She shifted in her chair. “Why do you want to sell it?”
“I bought it with the idea that I would breed more heritage animals, but right now, I’m contemplating my future in ranching.”
“So, you don’t want to do this anymore?”
“It’s not something I want to do forever,” he admitted. “I don’t want to see good land go to waste, so I think it’s best to sell.”
“Makes sense to me,” Lydia murmured. “You are very good at what you do, Wes, but if it’s not your passion, then maybe it is time to make a change. For some people, staying in the family business is the easy way to surf through life. It’s more of a challenge to find a place where you fit in or discover what you love to do.”
“So what do you think I should do?” Wesley inquired.
“You really want to know?”
He gave a slight nod.
“Wes, if I were you, I’d get a job outside of ranching. I can tell you that hunting for employment sucks, but this is exactly why you should do it. The process is humbling because on one level, you are asking someone to pay you to work so you can eat. On another level, it requires understanding yourself well enough to talk about your dreams, your strengths and your weaknesses. Wes, you need to experience what it is like to ask for a day off from someone who doesn’t love you. Job hunting is a rite of passage, and if you don’t go through it, you risk stunted growth.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever looked at job hunting from this perspective. Strangely, it makes perfect sense to me.”
“I’ve heard people often say how much they regret not taking enough risks. I intend to live my life to the fullest,” Lydia said. “Wes, you need to make sure that staying in the family business will not make you wish later that you were a risk taker.”
“Risks are different for everyone,” Wesley interjected.
“You’re right,” Lydia replied. “But have you found something that scared you—yet you did it anyway?”
Her words made Wesley pause for thought. “Nothing I can think of.”
“Establishing yourself independently from your family can be scary, Wes, but it’s what you need to do. Get off the ranch and see the world. After that, you will be able to see yourself more clearly. Whether you decide to stay in the family business or leave to do something else—you will be able to make the decision honestly.”
“Beautiful and wise,” Wesley uttered. “A perfect combination.”
She acknowledged the compliment with a bright smile. “What’s the first thing you would do if you had the opportunity?”
“I’d go to Europe,” he told her. “I’ve always wanted to travel. Just never really had the time.”
After he paid the check, they left the restaurant and headed back to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the evening.
Lydia turned on the television, but their passion for one another took over and they made out like high school kids on the sofa.
When Wesley finally left her hotel room, Lydia’s lips were tender from his passion-filled kisses. Her body temperature hadn’t cooled yet, so she decided to take a bubble bath, hoping to ease some of the pent-up tension she felt. No other man’s touch had ever left her burning with desire.
Chapter 10
“Wes has been wonderful,” Lydia told Samara over the phone. “I spent a couple of days on the ranch with him and his family. They are all so nice. They shared so much of their lives with me. I have several pages of notes for you. Would you like me to email them to you?”
“What else have you found out about them? Anything that doesn’t have to do with ranching?”
“Samara, there really isn’t anything more to learn about Wes and his family. They are of high moral character and upstanding people. None of them have criminal records.”
“I read somewhere that Wesley’s parents had an arranged marriage. Is this true?”
“I don’t know, but I highly doubt it,” Lydia responded. “You only have to see them together to know that they deeply love one another.”
“Maybe that’s what they want you to see,” Samara retorted.
Lydia was stunned by her response. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s not important.”
She bit back her frustration with Samara. When her boss did things like this, it grated Lydia’s nerves.
“Everybody has a skeleton or two in their closet,” Samara stated. “I’m just curious about the ones hanging in the Browards’ closets.”
“What would this have to do with a movie role? I’d like to know what you’ve gotten me into.”
“They come across as the perfect family. I’m just trying to humanize them—that’s all.”
“You make it sound as if the movie is about the Browards.”
“It’s not,” Samara responded. “Lydia, I don’t expect you to understand. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to acting and I like to learn everything—the good and the bad—about a person if I’m using them to research a role.”
Lydia was not comfortable breaking Wesley’s confidence. She did not want to betray him in that way.
“I don’t think I can get what you’re looking for,” she told Samara. “If I keep asking questions, especially personal ones, Wes is going to get suspicious.”
“All you have to do is get close to him, Lydia. You’re a pretty girl.... Just let nature take its course.”
“I hope you’re not suggesting that I sleep with Wes,” Lydia uttered. “Because I’m not going to do that.”
“It’s not what I’m saying at all, Lydia,” Samara responded. “I just thought that he might be attracted to you, so why not flirt around a little?”
Although she and Wesley were closer than ever, Lydia chose not to disclose their relationship to Samara. She did not relish keeping secrets from her boss, but Lydia was afraid that it might lead to questions she was not prepared to answer.
