Page 26 of Belong With Me

Chapter Nine

Sienna

I exited Savannah’s car, feeling out of place in my business suit and heels. But it was like I hadn’t even left Louisiana. Bees buzzed lazily between the perfectly trimmed roses and the jasmine-draped patio. Water sang softly as it trickled through the ostentatious water feature of a Roman Goddess, set in the center of the driveway. The smell of chlorine played in the sweet spring air, telling me there was a pool nearby. On a day like today, I could almost consider diving right in. If I wasn’t here on business, that is.

On rounding the car, I opened the passenger door and leaned in, grabbing the wad of documents from my leather briefcase on the passenger seat. Thumbing through the contracts, I found the one for this particular property, and returned the others to the side pocket. After grasping the car keys and closing the door with a sound thud, I turned toward the sprawling mansion, looking it over once more. It was so overwhelmingly different to where I was staying on the Larsen’s property. There was honestly no other way to explain it.

The quick taps of heels clacking on the paved pathways somewhere to the left of where I stood alerted me to someone’s approach. I slid my hands over my slacks as I settled into my business persona. The cooler, calm and collected version of myself, that also had a don’t mess with me attitude. Smiling to myself, I allowed my inner voice to go over our mantra. You got this girlfriend.

The clacking became even louder as a woman around my age approached. Anyone would have thought that she was the legal representative. She wore a tight black pencil skirt and a sleeveless red blouse, and her lips were painted a dark maroon. On her feet were a pair of Jimmy Choos that were released a few seasons ago. Altogether she looked completely out of place. I couldn’t help but think that I’d somehow, unwillingly, stepped onto the set of “The Real Housewives of Belle Springs”.

“Well, hi there!” The woman opened her arms and rested her hands on my elbows that were tucked at my side, then leaned in and air kissed both of my cheeks enthusiastically. My attention was caught by the sun hitting her diamond earrings, making the sparkle in the light. When my eyes dipped, I realized they must have been a part of a set. She was also wearing the most impractical diamond choker I had ever seen in my life, and I’d seen my fair share of diamond necklaces.

Her hands tightened on my arms briefly and I looked down at them, hoping she’d get the message to release me. That’s when I saw what completed her whole trophy wife look. The freaking huge diamond on her hand—it had to be at least three carats. Something that even though was pretty, was totally impractical for someone who should be helping around the ranch.

“Welcome to the most impressive property in all of Belle Springs: Sanderson Ranch. I’m Anna-Beth and you, my dear, must be Sienna!” Her voice had an all-too fake quality about it that made my skin itch. “I’m so happy to have you come visit our home.”

With that voice and those clothes, it hit me immediately: she’d fit right in with Momma and Daddy on the society pages. Her voice was high and grating, with the additional mix of a Texan accent making it annoying as all get out. But, just like Momma and Daddy raised me, my smile never faltered. If that was how this was going to play out, then it was going to be like taking candy from a baby.

The many years of galas and business parties came rushing back. All the times I had accompanied Daddy seemed to be ingrained into my psyche. Vaguely, I thought of how proud he’d be of me right now and the performance I was about to give.

I straightened my spine and offered my hand. “Yes. I’m Sienna. Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Sanderson.” I waved the packet of papers in my hand between us.

“Please, dear, call me Anna-Beth.” Her voice grated over me once more.

“Of course, Anna-Beth,” I placated her, before continuing. “I believe that your husband has been in contact with my father’s secretary over the past couple of weeks in regard to some land we might be interested in purchasing from you.”

“Indeed, I have.” A deep voice came from inside the house and a tall, wiry, decent-looking man came into view, arms wide open, just as his wife’s had been. On his head perched a black hat, not unlike the ones I’d seen the Larsen boys wear. Then there was the pressed suit, that I’m sure his wife picked out for him for this occasion. It’s something I doubt he would wear at home for day-to-day living. Dropping his hands to his sides, I followed the movement and caught sight of the biggest belt buckle I’d seen since arriving in this little town.

He approached us from the french doors that were open wide and came to a stop at the dining setting under the pergola. It was covered in climbing vines and more jasmine. A flower that seemed to be favored around here. His hands curled around the top of one of the chairs as Anna-Beth gestured for me to join her. “Sienna, this is my husband, Ethan. This is his family’s ranch. He has been here since he was born.”

I offered a tight smile to Ethan as his eyes lazily looked me up and down. That gaze landed on my breasts for far longer than necessary, or polite for that matter. “Why don’t we all have a seat and discuss where we go from here?”

“Great idea. Come, join us, Sienna. Let’s sit down and talk turkey.” He pulled a chair out for me to sit in. Smiling at him, I took the offered seat, even though I would have much preferred to keep my distance from him. There was something about him that just didn’t sit right with me. The way he looked at me even though his wife was right beside us. It made me wonder just how happy their marriage was. Then again, it was none of my business, and no good would come of thinking about it. So, I brushed the questions away before they became a distraction. I was here for a reason, and it was time to get down to business.

After helping me scooch my chair in, he walked toward the other side of the table, looking at his wife and offering her a tight-lipped smile. “Anna-Beth. Some sweet tea?” The question came out more like an order.

Her smile faltered momentarily at his tone, but she corrected it quickly and her sing-song voice intensified. “Of course, dear.” My earlier reading of the room seemed to have been quite good, especially since I was sensing tension.

Indeed, my suspicions were further confirmed. The first words Ethan Sanderson said after his wife disappeared were “So, tell me, Sienna. Have you ever had a literal roll in the hay?”

I coughed. Seriously, I was starting to think I had hearing issues, because lately most of the men I’d come into contact with kept wanting something to do with my body. Be it selling it to get the job done or wanting to possess it.

He could go jump in a lake for all I cared. But remaining professional, I smiled and played along. “There’s plenty of hay where I’m staying if I decide to roll around in it with someone.”

“Oh?” he asked. “As far as I know, the Johnsons’ Bed-and-Breakfast doesn’t have any hay. Unless they recently got some, in addition to some horses?”

The fact that he was aware I was meant to be staying at the only bed-and-breakfast in town was creepy. I didn’t want him coming anywhere near me once I left here. I out-and-out told him where I’d be. “You have been misinformed, Mr. Sanderson, I’m actually staying at Larsen Ranch.”

Leaning on the table, he reached out his hand towards mine. “That must be unsatisfying.”

Pulling my hand back, I crossed my arms across my chest, and I sat back further in my seat. “Not at all. I assure you, the Larsen brothers have all been very accommodating.” I ensured I emphasized one word in particular while looking him directly in the eye.

He opened his mouth to reply, but quickly closed it as Anna-Beth returned with a tray. A pitcher of sweet tea and some glasses for the three of us perched neatly upon it. “Sorry, Mable was a bit slow getting me the ice.” She set the tray on the table. “So, shall we begin?”

I nodded, welcoming the reprieve from her husband. After accepting the glass from her, I sipped a small amount before setting it down and placing my documents on the table between us. “Yes, let’s. We have a lot to chat about.”

After finally extricating myself from the Sandersons, I was ever so happy to be alone again. Even if I was in Savannah’s car and pulling up on the side of the road not even two minutes’ drive from Sanderson Ranch.

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