Wrangling Wes

by Thomas, Jacquelin

  “How long will you be staying in our little town?”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not sure, Jameson. Why does it matter to you?”

  “Because my brother has taken an interest in you—someone we know nothing about.”

  “Wes is a grown man,” she told him. “I’m sure he can handle himself.”

  “What are you after?”

  “I’m not after anything, Jameson.”

  “What’s going on?” Wesley interjected as he walked up on them. “Am I interrupting something?” he asked as he looked from his brother to Lydia.

  Jameson shot her a tight smile before saying, “No, you’re not interrupting anything. I was just getting to know Miss Emerson. Y’all enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  Lydia was relieved when Jameson left. He made her uncomfortable and she did not enjoy being around him. She knew that he didn’t trust her—he’d made that much very clear from the beginning.

  A part of her worried that he would go as far as trying to hire a private investigator to look into her past. He seemed very protective of Wesley.

  “What’s wrong, darling?”

  Lydia glanced over at Wesley and forced a smile. “Everything is fine. Your brother is a very interesting person.”

  “He’s been through a lot. Trust doesn’t come easily for him.”

  She nodded in understanding.

  “Before I forget, my parents are hosting a cocktail party next weekend and I’d like you to be my date,” Wesley announced. “The theme is the Roaring ’20s.”

  “It sounds like fun,” she responded with a grin. “I’d be honored to be your date, but I have to find the perfect outfit.”

  The more time she spent with Wesley, the more she wanted to be in his presence. They never seemed to tire of one another, which pleased her. But in the back of her mind she wondered when Samara would demand that she return to Los Angeles.

  She stole a peek at Wesley. It was going to be so hard to say goodbye to him. They had already discussed that he would fly to L.A. every other weekend, but this would work only if she were home. Who knew where Samara would have her go next? Normally, her weekends were free unless Samara was entertaining.

  “What are you thinking about?” Wesley asked, cutting into her thoughts.

  “I’m thinking about what I’m going to wear to such an extravagant event,” Lydia responded. “I heard a couple of women talking about it at the hotel when I first checked in, but only in passing. Apparently, it’s supposed to be the party of the year.”

  Wesley laughed. “I’m sure it’s nothing like the parties you’re used to attending.”

  “I haven’t attended many Hollywood parties,” she stated. “I’m just the personal assistant. I worked the parties that were hosted by my boss, so I didn’t really get to enjoy them.”

  “Do you have any idea how much longer you will be in town?” he wanted to know.

  “Two or three weeks at the most,” Lydia responded. “But I won’t know for sure until I speak with my boss.”

  “I guess I’ll have to make plans to visit Los Angeles at that time.”

  She met his gaze. “You mean it, Wes. You’re going to fly to L.A. with me?”

  He nodded. “I told you. I just can’t let you walk out of my life, Lydia.”

  * * *

  Gwendolyn walked into the large dining room, which had lovely hardwood floors and enormous windows adorned with rich, emerald-green custom curtains.

  “Rusty kept the menu to himself,” Gwendolyn announced. “He said he was making something special for dinner.”

  “I’m sure whatever the man cooks will be delicious,” Wesley’s grandfather stated. He glanced in Lydia’s direction and said, “You’re in for a treat, young lady.”

  “Rusty really outdid himself tonight,” Wesley said as he pulled out a chair for her to sit down.

  He sat down in the empty chair beside her.

  They were served seafood croquettes and prawns with garlic for starters.

  “This is so good,” she whispered to Wesley.

  “If Rusty was a woman, I’d marry her,” Charles Broward stated with a hearty chuckle. “My May...she could cook, but I’m afraid Rusty would win this round.”

  “I don’t think Grandma would be real happy with you for saying that,” Laney said.

  “She’d be mad as fire,” Charles responded with a shrug. “Don’t make it any less true.”

  Rusty’s main entrée was monkfish with grilled vegetables and rice with mushrooms. For dessert, there was a sweet potato pie.

  Lydia was extremely conscious of Jameson’s gaze on her. He was studying her every move. She couldn’t help but wonder why he seemed so interested in his brother’s love life. She also noticed that Steven seemed to be watching her, as well.

  She never spent much time around people of privilege on a personal level, but Lydia was curious if they were all so protective of one another as the Browards were. She didn’t care about their wealth and wasn’t impressed by it, either. Lydia’s interest was completely in the man and not his wallet.

  * * *

  “I suppose you plan on bringing Lydia to the cocktail party,” Jameson stated when Wesley walked back into the house. “I have to tell you that I’m kinda surprised that you are still seeing her. Especially after she lied to you about her real identity. Wes, how can you trust her?”

  “She’s the woman I want in my life, and yes, she’s coming to the cocktail party with me,” Wesley confirmed. “And I do trust her.”

  “You two seem to be getting pretty close,” his mother interjected. “Jameson, I think you’re being too hard on Lydia. She really is a lovely girl.”

  “She’s a great person,” Wesley stated. “I enjoy spending time with her, regardless of what my brother thinks.”