* * *
Lydia had vowed never to come near Shadow again, but Wesley convinced her to try riding a second time. It had taken a lot of kisses and pleading to get her to consider his request, but she finally gave in.
Wesley wanted to give her a more in-depth view of what his life was like as a rancher. Lydia needed to know so that she could determine whether or not she really wanted to be a part of his life. She was a city girl, which was a much different way of life from a woman growing up in Granger.
He met Lydia at the car and greeted her with a kiss. “I hope it’s not too early for you.”
“Getting up at four in the morning—no, it’s not too early,” she responded with a short laugh. “I’m usually turning over at this time.”
Wesley chuckled. “Hey, you wanted an insider’s view of ranching.”
“That I did,” Lydia admitted. “Getting up with the chickens must make for a long day.”
“Most days we are always so busy, it actually seems more that there aren’t enough hours to get everything done.”
Lydia walked beside him toward the stables. “I can see how much you love your horses, this place and your family,” she said. “You really have a strong connection to this land.”
“We are a very close-knit family,” Wesley admitted. “This will always be home to me, but like you said, I need to experience another way of life.”
“Doing so may bring you right back to Granger,” Lydia said. “But you’ll have peace of mind because you will know for sure that this is where you belong.” She paused a moment before asking, “Have you discussed any of this with your family?”
Wesley nodded. “I’ve talked with my grandpa some, but that’s about it. He pretty much told me the same thing you did.”
“Try lots of things until you find the one thing that you are passionate about,” she said. “Then you’ll know.”
He gave h
er a smile that warmed her to the core.
“I like that you’re very easy to talk to, Lydia.”
“I’m also a great listener.” She took his hand in her own. “Wes, I’ve been in this same situation as you. I had no idea what I really wanted to do until now.”
“Do you enjoy your job as a personal assistant?” he asked.
His question caught her off guard. “I like what I do,” Lydia answered, “but it’s just a stepping-stone. I have plans to own my own entertainment management firm one day. Hopefully, this stint as a personal assistant will open the door to landing a job in entertainment.”
“Sounds like you know what you really want.” Wes was taken aback by her response. He had not expected her to have such long-term plans. He reminded himself that she was nothing like him when it came to goals in life. Lydia knew what she wanted and she set her mind to achieve her dreams.
“I do,” Lydia stated. “I’ve known since college, but it’s not an easy path. I’m not a quitter, so I’ll take it one day at a time.”
“I admire your determination.” Wesley could not help but wonder where he fit into her life. Would she be willing to give up her dream to be with him? It was not a question he was prepared to ask.
They shared a smile.
Twenty minutes later, Wesley rode out of the stables ahead of Lydia. He glanced back over his shoulder. “Are you coming?”
“I’m right behind you,” she responded. “Shadow and I had to have a serious talk.”
“It wasn’t Shadow’s fault,” Wesley stated. “I bought you a new saddle. It should be a little more comfortable for you.”
“I think I have calluses on my bottom from the last time, so I should be good,” she retorted.
Wesley threw back his head and laughed.
They caught up with the cowboys leading the cattle to pasture.
She had chosen a perfect day for shadowing Wesley. The sun was shining bright and the temperature comfortable.
Lydia pulled her hat down to block more of the sunlight.
She pulled up beside Wesley.
“Hanging in there?” he inquired.
“Yeah,” Lydia responded. “I can’t believe I’m actually on a cattle drive.”
“I can hardly believe it myself,” Wesley said with a chuckle.
She sent him a sharp glare.
“We will be trailing two hundred and fifty cow and calf pairs,” he announced. “Today’s ride will cover the south section of the allotment, but before a cattle drive can take place, the cowhands have to round them up.”
“Is that what we’re waiting on?”
He nodded.
“This is so exciting,” she gushed. Lydia never could have imagined she would be so ecstatic over a cattle run.
“Let’s see if you still feel this way by the end of the day,” Wesley commented.
He introduced her to a man he referred to as a point rider.
“Okay, what’s a point rider?” she asked.
“He rides at the front of the herd,” Wesley explained. “The cowboy riding the rear is called a drag rider. Then there is the flank rider. He rides at the sides of the herd to keep them from spreading out.”
“I suppose you would be considered the trail boss, then.”
Wesley raised his cowboy hat to look at her.
She smiled. “I’ve been doing some research.”
“Okay, then tell me what a swing rider is,” he challenged.
Lydia searched her memory. She couldn’t recall if she’d come across anything about a swing rider. She decided to just take a guess. “He keeps the herd heading in the right direction. You know...swing to the right...swing to the left....”
Wesley laughed. “Yeah. Something like that.”
She was surprised. “You mean I was right? I totally guessed on that one.”
“I know,” he responded. “It was a pretty good guess.”
The cattle rounded up, they were ready to go.
