Wild Ride: Lance and Tammy

by Lietha Wards

“My family is prominent there. I know you all don’t know much about me, but my background—” She was hesitant in continuing because she wasn’t ready to tell anyone about that side of herself. Thankfully someone noticed.

  “It doesn’t matter Tam,” Lance finally spoke up. “No one’s judging you here. We all know who you are, here, now.”

  If she wasn’t so upset she might have fell off the sofa at the compliment. It wouldn’t seem like much to an outsider, but it definitely was a compliment from Lance Hartley.

  Colt looked over his shoulder at his brother. Lance nodded catching his brother’s look.

  “When is this?” Colt asked.

  “My family didn’t have my address. The letter took a while to find me. It’s next weekend.”

  “We can’t let her go alone,” Elaina spoke up scanning the crowd in the room.

  “I don’t need to involve you in—”

  “It’s settled then. Lance will go,” Colt volunteered.

  Lance never said anything to the contrary, so apparently he’d agreed somehow.

  “Wait a minute—“

  “You can’t go alone,” Debbie said.

  “It’s obvious you’re shaken,” Elaina added.

  “For God’s sake Tammy, you are part of our family,” Colt finished.

  The support was overwhelming. She put her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands. She was doing her best not to weep. She never showed her emotions, ever. This was so sudden and unexpected. It was still surprising that none of them even asked her why her family didn’t know where she lived. She knew it was out of respect for her privacy. What a wonderful group of friends she had. They were going to help her even though they knew nothing about her. “You are all so amazing. I couldn’t ask for better friends.”

  Elaina hugged her. “We’re here for you.”

  “I have to go to New York anyway. I have a charity dinner midweek next. I don’t mind. I’ll just leave a few days earlier.”

  She heard the deep treble of Lance’s voice and was grateful he read the situation well. He was trying to minimize the impact of her guilt over accepting help. Knowing that, of course, didn’t help at all.

  “Tammy?”

  It was Elaina’s voice; soft, sweet and concerned.

  She nodded and lifted her head. She honestly couldn’t go back alone. She needed someone. Elaina was pregnant, Debbie couldn’t do the five hour plane ride and Tessa was too darn busy being the wife of a doctor, and the mother of two rambunctious children. She certainly couldn’t take Colton. He was married and it would be improper. Her eyes met Lance’s; she nodded agreeing to his offer. “Thank you.” She would be thrilled if it was under different circumstances, but she knew this wouldn’t go well with some of her family.

  He gave a subtle nod and left. Colt followed him.

  “Did you want to talk about it?” Elaina asked.

  She looked at her friend. “I can’t.” She was struggling to regain control of her emotions. She couldn’t break down, she wouldn’t. Her mother would not have that hold over her anymore. “It’s a part of my life I ran away from.”

  Elaina squeezed her hand. “It’s okay Tammy. You were there for me when I needed you. Just know I’m here. I know it takes time. I feel better that you are not going alone. Lance will make sure you’ll be okay.”

  ***

  CHAPTER TWO

  It felt strange standing beside him waiting for the luggage to arrive. She felt completely out of place, which wasn’t a common feeling for her. She supposed most people, male and female, would feel the same way next to Lance. People were walking by them and shifting around them, and the majority of women would give him a long hard look then glance at her with unveiled surprise in their expressions. They were standing close enough for strangers to recognize that they were together. Yes, she wasn’t a trophy looking companion, especially the way she was dressed, but the odd looks she got from them were offensive. What was wrong with a gorgeous man standing next to a plain woman? She actually narrowed her eyes and glared at one who immediately averted her gaze. That’s right honey, he’s with me! She felt a smug smile cross her lips, then felt instantly guilty about it. When did she act that way towards another human being? Was she that uptight?

