Owen’s attention was dragged to another guest that waved at him. He and George excused themselves wandered off.
“Gosh I’m feeling guilty,” Tammy whispered as they mingled through the crowd.
“We’ll make it an amicable break-up,” Lance responded while scanning the crowd.
She nodded but didn’t say anything else in case they were overheard.
“Tammy!”
Her brother’s voice reached her through the murmurs of the throng. Tammy’s face split into a genuine smile as Royce suddenly appeared and scooped her up in a bear hug, kissed her hard on the cheek and released her. He cupped her shoulders grinning at her.
“You’ve cut your hair! You look great!”
“So do you.”
Her brother was almost as tall as Lance. He had dark auburn hair like her and deep brown eyes. He was the only son and was favored by their mother, so he wasn’t forced to do things he didn’t want to. She’d envied his childhood in a lot of ways. Yet, it didn’t take away from how much she loved him.
“I’m so glad our father found you.” He hugged her again. “Don’t stay away so much Tammy, I missed you,” he scolded in good humor.
She shrugged. “I had my reasons.”
“I know.” His grin never faltered. “But not all of us feel the way mother does.” His eyes went to the tall stranger behind her.
“Oh, Royce, this is Lance Hartley.” Tammy introduced them.
His brows rose. “The fiancé?”
By the tone of his voice, Royce was impressed. She nodded embarrassed. Again she felt guilty.
“Well, hell man, nice to meet you!” He held out his hand and Lance shook it. “It’s nice to see that someone finally captured my sister’s heart.”
“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,” Lance said genuinely while still shaking the man’s hand.
Tammy could tell right away that he like her brother. She was really glad because it worried her. In fact, she was surprised at the relief she felt seeing the exchange. She loved Royce and it meant a lot that Lance liked him. She just didn’t think she was so worried about it
“Yeah, Anne is amazing. I’m really happy.” He looked back and forth at the both of them his eyes practically sparkling. “She’s being occupied by mother right now telling her how her wedding is going to go, but when you meet her, you’ll love her. I mean she’s got a great sense of humor Tammy.”
“She sounds wonderful.”
“She is, and her family is filthy rich, so mother likes her,” he laughed. His expression became serious for a moment. “Tammy, I don’t know where you’ve been hiding, but I would really like to see you more than just a phone call every few months.”
“I know Royce.” She breathed deeply. “I had to separate myself—”
“Yes, I know, because Richard is a dick—“
She laughed and out of the corner of her eye she could see Lance smile. She could also see Richard across the room. He couldn’t hear what they were saying but his eyes narrowed in jealously. Yes, he never did like her laughing at anything but his own jokes.
“—and mother was relentless in designing your whole life, but you also cut off people that love you.” His expression became serious. “Did that ass do something to you?”
She paled. She tried to stop it, but the question was so sudden, that with it, came the flood of a memory.
“That son of a—”
She put her hand on her brother’s. “I’m fine.” She turned and looked up at Lance who stepped up close beside her. There was definite concern in his eyes. No, she didn’t tell him all of it. She didn’t want to. No one needed to know.
Royce leaned in close. “I’ll fucking kill him if he laid a hand on you.”
“And ruin your wedding. Don’t you dare, or I’ll head back home to Montana,” she said sternly.
