Read Wild Ride: Lance and Tammy for Free Online

him as he tucked his phone away. “Thanks for the lift. I’ll call you about Saturday.”
    The driver got out to retrieve her bag.
    Lance turned and looked out the window to the building. “I’ll walk you up.”
    “No I’ll be fine.  I appreciate everything.” God she really didn’t want him to meet her mother.
    He nodded, pulled the latch on the door to the sidewalk and got out.  He then held out his hand.
    Typical Hartley, a total gentleman. Her eyes went to his large hand knowing it would be warm and rough from working the ranch.  How could she not accept it?  Just to touch him.
    Unfortunately as soon as she emerged from the limo, there was her mother.  She was standing there holding her white toy poodle—Muffy, Muffin—something along that line. She always had some sort of high society breed such as that. It wasn’t because her mother loved dogs.  It was an accessory.  Yet, she spent more money and attention on that accessory that she did her own daughter. Standing beside her, with a mocking smile was the other reason she left New York. 
    ***
    Here she was, still having her hand held by possibly the most handsome, well-dressed man on the planet and she runs into her mother and her ex-fiancé! Her mother’s eyes darted back and forth between the two of them. Clear surprise registered in her expression.
    “Tamara?”
    “Mother,” she answered flatly steeling herself against emotion.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lance look down at her.  He obviously never heard that tone come out of her before. Not many people have.  It was a deep seated distrust that she’d buried when she left this place.  Now it came back like a burst dam. As usual, her mother didn’t notice, or didn’t care to notice.
    Her mother’s eyes then went to Lance. “Since my daughter seems reluctant to introduce us. I’m Elizabeth Van Allen.”
    Tammy swallowed hard.  She was being rude, but she was still tongue tied.  She honestly didn’t expect to run into her so soon.
    “Lance Hartley,” he answered matter-of-factly.
    “You look amazing Tamara,” said the man standing beside her mother. 
    She was trying to ignore him. Angst started building in her just being there. Finally, her attention went to Richard Cavanaugh; tall slender and arrogant.  She nodded, “Hello Richard.”  She kept her voice even, but she started to tremble.  Then she suddenly felt Lance’s hand squeeze hers. She’d forgotten he still held it.  She looked up at him and saw the most incredible look of reassurance from him.  Bless him for being so insightful! She felt herself smile to say ‘thank you’.  He gave her a brief subtle nod.  She then found her voice and introduced the both of them. “Lance, this is Richard Cavanaugh.  A family friend.”
    “Our families go back three generations.  He’s more like family,” her mother added as if Tammy just insulted Richard. She was also insinuating that he was more family than she was. “We honestly didn’t think you’d show.” She didn’t sound pleased that she was there.
    “My big brother is getting married.  Of course I would,” she answered in the same even tone.  She was doing her best to keep the hurt out of her voice.
    “Well, wonderful then.” Although her tone said something different. “Richard just made junior partner at his law firm.  Isn’t that wonderful?”
    “Yes.” She didn’t care.  Her mother couldn’t help but dangle the man in front of her as if she made a huge mistake. She expected it.  She just wished it wasn’t in front of Lance.
    “He’s engaged to your sister, Melanie.  Isn’t that grand?  We are so happy that he will be part of our family despite the failed relationship between you two.”
    Tammy wanted to crawl in a hole.  Lance was standing there hearing this, hearing her own mother treat her less than a man who has no relation to the family or any sort of integrity. It was shameful. The look on Richard’s face was one of