Wild Ride: Lance and Tammy

by Lietha Wards

  “Okay then. I like blue, or green but deep hues, not pastels. I like white wine more than red, and I’ll agree with the beer on a hot day.” She had a vision of him on the range back home as he tilted back that handsome head full of perspiration and dust, to swallow a nice cold beer after working under the hot sun with the cattle. She felt her tongue trace the edge of her bottom lip and quickly stilled it with her teeth. Her eyes met his again and she saw that his eyes briefly flicked there. If he saw that gesture he didn’t say anything and she was very grateful. It would have embarrassed the hell out of her.

  “I practiced law for ten years in New York. Then I moved to Billings and opened my own law firm with two partners. It was very successful. It made me filthy rich. Then I sold my share to them a few years later. It was even more—lucrative.” He paused studying her expression before he continued. There was a glint in his eyes over that last word. “I made some great investments from there. I guess you could say I’m semi-retired. I find I’m happier at home with my family. I hold an office in town that I work out of mostly pro bono, part-time, and every now and then I come here or Billings to consult just to keep my feet wet.”

  Again, no expression, just a brief nod to indicate it was her turn. Instead she asked questions. That piece of information opened up a world of interest, and she couldn’t help herself. “New York? What kind of law? Which firm?”

  “Mostly capital murder cases. And I was the Assistant to the District Attorney.”

  She tilted her head in surprise. “Wow, an ADA I would have never guessed.” A public servant, like her? His modesty was endless. She was sure that he could have gotten a better paying job at a private practice. She’d heard he was a great lawyer, not good, but great. Yet, he volunteers his time to help others? His next words answered her curiosity about his career path.

  “When I graduated from Harvard, I had offers at a dozen exclusive law firms, I interned at the two most prestigious in Boston, but I wasn’t in it for the money. My family had money. I also didn’t like seeing the guilty get away with nothing because they had money to pay for great representation. Instead, I wanted to make a name for myself in putting away people like that. The district attorney went out on a limb for me. Usually they like us to clerk for some time, but he saw my potential. I won my first murder trial, and it was tough.”

  “Did you make a name for yourself?”

  He nodded but didn’t elaborate. There was something in his eyes that suddenly clouded over.

  Gosh, she really wanted to know why he quit, but if Lance wanted to share he would have. She stored that question in the back of her mind. Maybe one day he’d let her know. Well, now it makes sense on how her father recognized the name.

  “Your turn, Tam. Why nursing?”

  She looked down at her hands folded on her lap for a moment before she answered him. Tam, it was just the way he said it. Tingles ran through her. Then there were those heavenly light brown eyes he possessed. She could easily lose herself in them. Finally, she gathered her wits and her eyes met his again. “At first, I think it was to make my mother mad. I mean, I was young, at eighteen and itching to rebel just to get out from under her rules.”

  He pulled his nicely shaped mouth into a smile and sat back in the chair rubbing a forefinger across his stubbly chin. His eyes studied her with interest and in silence, and Tammy wondered what the hell he was thinking. It was as if she’d answered a long awaited question he had. “I amuse you?”

  He shook his head subtly. “I was just thinking that it suited you—the rebelliousness.”

  She chuckled. “More like passive-aggressive but thank you for not saying that. Anyway, she wanted me to marry the pompous ass. She was grooming me for it since I was fourteen.”

  “That’s not much of a life, is it?” he said softly.

  She shook her head and looked away for a moment, wishing she could have a loving family like Lance had. She had heard that their mother was attentive and affectionate. She can’t even remember when her mother hugged her last, or if she even did. She was in private schools where she was told how to look and act. It was just as bad as being at home with her controlling mother. “I think at first, I was okay with it. I mean I was a young naïve teenager. Every young girls wish is to have that dream wedding. Also, we were always together at family functions and social outings so I think it was just plain expected. Then I grew up.” She shifted anxiously and looked at her hands.

  “So the nursing?” Lance continued not prying further into something that made her uncomfortable.

  After a brief pause to sort her thoughts, she swallowed and continued, “Before I finished high school, there were college recruiters that came around and talked about career choices. I just wanted away from this lifestyle and that seemed to be the way. My grandmother left me a trust. When I turned eighteen, it was mine, so I didn’t need my mother’s permission. I used it for school. I found out that I had a knack for it. I really took to it quickly.”

  “How did your parents feel?”

  She shrugged her delicate shoulders and looked away again. “My father is rigid most times, unreadable, but I think he missed me. My mother—well, she screamed at me, called me ungrateful, told me I wasn’t doing anything of the sort and told me I was marrying Cavanaugh or I’d be cut off. I chose correctly. I left.”

  He completely shocked her by leaning forward and moving his large warm hand over both of hers, still folded on her lap. Her eyes locked with his and he gave her a reassuring smile.

  “Think of what a waste it would have been. All that talent and intellect in that beautiful head married to a stuffed shirt. Can you imagine yourself playing the obedient socialite wife to a man who thinks he’s better than he really is? Planning tea parties certainly isn’t you.”

