Hope for a real relationship with Austin kept her going and made her happy, despite the turmoil in her life and that of her family, and yet it made her afraid, too.
Her heart sank and Laney stared down at her lap. Still, what was the use of hoping she’d ever be anything to him but the mother of his child?
She smoothed her gown over her protruding belly, enjoying the feel of the beaded fabric as it tickled the palm of her hand, wondering why he’d gone through all the trouble of getting it for her.
Had he done so out of some kind of unspoken obligation? Was that the reason he felt compelled to accompany her to the ball?
Under the cloak of twilight, she lifted her head and stole a glance at Austin. From any vantage point, he was gorgeous, but tonight his presence was laden with mystery.
His magnetism seemed more powerful than ever before, perhaps because her mother was in the car, and she couldn’t touch him. She could only inspect him from behind, from the place of a stranger, not as someone who’d been intimate with him.
Laney drew her eyes along his angular jaw, remembering how hard he’d clenched it as she’d traced the gentle curve of his ear with her tongue. She zeroed in on the plump lobe and recalled how his neck had corded when she’d taken it into her mouth and sucked, as she’d stroked her fingers along his close-cut hair.
Finally, her eyes took in the expanse of Austin’s broad shoulders. Her hands had barely covered them as she’d clung to him whenever they made love, hanging on the cliff of ecstasy. Afterward, they’d soaked up her tears of fulfillment, strong and welcoming even at rest.
A loud sigh at the pleasurable memories escaped her. Her mother didn’t seem to notice, but Austin’s eyes caught hers and crinkled in the rearview mirror.
Her gaze snapped down to her lap as she pressed her back against the seat and wished she could just disappear. Thankfully, he didn’t turn around, for if he had, he would have seen her blushing like a preacher’s virginal daughter.
A few minutes later, they were approaching the hotel when Gwen suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, Lordy, this place is lit up like Times Square.”
Laney leaned forward and saw that there were two large spotlights on the roof of The Granger Inn, where the event was being held. She pressed the button for the window and when it was open, she craned her neck outside and saw the searchlights scanning the sky, alerting everyone for miles that something special was happening in Granger.
A myriad of production trucks and news vans lined the road with a rent-a-cop posted near each one. Stretch limos and luxury cars pulled in and out of the hotel entrance, dropping off tuxedoed men and elegantly dressed women.
Throngs of people gawked behind hundreds of feet of red velvet rope, that classic border between the haves and the have-nots, and Laney wondered how many of them wished there were no barriers at all. Her stomach curdled in nervous anticipation. At that moment, she knew she’d trade places with any one of them.
Being in the public eye created a weight of personal responsibility that Laney was only beginning to understand.
She was no longer her own.
Austin pulled the car up to the entrance. “If you ever wanted to walk the red carpet, here’s your chance,” he quipped.
He got out and handed his keys to the valet.
A uniformed attendant assisted Gwen out of the vehicle, but when he tried to help Laney, Austin brushed him aside.
“I’ve got her,” he said, offering her his hand.
Laney gathered her gown and stepped out of the vehicle.
There was a collective gasp from the crowd and she felt like she was going to faint right there on the red carpet.
Don’t let me go, Austin! Please don’t let me go!
Although Austin gave no outward sign that he’d heard the reaction of the crowd, he flashed a warm smile and squeezed her hand. She felt a thrill in her veins that quieted her nerves and made her feel protected. Laney knew she had his full support, but did she have his heart?
Austin let go of her hand and bowed slightly.
“Ladies, may I escort you inside?” he asked, offering one arm to Gwen and the other to Laney.
Her mother giggled like a schoolgirl, bent her head and whispered to Laney, “If you don’t snatch him up soon, I will!”
With Gwen on Austin’s left and Laney on his right, the trio slowly waltzed down the red carpet as the crowd cheered and applauded.
Once they arrived inside, Gwen excused herself to go and find Steven, leaving Austin and Laney alone.
“You were so quiet on the way over here. Are you okay?” he asked.
Laney nodded, inwardly pleased that he’d noticed. “I was just thinking.”
“Care to tell me what about?”
She paused a moment, not sure if she should tell him the truth. But now was a good time as any, before they both got caught up in the evening’s events.
“I was thinking about second chances and how I’d—”
“Laney!”
They both turned to see Wes and his fiancée, Lydia, approaching them.
She smiled and left Austin’s side to hug her big brother.
“Wes, it’s so good to see you again,” she said.
“The last time I saw you was at the family meeting,” Wes remarked. He stepped out of her embrace and took a long look at her.
“How’s my little niece or nephew doing?”
“Fine, just fine. Since you left, Mama’s been trying to stuff me with her famous cookies, but I’ve been pretty good.”
“I’d say, you look gorgeous. Doesn’t she, Lydia?”
Laney hugged her future sister-in-law next.
“She sure does,” Lydia affirmed. “You are truly blessed.”
“Thank you,” Laney replied. “How was Los Angeles?”
“Frivolous, fun and the traffic is a bear, but we love it there, don’t we, honey?”
Laney watched as Wes slid a protective arm around Lydia and gazed at her with eyes that were no less than absolutely adoring.
