Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) Read online

  Addie scoffed. “Well, if he loves her and she loves him, what’s the problem? Why can’t they be together?”

  “Belle wants to run the ranch and Colton realized it would be selfish of him to ask her to leave her dreams behind.”

  Tears filled Addie’s eyes and she shook her head in anger. “It’s not fair. Love shouldn’t be so complicated.”

  Logan sighed and pulled her into his arms, letting her weep against his shoulder. They stood like that for a long time and he savored the feeling of holding her in his arms. His love grew for her every day but did she feel the same way? Her silence about the matter sent fear creeping into his heart.

  Colton wasn’t the only one facing tough questions about the future.

  Addie would be leaving in a few days—back to her normal life. He had so little to offer her. There were so many eligible and wealthy men back in LA that were probably a smarter match for Addie. What guaranteed she wouldn’t forget all about him?

  Was love really enough?

  Chapter twenty-three

  ~ ~ ~

  Addison bit her nails while watching the rodeo with the Hart Family. She’d been looking forward to it all week but now the magic was gone. Her thoughts remained with her friend back at the ranch.

  Poor Belle. After talking with Colton she retreated to her room and refused to come out. Addison’s attempts to comfort her failed. What Belle suffered from couldn’t be remedied in just a few hours. Addison knew the painful symptoms of a broken heart all too well.

  When it came time for the steer roping competition she mustered enough enthusiasm to cheer for Logan and Colton. They made a great team and ended up in third place.

  During the barrel racing competition Addison bought a heaping basket of curly fries from the concession stand and sat at a picnic table close to the arena fence. She ate her fries while the event continued. It amazed her at how the riders and their horses became like one as they raced around the barrels at lightning speed.

  “Is that fried food you’re eating?”

  Addison looked up and forced a smile as Logan approached. “Comfort food.”

  He sat beside her at the picnic table and put his arm around her waist. “Still worried about Belle?”

  She nodded and dipped another fry into her ketchup. “Yeah, I hope she’s going to be all right.”

  “Belle’s a lot stronger than she appears. It might take a little while but she’ll be fine.”

  The announcer’s voice came through the loudspeaker. “Well that was supposed to be the last lady racer for the day but it looks like we have a late arrival. This young gal has barrel racing in her blood. Please give a warm welcome to the lovely Annabelle Hart.”

  Addison almost choked on one of her fries. She took a gulp of her pop to wash it down and locked eyes with Logan. “Did he just say what I thought he said?”

  He nodded with wide eyes and they rushed toward the fence.

  Sure enough, Belle mounted her horse and entered through the gate. Her long brown curls blew back in the breeze and her cheeks took on a rosy hue as she waved at the crowd.

  The race started and Addison’s heart pounded as Belle and her horse whipped around the barrels. She made it look effortless and the crowd loved it.

  Addison turned to Logan for a moment. “Your sister’s on fire.”

  Logan grinned. “Yes, she is.”

  Belle cleared the last barrel and then did a lap around the arena. The crowd went wild clapping and chanting her name.

  Belle caught Addison’s eye and a victorious smile spread across her face.

  What a transformation. Where was the flowery carefree girl in overalls she’d met that first evening at the ranch? All of a sudden that girl had transformed into a confident woman ready to take on the world.

  The announcer’s booming voice interrupted her thoughts. “Well, with those scores I think it’s clear who the winner is. Let’s hear it for Annabelle Hart, the queen of this competition tonight.”

  Addison cheered for Belle until she went hoarse and continued to watch her as she rode out of the gate.

  Colton rushed from the sidelines to help Belle like it was second nature but she hopped down before he could reach her. The young cowboy stood with a bewildered frown on his face and watched as she led her horse away.

  The scene scraped at Addison’s heart like sandpaper. Now she understood. Belle had become a performer. The girl that normally wore her heart on her sleeve had hidden it away to do what was needed.

  She still remembered the first time a younger version of herself had learned to pack her heart away on ice and put on a show. After her stepmom died and Jared came into the picture she’d become an expert at pretending everything was fine even when it wasn’t. Now it had happened to Belle.

  Addison wanted to go to her and make sure she was okay but she held back. Belle’s stiff demeanor told her that she needed time alone to cry—maybe even scream. Anything to release all those stored emotions. She only hoped her friend would recover from this. It would be a terrible tragedy to see Belle’s tender heart harden because of losing Colton.

  Addison turned to Logan, determined to keep her mind off the situation for now. “Well, that was exciting. So what’s next?”

  He grinned. “The bull riding. The most exciting, but very dangerous part of the competition.”

  She watched several rounds with wide eyes. It was almost too intense. She held her breath as a rider fell to the ground and limped toward their side of the fence.

  Not quick enough.

  The rodeo clowns distracted the animal for a moment but it wasn’t enough. The bull charged toward the cowboy on the ground and gored him. It was so close to the fence that Addison could feel the animal’s hot breath.