The ride was easier on Lydia this time around. “Shadow, you are a sweetheart,” she told the horse as she patted her neck.
Five hours later, Lydia and Wesley entered his house, tired and hungry.
“I don’t know what that is, but it smells wonderful,” she commented.
“Rusty’s been here,” Wesley stated. “I guess we’ve been spared cold sandwiches. Looks like he cooked up a hot lunch for us.”
Lydia’s mouth watered at the sight of the roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and corn bread.
She washed her hands in the kitchen sink while Wesley went to the bathroom to clean up.
When he returned, Lydia had prepared plates of food for them.
“Rusty is a dynamic cook,” she said when they finished eating. “I’m sure I’ve put on five pounds just from this meal.”
Lydia pushed away from the table and rose to her feet.
Wesley did the same. “You look fine to me.”
He grabbed her as she was about to walk past him. Wesley leaned forward and kissed her.
His kiss was slow and thoughtful and sent spirals of desire racing through Lydia.
Weakened by his yearning for her, Wesley pulled away, saying, “Sweetheart, we are going to have to stop.”
“I know...but I don’t want to,” she moaned. The kiss had left her weak and a bit confused.
Wesley kissed the top of her head. “Lydia, you have my flesh screaming for you right now.”
She groaned in protest. “Why did you just pull away?”
“You’re on the job, remember?” This was not the real reason Wesley was holding back. The truth was that his feelings for her were special. She was special. Lydia challenged him in a way that no other woman ever had; she motivated him to live up to a better version of himself.
“Oh, yeah.”
“There’s always tonight,” he murmured.
She smiled in response.
Although Wesley had not admitted it to himself, he could no longer deny his feelings for Lydia. He was thoroughly and completely in love with her. This was not something that had been in his game plan, but he welcomed it, because Wesley believed that Lydia was the woman for him.
* * *
They went to the Shank of the Evening.
“I can’t believe that you wanted to come back here,” Wesley stated. He took a swig of his beer.
“I like this place,” she responded.
He gave her a sidelong glance. “Really?”
Lydia nodded. “Let’s dance.”
Wesley rose to his feet and escorted her to the crowded dance floor.
After the third song, Lydia gave in to her thirst. “I need a drink.”
They left the dance floor.
Wesley walked her to their table and signaled the waitress to bring another round of drinks.
“Do you have any plans on Sunday?” he asked her.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“I would like you to join us for a Broward Sunday dinner.”
Lydia broke into a smile. “Really?”
He nodded. “It’s time my family really had a chance to get to know you.”
She met his gaze. “Why do you say that?”
“It’s no secret that I have feelings for you. I want them to see what a great person you are.”
“Family approval,” she murmured. “Don’t worry. You’re going to have to meet my mom one day soon.”
Wesley finished off his beer. “Feel like dancing?”
Lydia nodded. “I like this song.”
They left the Shank of the Evening an hour later and headed to her hotel suite.
He pulled her into his arms. “I love being with you, Lydia.”
�
�I feel the same way,” she responded with a smile. “You’re not making it easy for me to go back to L.A.”
“Good. I really don’t want you to leave.”
“Let’s not focus on my leaving. I want to enjoy what time we have together.”
Wesley agreed before planting a kiss on her lips.
The mere touch of his lips against her own ignited a sensuous flood of warmth through her body. Lydia ached for Wesley’s touch, but her mind cautioned her to slow down. She did not want to rush into a physical relationship with him.
Lydia considered making love a bonding experience that she did not want to share with just anyone. Wesley was special to her, but she intended to let more time pass before jumping into bed with him.
“What are you thinking about?”
Wesley’s voice cut into her thoughts. Lydia gazed at him and said, “You make me feel things I haven’t felt in a long time. Whatever this is, I don’t want to rush it.”
He nodded in understanding. “I’m not going anywhere, Lydia. You’re very special to me.”
She reached over and took his hand in her own. “Thank you, Wes.”
He was a gentleman, and it was a quality she both loved and admired in him.
* * *
“You’re here again?” Jameson asked when he strode into the family room and found Lydia sitting on the sofa. “I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Hello to you, too,” Lydia responded coolly. It was obvious to her that Wesley’s brother did not like her, for whatever reason. “I was invited for dinner.”
He eyed her for a moment before saying, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“Yes, you did,” Lydia responded. She was not about to let him off that easily. “I don’t know why you have a problem with me, Jameson. I haven’t done anything to you.”
“Why did you come to Granger, Miss Emerson?” he questioned.
“I’m here to do some research, but I’m sure Wes has already told you this.”
Jameson shrugged in nonchalance. “He seems to believe you, but I’m afraid that I’m not buying your story.”
Lydia forced herself to remain steady beneath his gaze. “It’s the truth,” she muttered.
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