Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) (5 page)

~ ~ ~

B
reathe. Just breathe,” Addison whispered as she stepped out of the limo and faked a smile for the cameras. The sequins glittered on her red designer gown as she held a pose that would show off her outfit.

Cameras flashed and the paparazzi went crazy on the borders of the sidewalk but her security guards kept them at bay.

All their voices blended together. “Addison, are you excited about your big day tomorrow?”

“What celebrities are on your guest list?”

“What do you see next for Lewis-Kingsley Films when you and Jared take over the company?”

She ignored all of them and made a beeline for the door. Her sister greeted her just inside the entrance. She looked stunning, dressed in a royal blue gown with her dark brown hair swept up into a fancy updo. A professional camera dangled from a strap around her neck.

Brie lifted it to eye level and grinned. “Freeze right there and smile. This one’s going in your wedding scrapbook.”

Addison humored her sister and struck one more pose.

After she snapped the picture a tall salt and pepper-haired producer approached. “Now, you and Brie are going to head into the banquet hall and look over the decorations and place settings. Then we’ll get a scene with you and Jared before the guests start arriving. Got it?”

She nodded as the makeup team swooped in from both sides and started touching up her foundation. “Got it.”

After the sound guys and cameramen got into position in front of them with a rolling camera stand, the producer counted down from three silently and cued them.

Addison linked arms with Brie and they headed down the hallway. She tried to act natural in front of the cameras. After all, her family was like royalty in Hollywood. They started documenting her family’s life when she was a child, up until she turned twenty and left home. Now being in the spotlight again after five years was fraying her nerves. She plastered on a smile anyway. “Sorry I’m late. How are things going, sis?”

“Okay. everything for the dinner is set up but there’s a small issue with the seating arrangements for the rehearsal dinner.”

Her blood pressure skyrocketed. “Small issue? Like what?”

“I’m not sure. Vic is handling it.”

Addison groaned, wondering if the producer had staged this “small issue” just for dramatic effect.

They reached the large banquet room where another cameraman waited. Addison ignored him and scanned the fine linen clad tables and intricate place settings. Everything seemed to be in order. Then she spotted her friend Victoria leaning over one of the tables frowning with a pen in her hand. “What’s going on?”

Victoria sighed and motioned toward two papers on the table. One was white and the other had a large brown stain and runny ink in the middle. “Someone spilled coffee all over the seating chart. I’m trying to duplicate it but I’m having a hard time reading this runny ink.”

Addison put her hands on her cheeks. “This is a nightmare. Guests are going to arrive in less than thirty minutes! Where’s the wedding coordinator? She should be taking care of this.”

Victoria shrugged and ran her fingers through her long raven hair. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“I’ll go look for her,” Brie said from beside her.

Addison thanked her sister and watched her rush out of the room. Then she turned her attention back to the ruined seating chart. “How are we going to salvage this, Vic?”

She felt the presence of a camera poised over her shoulder, zooming in on the paper. Addison whipped around and lifted her eyebrow at the producer. “Does this look like something I want to remember? Can we please have a moment alone?”

The producer frowned and turned to his crew. “All right, you heard Miss Lewis. Let’s take five.”

After they left, Addison sat at the table, rested her head in her hands and let out a deep sigh. “Why did I ever let Jared talk me into this?”

Victoria put her hand on her shoulder. “Televising the wedding?”

She shook her head and looked up. “Not just that. Everything. The over the top decorations, the snobby guests…this marriage.”

Victoria’s eyes grew wide. “Are you having second thoughts?”

Addison’s eyes filled with tears. “Maybe. I’m not sure.”

“Addie, you need to think long and hard about what you’re saying. This isn’t just about you and Jared. It will unite the two companies after the merger.”

She nodded at her all-business-minded friend. “I know, I know.”

“Plus…” Victoria continued. “Your popularity will soar even higher after this wedding airs on TV. The best producers and directors will be flocking to work for Lewis-Kingsley Films.”

She nodded and wiped her eyes “Yes, I know. This will help my father’s business. I’m just not sure if all this is me. It doesn’t feel right. Am I marrying Jared because I love him or because it’s good for the company?”

Just then Brie returned with a grim look on her face.

“What’s wrong? Did you find the wedding coordinator?”

Her sister nodded but didn’t make eye contact. Instead she kept staring at her camera.

Addison’s heart thundered in her chest. “Please, spit it out Brie. I can’t handle any more surprises.”

Brie didn’t say a word but just handed her the camera. The picture on the screen made her blood run cold.

~ ~ ~

Addison woke up startled and disoriented from her dream. Where was she? She scanned the walls of the rustic cabin. Then her aching body reminded her of the traumatic horse ride the day before.

She groaned and sat up, noticing a tray with a blueberry muffin, orange juice and a little note from Belle. Addison smiled as she read the morning greeting. She was so sweet.

Having some girl talk the night before had been fun. Belle was becoming a good friend. For once she didn’t feel like the heiress in the public eye who had to be perfect all the time. Around Belle she could let her hair down a little, although she avoided talking about anything too personal.

Addison sat at the little table by the window and tried to forget the awful dream. Outside she could see the ranch hands taking care of their morning chores. It amazed her how quickly they accomplished everything. Keeping the ranch in order took a lot of dedication and hard work.

Her attention turned to Colton as he busied himself stacking bales of straw by the barn. Every few minutes he stopped and checked his watch. It piqued Addison’s curiosity. Was he waiting for someone?

