Chapter 16
Lauren
“Hadley, I don’t think I can do it.”
“What?” Hadley shrieked from the other end of the phone call. “But he’s all dressed up. He asked for time off work.”
Lauren lifted her head and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Shadows hung beneath her eyes, her hair had decided to be utterly rebellious, and the sweater dress she’d bought specifically for her date tonight was half a size too small and scratching her skin.
These were all signs that she should call it off with the cowboy.
“My heart isn’t in it. I look like death warmed over, and I’m tired.”
“Ha! I’ve never seen you look anything less than gorgeous, and that includes the time I brought you chicken soup when you had the stomach flu.”
Hadley was another friend who could have cut ties with Lauren recently. Zach’s brother, Rome, tried to kill Hadley and her boyfriend, and he’d almost done it.
Instead of flying into a rage, Hadley listened when Lauren admitted that she’d offered to let Zach stay at her rental house. Instead of ending their friendship, Hadley understood.
The argument between Gage and Rome that led to his death had nothing to do with Zach. At least, that’s what both Gage and Hadley claimed. After spending the last two years studying mannerisms and responses, Lauren was convinced they were telling the truth.
Gage’s past wasn’t picture-perfect either, but Hadley’s instinct had told her he was worth trusting. She could have given up on him like so many others, but she didn’t.
Now, Lauren’s stomach was tangled in knots, and she wasn’t sure if it was the impending date, her semi-dangerous neighbor, or her fruitless search for Anthony.
Zach wasn’t the only reason she lost sleep at night. Every once in a while, she dreamed about Anthony, and the guilt came rushing back like a tsunami destroying a helpless shore.
“I don’t think now’s a good time for me to be dating,” Lauren whispered.
“Then when is a good time? Wes is a great guy. He’s young, sweet, and he doesn’t go out drinking every night like some of the other wranglers. Trust me, you’ll like him.”
That was the problem. What if she did like him, then he realized she was obsessed with finding a relative who’d been missing for years? What if he didn’t like that she worked multiple jobs and had her hands in six committees at church? What if he wanted more than she could give?
She wanted a family, but what did that even look like? She hadn’t grown up in a loving home, and her friends felt more like family.
Except Anthony. He was the only person in the world related to her by flesh and blood. If it wasn’t for him, she’d have been dead a long time ago.
Those were the memories that haunted her—the ones where the devil came for her as a child, and Anthony literally put himself between her and the grown man who threw fists like fast balls.
There was a knock at the door, and Lauren brushed at her frizzing hair. “He’s here. I have to go.”
“Have fun! Call me when it’s over. Or text me the safe word if you need to. It’s pineapple.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
Would it be so bad if she utilized the safe word before they got to the restaurant?
Then she could be back home in her pajamas before seven.
The book she’d just started reading about ADHD and trauma had sucked her in, and she’d much rather be cuddled in a blanket on the couch studying childhood psychological responses.
She put on a smile as she opened the door, but her date wasn’t the one waiting on her porch.
“What are you doing here?”
Zach stepped past her into the house carrying a five-gallon bucket of paint. He hadn’t used the key she’d given him since their scandalous meeting in the hallway, and she was getting tired of answering the door every evening when he got off work at the ranch.
“Painting. Don’t worry. I’ll leave the window open. The fumes shouldn’t be too bad on this side of the house.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you were working tonight.”
Zach turned and pinned her with a cynical glare. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Great. Now Zach was going to be here when Wes arrived. She would have rather skipped that introduction, but it wasn’t as if he’d be walking her to Wes’s vehicle or anything.
“You said you were working late at the ranch,” she reminded him.
Zach faced her straight on, still carrying the bucket of paint, and looked her up and down. “Why are you dressed like that?”
“Like what?” She tucked her chin to check out the sweater dress. “This is new. Is there something wrong with it?”
“Why are you dressed like that when you’re usually in sweatpants by now?”
She smoothed her hands down the front of her outfit. “I have a date. He’ll be here any minute.”
