Wrangling Wes

by Thomas, Jacquelin

  He laughed.

  Wesley escorted her up to her room. “I’d like to see you again.”

  Chapter 5

  “I’m asking you out on a second date,” Wesley stated when no response was forthcoming. He tried to gauge her reaction but could not.

  “Wesley, you don’t have to do this,” Lydia replied a few moments later. “I had a lovely time with you, but I don’t want you feeling obligated to ask me out a second time because we didn’t have dinner in Helena.”

  “That’s not it at all,” he responded. “I never do anything I don’t want to do. What I want is to take you out on a real date. We can see a movie or a play. There’s a new Broadway show in Helena that I’d like to see.”

  “Why don’t you give me a call tomorrow?” she said. “We can discuss it then.”

  Wesley surprised her by placing his lips to hers like a soft whisper. The kiss was slow and gentle.

  “I’ve wanted to do that all night,” he said in a low voice.

  Lydia looked up at him. “Good night, Wesley.”

  He smiled. “Sleep well.”

  She unlocked her door and stepped inside.

  Lydia navigated over to the sofa and sat down. Even in remembrance, she felt the intimacy of his kiss, which sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl.

  She liked Wesley Broward. Really liked him.

  I don’t think I can do this anymore, she thought. I can’t keep lying to him. It’s not right.

  Lydia opened up her laptop, which she left on the coffee table earlier. The time on it read twelve forty-five, but she wasn’t sleepy.

  For the next thirty minutes, Lydia drank hot tea and read news articles on the internet.

  Her nerves were already in shreds without adding caffeine to the mix, but there was nothing else available outside of soda.

  She had to pull herself together. Lydia did not have time to waste twiddling her thumbs. Instead she had to come up with a solution she could live with. Especially if she wanted to pursue a job managing celebrities. She had to be a problem solver and be able to think quickly on her feet.

  Maybe she was overthinking the situation, Lydia decided. Once she spoke with her employer, she might find herself on the next plane headed back to Los Angeles. Lydia had done as requested, so there was no other reason to keep her in Granger.

  She would really miss Wesley, Lydia thought sadly. It would not be easy to leave him behind.

  * * *

  Ten voice mails.

  The next morning, Lydia released a soft sigh as she stared down at her iPhone. She didn’t bother to listen to her messages because they were all from her boss, and Lydia knew exactly what she wanted.

  She climbed out of bed and padded barefoot into the bathroom.

  Fifteen minutes later, a freshly showered Lydia dropped down on the left side of her bed. Sighing softly, she grabbed her phone off the nightstand. It was time to call her employer.

  “Samara, it’s me.”

  “I’ve been waiting around for your call.” She sounded irritated. “I’m meeting my agent for breakfast, so we need to make this quick. How did your date with Wesley go?”

  “Fine,” Lydia responded.

  “What did you find out?” Samara questioned, getting right to the point.

  “Mainly the same stuff that we already knew about,” Lydia answered.

  She heard Samara heave a sigh of frustration and said, “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re looking for. Wes and his family are on the level, if that’s what you are concerned about. They are very involved with their community and they are a close-knit family.”

  “So you’re telling me that you didn’t learn anything more about Wesley Broward, other than what we have already learned?”

  “That’s pretty much it,” Lydia responded.

  She was not willing to share any more of the conversation she had with Wesley. Although Lydia was not sure why, she felt protective of him. “When do you want me to come home?”

  “I think you should stick around a little while longer,” Samara told her. “Use this time to get to know the Browards better.”

  “Why are you so interested in Wesley and his family?”

  Samara laughed. “You really read too much drama into everything, Lydia. If you must know...I’ve been offered a role in a Western and I wanted some research to make my portrayal more authentic.”

  “So why didn’t you come to Granger yourself?” Lydia inquired. “And why are you specifically focusing on Wesley?”

  “I chose Wesley Broward because he seems very much like the hero in the movie. I’d read about his family during the Olympics. Don’t worry—I’ll be coming to Granger in the near future. Until then, I need you to stay there and keep researching Wesley. Date him, do whatever it takes.”

  “I’ve told you everything about him.”

  “Start writing down everything that you learn—sometimes the tiniest details about a person are the most telling ones. Who knows...it might improve my performance.”

  Samara Lionne had both fame and beauty. As Samara did, Lydia intended to work her way up in the business. Samara also refused to speak about her past. She advised Lydia that it was best for her career to maintain an aura of elusiveness.

  Although Samara was not an easy person to work for, Lydia reminded herself daily that this is what she had to do to lay down a foundation for her future. Samara’s mood swings were legendary, and it was often rumored that her emotionality was what made her a dynamic actress.

  Lydia wished she knew what Samara was really after. She did not believe that this was just about a movie role. She was thrilled over the idea of getting closer to the cowboy, but she detested having to continue her ruse.

  Nothing good could come out of a relationship based on deceit.

