Celeste Hamilton - Her Wildest Wedding Dreams

Noah started to say something but was cut off when the sheriff pushed past him and into the room. “All right, now. Everyone just settle down.” He scowled at the two “suits” who crowded in behind Noah. “You two, you get out of here.”

“My men—” Roger began.

“Can wait outside,” the sheriff said with quiet force. After the “suits” reluctantly obeyed, he gestured for Noah to take a seat along the wall, opposite the table where Roger Franklin sat and Olivia stood.

The officer ran a hand through his thinning hair and sent a frown around the room. “From what I can determine, this is a family matter that had been blown up all out of proportion.” He nodded at Noah. “Mr. Raybourne, you are free to go, with our apologies for any inconvenience.”

Noah got to his feet. “That’s all right, Sheriff. I understand you were just trying to do your job. Something that’s not always easy when rich, spoiled brats are involved.”

The contempt in his gaze caused a peculiar stab of pain in Olivia’s chest. “I am really so sorry,” she said again. “I know those words are inadequate for what you’ve gone through today. Dealing with me. Facing down a bunch of overexcited police officers. Getting dragged in here in handcuffs. Nothing I can say can make up for all that, but I hope you realize I am truly, truly sorry.”

Noah did not reply, but Olivia thought she detected a softening in his expression. She wasn’t sure why it felt so important for him not to hate her.

Roger cleared his throat impatiently and withdrew his checkbook. “I want to show you my gratitude, Raybourne.”

“That’s not necessary,” Noah retorted, his jaw squaring.

“But I insist.” Roger took out a pen and filled out the check with a flourish. “Raybourne, I’m sure your little operation will benefit from this.”

Noah went still at the word “little.” Olivia wasn’t really surprised when he shook his head at the check her father proffered.

“I can’t take it,” Noah said. “I don’t expect to be paid for helping out someone in trouble.”

“Yes, but Olivia wasn’t really in trouble,” Roger replied, still holding out the check. “She was simply being a brat, as you said.”

Noah sent Olivia a look that she couldn’t quite decipher. “She was pretty desperate to get away.”

Roger laid the check on the table and recapped his pen. “She didn’t really want to get away. She was just overwhelmed by the wedding.”

“I didn’t want the wedding,” Olivia said.

Her father shot a long-suffering smile toward the sheriff. “You don’t mean that.”

Anger thickened Olivia’s voice. “I’m sick and tired of being told what I want, what I should do and think and feel. It’s way past time that I started thinking and acting on my own. I should be on my own.”

Her father rolled his eyes. “Nonsense. You wouldn’t know the first thing to do on your own.” His gaze swept over her. “You couldn’t take care of that dog of yours. Much less yourself.”

His dismissive cruelty, displayed so callously in front of strangers, momentarily robbed Olivia of speech. All these years she had told herself he was overprotective because he loved her so much. When had the desire to keep her safe changed to a complete disregard for her abilities? For some reason he thought she didn’t have the brains or the wits to take care of herself.

“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded when she found her voice would work again. “Did what happened to Mother warp you to the point that you can’t see me as a real, live human being? When did I become just one more possession to you?”

“You’re being hysterical.” Roger rose and held out his hand. “Come along now. We’ll go home, and you can talk to Marshall—”

“I do owe Marshall an apology,” Olivia said, glancing at Noah. “It was cowardly of me to run away instead of going to him and explaining why I couldn’t marry him.”

“Yes, it was cowardly,” Roger agreed, extending his hand again. “Marshall’s waiting at the ranch. I feel sure he’ll forgive you. The wedding can be rescheduled.”

“No, it can’t.”

“Olivia—”

“Can’t you hear me at all?” Olivia demanded of her father.

“I simply don’t listen when you’re acting like a fool.”

Reeling as if she had been punched, Olivia faced the sheriff. “Am I free to go?”

“Certainly. Anytime your father—”

“I don’t care about my father,” Olivia cut in. “I’m not going anywhere with him.”

Roger sputtered a protest, which Olivia ignored. She gathered up her tote bag and started for the door, pausing only in front of Noah. “Thank you for everything. You were absolutely right. I really didn’t need this drama to walk out, did I? I should have just done it long ago.”

Noah wasn’t certain why he was so impressed with Olivia. Was she playing a new game, pretending she was leaving, so that her father would give chase again? There was something about the calm in her voice and the determination in her expression that told him she was serious. After witnessing this little scene with her father, he hoped she was getting away. No one deserved to be belittled and talked to as her father had talked to her.

“Olivia, come back here,” Roger Franklin demanded as she opened the door.

Franklin’s men stepped in front of her, closing her escape route. She turned to the sheriff again. “Is there any reason why I have to do what my father wants?”

The officer shot Franklin a nervous glance. Noah couldn’t say he blamed the man for worrying about getting on the bad side of one of the richest men in Texas. But the truth was the truth. The sheriff cleared his throat. “Miss Franklin, there’s no legal reason why you have to stay here or go with your father.”

“You cannot do this,” her father insisted, panic clearly breaking through his calm facade. “You’re too inexperienced and naive to make it a day by yourself. What are you going to do for money?”

“I’ll get a job.”

“Doing what?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Olivia retorted proudly. With that, she pushed past the burly guards, who gave way with obvious reluctance. Noah felt a definite spark of admiration and something like pride.

“Olivia,” her father called angrily, going to the door. “You keep walking, and you’re on your own. I won’t rescue you. Do you hear me? I’m done with you if you walk out the door.”

Olivia didn’t reappear, much to Noah’s relief.

Her father ordered his men to follow her.

Noah could no longer contain his thoughts. “Good God, Franklin, why can’t you just let her go?”

“You don’t understand what could happen to her.”

“I understand you’re some kind of warped control freak.” Noah shook his head in disgust. “Olivia tried to explain to me why she couldn’t just walk out, free and clear, like any normal adult. Now I see exactly what she was talking about.”

“You don’t see anything,” Franklin replied. “Olivia belongs at home, where she’s safe.”

“She belongs wherever the hell she wants to be.” Noah turned to the sheriff. “Can your men make sure Franklin’s two goons don’t bother her?”

With smug satisfaction, the sheriff said, “It will be my pleasure.” He left the room without a backward glance.

Franklin blew out a frustrated breath. “Raybourne, I can see you managed to put some real ideas in Olivia’s mind during your few, short hours together.”

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