  “What are you going to do when it’s time for Lydia to leave?” Laney asked. “You haven’t forgotten that she’s going back to Los Angeles after she finishes her research.”

  Wesley met his sister’s gaze. “I don’t know. Right now, I don’t want to think about Lydia’s leaving. I would rather enjoy the time we have together.”

  “I hope you’re not rushing into anything with this girl,” Jameson uttered.

  “Leave Wes alone,” Laney stated. “If he wants to be with Lydia, it’s his choice and there’s nothing you can do about it. Why don’t you concentrate on finding someone who can get you out of that sour disposition of yours?”

  She rushed out of the room.

  Jameson and Wesley both looked stunned by Laney’s outburst.

  “I don’t want to see you played for a fool.”

  “Jameson, I appreciate your concern, but you don’t have to worry. I’m okay.”

  “I hope you will be able to feel the same way six months from now.”

  “Big brother, I’m afraid I have to agree with Laney,” Wesley stated. “I think you need a woman.”

  Chapter 11

  “Things must be going great with you and Wes,” Maggie said as she searched through a rounder of dresses. “You two are inseparable.”

  “I feel like we’re getting so much closer,” Lydia stated. “I have to say that as much as I’m looking forward to going home, I’m not exactly thrilled about leaving Wes. I really care for him, Maggie. He’s already planning to come to L.A. with me when I have to go back. It’s just a visit though.”

  “I do hope that you know Wes is not going to move to Los Angeles. His whole life is here.” Maggie selected a dress and held it against her body. “Have you considered moving to Granger?”

  Lydia did not comment, because no one else knew of Wesley’s conflicting feelings in regards to ranching.

  She eyed a flapper-style dress on the rack to her left. “Maggie
, our relationship hasn’t progressed to the point where we have to think about anyone relocating.”

  “From the looks of things, I’d say you aren’t too far off, sugar.”

  “I’m just taking it one day at a time, Maggie.” She held up the flapper dress. “What do you think about this one?”

  “Sugar, it’s perfect for you.”

  Lydia walked over to a mirror and eyed her reflection. “I like it.”

  Maggie followed her. “Add a feathered headband and you’re all set for the party.”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “How should I wear my hair?”

  “Finger waves,” Maggie responded. “I think I’m going to do the same. Only I’m going to have a peacock feather.”

  “I thought you were still looking for a dress.”

  “I am.”

  Lydia chuckled. “Yet you’ve already decided on the headpiece.”

  “I wanted to have a Roaring ’20s–theme wedding, but Dane would not go for it. He wanted a traditional church wedding. I loved him, so I didn’t fight him on it. I bought that headpiece for our wedding.” She chuckled. “You should have seen his face when I told him that we had to dress up for this party.”

  “What’s he wearing?”

  “He said he was gonna wear whatever cowboys wore during that time period.”

  Lydia gave a short laugh. “I love it.”

  “Do you know what Wes plans to wear?”

  “He told me to think Great Gatsby,” she responded. “I don’t know how I’m going to act seeing him without a pair of jeans on. I almost forgot that he had on a tuxedo when I met him. But then, the man can wear a paper bag and still look good in it.”

  “Amen to that, sugar.”

  * * *

  Gwendolyn and Steven Broward transformed the main house into a 1920s theme for the cocktail party. White fairy lights were strung up and the other lighting dimmed to create an illumination effect. They had chosen a black-and-white color scheme with accents of red and silver. The table centerpieces featured beautiful red roses arranged on candelabra.

  Lydia felt like Cinderella at the ball.

  Well, Cinderella at a Roaring ’20s party.

  The elite of Montana were in attendance at the elegant cocktail party hosted by Steven and Gwendolyn Broward. Although she worked for one of the most famous women in Hollywood, she had never been invited to any of the parties Samara attended.

  She walked with Wesley as he strolled about the room greeting the guests.

  “The researcher from Los Angeles?” she asked after he’d included that in her introduction.

  “It’s the truth,” he responded.

  She and Wesley happened upon a couple of men in heavy discussion.

  “I’m plum tired of all the newcomers trying to buy up our land.”

  The other man looked at Wesley and said, “What do you think?”

  “I agree,” he responded. “If we sell out all of our property, then pretty soon, nothing will be left. Last year, we were offered a lot of money for our land. They wanted to build a planned community.”

  “I understand how you all feel,” Lydia interjected. “But as an outsider, I can understand why someone would be so taken with Granger’s natural beauty.”

  Dressed like a ’20s-era gangster in black pants, black shirt with white suspenders and tie, Wesley looked as handsome as ever. His grandfather was dressed in a similar style but had chosen to sport a fedora hat.

  In keeping with the theme, the bar staff served classic cocktail drinks, such as martinis, wine, champagne and mint juleps.

  “Did your mother do all of this herself?” Lydia inquired.

  “She planned it on her own,” Wesley responded. “She even designed the invitation herself.”

  Adding to the ambiance, light cabaret and jazz music played in the background.

  Lydia glanced over at Wesley and said, “You picked out the music, didn’t you?”

  He laughed. “Guilty.”