A few minutes later she discovered the reason behind his odd behavior.

Belle returned from a morning ride and he dropped everything just to help her off the horse. It seemed like second nature—an unspoken accord between the two of them. They shared a brief conversation before Belle went into the barn. Then Colton paused and watched her walk away before continuing with his chores.

Addison looked away, her cheeks aching from smiling so much. They were adorable. How did they not recognize the obvious spark between them? Or maybe they did but something kept them from pursuing a relationship. The mystery was enough to drive her crazy.

After enjoying her breakfast Addison dressed in a long sleeved t-shirt and skinny jeans. Then she ventured outside with her sketch pad and file folder of pictures in hand. On the way down the path, movement in the corral caught her eye. Addison hid behind a tree and peeked from behind it.

Logan struggled with a half-wild horse in the corral. He managed to dodge the horse’s back hooves twice but the third time one of the animal’s strong back legs glanced his shoulder.

His body landed hard on the muddy ground.

Addison gasped and leaned against the tree trunk, suddenly weak from holding her breath.

Logan winced and stood back up, grasping his shoulder. He dusted himself off, straightened his cowboy hat and resumed like nothing had happened.

Then the mood changed. The horse stopped and pawed at the ground. Logan approached with caution, taking slow and even steps while stretching his fingers toward the horse. He whispered something she couldn’t make out but it seemed to calm the animal. The horse lowered its head, allowing him to touch its mane.

Addison let out a shaky breath, touched by Logan’s gentle demeanor with the horse. She walked closer, away from the seclusion of her hiding spot.

Movement from the ranch house caught her eye. A petite feminine hand held back the curtain in one of the bedrooms. Was there another woman living in the house? Then just as quickly as the hand appeared it dropped from sight.

Addison turned her attention back to the corral and her heart skipped a beat.

Logan was looking in her direction.

She darted between the barn and another cabin and kept going. Addison didn’t even see the fishing pole until it smacked into her forehead. She yelped in surprise.

“Hold on little gal,” an older man’s voice said. “I wasn’t expecting to catch something so pretty today.”

Addison struggled for a moment but then stopped, realizing she was tangled in fishing line.

A short elderly man in a fishing cap smiled at her. “Sorry about that. The hook’s stuck in your ponytail. Let me help get you untangled.”

She chuckled and bent down so it was easier for him to reach. “Thank you, sir. I didn’t even see you there.”

He untangled the hook from her hair and held it up. “There, got it.” His weathered face lit up with a proud grin. “Now tell me, where’s a pretty little gal like you headed off to in such a hurry?”

Addison straightened out her ponytail and grinned at him. “Headed off to find a quiet place to think I suppose. How about you?”

He nodded toward his wading boots. “I’m headed to the creek to catch dinner for tonight. The trout here’ll make your mouth water.”

“I bet. My name’s Addie by the way.” She extended her hand.

He shook it and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Addie. Folks around here just call me Gramps.” He motioned down the path with his hand. “Well, the creek is my favorite spot to relax and think. Mind if I escort you there?”

Addison grinned, enjoying Gramps’ easy going personality. “Sounds like a plan.”

They made small talk on the way through a wooded path and down a hill. There the creek carved out a groove between one mountain and the next.

When they stopped Addison eased herself to the ground and leaned her back against a tree trunk. Then she watched Gramps adjust his wading boots, pick a lure from his hat and start casting. His rhythm and skill while fly-fishing amazed her.

After a few more casts he reeled in a large rainbow colored fish. A smile lit up his face as he unhooked the fish and raised his face to the sky. The sun glowed over him like a halo as he closed his eyes. “Thank you Lord. You always provide.”

“That’s beautiful.”

He glanced in her direction. “I’m sorry?”

“That’s beautiful…the way you cast. How’d you learn to do that?”

Gramps shrugged and put the fish away in his basket. “It’s something my father taught me. He learned the technique from his father and so on through the generations.”

She grinned. “Ah, so it’s an art then.”

He raised his thick white eyebrows. “I don’t know. Annabelle always considered it more of an annoyance. She used to tease that I loved fishing more than I loved her.”

“Annabelle?”

“Yes, sorry. Annabelle was my wife. She died a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I’m at peace knowing I’ll see her again someday. My granddaughter Belle is named after her so that’s a nice way to remember her.”

Addison’s eyes widened, making the connection. She should have guessed that Gramps was part of the Hart family. He was just as kind and outgoing as the rest of them. She looked down and opened her sketch pad.

“Are you an artist, Addie?”

Addison peeked up at Gramps and shrugged. “I don’t know. My attempts at drawing are average at best. I think I’d consider myself more of a designer…an interior designer actually. I enjoy finding out what other people like and creating their vision. It’s just a side job for now.”

He started casting again as he spoke. “Well, I consider it an art.”

“If that’s true, then fly-fishing is an art too.”

He grinned and rested his pole for a moment. “Maybe there’s truth to that. Whenever I’m out here in nature it reminds of the greatest artist there has ever been…the one who made all things. He’s creative and I believe He delights in seeing his children doing something with the talents He has given them.”

Addison nodded and looked away. She’d never thought of interior design that way before. In truth, she’d never given much thought to the possibility of a creator either. Her sister had found faith after their mom passed away a few years back but deep down Addison always thought it was just something that helped her cope with the loss. Now Gramps’ words piqued her curiosity.