“The smog takes some getting used to, but the weather is phenomenal. Through her connections in the entertainment business, Lydia and I have met some pretty fascinating people.”
“Just don’t like L.A. too much,” Laney warned, brandishing her index finger. “Mom and Dad would probably have a cow if you ever left Granger permanently. You know how important it is to them to keep the BWB Ranch in the family.”
Laney turned and motioned Austin forward, who was waiting patiently in the same spot where she’d left him.
“Wes, you remember Austin, don’t you?” she asked.
Austin arrived and extended his hand. “Good to see you again.”
“And you, as well,” Wes replied and winked. “By the way, good luck!”
Austin looked at Laney and she could see the confusion in his eyes, but all she could do was shrug.
“Umm...thanks?” he stammered. “I think.”
Lydia tugged on Wes’s arm. “Shh... It’s supposed to be a surprise.” Wes started to open his mouth, but she grabbed his hand and pulled him away. “We’ll catch up with you two later.”
When the couple had disappeared into the ballroom, Austin turned to Laney. “What was that about?”
Laney opened her mouth to tell him how it wasn’t unusual for her older brother to say things that only made sense to him, but she never got the chance.
For, instead of looking at her, Austin’s eyes were on someone else. She turned to see Samara Lionne, flanked by two bodyguards, walking toward them.
She was dressed in a full-length red beaded gown that shimmered and clung to her curves with a deep V-neck that exposed just a hint of her generous cleavage. She had diamonds on her neck, ears and wrists. Laney had no doubt that she wanted a giant rock on her finger
, too. By the intensity of her gaze at Austin, she bet Samara wanted him to be the one to put it there.
“Two bodyguards?” Laney whispered, slipping her arm into his. “What does she think is going to happen to her in Granger? Is she afraid of getting pelted with horse manure?”
“Nah, sounds to me like she’s already created enough of a stink around here,” Austin replied with a straight face.
Laney held back a giggle and whispered back, “I just hope we don’t step in it!”
“Mr. Johns, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Austin bowed. “You’ve found me.”
Samara ignored Laney and ran her hand down Austin’s arm. “So I have,” she said in a teasing voice. “And I’m hoping that you’ve heard the good news.”
“Not a word. What’s up?”
“You and I are both participating in the Cowboy Auction this evening. And I am the Grand Prize!”
“Congratulations,” he said. “But you must be mistaken. I am not for sale.”
She laughed and it seemed to Laney, who stood and watched, that she was trying her best to charm Austin somehow.
“Darling, neither am I. But all the proceeds are going to charity, so how can you possibly refuse? Besides, I predict you’ll be very popular among the ladies.” She ran a hand down his arm again and sucked in a breath. “Oh, yes, you’re definitely a ‘hot item,’” she cooed.
Laney felt her blood begin to boil at the star’s overdramatic flirtation. “Cut it out, Samara.”
Samara dropped her hand to her side and peered down her nose. “Who are you? Oh, now I remember, the disgraced champion—Laney Broward.” She put a hand on her chest. “I was so shocked to see the headlines.”
“Then you know that I was allegedly involved in the scandal,” Austin noted. “Surely you don’t want someone like me raising money for your charity.”
“On the contrary, Austin,” Samara replied, shaking her head. “The Cowboy Auction starts in a few minutes, and I’m counting on you to be up there onstage with me.”
“But what about that story?” Austin insisted. It was clear to her that he did not want to participate in the auction and Laney’s heart warmed at his efforts, but she also knew that Samara wouldn’t back down.
Samara clutched at his arm. “Not to worry, Austin. I don’t believe a word that the paper said about you. I have the utmost confidence in your character.”
Laney set her mouth in a firm line. “It’s me you have a problem with, isn’t that right?”
Samara released Austin and turned to her, glaring. “No. I already know you’re a liar.” Laney saw her eyes flit down to her belly and back up to her face. “You can’t hide the evidence any longer.”
Austin put his arm around Laney protectively, but she shook it off. She would deal with this shark of a woman on her own terms.
“Speaking of evidence...” Laney’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You know what, Samara? Ever since you’ve come to Granger, nothing has been the same.”
Samara laughed and then purposely lowered her voice. “And that’s a bad thing? Look around you, Laney,” she said sarcastically. “There hasn’t been this much excitement in this crappy little town since... Well...never!”
Laney clenched her jaw and didn’t respond. A reporter was hurrying toward them and there was no way she was going to be caught on camera.
Besides, Samara was right. The town of Granger had experienced a kind of revitalization that had led to an increase in tourists, as well as business for the BWB Ranch.
Last summer Laney had kicked things off with all the publicity around her athletic success, and tonight it looked like Samara was going all the way into the end zone for the touchdown.
That didn’t mean she had to stick around to watch Samara’s celebratory dance. Without another word, Laney stalked away.
Samara watched Laney go and hoped she would never return. From the very beginning, the woman had been nothing but trouble. She was harder to get rid of than a bad movie critic.
“Laney, wait!” Austin called out.
