Jacquelin Thomas - Wrangling Wes

Wesley eyed the silk dress Lydia was wearing and smiled. She looked exquisite—too exquisite for the evening he’d planned for them. His gaze traveled to her shoes. “You might want to wear something a little more comfortable,” he told her.

She glanced down at her clothes and asked, “Why? Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” he murmured.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Lydia responded.

“Okay,” he said. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She was quiet on the drive to the surprise location. Wesley drove to the last place anyone would think he would bring a date.

When he pulled into the parking lot of their destination, he stole a peek at Lydia. Her expression was unreadable.

“What’s the name of this place?” she asked.

“Shank of the Evening Saloon.”

“That’s quite an interesting name,” Lydia responded as she eyed the wooden shack. To most outsiders, it probably looked like an old eyesore, but not to her. “How old is this place?”

“It’s been around for almost seventy-five years,” he told her. “And it’s a favorite of ranchers in the area.”

Wesley noticed that she looked mildly surprised that he would bring her to such a gritty establishment whose interior walls were covered with old license plates, news clippings and photos of the past.

But if Lydia was at all shocked by his choice of venue, she certainly hid it well.

Lydia had no idea that the only reason he’d brought her to this place was to gauge her reaction. Quite a few women were interested more in his money than in him. Wesley wanted to get a feel for Lydia. He was curious as to why she’d bid so much money for a date with him. It had to be to get his attention.

Lydia had no idea that she had already sparked Wesley’s interest in her. He cleared his throat, pretending not to be affected.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked, fully expecting her to order some girlie drink.

She glanced around the saloon, and then said, “I’d like a beer.”

Wesley was surprised. He also noted that she didn’t flinch at the less-than-refined behavior of some of the patrons around them, and he was impressed. There was more to this city girl than he first thought.

Their beers arrived.

Lydia took a sip of hers.

He smiled when she didn’t make a face at the taste. This was a woman who truly seemed to enjoy a beer every now and then.

“You look surprised,” she said. “You’ve never seen a girl drink beer?”

“I never thought a city girl like you would ever drink one, or be comfortable in a place like this.”

“I’m an occasional drinker,” Lydia told him. “I may drink a beer once or twice a year. My drink of choice is a chocolate raspberry martini, but I’m pretty sure I won’t find that here.”

Wesley chuckled. “You’re right about that.”

“As for this place, this is nothing new to me,” Lydia stated. “I’ve been in places similar to this back home in New York.”

She swayed to the music. “I’ve never been much of a country music lover, but it’s actually growing on me.”

“I like some of it,” he responded. “I’m more of a jazz lover.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “There’s no better music than jazz. My favorites are the samba/bossa nova standards, especially if I want some soft, pleasant jazz to relax to.”

“Wesley, what do you do for recreation?” Lydia asked. “Do you play any sports?”

“I played football and basketball in high school,” he answered. “I didn’t do much in college though because of a knee injury. I focused more on my studies. As for now, I enjoy riding my horse in the evenings—it relaxes me after a long day. I play basketball every now and then with some guys I went to college with. What about you? What do you do for fun?”

Lydia smiled at him. “Not much these days.”

“Why is that?” Wesley asked.

“No special reason,” she responded. “I guess I’ve been trying new things, such as coming to Montana.” Lydia met his gaze. “I’m glad I did.”

“I have to say that I’m glad you decided to visit our lil’ town. I never would’ve met you otherwise.”

“I have to say that I’m glad I decided to come to Granger. It’s beautiful here.”

She took a sip of her beer. “I’d really like to know more about you, Wesley. I’ve never met a man like you.”

“Call me Wes. Wesley sounds so formal.”

Lydia grinned. “Okay...Wes it is.” She paused a heartbeat before saying, “Tell me something about you that most people don’t know.”

Normally Wes would deflect this attempt at getting personal with some self-deprecating humor, but something about Lydia prompted him to answer honestly. “I want something more out of life. More than ranching.”

His response was not what she would have expected him to say. “Then why don’t you go after whatever it is that you want?” she asked. “Life is short. Live every moment as if it’s your last.”

Wesley met Lydia’s gaze and smiled. “You’re right.” It just wasn’t that easy for him, however. He had to think of his family and what his choices would mean for them.

He leaned forward and asked, “Would you like to dance?”

She surprised Wesley by removing her high-heeled sandals. “Sure.”

He broke into a grin. “C’mon, darlin’.”

* * *

Perspiration dotted her brow as they made their way off the dance floor. Lydia was having the time of her life. The establishment looked like nothing more than an old shack, but the music was great.

Fanning herself with her left hand, Lydia said, “I need a glass of ice water.”

“Have a seat and I’ll get you some,” Wesley told her.

She returned to their table and sat down.

A few minutes later, Wesley walked over with her water. “Here you are, darlin’.”

“Thanks,” Lydia murmured as she accepted the glass from him. “You are a life saver.”

He dropped down into the seat beside her.

She turned to face Wesley and whispered, “This may surprise you, but I am having a great time.”

He eyed her. “Really? In a place like this?”

“Yes,” Lydia confirmed. “It doesn’t look like much, but I like it.”

“I have a confession to make,” Wesley stated.

“What is it?”

“I brought you here to get some type of reaction from you. I wanted a glimpse into the real you.”

“I guess you expected me to throw some type of tantrum.” Wesley had no idea that a place like this was nothing new to Lydia. She used to frequent some of the hole-in-the-wall joints back in Syracuse when she was in college. While she had been surprised in his choice, she was not repulsed by the establishment.

“I didn’t know what to expect, Lydia. I have another admission. From the moment I saw you at the gala, you’ve had my interest piqued.”

Lydia’s heart leaped at his words. It was at that moment that she realized just how much she wanted Wesley to find her desirable. Not just to play into her employer’s plan, whatever it really was. But for her own satisfaction.

“Be honest,” he said. “You’re not a little bit shocked that I brought you to a place like this? I’m sure you expected to be taken to some expensive restaurant.”

“I did,” she confessed. “But it doesn’t matter. Wesley, I’m not some snobby type, if that’s what you were worried about. I’m just a normal flesh-and-blood woman.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Wesley said with a smile. “Relieved actually.”

Lydia laughed. “I have to confess that I wondered the same about you. I had hoped you weren’t some stiff-shirt type of snob.”

“I’m sure you know that’s not me by now.”

She nodded. Lydia thought she detected a flicker in his intense eyes. She shifted in her chair as she struggled to regain control of her emotions.