Читать книгу Wrangling Wes - Jacquelin Thomas, Jacquelin Thomas - Страница 9

Chapter 2

“Get ready, ladies, to bid money to win a date with some of our most eligible males in Granger. Winners get a romantic date featuring a delicious candlelight dinner, wine and dancing,” the auctioneer announced.

Lydia felt a shiver of anticipation course down her spine. Single women all around the room rose to their feet and gathered near the stage. She was careful to remain near the back of the gathering group, farthest from the front.

“Let’s start the bid at one thousand dollars for this handsome cowboy here,” said the auctioneer. “Jameson Broward loves to travel and is looking to take one lucky girl on a romantic date exploring international cuisine. I don’t know about you, but I love to eat, so this sounds like heaven.”

Laughter and chuckles rang out across the room.

Lydia noted that Jameson wore a handsome smile, but that smile did not reach his eyes. He did not appear at all happy to be on the auction block.

She took a sip of her white wine. This was about to get interesting.

“One thousand dollars,” a woman called out.

“Eleven hundred,” a second woman countered.

“Fifteen hundred,” another bid.

A young woman standing near Lydia won Jameson for five thousand dollars.

The Broward patriarch, Charles, also ignited a bidding war—between a twenty-something-year-old and a more mature woman, which Lydia found amusing.

The young woman’s tenacity and wallet won out at three thousand dollars.

“Looks like Miss Patti Wier has won herself a cowboy and a gentleman,” the auctioneer said.

Laughter and cheers rang around the room.

Now it was time for Wesley to step up on the auction block. Lydia knew instinctively that he would bring in the most money, and she was prepared.

“This handsome cowboy has a surprise in store for some lucky woman. Girls, I tried to pry the details out of him, but Wesley Broward’s not telling. Don’t you just love a man who can keep a secret?”

“One thousand dollars,” Lydia heard someone yell out.

“Two thousand,” another said.

She glanced around the room as others quickly tossed out bids.

The bidding was fast-paced and frenzied.

When the amount rose to six thousand dollars, only two women were still in a bidding war.

“Six thousand five hundred.”

“Seven thousand dollars.”

The room grew quiet.

It’s time, Lydia decided.

“Ten thousand dollars,” she said loudly.

The room was suddenly filled with tense silence as all eyes turned toward the young woman who had placed the highest bid in the charity event’s history.

* * *

Amused, Wesley joined the others in the search. He usually brought in the most money, but this was a completely unexpected turn of events. Historically, the bids were never higher than six thousand dollars.

He continued to gaze around the room, searching for the woman who had just outbid the others. As the sea of people parted, he glimpsed a beauty wearing a stunning teal and purple gown. He had noticed her earlier. It had been a few fleeting glances at best, but they were enough to ignite his interest. She was not familiar to him, as he knew most of the women in Granger. However, the stranger seemed to know Maggie Dillon.

Maggie was married to the owner of the Double D Ranch. The redhead with big blue eyes was nice enough, but she loved to talk.

The stunning woman made her way gracefully toward the stage as the room erupted into loud clapping. Slowly and seductively, Wesley’s gaze slid downward, giving her body a raking once-over.

“Do you know her?” Jameson asked his brother in a low voice.

“No, but I saw her for a split second with Maggie earlier.” He didn’t add that she had captured his interest and learning more about her was already on his agenda.

Wesley’s breath caught in his throat as she neared the stage. She was gorgeous, and definitely not from around these parts. He was thrilled to be won by an outsider—and a beautiful one at that.

“Come on up, honey,” the auctioneer said. “We want to get some pictures of our bachelors and their dates.”

From his vantage point onstage, Wesley estimated her age to be in her middle to late twenties. He decided she was about five feet seven inches tall. She had a slender but curvy build. As she neared the stage, Wesley glimpsed her big brown eyes with long lashes, warm cocoa complexion and dark, curly tresses. He found himself looking forward to his date with this stranger.

* * *

Lydia blew out a breath as her stomach began to twist and ripple with nerves that had been shivering through her all evening. Those feelings intensified just as she was about to join Wesley on the stage.

Something vaguely sensuous passed between them.

“Hello, darlin’,” he greeted in a low voice. “It appears you and I are going on a dream date.”

Looking up into Wesley’s handsome face, she smiled. “Yes, it does appear that way.”

“Come closer,” he whispered. “I won’t bite.”

The underlying sensuality of his words captivated Lydia. She could clearly tell that he was a man who enjoyed the attention of women.

Wesley wrapped an arm around her and held her snugly as they posed for pictures before leaving the stage.

Lydia relaxed, sinking into his cushioning embrace. Her skin tingled where Wesley touched her, his nearness making her senses spin.

“What is your name, pretty lady?” he asked while walking her back to her table.

“Lydia LaSalle,” she responded with a smile. “And I already know that you are Wesley Broward. It’s nice to finally meet the man I’ve heard so much about.”

Lydia could tell from the look of surprise on his face that she had caught him momentarily off guard, but he seemed to recover quickly.

“I hope everything you’ve heard presents me in a positive light.”

“It does,” she confirmed.

“You have me at a disadvantage, I’m afraid,” Wesley stated. “What brings you to Granger?”

“I heard it was a lovely place to visit,” Lydia responded smoothly. “I thought I’d come see for myself, and it really is beautiful. It’s definitely one of Montana’s hidden gems.”

“How long are you staying in town?”

“I’m not sure,” she answered. “For a few weeks at least.”

Wesley seemed to be peering at her intently, and Lydia was strangely flattered by his interest.

“How does Saturday night work for you?” he inquired. “For our date.”

She nodded. “I don’t have any pressing plans, so it’s perfect.”

He sat down on the vacant chair beside her, and once again, when his gaze met hers, her heart turned over in response.

This is so crazy, Lydia thought to herself. The man is just being nice to me. I just paid ten thousand dollars for a date with him. I would be nice to anyone who paid that 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.