  Beautiful? He thought she was Beautiful? Her heart actually skipped a beat. She did her best not to show how the compliment affected her. Instead she laughed nervously as she answered his question, and he smiled. “No Lance, I can’t. I like being able to do what I want.”

  He released her and sat back.

  Her eyes went up the front of him and met his. He was looking at her again with that sharp curiously intelligent gaze. She wondered if he knew how affective that was. Well, of course he did, he probably worked his whole career around it. He started talking again.

  “My middle name is Sterling. I know, it’s different, some great grandfather of my mother’s. Someone she really admired.”

  “I like it. It seems—regent.”

  He actually chuckled.

  She blushed a little. “Mine’s Rose. Same thing; grandmother or something.”

  “That’s pretty actually. Tamara Rose.”

  “Thank you.” The way he said her name made a thrill shoot through her. It was so heavenly coming from that man. His deep voice and the way his mouth moved when he spoke. God, he had a beautiful masculine mouth. Her eyes quickly averted back to her hands so he wouldn’t catch her staring at him like a love sick teenager.

  “I like to read. Mysteries mostly, but any good book will do.”

  Big surprise, she thought but she also liked a good mystery novel. “Me too.”

  “I also like poetry, eighteen century. Blake, Burns, and Lord Byron are my favorites.”

  “I’m surprised at that one.”

  “It touches something in me,” he confessed softly.

  Now it really astonished her that he admitted that. Wow, she wondered if his family knew that about him. She started to feel privileged that he was sharing so much with her. “I only really knew Tennyson, and I liked his work.”

  He glanced at his watch. “Yes, another great poet. Now, moving on—I’m not trying to be rude, we just don’t have much time to learn about each other before we have to get ready to leave. I play tennis. I golf too, but I’m better at tennis. My winter sports are mainly skiing, but I do like hockey though I’m not as good as my nephew, Tyler. I also like to hike, rock climb, and of course, rope and ride.”

/>   She almost laughed again. Tyler was five, and he was being modest because she was certain he good at anything he did. “I like tennis. It’s a country club thing. My mother made me take lessons.” Grooming for the perfect high society wife; seen and not heard, obedient and useless. “I’m good.”

  “That sounds like a challenge Tam.”

  “Could be.” She was really enjoying herself. It would be fun having a good tennis match with this man. She’d been living in the same town as him for years, working in his house, and she learned more about him in the last five minutes than she had total in all the years she’d known him. “I’m scared of horses though. I never had the opportunity to learn.”

  “We can remedy that when we get home,” he said casually as if she didn’t have a choice.

  “Are you volunteering to teach me? I’m a terrible pupil. I don’t follow orders very well. Ask my mother.”

  Humor and something else glittered in his eyes. “Another challenge. Interesting.”

  She felt heat hit her cheeks again. He sounded intrigued. Thankfully he started talking again.

  “I like kids, and want at least three.”

  At least? She actually coughed. From tennis and horses, to kids. What on earth? He wasn’t kidding about moving on.

  “You?” He smiled at her reaction this time, unmoved as if he expected it.

  “I love children, Lance. Of course I want some.”

  “So after we get married. How long should we wait?”

  Now his voice seemed to have changed. It didn’t seem as taciturn and she was wondering if he really sounded interested. “Well, if it was up to me, I would like a baby as quick as possible. I’m turning twenty seven.” Seeing Zane made her heart hurt. She really did want one.

  He nodded. “I’ll agree to that.”

  Again, a thrill went through her. She just couldn’t fathom having a child with this man. Gosh though, it would be the most beautiful baby, she was sure of it. A deep longing welled up inside her over that thought. She knew she’d be a great mother. She’d smother their baby with such affection the likes of which she never had the privilege to know. She cleared her throat and had to adjust her emotions before speaking again. “Do we live separately?”

  “For now. I’m building a house.”

  “You are?”

  A smile reached his eyes and he shook his head slowly.

  She blushed again. Why are you so stupid around him? she thought to herself.

  “Family is very important to me. Tessa and Elaina are like my sisters. Their children are close to my heart. I would do anything for family.”

  “I know that already Lance,” she admitted hesitantly.

  “Do you?”

  “I’ve seen you with them.”

  “You’re quite observant then, Tammy. I don’t let many people see me like that.”

  Only with you. She felt her cheeks heating up again. “Where did you learn to ranch—I mean horses?”

  He glanced at his watch again. “This will have to be the condensed version.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Okay then. My brothers and I learned from our father. He was adamant his sons learn the business through hard work and by that, I mean backbreaking. First there were cattle on a ranch in Texas, but that business wasn’t breaking even. When he married my mother, he inherited a small spread in Sulphur Springs that was breeding thoroughbreds just for local races. He did his research and turned the business around, bought more land. He put the Lansdowne on the map. He’s a very strict businessman and highly intelligent, but he was also just as demanding with us getting an education and not living off of our inheritance. He expanded the ranch to horses, less with cattle, and made good money. Then, my mother died and it took the drive out of him. He’s still in our lives but lives in Texas. He has a small spread, about a thousand acres. He seems happier there, and it keeps him busy.”

  Small? She supposed the fifteen thousand acres they owned in Montana was a reference. “I’m sorry about your mother,” she said sincerely. He only shrugged and continued talking.