  She glanced up at him quickly. God he looked so immaculate and reticent. She’d never felt so uncomfortable standing next to a man before in her life. Lance was able to easily do that to her. Maybe if he spoke a little more it would be a little easier. On the plane he was much the same, but he’d spent most of it on his iPad going through what looked like case files. Well, it looked like that when she glimpsed at it. She wasn’t sitting next to him on the flight.

  She also felt underdressed. He wore a dark blue-grey suit, light blue shirt and matching tie and he looked good enough to turn a lot of heads. She had on jeans and a simple white and light green striped blouse.

  During the flight, the stewardesses kept stopping by and asking if he needed anything, not her, or anyone else in the section as often as him, just him. He always politely turned them down. She noticed that the other passengers in first class weren’t getting near the attention he was. She ground her teeth together and did her best to be polite when they finally did show up at her row. After all, they just couldn’t help themselves, just like her. She really shouldn’t have been in first class anyway. She was beholden to the Hartleys for it. They insisted on upgrading her ticket to first class. She was fine in economy, but Colton wouldn’t have it. If anyone knew Colt the way she did, it wasn’t worth arguing over. He always got his way. Although the seat wasn’t beside Lance because she’d gotten the last one, but it was a few rows back and across the aisle where she could observe him silently. She could also still see the stewardesses goggle eyeing him throughout the flight. Lance seemed oblivious.

  The luggage carousel hummed to life, Lance, being a gentleman, grabbed her bag off the trolling belt at the same time he got his. “I got this Tammy,” he stated in a tone that said she had no choice. Obviously that domineering trait ran through the Hartley males.

  All right, she thought to herself. She was too preoccupied to argue. She was going to save her energy for her mother.

  However, he didn’t hand her the bag, but instead turned walked to the exit of the terminal. She had no choice but to follow.

  “I can carry it,” she offered falling in step beside him.

  “So can I,” he said with a tone of humor, flicking her a glance.

  All right. Wow. Her heart actually jumped when he centered those mocha colored eyes on her. You have it bad Tammy, she thought to herself.

  “Where are you staying?”

  “With my parents.” If they’ll take me. “They have an apartment.” She swallowed hard hoping he didn’t see. They didn’t know she was coming and she was too chicken to call and tell them. She really didn’t want to go there, but she didn’t have enough money to stay in a hotel. She was hoping her father would let her stay with them. She already knew her mother would disapprove. She cut her off years ago.

  There were a group of people at the exit waiting for departing passengers. An immaculately uniformed chauffeur lifted his hand when he saw Lance.

  He stopped and turned to her. “That’s my ride. How are you getting home?”

  “I—I was just going to take a cab.” She flicked her eyes to the well-dressed employee. Obviously Lance thought her family would send someone for her, but she never told them she’d accepted the invitation or that she was coming.

  “I’ll take you.”

  “Lance, that’s really not—“

  He set the two bags down in front of the driver. “These Vern, and we need to make a stop before we get to my penthouse.”

  “Yes Mr. Hartley.” The man bent over and picked up the luggage and led the way out the doors.

  “Lance.” Even with her long legs, she had to increase her pace to keep in step with his stride, “Honestly. I can take a cab.”

  “You’ll be waiting
a while.” He nodded toward the taxicabs and the lineups to get one. “I don’t mind. If I did, I wouldn’t have offered.”

  She wanted to protest a little more, but really, after glancing at the crowd, he was right. She was tired because she didn’t sleep well the night before so the fight was out of her, for now.

  She settled in the plush leather seat of the limousine and had to withhold a sigh of pleasure. It had been quite a long time since she’d been in one, and found herself missing it. It certainly was more comfortable than first class on the airplane.

  He slid in beside her.

  Okay, now she knew that sitting next to him on the plane would have been torture, especially for five and a half hours. Smelling that wonderful cologne would be enough to have her swooning like the stewardesses. She wasn’t kidding, just his masculine scent would have her drinking half the plane’s alcohol just to build immunity.

  “Tell Vern where you need to go,” Lance said casually.

