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“I don’t think that’s what it is,” Gwendolyn stated. “But I know my daughter. Something is bothering her.”
He had never seen Laney look so troubled. Wesley had no idea what was going on with his sister, but he intended to find out.
* * *
Lydia LaSalle...LaSalle...she repeated over and over in her mind. Her feet slowed as she neared the front desk of the hotel.
“Hello, my name is Lydia LaSalle and I have a reservation.” Her voice sounded a pitch higher than she would have liked.
The hotel clerk, a young woman, glanced up from the computer monitor, smiling warmly. “Welcome to the Granger Hotel, Miss LaSalle.”
Lydia set her iPhone on the counter and pulled a wallet out of her purse.
“We’ve reserved the Emerald Suite for you.”
She smiled. “Thank you.” Lydia relaxed as she accepted the room key from the clerk. She worried that the fake driver’s license would not pass the woman’s scrutiny, but everything was working according to plan.
“I hope you will find your stay with us an enjoyable one,” the front-desk clerk said.
“I’m sure I will,” Lydia responded. She put away her wallet as she walked toward the elevators.
“Miss LaSalle...”
It took a moment for Lydia to remember that the woman was addressing her. She turned around to find the desk clerk holding up her cell phone. She had been caught off guard—something Lydia could not allow to happen again.
“Oh, my goodness,” she murmured. “Thanks so much. I would be completely lost without my phone.”
She had checked in the hotel as Lydia LaSalle but her real name was Lydia Emerson. As far as the people in this small town were concerned, she was a wealthy heiress on vacation.
Lydia tipped the bellhop twenty dollars after he set the three pieces of designer luggage inside her suite. She had just recently arrived in town, but she had a to-do list a mile long.
As soon as she was alone in the suite, Lydia ran into the bedroom and dived into the king-size bed.
“Ooh...this feels wonderful.” Although she traveled a lot, Lydia had never stayed in a room as extravagant as this one, which was decorated in rich jewel-tone colors and dark mahogany.
“Okay, enough being silly,” she whispered. “I have a lot to do, so I need to get unpacked.”
She picked up a suitcase.
“Ow!”
She hopped on her left foot and clutched at the bruised toes on her right one. Shooting a furious glare at the bolted-down table, Lydia limped her way over to the king-size bed.
She laid the suitcase down on the bed.
With her aching toes throbbing in concert with her beating heart, Lydia opened it and began removing the contents.
She moved forward, encountering the average-size walk-in closet. Lydia hung up the gown she’d planned to wear to the upcoming charity function. She had only dreamed of wearing a couture creation like this and never expected it to come true.
After unpacking, Lydia sat down on the edge of her bed. She picked up her cell phone and dialed.
“Hey, girl...”
She smiled at the sound of her best friend’s voice. “Jasmine, I just wanted to let you know that I made it to Granger.” They’d met during Lydia’s first week in Los Angeles and had become fast friends.
“I can’t believe you’re in Montana. With your job, I figured you’d be taking trips to places like Europe or some exotic island.”
“Not this time around.”
“Take lots of pictures for me. I doubt I’ll ever visit Montana.”
Lydia laughed. “It’s actually quite pretty here. The mountains, the lakes and miles of gorgeous blue sky.”
“Really? Maybe I should come visit.”
“You’d be bored after a couple of days, Jasmine. While it’s beautiful here, there is nothing but a bunch of ranches, cattle and cowboys—none of which is of interest to you.”
“You’re right,” her friend responded. “I really don’t know how you’re going to survive these next few weeks. You’re a city girl.”
“I’ll manage,” Lydia responded with a chuckle. “I’m sure I’ll have enough work to keep me busy.”
“Well, make sure to try and have some fun. Don’t work too hard.”
Lydia laughed. “And you get some work done. Cut back on the fun.”
She hung up with Jasmine and called her mother next.
As expected, the call went to voice mail. “Mama, I just wanted you to know that I’m in Montana for business. I’m going to be here for a few weeks. Call me when you get a minute.” Her mother worked odd hours at the post office in Syracuse, her hometown. She hoped to make enough money one day to convince her mother to retire. The woman had worked hard all of her life. Lydia wanted her mother to take a moment to relax.
