Jacquelin Thomas - Wrangling Wes

“I suppose you’re right. Just make sure you find out everything there is to know about Wesley Broward and his family. Speaking of which, did you get to meet his family?”

“Briefly,” Lydia responded.

“What were they like?”

“They seemed nice enough,” she said, wondering yet again why her boss seemed so interested in the Broward family. “What is this really about?”

“I pay you enough to not ask questions, Lydia. Just do your job.”

Her employer disconnected the call before she could utter a response.

She released a sigh of frustration. There were times when Lydia wondered why she ever agreed to work for someone so self-absorbed and demanding, but it was a prime opportunity. Lydia had dreams of getting into entertainment management, and her job could provide her a foot in the door.

Her employer could be so sweet when she wanted to be, but then she could also be hard as nails, which probably served her well in her profession.

The one question that remained in Lydia’s mind was regarding her employer’s connection to Wesley. It was pretty obvious that the two did not know each other.

What’s really going on?

Lydia knew she would remain in the dark until her boss decided to open up about her plans concerning Wesley.

Thinking about him prompted the beginnings of a smile. Lydia found herself to be quite taken by his cowboy “Code of the West” charm. Her body tingled at the thought of seeing him on Saturday for their date. The memory of why she had come to Granger invaded her thoughts. She liked Wesley, but not only that, she just wasn’t comfortable with her role in this scheme. It bothered her that her employer was acting so suspiciously. Lydia vowed that she would not do anything that would hurt Wesley.

She thought about the way he gazed at her upon her approach to the stage earlier. Lydia had not missed his obvious examination and approval. However, Lydia had not expected to be so drawn to Wesley. She had to find a way to maintain control over the situation.

Sighing softly, Lydia settled into her bed. It had been an exciting evening, but she was tired.

Tomorrow she’d be busy putting her employer’s plan into action.

Chapter 3

Wesley had to be up early the next morning, so he left shortly after eleven o’clock to return to the ranch. He’d agreed to drive his grandfather home on the way, since his parents and siblings were still at the hotel.

“That was a purdy lil’ woman that wrangled you tonight, Wes,” his grandfather said as he removed his tuxedo jacket. “Right purdy girl.”

He chuckled. “From the looks of it, you didn’t do too bad yourself, Grandpa.”

“I just have to remember to have her home before her curfew.”

Wesley threw back his head and laughed. “I noticed some of the women weren’t happy at being outbid by a twenty-year-old—especially Eugenia Maple. She’s had her eye on you since her husband died last year.”

“She may have her eye on me, but I’m not interested,” Charles uttered. “I know for a fact she drove Henry to his grave. From what he used to tell me, Eugenia is not an easy woman to live with. I’ll tell you this, Wes. That’s not how I intend to live out the rest of my days—with a nagging woman.”

“I want someone I can be friends with,” Wesley stated. An image of Lydia materialized in his mind.

“Friends with,” his grandfather repeated.

He nodded. “I want a woman I like being around and want to spend time with. I want a woman I can talk to about anything and she’s actually interested in hearing what I have to say. I want a woman who will be honest and trustworthy. Someone who won’t play games.”

“Your grandmother was... She was a good woman. Outspoken and told the truth, even when you didn’t want to hear it. Lawd knows...I miss that woman.”

“Grandpa, I miss her, too,” Wesley confessed. “Things aren’t the same without her.”

He headed to the front door. “Don’t forget to take your medicine, Grandpa.”

Charles waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Good night, Wes.”

Laughing, Wesley responded, “I’ll see you in the morning.” His grandfather resented being treated like an old man. He was independent and intent on doing things his own way.

Wesley drove from the main house to his own place, a three-bedroom cabin that had been renovated six years prior.

Inside, he walked straight to his bedroom and undressed.

As he prepared for bed, Wesley’s thoughts turned back to Lydia. His attraction to her was instant, igniting an interest in learning more about her. The fact that she had her own money was also attractive to him. He had long grown tired of gold diggers.

Lydia was different from the women he was used to dealing with. Unlike in the past, Wesley found himself looking forward to Saturday night.

Maybe it was because she wasn’t from Granger. Whatever the reason, his interest in her was piqued. He was looking forward to getting to know Lydia better.

Wesley had no doubt in his mind that he would be seeing more of her after Saturday night. It was just the beginning for them.

* * *

Saturday arrived along with her long-anticipated date with Wesley. Lydia fingered her curls as she eyed her reflection in the mirror.

I feel like an excited schoolgirl experiencing her first date. She giggled at the thought. It had been a long time since she’d felt this way. Lydia had to remind herself that this wasn’t a real date.

The thought put a damper on her excitement. It was a ruse to get close to Wesley.

The ringing of her cell phone provided a wonderful distraction for her. Lydia picked it up, looking at the caller ID. “I can’t talk to you right now,” she whispered.

She tossed the cell on the bed and then turned her attention back to her appearance. Even though it was not a real date, Lydia wanted to look her best for Wesley. She had a feeling that it would be a night she would never forget. Wesley had been very secretive about their date and had given her no details. I can’t read too much into this, Lydia reminded herself. The only reason he was taking her out was because she’d donated ten thousand dollars to charity. It wasn’t even her own money that she’d used. She was not even being her true self.

A thread of guilt snaked down her spine. Lydia liked Wesley, and deep down it really bothered her that she was not being completely honest with him.

She kept trying to convince herself that it didn’t matter. Lydia was in Granger to find out everything she could about Wesley, and then she would be returning to Los Angeles.

Yet, she could not deny the spark of excitement at the prospect of spending time with Wesley Broward, even if it was a job.

A job, she acknowledged, she would find enjoyable.

Lydia jumped at the sound of a knock on the door.

She did a final check of her makeup and hair before opening the door.

Wesley raised an eyebrow a fraction at the sight of her.

Their gaze met and held.

Lydia could almost feel the movement of his breathing. “Hello,” she whispered.

He wore a starched white shirt and a pair of black denim pants with highly polished cowboy boots. The sight of Wesley standing in her hotel room made Lydia’s heart beat rapidly and her pulse quicken. A delicious shiver of wanting ran through her.

She could barely tear her gaze away from him.

Neither one said a word.

After a few moments, Lydia burst into a short, nervous laugh to break the silence. “I guess we should get a move on.”

Wesley nodded. “Yes, ma’am, but there’s one thing you need to do before we go.”

Confused, she met his gaze. “What is it?”

“You need to take off that dress.”

* * *

The heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew up. “Excuse me?” What’s wrong with my dress? she wondered.