  She nodded and leaned toward the divider when the driver got in behind the wheel. “211 East 61st Street.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The driver checked his mirrors and pulled out of the parking spot.

  Her family had money. A lot of it. She knew the Hartleys were rich, but she was certain that hers was worth more. It was something she really didn’t want them to know. People were intimidated over things like that. She didn’t want to be treated differently. She liked her small apartment, her meager belongings and living paycheck to paycheck earning her own money.

  “Not far from my place.” He stared down at her his face was impassive, but there was a glint of interest in his eyes.

  “No?” Okay, that was a surprise. Her parents lived in a posh area.

  “28 East 70th Street.”

  “That’s pretty close.” Except he was in a more expensive location. Okay, that previous thought was a poor assumption on her part. She knew the Hartleys had money, but she just didn’t put much into how well off they really were. Nor did she care. Money brought misery. It gave people a means to control you. Besides, they certainly didn’t act like they were privileged. They were kind to everyone that she knew of and had no problem helping people when they fell on hard times.

  “About ten minutes I think.”

  “So you keep an apartment here?”

  “Yes. I like New York. I come back often, and my family can use the penthouse as much as they like if they wish to visit.”

  Penthouse? If he had a penthouse in that area, he was really rich. There was just so much she did not know about this family—about Lance. She recalled that he said something to the driver about a penthouse back at the airport, but she thought it would be in a less expensive part of town. Quite frankly, she was speechless.

  His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his jacket pocket to read whatever text he received and she took the opportunity to study his handsome profile. He was definitely a good looking man. His posture was straight—for some reason that appealed to her. It made him seem important, confident and focused. He was muscular, had a nice square jaw, with a day’s worth of fashionably trimmed stubble on it; a look she found enticing. His nose was straight—autocratic. He had an incredible masculine mouth and she always thought it would feel like heaven against hers. She bet the man could kiss the socks off of a woman. Her eyes went to his hands. He had big hands, with long fingers, and they were tanned from working outside. They were the hands of a hardworking man. Right now he wore a very expensive platinum Rolex on his wrist. It probably cost more than she made in a year. She bit her bottom lip. Money. Why did he have to have money? Well, some was okay, but now she knew he had millions. At least he didn’t act like he was filthy rich. Well, he had the confidence of a man who had everything he wanted, but at the ranch, he dressed casual. He normally wore a western cut shirt, worn jeans, dusty boots, and a Stetson. Someone new to there wouldn’t know he was part owner.

  She took a deep breath and let it out slow. That was when he was the most appealing to her while working side by side with his employees. Yet, the four thousand dollar suit he was wearing right now also had some appeal. Gosh he just filled it out so perfectly. Perfect. He was perfect.

  At that exact moment his eyes met hers. She blushed outright being caught admiring him. Thankfully he misread her expression.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Just nervous. I’ll be fine.” She lied through her teeth then berated herself for being so stupid.

  He studied her for a moment longer. A slight smile pulled at the corner of his sensual mouth. It was barely noticeable, but she noticed it, because her stomach flipped around. Then he nodded briefly and returned to his phone. Did he figure it out? That she was practically worshiping him in that moment? Could she possibly be any more embarrassed? Silently she prayed he hadn’t figured out she was.

  She averted her gaze to the front window before he caught her ogling him like a child in a candy store again or, a stewardess in first class.

  The surroundings were familiar now. They were only a few minutes from her parent’s apartment now and she could feel her heart start to pound faster in her chest. Here comes the anxiety.

  The car coasted up to the curb outside her building. She turned to him as he tucked his phone away. “Thanks for the lift. I’ll call you about Saturday.”

  The driver got out to retrieve her bag.

  Lance turned and looked out the window to the building. “I’ll walk you up.”

  “No I’ll be fine. I appreciate everything.” God she really didn’t want him to meet her mother.

  He nodded, pulled the latch on the door to the sidewalk and got out. He then held out his hand.

