Wrangling Wes. Jacquelin Thomas

much money to go out with me.

      All eyes seemed to be on the two of them, but Wesley didn’t seem to mind. He continued to gaze at Lydia, almost as if he were photographing her with his eyes.

      “You’re staring at me,” she murmured.

      “I can’t help myself,” Wesley said matter-of-factly. “You are beyond beautiful.”

      She laughed. “This is the first time I’ve been told that. I heard that cowboys have a way with the ladies. I’m beginning to believe it.”

      Lydia tried to throttle the dizzying current racing through her. She wanted to resist his charm, but she could not. She was powerless to resist.

      “Would you like to dance?” Wesley asked, gesturing toward the dance floor.

      “Sure,” Lydia replied with complacent buoyancy.

      She rose to her feet in one fluid motion, prompting him to follow suit.

      On the dance floor, Maggie brushed past her, gave a thumbs-up and winked.

      Lydia swayed to the music.

      “You’re a good dancer,” Wesley told her.

      “So are you,” Lydia responded.

      “Do you do any line dancing?” he asked.

      Lydia shook her head. “I’m willing to learn,” she responded with a grin.

      The next song that came on provided Wesley an opportunity to give her some instruction.

      “You’re a quick learner,” Wesley said as they left the dance floor.

      She laughed. “I don’t know about that. I was awful out there.”

      This time he did not take a seat when they returned to her table. Instead, he picked up her right hand and kissed it. “It’s been a pleasure talking to you,” Wesley said. “My mother’s over there glaring at me, so I need to make my rounds. My work is never done, it seems.”

      “I understand,” she responded. His family was a major sponsor, so this was a working event for Wesley. “It was nice to meet you.”

      “I will see you Saturday.”

      Lydia nodded. “It’s a date.”

      * * *

      Lydia hummed softly as she sat down on the edge of her bed and removed her silver high-heeled sandals. She rose to her feet and slipped off her gown, replacing it with a pair of knit shorts and a tank top.

      She strolled into the bathroom to remove her makeup and brush her teeth before settling down in the middle of the bed with her cell phone.

      “Hey, it’s me,” Lydia said. “I have some really good news to report. Everything went according to plan. Wesley and I have a date on Saturday.”

      “That’s wonderful.”

      Smiling, she responded, “I knew you’d be pleased.”

      “So tell me, Lydia...is Wesley Broward really as handsome in person as he is in all the magazines?”

      “He is,” Lydia confirmed. “One thing’s for sure—he definitely seems to have a high regard for himself.”

      There was a chuckle on the other end of the line. “I’m sure he’s very charming.”

      Lydia settled back against a stack of pillows. “He was nice enough, but I didn’t get to spend much time with him.”

      “Why not? Lydia, that’s why I sent you to Montana. What were you doing all night?”

      “I couldn’t exactly monopolize his time,” Lydia stated. “He and his family cosponsored the fundraiser, so he was busy much of the night. I did exactly what you wanted. I won Wesley at the auction and we are going to have dinner together this weekend.” She paused a moment before adding, “Besides, if I’d come on too strong, that would’ve made him suspicious.”

      “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.