  “He’s been to visit a few times, but it’s hard for him. My mother was an amazing woman.”

  Well to throw such well-adjusted handsome sons, she would have to be. “You were very lucky to have her.”

  He nodded. “We all were. Now, I would ask you what you do in your spare time, Tam, but I know for a fact, you don’t have any.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t, but I like what I do.”

  “Past boyfriends?” He shifted the subject suddenly surprising her again.

  She flushed. She wished she wasn’t the only uncomfortable person in the room all the time. Lance still seemed totally at ease with himself and these questions.

  “Intimate couples share these details. We don’t want to be unprepared.”

  Intimate? Oh how she wished. She sighed heavily. She knew what he was getting at. If her mother brought up Richard and her it would take Lance by surprise. “I was engaged, unhappily, and not by choice, to Richard.”

  “Anyone else?” he asked in the same non-hesitant and calm manner. Not feigning interest or disinterest.

  She shook her head. For the first time he looked a little surprised at her confession.

  “I take it he ruined you for a decent relationship.”

  “I think my mother ruined me more, pushing me into it. I was young and wanted to make her happy. Over time I realized nothing I did would have accomplished that. She was very controlling. Then Richard expected much of the same.”

  “He’s not good enough for you. He’s got a mentality that women have their place. He’s no prize, Tammy.”

  He hit that nail on the head. It actually made her feel better. She always had regrets about leaving everyone, but it was for her survival. “No he’s not. Although he thinks he is, and the people that surround him think he is because he knows how to fit in, behave. I hate that lifestyle. I don’t like being someone I’m not. It seems—well, dishonest.”

  Lance observed her thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again. “Most people raised in that lifestyle are spoiled and selfish. That’s why I like the ranch. It keeps my feet on the ground. It does that for my brothers too.”

  “Yes, but this penthouse is amazing.” She tilted her head and looked up at the scalloped ceiling of his bedroom, which was no small room. She could fit her entire apartment in it.

  “It’s my escape every now and then. I like to indulge myself sometimes. I have a healthy balance. Here, I can do that without my family witnessing. At home, I’m myself.” He smiled while poking fun at himself.

  She laughed at the humor he was displaying. It was rare. He was always so serious.

  There was an uncomfortable silence after that, well, for her. “What about your past relationships?”

  He sat back in the chair and rubbed his stubble dusted chin with his thumb and forefinger while contemplating that question.

  “Tit for tat Lance.”

  He smiled, his eyes on hers. “Yes, very true, but I’m thinking. Let’s see. Six partly serious ones.”

  “Any serious-serious ones?”

  He shook his handsome head slowly with his eyes locked on hers looking as comfortable as the man could be.

  Well I guess that rumor was put to rest on why he quit the city life. “What about less-serious.”

  “Too many to count.”

  Her eyes popped wide.

  “I’m a wealthy man Tammy. I also know how I look to the opposite sex. I’ve had my pick since I hit puberty. I’m a conceited aggressive, red-blooded male, so I haven’t had a problem finding female company when I need it.”

  He looked past her for a moment. She wondered if it bothered him that she’d pressed him for information regarding his relationships, or perhaps it was that women couldn’t see past his looks and his wallet. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have pried. It’s none of my business.” She blushed bright red. It was obvious he didn’t like explaining why he’d
slept with women the way he did, and really, he didn’t have to. He was honest with her and she should have left it at that.

  His eyes studied her face and saw the embarrassment and he shifted his expression showing keen interest as if something occurred to him. “Have you ever been intimate with a man?”

  Holy hell, this man was too darn insightful! How the heck did he figure that out? Her glow in the dark cheeks were his answer. He sat upright slowly and a smile pulled at his sensuous mouth.

  “I’ll be damned, Tammy. That’s admirable.”

  “Do you think so?”

  “Absolutely. I find it fascinating with all the work you do, and you do it remarkably, that you’ve never been sexually active.”

  How could he, could anyone, possibly be so relaxed about such a discussion. Yet, here he was speaking to her about it like he was talking about the weather. She knew exactly what he meant though. She’d seen plenty of men naked and had done many invasive procedures to them. Yes, it was difficult in the beginning, but now it was as easy as buttering bread. Her eyes met his boldly. “I never had a chance to fall in love.”

  “Love?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you are under the impression that you have to love someone to enjoy them sexually?”

  “Yes—no, well, yes I do—I think.” She really didn’t sound too sure of herself, but she was not comfortable with the question.

  “I see.”

  “Is something wrong? I know it sounds old fashioned.”

  “No, again, I find it fascinating. I find you fascinating. I would have never thought that you had such principles about sex. You are so outgoing. Most virgins have a reputation of being shy, vulnerable, and introverted. You are a true enigma Tammy.”

  Another blush hit her cheeks.

  In all the years she knew Lance, not once did he feign interest in her. That admission sent her heart soaring. Love? Yes, she believed in love before being intimate with someone. She loved him. “I’ve come to believe that sex isn’t the end all be all of my existence.”

  “Says the woman who’s never had the experience.” His handsome mouth graced her with another heart throbbing smile.