Page 87 of Belong With Me

Chapter Thirty - One

Ryder

The new jeans I’d bought were a little tight. Then again, all new jeans were, compared to the well-worn ones I wore back on the ranch when I was working. These dark blue ones though were sold to me as dress jeans. Who knew there were so many different varieties of jeans to begin with? Jeans were jeans to me, and if they didn’t have holes or stains, they were good jeans. But this time I wanted to make a good impression.

Tucking the button-up shirt in and buckling the plain leather belt, I then slipped my feet into some plain black leather boots, polished to a shine in my nervousness last night. Palming my wallet and keys was my final step before I was out the door of my cheap motel and on my way to the building where everything was about to change.

Hopefully for the better.

I had been thinking about Sienna almost every minute of each day since she left. Now I was about to see her. At least I thought I was about to. When the paperwork arrived, with her name associated with Anderson Oil Co., I knew that there was a good chance she’d be at the office today.

Perhaps she was the reason I decided to purchase a new outfit. I wanted to show her that the country boy could fit in with her in the big city if that’s what she wanted. Although I’d much prefer her to come back to the ranch with me. For us to put our own mark on the land together, just like we’d talked about on that first ride.

The imposing building stood before me with its modern façade, all angles and glass. It was completely unlike anything we had back home. I rocked back on the heels of my polished boots in a nervous gesture. People came and went, off in their own worlds.

The breeze blew softly past me, and I drew in the sounds and scents of the bustling city around me. I hated this life, but I’d come out of loyalty to my family, and out of loyalty to Sin too.

Today everything was about to change, in one way or another, and I felt my gut twist at the thought.

Heaving in a final breath of fresh air, I jogged up the stairs to the massive glass doors and quickly slid past a brunette woman as she exited the building. Offering her a smile in thanks, I stepped inside and took off my hat, as was only appropriate. Momma taught us that it was never respectful to wear a hat indoors. I wanted to be as respectful, and be respected, as much as possible today.

Everyone who was bustling around me was wearing a suit, carrying some kind of bag or briefcase with them as they quickly walked past me.

Some were on their phones relaying orders to some unfortunate person on the other end. Others paced back and forth outside massive doors. Sienna’s company must be larger than I had anticipated.

The one thing they all had in common, though, was the way they looked at me. It was as though I was a completely different species. At that moment, for the first time in my life I felt like I didn’t fit in.

I nodded politely at a man who stared a little too long. He cleared his throat and strode away as quickly as he could. A woman with short blonde hair offered me a smile and I returned it with another nod, “Ma’am.” Her cheeks colored and she turned on her heels and disappeared through a door not far from where I stood.

Shaking off the insecurity, I walked through the doors beside the large brass plaque advising everyone that this was the office of Anderson Oil Co. A lone middle aged woman guarded the reception desk that dominated the space “Name,” she asked.

“Ryder Larsen.”

She typed on the keyboard in front of her. “I don’t have you listed, who are you here to see?”

Swallowing past the rising lump in my throat, I smiled just a little, and licked my dry lips. “I received a letter from Sienna-Grace Anderson.”

I heard the mouse click a few times before she said, “She is due back from court shortly. Why don’t you take a seat in our waiting area, and I’ll let her know you are here the moment she returns?”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She smiled politely and nodded, then indicated to several leather sofas and armchairs. I lowered myself into one of them and got comfortable.

I waited. It wouldn’t be long now. At least, I hoped so.

A tall man wearing a suit entered the office from behind the reception desk, pushing open the privacy doors with a little too much force, and walked with purpose toward where the woman was seated.

After bending down and speaking quietly with the female, he looked up. When his eyes found mine, he stared at me. Not one ounce of a smile spread those lips that were almost hidden by an impressive handlebar moustache. “You’re Ryder Larsen?”

Clasping my hands on my lap, I kept my eyes on him, not backing down at all. “Yes, sir.” Momma would be proud. Manners were always a big priority for her, and I was doing this for them too, for the family.

“The second son then. Why didn’t the oldest one come?”

His question didn’t concern me. It made sense that he knew about me. I was sure Sienna told him about the five of us. “I run the ranch.”

“Did you finally see reason and bring me the signed contracts for that wasted land you call home, then? Is that why you’re here?” That tone of his grated on my nerves; manners be damned, sorry, Momma.

I pushed up from the chair. “Excuse me?”

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