Lydia decided to have lunch delivered to her room.
While she waited for her food to arrive, Lydia sat down on the sofa and pulled a folder out of her leather tote.
A photograph fell into her lap.
Wesley Broward was a very handsome man, indeed. Thirty years old and single, although it was rumored that he had left a string of broken hearts all over the Mountain States. Lydia could clearly understand why women were so drawn to him—those sexy brown eyes and smooth complexion except for the neatly trimmed mustache and goatee. According to her notes, he stood six feet tall and was well-fit and muscular. Lydia knew that Wesley wasn’t much of a society man, but someone with his wealth could not completely escape the attention of gossip columns and news magazines.
She was looking forward to meeting the Broward family, but Lydia was especially excited at the prospect of getting to know Wesley. Her eyes traveled to his face.
It was so easy to get lost in those intense eyes of his, she cautioned herself. Lydia reminded herself that she was not in Granger to fall in love with a cowboy. As soon as her work was finished, Lydia intended to return to Los Angeles.
* * *
Wesley strolled outside after everyone had finished eating breakfast. It was time to get his day started. He paused on the porch, allowing the subtle warmth from the morning sun to embrace him.
“I guess you’ll be adding another broken heart to your list after tomorrow night,” Jameson said as he stood beside Wesley.
“Actually, I have no intentions of getting involved with my date. It’s too much trouble,” he responded. “What about you? Women in Granger have been trying to tie you down for years.”
“Not for the right reasons,” Jameson said. His lips curved upward. “And I have enough sense to leave it at one date. But then again, no one has ever tossed their underwear onstage to me.”
Recalling the incident, Wesley burst into laughter. “I forgot all about that. The auction last year did get a little wild. That auction was the cowboy’s equivalent of a rock concert. I felt like a rock star.”
Jameson chuckled. “All right, Rock Star...let’s get our horses and take a ride.”
They made their way to the stables and quickly saddled their horses.
Minutes later, the cool, April morning stillness was punctured by the slapping of saddle leather, the jingling of spurs and the rhythmic beat of horses’ hooves on the soft ground as Wesley and Jameson rode their horses down the road toward the pasture where the workers had taken the cattle to graze.
“I’m going to ride around the perimeter,” Wesley stated. He usually performed a check every other day to make sure there were no broken or stretched wires, broken posts, fallen trees or branches on the fence line.
There was a time when he was excited to be outside with the cattle, but things had changed lately. He was restless.
Ranching was in his blood. Wesley was born into the lifestyle, but there was a longing—a longing to try something new. He just had no idea what he wanted to do. It wasn’t what he considered a burning desire, but an itch to explore the possibilities was severe enough to stay in the forefront of his mind.
His mother considered his restlessness as a sign to settle down with a wife and have a family of his own. Wesley wasn’t exactly opposed to the idea of marriage; it was finding the right woman that presented a challenge. He had already decided that he would have to look outside Granger for a wife. Most of the women he had come in contact with seemed to have more of an interest in the family wealth than in him. His parents were both well-off when they met and married. Wesley believed he would have to find a woman who already had financial security to take as his mate.
He valued honesty above all other qualities. The rumor mill had him painted as a ladies’ man, but while he enjoyed the attention of women, he had no patience when it came to manipulation and deceit.
* * *
Lydia turned around slowly as she eyed her reflection in the full-length mirror. The dress really was gorgeous and cost more than what she made in a month. Thankfully, she had not been the one to foot the bill for it.
In keeping her true identity a secret, it was important that she dress the part, as well. She was about to mingle with some of Montana’s wealthiest residents. Lydia inhaled deeply, and then exhaled.
Please don’t let me make a fool of myself, she prayed.
This should be easy, Lydia silently reasoned. After all, she had been pretending most of her life. Her father left when she was young and appeared sporadically throughout her teen years. The story Lydia told to her friends growing up was that his absence was because he worked overseas. No one ever knew how hard it was for Lydia and her mother to make ends meet.
At one point, her mother worked two jobs, leaving Lydia to fend for herself. When she started high school, her mother landed employment with the post office where she was now a supervisor.
