Lara (Reynolds Ranch 1)
“Oh goodness. Come on in, Elsa.” Landon hired his party planner, Mrs. Penny, to handle the wedding planning for me, and she’s been a godsend. Even her husband is here, helping with security until the reception, and then they can enjoy the evening. I remember seeing her the night of the party and thinking she was stunning.
“Sorry to interrupt mother-daughter time, but there’s so much to do, so I need decisions on some final details that we need to discuss, and then I’ll let you be.”
“Oh please. We were just talking about last-minute details.”
We get everything situated, and I’m thrilled to have these ladies by my side at this time.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur and I barely see Landon, and it drives me insane because we’re going to spend the night apart, which I hate.
****
It’s the morning of the wedding, and Kelly and I are at the spa. We have to get pampered before everything kicks off in five hours.
“Okay. I’ve given you enough time with your family. You and I need some girly time before you marry that hunk and he steals you away.”
“Please. I bet any money you’ll be married to his friend soon.”
“Not going to happen. He’s not my type. Silent, brooding asshole doesn’t work for me. Now, let’s talk about this whole you’re-pregnant-and-I’m-the-last-to-know thing.”
“I swear I just found out, and everyone practically stormed into the room after my mom started shouting.”
“Oops. Yeah. Shouting with tons of security around isn’t the best way to keep a secret. So—let’s get you ready to marry.”
After feeling relaxed, it’s time for me to be dolled up. I spend two hours in hair and makeup. Once I’m done, I come out wearing my regular clothes because I’m going to change at the ranch. I do a quick twirl, silently asking for my bestie’s opinion.
Kelly gasps. “I don’t think it matters what you wear. Landon’s going to love you even if you wore a potato sack.”
A scoff comes from my guard’s direction. “Sorry.” She clears her throat as if that’s the issue. This bitch doesn’t think I’m good enough. Kelly’s getting her hair dried so I don’t think she heard that cunt, but I didn’t miss it. I smile nicely, but I’m about to shove my foot up her ass.
I’m about to teach her ass a lesson. “I need to use the restroom. Excuse me.” She starts to come with me. “Just wait here. I can piss by myself.” Her mouth opens like she’s never been spoken to like that before, but she needs to learn a fucking lesson. I head in the direction of the bathroom, using my phone as a reflective surface to see if she’s watching as I turn the corner. She stops watching for a second. When she does, I use the opportunity to hit the bathroom door and then turn out of it and into the closet next to it.
Turning off my cell, I wait five minutes and hear her go to look for me. When she does, I sneak out the other direction, sliding through the back exit. Everything’s paid for, so it’s not like I’m skipping out on the bill. I just want to teach this bitch something.
Running out to the main road, I see a delivery truck heading to the ranch. I wave and stop Mr. Hammond. “Can you give me a ride over to the lake?”
“Ditching your own wedding? It’s going to ruin this cake.”
“Nah. You know me. Gotta teach my security not to underestimate me.”
“Ha, ha. Girl, that man has got his hands full. I’ll take ya.” He takes me to the lake, waving goodbye as he heads to the ranch to drop off my cake. I walk to our gazebo and sit on the bench. Just as I power on my phone, I see Landon approaching.
“I’m going to spank you and fuck you hard, woman. You’re not getting out of marrying me.”
“I’m not running away, Landon. Didn’t Mr. Hammond tell you?”
“Who is that?”
“The baker.”
“I didn’t see him, unless that was the truck that pulled in as I ran out to find you.”
“How did you know where to find me? I powered off my phone.”
“This.” He holds up my hand with my ring.
“You put a tracker in my ring? I suppose that’s smart. It’s worth a lot of money.”
“It’s not the ring I give a fuck about. It’s you. I only care about you, and now this little one. What happened? Why did you ditch your security?”
“I don’t like her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Because no one sees anything wrong with her. You spent weeks picking her out, and then I didn’t want to be a bitch, but…”
“But what…what happened?”
“She scoffed when Kelly said that you would find me beautiful in a potato sack.”
“First, Kelly’s right. Second, she’s fired. I didn’t waste weeks hiring her. The female wasn’t the one I had a hard time picking. It’s finding a male to protect you. I only trust Danny around you. I’m jealous of any other guy.”