  Typical Hartley, a total gentleman. Her eyes went to his large hand knowing it would be warm and rough from working the ranch. How could she not accept it? Just to touch him.

  Unfortunately as soon as she emerged from the limo, there was her mother. She was standing there holding her white toy poodle—Muffy, Muffin—something along that line. She always had some sort of high society breed such as that. It wasn’t because her mother loved dogs. It was an accessory. Yet, she spent more money and attention on that accessory that she did her own daughter. Standing beside her, with a mocking smile was the other reason she left New York.

  ***

  Here she was, still having her hand held by possibly the most handsome, well-dressed man on the planet and she runs into her mother and her ex-fiancé! Her mother’s eyes darted back and forth between the two of them. Clear surprise registered in her expression.

  “Tamara?”

  “Mother,” she answered flatly steeling herself against emotion. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lance look down at her. He obviously never heard that tone come out of her before. Not many people have. It was a deep seated distrust that she’d buried when she left this place. Now it came back like a burst dam. As usual, her mother didn’t notice, or didn’t care to notice.

  Her mother’s eyes then went to Lance. “Since my daughter seems reluctant to introduce us. I’m Elizabeth Van Allen.”

  Tammy swallowed hard. She was being rude, but she was still tongue tied. She honestly didn’t expect to run into her so soon.

  “Lance Hartley,” he answered matter-of-factly.

  “You look amazing Tamara,” said the man standing beside her mother.

  She was trying to ignore him. Angst started building in her just being there. Finally, her attention went to Richard Cavanaugh; tall slender and arrogant. She nodded, “Hello Richard.” She kept her voice even, but she started to tremble. Then she suddenly felt Lance’s hand squeeze hers. She’d forgotten he still held it. She looked up at him and saw the most incredible look of reassurance from him. Bless him for being so insightful! She felt herself smile to say ‘thank you’. He gave her a brief subtle nod. She then found her voice and introduced the both of them. “Lance, this is Richard Cavanaugh. A family friend.”

  “Our families go back three generations. He’s more like family,” her mo
ther added as if Tammy just insulted Richard. She was also insinuating that he was more family than she was. “We honestly didn’t think you’d show.” She didn’t sound pleased that she was there.

  “My big brother is getting married. Of course I would,” she answered in the same even tone. She was doing her best to keep the hurt out of her voice.

  “Well, wonderful then.” Although her tone said something different. “Richard just made junior partner at his law firm. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t care. Her mother couldn’t help but dangle the man in front of her as if she made a huge mistake. She expected it. She just wished it wasn’t in front of Lance.

  “He’s engaged to your sister, Melanie. Isn’t that grand? We are so happy that he will be part of our family despite the failed relationship between you two.”

  Tammy wanted to crawl in a hole. Lance was standing there hearing this, hearing her own mother treat her less than a man who has no relation to the family or any sort of integrity. It was shameful. The look on Richard’s face was one of triumph, and further distastefully, there was a look of desire. Melanie was a puppet. She would do anything Richard or her mother said. She always wanted Richard though. She was sleeping with him when they were engaged—an engagement she didn’t want. “Congratulations,” she forced out. It wasn’t the fact that it was Richard, or it was her sister. It was the fact that her family acted as if she was nothing to them even after all these years and what had happened.

  “Thank you,” he said sweetly grinning wide.

  Too sweetly. She would never be alone with him again.

  Just then another car pulled up beside the limo, double parking. Her father got out of the rear passenger side. Probably just getting off work. It was a black Mercedes from a car service. Taxis were beneath this family.

  “Tammy?” he came around the front of the limo and saw his daughter. His normally steeled expression showed surprise and to her delight, elation. “You got my letter?”

  “Hi daddy. I did.” She did genuinely love her father. He didn’t say much most times but probably because her mother occupied most of the air in the room. She loved that he called her Tammy instead of that dreaded Tamara that reminded her of her life here.