Samara put her hand on his arm to stop him. “Austin, let her go. It’s obvious she doesn’t want to be with you. Besides, the auction is almost ready to begin.”
Austin shook away from her grasp. “I told you, Samara. I’m not for sale.”
Samara clicked her tongue against her teeth. “That’s a shame. Come with me, I have something to show you.”
She led the way to the main ballroom. “Look along the back wall. What do you see there?”
She watched as Austin narrowed his eyes. “Ah... I see you understand now,” she cooed. “The entire event is being captured on film to be shown at a later date, of my choosing. There’s a lot of interest lately in All-American cowboys, especially wealthy ones like you, who somehow find it in their heart to give back.”
“What’s the name of the charity?” he asked.
“I haven’t decided yet,” she snapped, and then immediately softened her tone. “But what does it matter? The media and the public will eat this event up.”
Austin leaned against the doorjamb. “This sounds like blackmail, Samara,” he ground out in a low voice.
She reached up and playfully adjusted his bowtie. “Call it what you will, but in light of your recent, shall we say, indiscretions, don’t you think it’s wise to play nice?”
Austin twisted away from her and folded his arms. “I thought you said you didn’t believe any of that stuff in the article.”
Samara put her hand on her chest. “I don’t,” she replied innocently. “But other people might. The Cowboy Auction is a way to show the public just how wonderful, honest and incredibly sexy you are.” Samara wedged her arm through Austin’s and led him away, her eyes gleaming. “Tonight is your chance for vindication.”
Chapter 13
Laney emerged from the restroom just in time to see Samara leading Austin away. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, not wanting to call attention to herself. Although she’d heard Austin call out to her, he obviously wasn’t too heartbroken that she’d left his side.
True, she’d offered no explanation. Visits to the bathroom were becoming more frequent now that she was in the second trimester of pregnancy. It wasn’t something she wanted to call attention to in public, especially in front of a man, let alone Samara Lionne.
She clenched her fists and strode to the entry of the ballroom. Her eyes scanned the room, but there was no sign of Austin or Samara.
There was something about that woman that she didn’t like—didn’t trust. Cowboy Auction be damned, she thought. There was no way she was going to let Samara, or any other woman for that matter, dig her claws into her man.
Someone tapped her shoulder and she nearly jumped out of her wedge heels.
“Jameson!” Laney turned around and punched him lightly on his biceps.
“Ouch,” he said in a mock hurt tone.
“You scared me half to death! Why didn’t you announce yourself?”
“That’s no fun,” Jameson said with a grin.
Brooke gave her a quick hug. “I tried to tell him, Laney, but he insisted on sneaking up on you.”
“I used to do that to you all the time when you were little, remember?”
Laney rolled her eyes. “Of course I do. I’d be grooming one of Mama’s horses and you’d come up behind me. You’d scare me and the horse. You’re lucky you didn’t get your butt kicked!”
Jameson waved her comment away. “You’re a girl. That never would have happened.”
“Not by me. By the horse,” Laney replied good-naturedly, turning to Brooke, who was standing right beside him. “You know, if you’d like to get rid of him, you could enter him in the Cowboy Auction,” she joked.
Brooke laugh
ed. “I think I’ll keep him around for now.”
Jameson waggled his eyebrows at the two women. “I heard that it’s co-ed this time. Maybe I should see what’s available!”
“Don’t you dare!” both women cried out, attracting the attention of some onlookers.
Laney adored Brooke and thought that she was a wonderful choice for her brother. And Brooke protested because, like Laney, she didn’t want any other woman even thinking they had a chance with her man.
Jameson held his hands up and grinned. “Okay. I know when I’ve been voted down.” He checked his watch. “The auction is going to start any minute. We should probably find our table.”
Brooke kissed him on the cheek. “You go on ahead, honey. It’s girl-talk time.”
The two women laughed as they watched Jameson make a beeline toward the Browards’ reserved table, as if he couldn’t leave fast enough.
“That’s one way to get rid of a man,” Laney remarked. She drew Brooke aside. “What’s going on?”
“I was wondering the same thing. What changed your mind about attending the ball?”
“This dress and the fact that Austin gave it to me.”
Brooke’s eyes widened. “He did? It’s gorgeous and you look fantastic.”
“Thank you, so do you.”
“Where is Austin?”
“He’s getting ready to be auctioned off.”
Brooke’s jaw dropped. “Lydia told me that Samara was the grand prize, but I had no idea that Austin was involved.”
“Neither did he, apparently. And as far as I know, he’s going to go through with it. He and Samara are nowhere to be seen.”
“They’re probably backstage. Do you want me to go find Lydia and tell her that you’re looking for him?”
Laney shook her head. “Don’t bother. He’ll know soon enough.”
Brooke tilted her head. “You’re planning something,” she stated with a smile.
Laney squared her shoulders and nodded. “Let’s just say this will be a night that no one will forget.”
* * *
Austin peeked his head out from behind the curtain. He spotted Gwen, Steven, Wes and Lydia sitting at a reserved table located near the stage, but Laney wasn’t there. His heart suddenly seized in his chest. Had she left the event and returned home?
Loving Laney Page 15