Zach’s eyes widened, and he put the bucket on the floor. “You have a date? Why do you have a date?”
Well, outrage wasn’t exactly the response she’d expected. He was acting as if she’d decided to skydive or join the Peace Corps—which would be fun if she didn’t already love her jobs.
“If I ever want to have a relationship with a man, I have to get to know him first.”
Zach rubbed a hand over his head. His movements were fast and erratic as he sputtered. “No. No way. Dating is dangerous.”
Her mouth fell open. “Dating is dangerous? You’re joking.”
“I’m not. Haven’t you seen those true crime documentaries?”
She squinted as she studied him. If he’d been abducted by extraterrestrials and body swapped, she’d know it. Right?
“I’m familiar with the genre, but I don’t think a cowboy from Wyoming is going to chop me up and bury me in the wilderness.”
Zach’s arms flew out to his sides. “Oh, so he’s a cowboy!”
What was happening here? Did he have something against cowboys? “Um, last I checked, you were a cowboy too.”
Zach jerked back as if she’d hit him. “I’m not a cowboy. I’ve been working at a ranch for three weeks.” He held up three stiff fingers, emphasizing his point. “That does not make me a cowboy.”
Lauren folded her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to one side. This should be fun. “So, what’s so dangerous about dating other than docudramas?”
Ticking off the list on his fingers, Zach went on. “You don’t know him. You don’t know where he’s taking you. You haven’t run a background check on him.”
“Excuse me, but I think it would be rude to ask for his government ID before he’s treated me to dinner.” She shook her head. What in the world had crawled up his pants today? “I’m the straitlaced one here. Of all the things you’ve done, you think dating is dangerous.”
He rubbed a hand over his forehead. “If a guy is your age and not married, then there’s something wrong with him.”
Now it was Lauren’s turn to be blindsided. “Are you saying there’s something wrong with me?”
“No. You’re putting words in my mouth.”
Headlights panned past the window. Now was not the time for Wes to show up.
With a deep breath and a forced smile, Lauren channeled every ounce of calm she could muster and focused all of her attention on Zach. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Anyone could take advantage of you.” Zach’s shoulders rose and fell in quick, even waves, and a splotchy shade of red crept up over the collar of his T-shirt.
Warning bells rang in her head, and any hope of calming her rage died.
Her fingernails dug into the palms of her hands as she fisted them at her side.
When she spoke, her words held a serene tone she didn’t feel.
“Thanks for the reminder. I’m aware of how weak and helpless I am, but I’ll take it from here. ”
The engine roar outside changed to idle, and the metallic shutting of a door was her cue to abandon the sinking ship.
She pushed past Zach and grabbed the strap of her purse on the way out.
He didn’t say anything as she closed the door behind her with all the force she wished she could aim at his head.
Her date walked toward her with a single red rose in his hand. Even in the dark she could make out his friendly smile.
He reached out a hand as he approached. “Hi, I’m Wes.”
Wow. His hand was big. And rough. A strong work ethic was something she admired, and Hadley said he was great with the horses and the people at the ranch.
“I’m Lauren. It’s nice to meet you.”
Wes held up the rose between them. “This is for you.”
A rose. He’d brought her a beautiful rose on their first date. Could he be any sweeter?
“Do you want to take it inside before we head out?” he asked.
Nope. She wasn’t about to turn around where she’d no doubt come into contact with Zach again. “I’ll just bring it with us.”
Wes jerked his chin toward her house. “Do you need to lock the door?”
Well, that would make sense but not when Zach might think she was backing out of the date if she turned around. “Um, I’m having some construction done, and there’s a worker inside. I think it’s okay if I leave it unlocked.”
Wes lowered his head the slightest bit. “You’re sure it’s okay to let a stranger stay in your house while you’re gone?”
Wasn’t that the million-dollar question? Also, wasn’t it ridiculous that the man who ruined her three years ago now thought he could warn her away from good men and remind her of her shortcomings?
“No, I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but I’m really hungry. At this point, there isn’t really anything he could take from me that I’d miss.”