Chapter 14 #2
I tasked her with helping Gigi knock down the cobwebs that had accumulated on the ceiling of the wrap-around porch.
No doubt a busy, successful woman like Lauren had a housekeeper back home, but she jumped right into the task.
Meanwhile, I got the extension ladder out of the storage barn to change some of the burned out chandelier bulbs.
After finishing our clean-up of the Round Room, we parted ways so we could all get showered and dressed for dinner.
I told Gigi she should eat dinner with Lauren by the pool while I tended to a few last details.
The two of them got along so well that it was hard not to imagine what it would be like if I had Lauren in my life as more than a ranch guest. Obviously, that was only a dream because our lives wouldn’t intersect for anything more than a vacation.
I tried to simmer down and not get too excited about seeing Lauren all gussied up, as my mother would have said.
Gigi and I put on our best pairs of jeans and boots, and we both chose to wear black Western shirts that snapped down the front.
Hers had roses embroidered on the front pockets.
Without trying, we ended up looking like a matching pair.
She found it amusing to be my mini-me, and I treasured the moment, making sure to get a photo of the two of us.
In a few years, she’d probably want to look nothing like her father.
Merle and Jean Tucker were the first guests to arrive at the Round Room looking sharp, as usual, in their western wear and turquoise jewelry. Wizened with wrinkles, but still spry in spirit, they asked Tyler to start the music so they could warm up on the dance floor.
“Takes a little longer to oil the gears these days,” Merle said with a wink.
Sam showed up next with a plate of homemade cookies in hand.
To my surprise, Ella was with him. She must have taken a night off from The Mangy Marmot, which was out of character for her.
Instead of the “bartender bun” she always wore her hair in while working, her auburn tresses hung down around her shoulders in ringlet curls.
She wore pressed white jeans and an off-the-shoulder light pink blouse that showed off her shapely figure, and…
was that a rosy lip gloss on her lips? The fact that Ella was dressed up all feminine and cute was unusual and a little concerning.
If this was an actual date, Sam would find a way to mess up the relationship, as he always did, and in the process, he’d ruin a longstanding friendship.
There was no way I was going to let that happen.
I gave Ella a brotherly hug. “I didn’t know you were coming with Sam tonight. I thought you had to work?”
“I got Dakota to cover for me. You know I love to two-step.” She gave me her signature extra tight squeeze before brusquely pushing me away.
That hug was Ella in a nutshell. “And Sam gave me a sad story about not having a date for the evening. I didn’t want him to arrive alone, looking like a loser. ”
“Lies.” Sam handed me the plate of his delicious sea salt, chocolate chunk and caramel cookies. “She was the one without plans tonight, and I felt sorry for her.”
Ella patted him on the shoulder. “Sure, you tell yourself that, Sam.” She looked over at me.
“I’m getting a drink before I have to attempt dancing with your brother.
You know he has two left feet.” Ella sauntered off to the bar where Tyler was mixing drinks.
Once she was out of earshot, I stared down my brother.
“What happened to your original date?”
“Long story,” Sam said. “Basically, she reconciled with her ex and couldn’t make it.
” He sounded good natured enough about the situation, which wasn’t surprising.
I’d never seen Sam pining for a woman, and I longed for the day someone had him by the collar and could shake some sense into him. He needed a good humbling.
“I’m not going to ask for details,” I said. “All I’m going to say is you made a good choice bringing Ella tonight. She’s drama free, and you two are good friends. Right? Only friends?”
“Yes, obviously. Did you think we were on a real date? It’s Ella, and you’ve offended me.” Sam pressed a hand to his chest and gave me an indignant look. “I’m drama free too.”
“Yeah, right. The anniversary party?”
There was a moment of silence during which we both relived our parents’ fortieth anniversary party, where Sam somehow ended up with two dates for the evening.
It was a regrettable misunderstanding, he claimed, but that didn’t stop one of the women from pushing him into the pool.
Was it hilarious and well deserved? Absolutely.
But it also ruined my parents’ special celebration, embarrassing them in front of their family and friends.
“That was years ago,” he said. “I’ve matured since then.”
“Then how come you still break up with women before the relationship gets too serious?”
He skewered me with a look. “And how come you haven’t dated anyone seriously since your divorce?”
He had a point, but I wasn’t going to admit it. “I’m not avoiding it. It’s just hard to date in a town this small.”
“Speaking of dating…” He looked around the room. “Where’s that attractive guest of yours? Miss Wagonbutt?”
If he couldn’t cause his own trouble, he’d make some for me.
“Wagonblast. She’s not here yet, and please be cool tonight.
” Instead of agreeing, he curved his lips into a villainous smile.
“I’m serious, Sam. She’s wealthy, and she probably has friends with money.
Possibly even celebrities. I need her to have a nice evening so she’ll recommend us.
” Sam was never going to find out that I kissed Lauren, not if I could help it.
“I’m sure that’s why you want me on good behavior around her. You’re hoping Jeff Bezos will forgo his yacht next summer and vacation at Silver Sage instead.” He took in my ominous glare. “Fine, fine. I’ll be boring and well-behaved.”
“Thanks,” I said, not fully believing him. “I appreciate it.”
Despite Sam’s dubious dating record, he wasn’t a bad guy.
His curious nature made him a good vet because he was forward-thinking when it came to diagnoses and treatments.
In a social setting, he was always entertaining, but also somewhat unpredictable, and tonight I wanted everything to go as planned.
I needed the “unexpected surprises” portion of Lauren’s vacation to be limited to falling head over heels for me. No more stampeding cows or bar fights.
The Jernigans blew in like a hurricane, with their three children racing in circles around the room.
The Shahs and Masons arrived shortly thereafter, their teenagers side-eyeing each other, as if they wanted to meet but weren’t sure how to approach each other.
I’d be sure to make introductions if they didn’t do it themselves soon.
Merle called everyone over to begin the dance lesson, but Lauren still wasn’t there. I hung out close to the door because she deserved to be greeted by the ranch owner like all the other guests, right? That would be the excuse I gave to Sam if he razzed me later.
Finally, Lauren floated into the Round Room in a white summer dress with short fluttery sleeves, her hair curled in waves down to her shoulders.
Her tan had deepened over the last week, and it brought out the gold in her cinnamon-colored eyes.
Had I ever felt my breath catch when a woman walked into a room?
Not since high school when I had an unrequited crush on my history teacher, and that was a very long time ago.
Lauren sauntered over to me, and my mind went blank. Her ruby lips, painted to match her new boots, captivated my attention. There was nothing I wanted to do more than sweep her into my arms and plant a kiss on that luscious mouth.
When she reached me, she pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m so sorry I’m late. My dress wasn’t ironed, and I had to let it steam in the bathroom while I showered.”
I forced myself not to think about Lauren in the shower.
“No worries at all.” Her boots had a heel on them, placing her closer to my height, but I still had a good four inches on her. “You look like you belong here when you wear those boots.”
“Well, I figured, when in Wyoming…”
Our eyes caught, and I couldn’t look away. This woman had me on a string.
“Dance lesson has started,” I said. “You should jump in.”
“Aren’t you coming?” she asked. “I’m going to need a partner. Will you dance with me?”