I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes. “I don’t think so, but I got a really bad vibe from the guy, and I’m looking into it.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t advise snooping.” Ella scooted forward on the couch cushions. “But in this case…” She skimmed her finger across the computer’s touchpad and the screen lit up.
“If it’s out there on the Internet, it’s public knowledge,” Sam reassured me as Ella opened a Web browser.
“Plus, you’re worried about her,” Ella said as she typed. “I am too. Lauren seems like a sweet person.”
“Drama comes to Silver Sage Ranch,” Sam said as we waited for the page to load. He propped his socked feet up on the coffee table. “Who would ever have thunk it?”
Nothing came up for the search term “Lauren Wagonblast New York City.” I knew her profession, and that she had a business with her sister, so we tried “twin sisters Lauren and Tori matchmakers New York City.” The screen flooded with hits. I discovered her real name was Lauren Cozzi, and I quickly figured out what happened in New York earlier that summer. Her husband had humiliated her by hooking up with another woman at a party where there seemed to be a whole lot of reporters in attendance.
“I knew he had a punchable face,” I said as Ella clicked a photo of Freddy leaving the scene of his crimes with a jacket held over his head to hide from the cameras. “But this is awful.”
“I would chop off his weiner if he humiliated me like that.” Ella cracked her knuckles. “Wait until he was asleep and—” She made a hacking motion with the side of her hand. “Off with his dick.”
Sam glanced over at her, pale-faced. “Do you have to be so graphic?”
“He deserves it!” she yelped.
“Her personal life was in all the newspapers,” I said. “That explains why she came out here. She probably wanted some privacy and peace. But why was her husband her date for a party if they were separated? She told me she changed the locks on her apartment so he couldn’t get in.”
“Sounds like they were pretending to be together,” Sam said. “Or she’s lying to you.”
“No, he confirmed that they’re divorcing,” I said, “so I don’t think she’s lying to me. She said it was complicated, and I guess it is.” I still didn’t like that word.
Ella leaned in for a closer look. “She’s also running in very posh circles in the big city. Why the hell did she choose this ranch to hide at? No offense.”
“Hey!” Even though I was grousing at her, I understood exactly what she meant.
“She was headed to some fancy spa in Montana called Silvery Sage Resort and Spa,” Sam explained. “She ended up here by mistake and then my brother seduced her.”
I slammed my laptop shut. “Okay, that’s enough for tonight.”
“Really, Matthew?” Ella said. “You slept with a guest? I’m both shocked and proud.”
“I didn’t sleep with her!” I stood up, hoping they’d get the message and leave me alone. “I kissed her, that’s all.” And a little light fooling around, but they didn’t need to know that.
Sam was delighted. “Looks like you got yourself in a pickle, Mr. Perfect.”
“Don’t you have a dog to get home to?” I growled.
Sam jumped up. “Right! I need to let Jake out before he pees on my bed out of spite. See you later, Romeo.”
“Be her friend,” Ella said as she stood up to leave. “I can tell you have feelings for her, but I’m betting she needs a friend right now more than anything.”
* * *
The morning after the dance,Lauren arrived at the poolside breakfast buffet dressed in a pretty pair of black shorts and matching short-sleeved blouse. She’d styled her hair in a sleek ponytail and her makeup was perfect, but she still couldn’t hide the exhaustion shadowing her eyes. I was behind the hot bar serving pancakes because I wanted Kyra and Tyler to have a little break that morning. Most of our staff members had worked hard getting the dance set up, serving drinks and interacting with guests, and they needed some rest. Chef Damon and Serenity were in the kitchen taking care of the food. I still hadn’t had the chance to have a long talk about Chef’s foray into grand theft auto, or that he’d fallen off the wagon again, and I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation. Still, it needed to happen.
Lauren approached me cautiously, plate in hand. “Matthew, I’m so sorry about last night. I ruined a very special evening, and I’m sure you have so many questions. I feel awful about all of this.”
“Not at all.” I loaded her up with flapjacks, hoping to give her a little carbenergy. “Don’t worry about a thing.” I wanted to walk around the table and pull her into a hug, tell her I’d help her get through everything. I was way too invested in this woman’s life, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.
She closed her eyes for a moment and let out a deep breath. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such kindness.”
“You’ve been a delightful guest at this ranch, that’s what. You help out everywhere you can, although we shouldn’t let you do any work, and you’re great company.” I felt myself blushing, as if I’d revealed something too personal. “Honestly, we were all worried about you last night.”
She nodded and attempted to smile. “I’m okay. I want to talk to you when you have a chance, though. I feel like I need to explain more about my…situation.”