Lydia shook away thoughts of the past. She wanted only to focus on the present, and right now she had a gala to attend.
She grabbed her clutch purse and made her way downstairs to the ballroom where the gala was being held.
Shortly after Lydia’s arrival, Wesley strolled into the ballroom alongside his brother, causing a stir among the ladies in attendance.
She was careful to stay out of sight. Lydia wanted a chance to observe Wesley without his knowledge.
He was very handsome, and from his body language, it was obvious that Wesley knew that he looked good.
He was well aware of the magnetism he exuded. Lydia was sure of it. She was by no means blinded by his appeal, but such an attraction could prove disastrous. Lydia was determined to do exactly what she came to do—nothing more. The last thing she intended to do was get involved with a cowboy. She couldn’t imagine anything they would have in common.
She took note of his parents when they arrived with daughter Laney. The Browards were a stunning family. Steven stood tall like his sons; he was bald with a graying beard. His wife, Gwendolyn, was a tall woman with a medium brown complexion and intelligent eyes that missed nothing. Wesley’s sister had an athletic build, although she moved about gracefully. She wore her long brown hair straight.
The patriarch, Charles Broward, entered the room within minutes of the rest of the family, smiling and even flirting with a few of the women. He was still a handsome man with distinctive blue eyes despite his advanced age.
Lydia noticed a couple of females staring in her direction and whispering. Most likely, they were discussing her. After all, she was the interloper. She supposed this was due to Granger being a small town with a population of about two thousand.
She lifted her chin, meeting their curious gazes straight on. Lydia gave them a tiny smile before walking toward the bar. Lydia caught sight of Wesley coming toward her and quickly changed directions. She was not ready for him to take notice of her.
“Your dress is stunning,” a young woman complimented. She was standing directly in Lydia’s path.
“Thank you. I love the color of your gown,” Lydia responded with a smile. “That shade of blue is a favorite of mine.” After a brief pause, she added, “Hi, I’m Lydia.”
“It’s nice to meet you. My name is Maggie. Welcome to Granger.”
“I suppose in a town this size, everyone knows everybody.”
Maggie nodded. “You’re absolutely right, honey. We can spot an outsider as soon as they step across the city limits. If you don’t mind my asking, what brings you to Granger?”
“A few months ago, I came across an article on the town and decided it would be the perfect place to visit,” Lydia stated. “I’ve always wanted to see Montana.”
“Since Laney Broward won a gold medal at the Olympics, we have had a flood of folks from all over. Some come to visit and end up staying. I think it’s wonderful. This town can use some new blood, if you ask me.” Maggie took her by the arm. “C’mon over here, honey. Let me introduce you around. Maybe that way the folks will stop staring you down. We’re a curious bunch here in Granger.”
Lydia chuckled.
They moved about the room, pausing here and there so that Maggie could introduce her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met people who were so warm and welcoming,” Lydia said.
Maggie led the way to where a group of important-looking attendees were standing. Lydia glanced over her shoulder, searching for Wesley. She found him standing near the buffet table with two other men.
Their gazes met and locked.
After what seemed like an eternity, Lydia turned her attention back to Maggie.
“Where are you from?”
“Los Angeles,” Lydia replied. She stole a glance to where she last saw Wesley. Lydia’s eyes traveled the room, searching when he was no longer there. She found him sitting down at a table with his sister. The two appeared deep in conversation.
At the sound of her name, Lydia pasted on a smile as Maggie continued to make introductions.
As they neared the table where the Broward family was sitting, Lydia released a soft sigh. It seemed the men had decided to leave the table for whatever reason.
“Hey, y’all,” Maggie uttered in greeting. “I want to introduce you to Lydia. She’s visiting our lil’ town.”
Gwendolyn smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you, dear.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, as well,” Lydia responded. She turned her attention to Laney and said, “Congratulations on winning the gold.”
“Thank you,” Laney murmured. “I hope you’ll enjoy Granger.”
“I’m sure I will. It’s so beautiful here.”
Lydia was glad when they moved on to the next table. Maggie was intent on her meeting everyone at the fundraiser, it seemed.
“Oh, the auction is about to start,” Maggie said. “We should take our seats.”
