Page 47 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

“He’s the billionaire from Chicago who everyone’s talking about.”

“Not everyone.” A billionaire on campus was news to her. Logan Miles was bigger news.

“Why would a billionaire eat dinner in our humble dining hall?”

She smiled and pointed to her plate. “Because the beef stroganoff is good. That’s why I’m here.”

“But he could eat anywhere. Fly in food from Chicago in his private jet.”

“Seriously? That sounds insane.”

“It happens. I saw it on a reality TV show.”

Becky rolled her eyes. “Stop watching trash. Billionaires are just people like us who happen to have a lot of money.”

“I’ve never met a billionaire.” Cindy sighed. “Logan Miles is rich and famous, but even he’s not a billionaire.”

“Billionaires and celebrities can be normal people.” Her parents’ lifelong friends who owned the horse stud were billionaires. They’d made bank on energy sector investments, and the family fortune had skyrocketed into Australia’s rich list.

Cindy shook her head. “I’m not convinced. Money changes people. Sometimes ruins them.”

“I won’t argue that point. The love of money gets a lot of people into trouble.”

“Exactly.” Cindy grasped Becky’s forearm. “Don’t look up. Corey is alone, carrying his tray and heading in our direction.”

“Oh boy. I’ll ignore him.” She stared at her plate and focused on eating. He could be meeting friends at a nearby table. He might want to eat alone and listen to a podcast. He’d recommended a couple of history podcasts during class the other day. She’d tune in and listen after Easter when she regained leisure time.

“Hi, Becky. Cindy. Can I join you for dinner?” Corey asked.

She looked up. He wore the hopeful puppy dog expression that felt mean to reject.

“Sure.” It wasn’t like she had a choice. It was only dinner. Cindy was here.

His face brightened and he sat opposite. “How’s the play going?”

“Good.” She moved food around on her plate. “I’m busy juggling the play and my studies.” The same old line she trotted out every time Corey showed an interest in her life… which was at least once a week.

“Too busy for church. I see Cindy on Sundays, but you’re never there.”

“No.” Cindy jumped in, her tone defensive. “We’ve already told you Becky is going to church with my cousin.”

He turned to Becky. “That’s now a permanent thing.”

“Until I go home in June.” Becky reined in her frustration at covering the same ground with Corey over and over. She wasn’t interested in dating Corey. Why couldn’t he acknowledge and accept it?

“Don’t mind me. I’ll pray the blessing before I eat.” Corey closed his eyes, his lips moving as if he was talking aloud.

She exchanged a glance with Cindy. Corey wouldn’t take their gentle hints. He asked Cindy about her every Sunday morning after church. He sat near her in class and tried to engage her in conversation. It had progressed past awkward and shifted toward creepy territory. She prayed Corey would open his ears and listen.

Corey opened his eyes and smiled. “Becky, did you receive your essay results?”

She nodded. “I haven’t had a chance to read the comments.” She was pleased with her mark on the King David essay. A fair result for the time and effort she’d invested.

“My essay mark topped the class.”

“Congratulations.” Becky wasn’t surprised. He’d told her he’d spent hours researching Solomon. More hours than she’d spent on researching and writing her own essay.

“Would you like to read it?” he asked.

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