  The injured cowboy stayed facedown on the ground and didn’t move.

  Logan hopped onto the bottom rail of the fence and clenched his jaw. “He’s in trouble. I have to help.”

  She gripped his arm. “No. It’s too dangerous.”

  He paused and watched as the bull tromped toward the rodeo clowns a few feet away. Then his eyes met Addison’s with a look of intensity that made her heart skip a beat. “I have to try.”

  She watched in terror as Logan climbed over the fence and knelt by the unconscious bull rider. He ripped off his plaid overshirt and covered a wound on the man’s leg. Logan looked so vulnerable kneeling on the dirt with only his white undershirt protecting his back.

  God, please keep him safe, she prayed.

  Time slowed to a crawl as the animal turned and aimed a death stare at Logan.

  Then it charged.

  Chapter twenty-four

  ~ ~ ~

  Watch out!”

  Logan’s eyes flew to Addie’s. Her terrified gaze revealed the impending danger.

  He hadn’t thought this through. It was too late to change his mind now though.

  He clamped his eyes shut and dove over the wounded cowboy, using his body as a human shield.

  God, please spare Addie from watching me die.

  The sound of hooves and snorting filled his ears. The hot breath of the animal assaulted his exposed neck. Logan waited for the stabbing pain of being gored in the back.

  Then the sound of cheers filled the air

  He looked up in a daze as the rodeo clowns lured the animal away and back through the gate.

  Logan whispered a prayer of thanks and turned back to the cowboy he’d dove to save. His makeshift bandage seemed to help slow the bleeding but he continued putting pressure on the wound until the paramedics arrived and assisted him.

  When they had everything under control he climbed back over the fence. A crowd of people met him with cheering and claps on the shoulder but he didn’t care about the attention. Logan only cared about one person.

  Addie.

  He finally reached the edge of the crowd and their eyes met. She crossed her arms and tears filled her eyes. Tears and something else.

  Anger.

  Her gaz
e traveled from his dirt-streaked t-shirt to his face. “I-I can’t believe you did that. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

  He approached slowly and reached for her. “Addie I…”

  She stepped back. “You…you made me care about you. Made me love you.”

  He moved closer and gripped her shoulders. “I’m sorry.” He paused and replayed her words in his head. “Wait, did you just say that you love me?”

  She nodded and more tears flowed down her cheeks. “Yes. But I hate it. I hate it that you made me love you.” She pushed against his chest with her palms preventing him from hugging her “When you pull crazy stunts like that…oh you just infuriate me sometimes, Logan Hart.”

  He didn’t let her rage stop him. Instead he moved closer and framed her face in his hands. Somehow Addie’s angry glare made her even more beautiful.

  He lifted his eyebrows and grinned down at her. “Well, is that one of your razor-tipped compliments again? I’m really starting to like them.”

  She let out a bitter chuckle and her arms dropped to her sides. “You always have to be a hero, don’t you?”

  He nodded. “If there’s someone to help…then yes.”

  Addison shook her head. “You’re hopeless.”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “Yes I am. I’m hopelessly in love with you.”

  With that, she melted into his arms and sobbed against his chest. “I-I thought that bull was going to kill you. I was so scared.”

  He stroked her hair and sighed. “Shh…I’m okay. I’m right here…safe in your arms.”

  “And I never want to let you go…ever.”

  He lifted Addie’s chin and gave her a tender kiss that left them both breathless. Then he pulled back and gazed into her eyes, his mind full of questions. “Addie, do you really mean that? Do you want to be together…wherever that might lead us?”

  “Maybe…I…”

  Her words were drowned out by a roar of commotion. Cameras flashed and a crowd of people with microphones surrounded them.

  “Addison, who’s your new love?”

  “How long have you been dating?”

  “You left LA in such a hurry. Why did you and Jared Kingsley call it quits?”

  “Leave us alone,” Addie shouted at the crowd, eyes wide with shock and anger.

  He turned to her and yelled over the noise. “What is this? What’s going on?”

  Two men in black suits pushed their way through the crowd and then put their hands up like a force field. “Miss Lewis will not be answering any questions at this time. Please stand back.”

  Logan watched in confusion as one of the men whispered into Addie’s ear. She gave Logan an anxious glance as the men led her away.

  The crowd created a blockade in his path but Logan had no choice. He had to follow.

  ~ ~ ~

  Addison allowed the security guards to lead her to a tent that said restricted area on the outside. After she was safely inside the two men walked back out and stood guard by the entrance.

  Jared approached her with open arms. “My darling. I was so worried about you.”

  She scowled at him in the dim light. “What do you want now?”

  He hugged her and whispered into her ear. “Just play along or your sister’s reputation is ruined. We have an audience.” Jared nodded toward the guards. “It’s all right. Go ahead and let him in.”

