Lara (Reynolds Ranch)

Chapter Thirteen

Landon

Lara fidgets with the edge of her sweater as we drive to her parents’ home. We’re only a couple of miles away, and she gets more and more nervous with every cloud of dust that picks up. I’m not sure what for. I’ve spoken to her father already, and I’ve made it clear that nothing and no one will be breaking us apart.

“Relax, Lara.”

“I am relaxed.”

“Bullshit. What’s bothering you? Are you afraid that they’ll convince you to stay?”

“No. It’s just…what if you change your mind?”

“Stop, Danny.” He pulls over to the side. I unbuckle our seatbelts and lift her onto my lap. Grabbing her face with my hands, I look into my beloved Lara’s eyes. “I love you, Lara. No way in hell am I ever letting you go. I’m not changing my mind, not now or in fifty years. You’re stuck with me. I don’t care how many times you’ve been arrested by the local sheriff or how much shit you got yourself in. You’re mine.”

“Are you sure you love me enough?”

“Of course. I thought it was obvious. I knew I loved you from the first moment we met. I know it’s probably too soon for you to understand the depths of my adoration, but I’ve made my intentions clear for a reason.”

“It’s not too soon. I love you too, and it’s why I’m so scared because I don’t want to lose you.”

“Good. Now, sit in your seat and put your seatbelt back on because I need to meet your parents and plan this wedding before the weekend’s over with.”

“You’re serious?”

“Dead serious,” I promise, kissing her hard before turning to address Danny. “Drive us, please.”

She calms down a bit until we pull into the large gate that has a double R on the front, reading “Reynolds Ranch” on the sign to the left of the entrance. It’s a lot nicer than I expected. Given the way she avoids mentioning her town and her home, I thought it would be a broken-down farm with a few animals. This place is fantastic, although it’s clear that they need security. It’s severely lacking.

Once we come to a stop, a large man who looks like an older-looking Tobias steps out with a woman who could be a fair-haired version of my future wife. “Lara,” her mother calls out as soon as Lara jumps out of the truck without waiting for me or Danny.

I growl, hating how I didn’t do a recon of the area. Although she has lived here her entire life, I’m still stuck in my ways. There are things that I can’t compromise, and that’s Lara’s safety.

“I’ll patrol,” Danny says, reading my mind.

“Thank you.” I step forward, walking to the bottom of the porch where her parents have gathered to hug her while her father sneaks a scowl my way.

“Mom, Dad, I want to introduce you to Landon Black.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m sure it is,” Mr. Reynolds bites out. I extend my hand for him to shake, which he does with a little more force than necessary. I don’t buckle or add more pressure because I don’t have anything to prove by hurting the older man.

“It is. Now I see where my lovely Lara gets her looks from.” I smile at Mrs. Reynolds and earn a snarl from him again. This time, he curls up to his wife like a jealous man.

“Please, Tobias, calm down. The man is only baiting you because you’re messing with him. Come inside.”

I take Lara’s hand as she leads me up the porch behind her parents. It’s a very large home that must have been nice to grow up in. I wonder what secrets it hides. Why does she dislike it so much?

“I’m going to check on dinner. Come and help me, Tobias.” Mrs. Reynolds grabs her husband, leaving Lara and me together.

“Do you want a tour, or do you want to rest?” Lara asks.

“A tour would be good, love. I have questions.” I kiss her temple, ignoring any audience we have because something is bothering me about the fact that she wasn’t happy here.

“What questions?”

I look around the foyer and see how nice it is. “Have you always lived here?”