Page 8 of The Rancher

CHAPTER 3

Saturday, the night of the gala

Lyris pulledher hair into a half-up, half-down style with long curls falling like a waterfall down her back. She carefully applied her makeup, with a slightly smoky eye and only pink gloss on her lips. She checked herself in the long mirror and dropped her lip gloss into her black evening bag before leaving and making her way to the big house. The night was perfect for gazing at stars. Being out in the country like this made the stars look like a sparkling carpet in the sky. With the weather very warm and supposed to stay that way, she didn’t bother with a wrap.

She entered the kitchen as normal.

Ray was waiting.

He stepped forward. “You look spectacular. The green brings out your eyes.”

Lyris ducked her chin in a bow. “Thank you, kind sir. You clean up pretty good yourself.”

Ray wore a formal black tux with a light blue shirt and bow tie. He apparently eschewed a cummerbund. But that he didn’twear one, didn’t matter at all. He took her breath away. His dark brown, almost-black, hair was combed back and ended in loose curls just below his collar.

He held out his arm. “My lady, will you do the honor of accompanying me to the ball tonight?”

She smiled at his knight-in-shining-armor wording and curled a hand around the crook in his elbow. “Yes, kind sir, I believe I will.”

Ray chuckled. “Your ride awaits.” He led her to the door on the north side of the kitchen. It opened into the six-car garage. “Take your pick. What would you like to ride in tonight? Perhaps the Ferrari or maybe the Lamborghini?”

She shook her head and put her hand on her chest. “Oh, my. I’ve never seen so many…incredible …cars in my life. I think tonight I choose the Corvette. I’ll try the others at another time.”

“Good choice. It’s one of my favorites. The Lamborghini is fast and looks flashy, but it’s not comfortable to ride in.” He led her to the midnight-blue car. “This is a classic 1963 C-2 Corvette. Let me get the door.” He opened the passenger side door and held it.

“Such a gentleman. I’m not used to this kind of courtly behavior. I must say I like it.” She appreciated he made sure her dress didn’t get caught before shutting the door.

Ray slid behind the wheel, buckled up and clicked the remote for the garage door. Then he started the engine and backed out of the garage.

“The drive to the Weston Hotel in Denver takes about thirty minutes.”

“So, tell me what this gala is for and why you’re a sponsor.”

“I started this ball almost thirteen years ago. My sister-in-law was diabetic—juvenile diabetes. She died because she wouldn’t take care of herself. She didn’t check her sugars, didn’t take her insulin when she should have and ate atrociously. Anyway,Francie and I wanted to do something to bring attention to the problem and raise money for research, so we began the gala.”

“Your wife must not have attended many before she died.”

“Only the first.” He looked in the rearview mirror and then the side mirror before signaling to change lanes and go around a semi-truck. “When Maddy is old enough, I’ll bring her. She wants to attend now, but she’s still too young. Maybe next year. Thank you for coming. I realize I didn’t give you much of a choice, but I’m still happy you agreed.” He moved back into the right lane.

Though the traffic was relatively light for this time of day as traffic in Denver was almost always bumper to bumper.

She laughed. “What girl in her right mind wouldn’t like a reason to dress up like Cinderella and attend the fancy ball?”

He laughed too but still kept his gaze on the road and hands on the steering wheel.

She was glad of that.

They arrived at The Weston.

Ray hurried around the car. “Keep your eyes in your head, young man,” he admonished the valet. “I’ll help her get out.”

The blond teenager nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll park your car so it doesn’t get scratched.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Ray held his arm out to Lyris. “May I?”

She smiled as she heard the proprietary words Ray had with the valet. She accepted Ray’s arm. “Yes, you may.”

They walked through the lobby. It was light and open, with plenty of seating areas for talking with friends and colleagues. Ray walked them through to the elevator to the second-floor ballroom. Small tables with two chairs at each table were positioned near the room’s walls. The center was left open, and a dance floor had been laid in the middle. On the wall opposite the entry doors was a raised platform with a band.