  * * *

  When Lydia opened her door that morning, she was greeted by a young woman holding a dozen pale pink roses.

  “Miss LaSalle, these were just delivered here for you.”

  She took them from the woman. “Thank you. Just let me put these down and I’ll get my purse.”

  “The tip was included, Miss LaSalle.”

  Her brows rose in surprise. “Oh, well, thanks again.”

  The young woman smiled. “It’s my pleasure.”

  Lydia closed the door and held the flowers to her nose, inhaling their sweet fragrance. She carried them over to the coffee table and set them down.

  She plucked the envelope from the roses, but before she could open it, there was another knock on her door.

  Lydia got up and crossed the room quickly to open the door.

  “Wes,” she exclaimed in intense pleasure. “What are you doing here?” She stole a peek over her shoulder, and then turned back to look at him. “The flowers are from you, right?”

  “Yeah, the flowers came from me,” he answered. “The reason I came by this morning is because I’m not good at waiting for some things. After last night, I wasn’t really sure where things stood between us. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.”

  “I thought that I would have to leave sooner than originally planned, but as it turns out, I will be staying in Granger a little while longer.”

  Wesley grinned. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “I must look a mess,” she muttered, running her fingers through her hair.

  “No, you don’t,” Wesley quickly interjected. “You are naturally beautiful, Lydia. You don’t need a bunch of cosmetics.”

  She gestured for him to have a seat on the sofa.

  “How did you know that I love roses?” Lydia questioned as she sat down beside him.

  “The perfume you wore last night was a light floral scent, so I just took a wild guess,” Wesley responded.

>   His response triggered a smile on her face.

  “I meant what I told you last night, Lydia. I would like to spend more time with you.”

  Lydia wanted to spend time with him, as well—not just because Samara ordered her to do so. Wesley was a nice guy and he deserved the truth. The thought tore at her insides.

  He surveyed her face for a moment. “What’s wrong? You know, I should’ve asked if you’re seeing someone.”

  “No, I’m not,” Lydia responded. “I’m single.”

  “You look like something’s bothering you.”

  “It is,” she confirmed. Lydia sat in the chair, her slender fingers tensed in her lap. “Wes, I really like you and, well...I haven’t been completely honest with you. I need to tell you the truth.”

  “I’d appreciate that,” he said quietly. Something was flickering far back in his eyes. Disappointment?

  Awkwardly, she cleared her throat. “First off, my name is Lydia Emerson. Despite how things may look, I am not an heiress. I work as a personal assistant for a well-known actress, and I’m here researching cowboys for an upcoming role.”

  “I really don’t like being lied to,” Wesley stated.

  “I don’t like lying,” Lydia responded, flinching at the tone of his voice. “This is why I’m telling you the truth now.”

  Wesley hesitated, measuring her for a moment. “Who is this actress?”

  Lydia chose her words carefully. “Wes, I can’t tell you that. I’ve already put my job on the line by telling you as much as I have.”

  “The money you bid...it was her money? So, you were faking all of this time to get close to me?”

  “No, I wasn’t faking anything,” she answered thickly. “Yeah, the money was hers...but Wes, I really like you—there is nothing phony about my feelings.”

  He moved closer, gazing into Lydia’s eyes as if trying to judge the truthfulness of her confession.

  “I feel horrible for lying to you,” she whispered.

  Lydia realized that she was shaking, but it was not from fear. She knew deep down that Wesley would never hurt her, but he was disappointed in her.

  She looked up at him with an effort. “I’m sorry, Wes.”

  Wes kissed her.

  When he finally pulled away, he said, “If your boss wants information, we’ll give it to her. I’ll tell you anything you want to know as long as it’s about being a cowboy or a rancher.”

  Lydia wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. “Are you serious?”

  Wesley nodded. “Yeah. If you want information about ranching, I’ll give you a firsthand view.”

  Uncertainty crept into her expression. Although he seemed fine, Lydia wasn’t sure things would ever be the same between them.

  * * *

  Wesley believed Lydia because he wanted to believe that his instincts were right about her.

  He appreciated and admired Lydia for confessing the truth to him. Initially, he was disappointed to find that she had been lying about her identity, but Wesley understood the need for secrecy somewhat. He was curious about the actress she worked for, but he respected Lydia’s wishes to withhold the woman’s identity.

  “Please say something,” she whispered. “I want to know that we can get past this.”

  He glanced over at her and smiled. “We already have, sweetheart.”

  Lydia shook her head regretfully.

  Wesley awarded her a smile. “I understand why you did it.”

  “I want you to know that you can trust me, Wes. I...”

  He reached over and took her hand in his own. “We’re okay.”

  “Have you had breakfast?” Lydia inquired.

  “No,” he responded. “Why?”

  “Would you join me in the restaurant downstairs? I’m starving.” Lydia rose to her feet. “Oh, and I’m buying.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I want to,” she insisted with a smile. “I’m not taking no for an answer, Wes.”

