me that excuse more than a week ago. How long is it going to take for you to get an interview with Burris? I’m warning you that if you don’t get the story then I’ll assign it to someone else who is a lot more qualified.”
She opened her eyes and saw Ross staring at her. “I said I am working on it.” She’d stressed each word. Ross took out his cell phone, his fingers moving quickly, and then turned it for her to see what he’d typed. “Wait a minute, Dean,” she said when reading what Ross had put on his phone.
Tell him you’ll have an even bigger story than the interview with Geoff. If you’ll marry me.
“I said that I’m working on it because I have an even bigger story than the one with Geoff Burris, and it has to do with one of his brothers.” She hoped she sounded convincing.
“What is it?”
“I can’t tell you now, but I’m certain you’ll like it.”
“Okay, Celeste. Whatever you’re working on better be something that will boost ratings.”
She didn’t want to believe Dean was talking about boosting ratings while she was trying to keep her job. “Oh, I’m certain it will,” she said, while praying that she wasn’t about to cross the line and compromise her career.
But when she thought about interviewing Geoff Burris or marrying his so-called bad boy brother, Ross, there was no doubt the latter would generate a social media frenzy. And knowing ratings-hungry Dean Johnson, he would eat up every word.
“Did he buy it?” Ross asked once she ended the call.
Celeste nodded, smiling. “I think he did.”
“So, what’s it going to be, Celeste? Are we going to get married?”
In that instant Celeste felt as if she were on a precipice. Either she had to remain rooted to the spot or jump off into the unknown. And the unknown was becoming Mrs. Ross Burris. She’d promised Dean she would deliver something that would boost ratings, and she knew she had to follow through on the promise or be reassigned, or even possibly fired. Dean knew she liked being a TV sports reporter, and her future included becoming a sports announcer.
She drew in a ragged breath and let it out, slowly. She could hardly believe it when she said the word, “Yes.”
Ross smiled and she returned it with one of her own, hoping she appeared more confident than she felt at that moment.
“Now it’s time to get started. Where are you staying?”
“I’m at the Heights Hotel.”
“I suggest you check out. I’ll come by later this afternoon to bring you to my place, and we’ll go over the plans for our whirlwind courtship and marriage.”
“You want me to sleep at your house?”
“Of course. It makes sense if we’ve been dating and planning to marry.”
Celeste could not ignore the pinpricks of heat flooding her face. She was a twenty-eight-year-old woman who’d had one meaningful relationship, and she didn’t want Ross to believe she wouldn’t be able to hold her own in their marriage of convenience.
“I’ll be packed and ready when you get there,” she said, as the waiter brought the bill.
She hated that Ross handed the server his credit card before she could. It made her feel like this was a date, which it wasn’t. It was a simple arrangement. To repair his less than favorable reputation, while at the same time get her an exclusive on one of rodeo’s Black superstars.
Ross settled the check and walked her to her rental car in the parking lot. He took a step toward her, bringing them less than a foot apart. “I’ll pick you up at four. You can either turn in your rental car or leave it at the hotel. I have an extra vehicle you can use while you’re here.”
Celeste nodded. “Okay, I’ll be in the lobby.”
He took another step, angled his head, and brushed his mouth over hers. “Later, bae.”
Celeste froze. She hadn’t expected him to kiss her, but realized he was attempting to make their relationship appear real to anyone who saw them. When she noticed people staring at them, Celeste put an arm around his neck and, going on tiptoe, breathed a kiss under his ear.
“Later, my love,” she whispered.
She knew she’d shocked Ross when he stared at her in stunned silence. If it was his intent to play a game, then he didn’t know that she was more than up to the task. She’d interviewed more than her share of flirty professional athletes in her career, and she’d learned how to deal with them.
She waited for Ross to open the door to her vehicle, and then slipped in behind the wheel. She drove out of the parking lot, leaving him standing in the same spot. Something told Celeste that Ross Burris was used to controlling everything and all situations. But not this time. He wanted a fake wife to enhance his image—but she needed a story that was certain to blow up the internet.
