Read Wild Ride: Lance and Tammy for Free Online Page B

of,” he repeated looking mildly entertained.
    Tammy did her best to pinch her lips together to keep from laughing.  The Lansdowne Ranch was a world famous supplier of thoroughbred racehorses.  The Hartley’s were very wealthy and could probably match her father’s own prominence, yet he chose to keep that to himself.  She didn’t even question why.  She knew he had a motive for doing so.  Richard was prancing about like a studded peacock thinking Tammy chose beneath him and Lance was going to take his time before he moved in for the kill. Gosh, she could just fall more and more in love with this man.
    “What about you Tammy?” Richard asked. “George said you did go into nursing.”
    “I did,” she answered with pride.  She was certain he already knew that because her mother knew she did. He was just doing his best to make it sound like she’d chosen beneath him regarding her career and her faux fiancé. He was looking down his nose at her, but she didn’t care.  She loved what she did.
    “She’s very good,” Lance cut in. “She has three different jobs and is exceptional at all of them.”
    Another compliment from Lance! She would have swooned if she wasn’t so tense at the moment. 
    Well, her mother paled and Richard scoffed again. “Well, it must be difficult to support her on a cowboy’s salary.  I’m so relieved that Melanie has decided to be at home and learn to be a good wife.”
    Good wife?  Good Lord. Translation ; slave to my whim .  “I work three jobs because I chose to, Richard.  Lance doesn’t tell me what to do.”
    “A Pity,” her mother murmured. “Why just look at your hands, your nails are in need of a decent manicure.  I do hope you do something about them before the wedding.”
    Tammy glared at her. The criticism was easy to hear in her tone.  She didn’t agree with her daughter working, but more importantly, she hated the fact that she left this life to be a public servant, so she resorted to the tactic of shaming her instead.  Her mother wanted a trophy daughter, obedient and someone she could show off, brag about.  Well, that just didn’t work out to well for her, did it?  As for her hands, she kept her nails trimmed short to reduce the spread of disease. Long nails harbor microorganisms and she didn’t want to be responsible for making anyone sick.  She’d rather become accustomed to the short nails.  It was nice not to worry about chipping and keeping them so perfect.
    “Your brother and his fiancé are arriving tonight,” Elizabeth said changing the subject. “Then we head for the Hamptons tomorrow morning to do the fine detailing for the wedding.  Unfortunately I turned your room into a tea room the day you left us. We have nowhere to put you.”
    Of course they did.  There were a few guest rooms, but God forbid her mother would offer one of them.
    “Well, it seems as if you have a full house here,” Lance said squeezing Tammy’s hand again. “I thought maybe Tammy would like to spend some time with her family, but we can see you are quite busy.  She can stay with me.” He gave Vern a speaking glance while continuing to address Tammy’s family.  Vern quickly went behind the car and loaded Tammy’s luggage back into the trunk of the limousine.
    “We’re having a family dinner tonight and would appreciate your company,” her mother said out of courtesy with her curious eyes on Lance.  Then they grazed over her daughter’s attire. “Please wear something more appropriate.”
    Tammy knew she didn’t want her there, the poor public servant, bringing the family’s prestige down, but she had to offer.  Also, she was certain she was dying to know more about her sudden fiancé. She could have kissed Lance for that save a moment ago, no matter how shocking it was.
    “Dear, where is your ring?” her mother stated noticing that her ring finger was empty. Her fine manicured brows arched. “Or is it on a payment plan?”
    “Getting cleaned