  They left the suite and walked the short distance to the elevator.

  “You’re a very special woman, Lydia.”

  “Don’t do that,” she said. “Wes, please don’t go putting me on a pedestal. You’ll only be disappointed if I can’t live up to it.”

  Wesley nodded in understanding as they stepped onto the elevator.

  Lydia was correct in her assumptions. Many of the women in his past accused him of lacking the patience for human fallacy. He never considered that they just might be right. It was true that he held himself in high regard and he had high expectations of those he cared about.

  Nobody’s perfect, he reminded himself. Not even me.

  A few minutes later, they stepped off the elevator and entered the restaurant.

  They were seated quickly.

  “What are your plans for today?” he asked her.

  “I have some paperwork I need to complete and send off before noon,” Lydia said. “Then I have a conference call scheduled at two.”

  “Sounds like you have a very busy day ahead of you.”

  She picked up the menu. “I do. That’s one thing about this job—I do stay busy.”

  “Do you think you’ll be up to spending some time with me later this evening?” Wesley inquired. “I was thinking that maybe we could see a movie and have dinner afterward.”

  “I’d really like that,” Lydia stated.

  The waitress arrived with two glasses of ice water, which she set down in front of them.

  “Would you like anything else to drink besides water?” she asked.

  “I don’t need anything else,” Lydia responded.

  “I’d like a cup of coffee black.” Wesley glanced over at her. “Are you ready to order?”

  Lydia nodded.

  The woman took their breakfast orders.

  “Wes, are we really okay?” she inquired after the waitress walked away. “I don’t want you to think that I was playing some cruel joke on you, because I wasn’t. It was nothing like that.”

  The sound of her voice affected Wesley deeply. He found it soothing and comforting. He deliberately shut off any awareness of the other people in the restaurant. “Sweetheart, I believe you and I want you to believe me now. We are fine. My opinion hasn’t changed about you.”

  Lydia seemed to relax then.

  “What type of role are you researching?” he asked. “Is it a rancher or something else?”

  She nodded. “A female rancher and her family. They’re a very close family—very similar to yours, I would say.”

  “You might get a better feel if you talk to the women in my family. Laney or my mother can actually discuss it from a woman’s perspective,” Wesley stated. “You should also talk to them.” He was willing to do whatever he could to help Lydia with her task. He harbored a selfish reason, as well. It would give him an opportunity to get to know her better.

  “That would be great,” she murmured. “Do you think they’d mind talking to me?”

  Wesley shook his head no. “My mother would love it for sure. Laney won’t mind, either.”

  “Would you ask them and let me know if it’s okay?”

  The food arrived.

  Wesley gave the blessing.

  He and Lydia both instinctively reached for the bottle of hot sauce.

  “You like hot sauce on your scrambled eggs?” she asked him.

  Nodding, Wesley responded, “You, too?”

  They laughed.

  “I knew we had something in common,” he said. “Never thought it would be this.”

  Lydia sprinkled drops of hot sauce on her eggs. “How do you like your pizza?”

  “With lots of meat and jalapeños.”

  Her eyes smoldered with fi
re as she met his gaze.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke.

  She broke the silence by clearing her throat softly. “Pizza...I like mine loaded with meat, as well, but with red pepper sprinkled on it. That’s another thing we have in common.”

  “We’re on a roll,” he commented.

  “I bet you like taking long walks,” Lydia guessed aloud.

  “How did you know that?”

  “You live on a large ranch. You have to love taking walks to get around on that property.”

  He chuckled.

  “So am I right?” she asked. Lydia stuck a forkful of eggs in her mouth.

  Wesley nodded. “I still enjoy taking a walk and enjoying the fresh air.”

  His gaze traveled slowly over Lydia’s face, his pulse quickening at the speculation. His fingers ached to reach over and touch her. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he was watching her.

  “You do that a lot, you know.”

  “Do what?” he asked.

  “Stare at me like that,” Lydia responded.

  “It’s because I find you incredibly attractive and very sexy. I could look at you for a thousand years and it would never be enough.”

  She fanned her hand back and forth. “If I didn’t know better, I would say that you’re trying to make me swoon.”

  Wesley threw back his head and laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever been told that.”

  “Are the rumors about you being a ladies’ man true?” Lydia inquired.

  “There was a time when it was true, but not anymore.”

  “What happened to change it?”

  “I decided I wanted to find someone to share my life with and so I needed to change me.”

  “That’s very mature.”

  Wesley smiled. “A good woman wants a good man.”

  Lydia nodded in agreement. “True.”

  He picked up his water glass and took a long sip.

  “I want you to know that I find you a very interesting man, Wes.”

  “Hopefully, your interest will keep you in Granger for a while,” he responded. “I have to admit that I’m not looking forward to the day when you tell me you’re leaving.”

  “I’m not looking forward to that day, either,” Lydia confessed.