Lara (Reynolds Ranch)

“Mr. Black, there’s a call from a Mr. Reynolds on line four. He said it’s important and that you’d want to speak to him.”

“Okay. I’ll take it.”

“What’s going on, Tobias?”

“Oh, it’s the other Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Black, but I suppose you weren’t expecting to hear from me.” The voice on the other end is hard and angry, even though I’m not surprised to get the call.

“Sir, no, I wasn’t…at least not so soon.”

“Well, that’s tough. I’m only calling because I just learned of your relationship from one of my hands who showed me an internet post. Since I didn’t want to upset my daughter, I promised I’d be nice, but I’m not feeling that generous at the moment.” The rage in his voice is low and dark. Still, I can handle him and anyone else because Lara’s worth it.

“Mr. Reynolds, I’ll be quite frank with you. I love your daughter and I plan to marry her, and if I could get away with it, she’d already be Mrs. Landon Black. She knows this, and that’s the reason she hasn’t mentioned it to you because she knows how insanely obsessed I am with her, and although Lara feels the same way, she’s young and I’m a decade older than her.”

“I’m supposed to just believe you have the best intentions toward my young and naïve, barely legal daughter?”

“It’s not my concern whether or not you believe that because it’s not going to change my mind on the situation with regards to my feelings or my plans for our future. Besides, you of all people should know your daughter is hardly naïve. The girl is mischief dressed up like an innocent country girl. She’s sly, brilliant, and trouble. Do you know the first time we met was because she was committing multiple crimes?”

“What?”

“Yes, so please spare me on your angelic princess, sir. I love her and want to marry that little heathen and have little heathens of our own. I want the best for Lara and I’m most certain you want the same, so at least we can agree on that.”

“That we can. Damn it, that girl. She knows Chicago Police aren’t like the local sheriff here who has known her since she was in diapers.”

“Yes, well, luckily my little party crasher found the right party to crash.”

“If you mistreat my daughter, I’ll run you through my neighbor’s harvester.”

“Good to know, but your princess will never be mistreated. I take her well-being extremely seriously.”

I hear a commotion outside my door. “Sir,” Miss Williams calls out just as Lara bursts through the door.

“Landon,” Lara calls out, tears streaming.

“Speaking of, sir, give me a minute.” I put him on hold and run around my desk. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“My dad found out about us. He’s so upset. He’s threatening to kill you,” she sobs against my chest.

“Don’t worry, honey. I have him on the other line.” I look up and my assistant has closed my office door, giving us privacy.

“What?”

“Yes. He called the office, and I’ve been speaking to him. I’m not afraid of him, and I’m fighting for us, babe. Ain’t a soul taking you away from me, so it doesn’t matter how mad he gets at me. You’re mine, baby. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’ve knocked you up, or at least I will, so there’s no way you’re getting away from me. Are you going to try to leave me?”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know that, but are you going to try?”

“No.”

“Good. Then come here.” I bring her around and sit her on my lap and put the call on speaker.

“Mr. Reynolds, I have Lara here right now. Seems someone upset my future wife. She thinks you’re going to tear us apart, but well, I’ll never let that happen.”

“Lara, pumpkin, are you happy?”

“With Landon, I am.”

“What is this about sneaking into a party and breaking the law?”