  “Good job,” she responded. “I remember that you once mentioned how much you enjoy jazz and some of the early music, so I figured you had a hand in selecting the playlist.”

  Lydia’s eyes traveled to Laney, who was talking to a couple she didn’t recognize. Wesley’s sister looked lovely in her knee-length, dropped-waist, chiffon dress. Like Lydia, she also wore several long beaded necklaces and red lipstick.

  Wesley took her by the hand and led her to a nearby table with seating garnished with red ribbons and baby’s breath.

  “Are you having a good time?” he asked her. “If not, we can leave.”

  “No, this is great.”

  “Everybody loves you.”

  “No, not everybody, Wes. For one, your brother thinks I’m a gold digger or something.”

  “Don’t let Jameson get under your skin, sweetheart. I know there is a lot more to you than meets the eye.”

  She cleared her throat, pretending not to be affected by his words. “I won’t,” she responded. “I really don’t care what he thinks.”

  Wesley pulled at the collar of his shirt. “I’m ready to get out of this monkey suit.”

  “I think you look very handsome.”

  He smiled in response.

  The evening was warm. Lydia fanned herself with her hands.

  “Would you like to take a walk outside?” Wesley asked. “I don’t know about you, but I need to get some air.”

  “Sure.”

  Wesley grabbed her gently by the elbow and led her toward the patio doors.

  They strolled outside and he took her by the hand.

  Lydia closed her eyes, savoring the feel of the night air on her face.

  He leaned over and whispered, “I’m really trying hard not to kiss you right now.”

  Wesley wrapped his arm around her waist.

  She glanced up at him. “Then what’s stopping you?” Lydia felt the heat of desire wash over her like waves.

  Wesley leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”

  In response, Lydia pulled his head down to hers. Their lips met and she felt buffeted by the winds of a savage harmony. Her senses reeled as if short-circuited, making her knees tremble.

  Breaking their kiss, Lydia buried her face against his throat; her trembling limbs clung to him helplessly. She was extremely conscious of where Wesley’s warm flesh touched her.

  “Why are you so quiet?” he asked after a moment.

  “I’m thinking that we just shared a great kiss, and as much as I’d like to do it again, I think that maybe we should head back inside to the party.”

  “You and Wesley disappeared on us,” Maggie commented when her husband and Wesley went to get drinks for them.

  “I should’ve known that you wouldn’t miss a thing,” Lydia said with a laugh.

  “I may not say anything at the time, but I don’t miss too much,” she acknowledged. Lowering her voice, Maggie added, “Just like I know that you’re a woman in love, honey.”

  Lydia was too stunned to utter a reply.

  Am I that obvious? Does it show all over my face? Or when I look at Wes?

  Lydia wondered how Wesley would react if he knew the extent of her feelings.

  “Oh, dear, I hope I haven’t embarrassed you.”

  “You haven’t,” Lydia assured Maggie. “You just caught me by surprise. I didn’t think my feelings for Wes were so obvious.”

  “You have the look of a woman in love, Lydia. Wear it with pride.” She finished off the last of her martini. “If it makes you feel any better, Wes feels the same way about you. I can tell.”

  Lydia smiled at Maggie’s words, but in the back of her mind, the reality was that Wes had not made such a d
eclaration to her. She was too much of a realist and refused to consider his feelings for other than what he said they were.

  * * *

  “Lydia is a beautiful woman, I’ll give her that,” Jameson whispered. “I’m just not sure she can be trusted.”

  “I know how you feel about her, but what you think doesn’t matter. The truth is that I’m crazy about Lydia.”

  Jameson took a sip of his champagne. “I think that much is pretty obvious to everyone around you.”

  “Maybe not,” he responded. “Looks like I might have some competition.” Wesley noted the way a few of the male guests were eyeing Lydia. He didn’t like how they were looking at the woman he loved.

  “You’re not jealous, are you?”

  “No,” Wesley answered. “I just don’t think she should be treated like a piece of meat on display.”

  Jameson laughed. “I never thought I’d live to see the day when you developed a jealous streak.”

  “I’ve never cared for another woman in the same way that I care for Lydia. This caught me by complete surprise.”

  “I didn’t realize your feelings were so strong for Lydia.”

  “I’m falling for her, Jameson. No, I’ve fallen for her,” Wesley corrected.

  Their conversation was halted by the appearance of their parents.

  Wesley excused himself by saying, “I need to check on my date.”

  Laney stepped in his path. “Come dance with me.”

  He glanced over to where Lydia had been standing and found she had disappeared.

  “I’m sure she won’t mind if you dance with your sister.”

  “Lead the way,” Wes responded.

  He was happy to see his sister happy and smiling. Laney looked as if she were having a good time at the party. She looked great; the darkened circles that had been under her eyes were gone.

  After they finished dancing, Wesley left his sister in the hands of his grandfather, who was ready to show off his dance skills. Charles’s date was sitting at a table with her granddaughter, Patti. He waved to them as he walked off the dance floor.

  Lydia smiled when he approached her. “Did I just see you and Laney doing the Charleston? When did you learn it?”