  Logan entered and his eyes travelled from her to Jared and then back again. “Addie, is everything all right? Who is this?”

  Her eyes clouded with tears. “This is Jared Kingsley.”

  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” Jared said while stepping forward and shaking Logan’s hand. “I’m Addison’s fiancé.”

  Addison’s held her breath to keep from blurting out the truth. She had to go along with whatever Jared said.

  Logan’s eyes narrowed as he stole a short glance at her and then back at Jared. “You mean ex-fiancé, right?”

  Jared let out an evil chuckle and winked in Addison’s direction. “Well, if that’s how she wants to play her little publicity stunt. She’s sly and feisty but I still love my little actress. She must have inherited the talent from her father.”

  The pleased look on Jared’s face made her stomach churn. His lies were about to cost her the only man she’d ever truly loved.

  Logan glanced at Addison with hurt and confusion etched into his face. “Actress? Addie, what is he talking about?”

  Jared grinned. “Oh, I forgot you don’t have internet out in the sticks. Let me get you caught up.” He tossed Logan his phone. “This picture just showed up under the headlines this morning. That was quite a kiss if I do say so myself. Her fans are raving all over social media about it.” His grin morphed into a scowl. “I can’t say I approve of you kissing my fiancé but since you obviously didn’t know, I guess I can’t blame you.”

  Addison covered her face. She’d played right into Jared’s hands. It all made sense now. He’d threatened her with the picture of Brie just to get that shot of her with Logan at the restaurant.

  She wanted to punch Jared square in the jaw and tell him to go home. If it had just been her reputation on the line she probably would have. She couldn’t let her little sister pay for her mistakes though.

  Addison gave Logan a pleading glance, praying he would somehow read between the lines. “I’m so sorry. I never meant for that picture to get out.”

  He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. When he looked back up the sting of betrayal in his eyes sliced her to the core. “You were using me? This was all just to further your career?”

  She lost her fear of Jared for a moment, and stepped toward Logan. “It wasn’t like that. Please, let me explain.”

  Logan shoved the phone back into Jared’s hand and clenched his jaw as he backed away. “I’ve heard enough lies, Addie. Enough for a lifetime. I hope you two will be very happy together,” he muttered and left the tent.

  Jared stepped up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s for the best, Addison. He would have never made you happy. Now we can go back home and have the wedding of our dreams.”

  She wrenched away and glared at him. “Are you kidding me? After all that you still think I’ll marry you?”

  His blue eyes flamed with intensity and something else. Desperation? “I did all this to win you back.”

  Addison shook her head, bewildered by his warped thinking. “We’re over Jared.”

  With that said, she darted out of the tent, hoping she’d have enough time to catch Logan. Instead, cameras flashed and the bodyguards blocked a hoard of paparazzi.

  Addison craned her neck and barely caught sight of Logan’s white t-shirt as he weaved through the crowd and disappeared.

  She covered her face and a sob escaped her throat. Was this really happening? Just minutes ago they had declared their love for each other.

  Now it was over.

  Chapter twenty-Five

  ~ ~ ~

  Soft knocking on Addison’s bedroom door brought her out of a restless sleep. She ignored it, pulled the covers over her head and closed her eyes again.

  It was probably the house maid telling her she had a call from her lawyer or a laundry list of people who had been bugging her since she returned to LA She couldn’t escape them even while hiding out at her father’s mansion.

  “Addie,” a soft voice called. “It’s Brielle. Can I come in?”

  Her heart softened and she called through the covers. “Sure. I guess so.”

  The door clicked and her sister’s feet made a gentle shuffling sound across the wood floor. The bed creaked and tilted slightly to the left as she sat on the edge. “I made you one of those breakfast shakes that you love. Extra strawberries.” Her sweet voice held an enticing lilt that won Addison over.

  She uncovered her head and sighed. “Okay, you got me.” She squinted in the morning light and lifted her arms in the air with curved wrists. “The creature lives.”

  Briell
e let out a bubbly chuckle and scrunched her freckled nose. “I’m not so sure. You look like a zombie having an unusually good hair day.”

  Addison giggled, dropped her arms and sat up in bed. “Well, thanks for the razor-tipped compliment, Brie.”

  “The what?”

  “Never mind.”

  Brie handed her a lidded cup with a straw sticking out of it. “Here, maybe this will perk you up a little.”

  Addison took a sip and her lips puckered as the sour liquid rolled over her tongue. “Wow, that’ll wake me up for sure.”

  “Sorry, did I make it wrong?”

  She blinked several times until the shock wore off and cleared her throat. “No, it’s good. It’s just…did you put lemon in this?”

  Brie frowned. “We ran out of juice so I may have substituted with a little lemon extract.”

  That explained it. Addison took another sip so her sister wouldn’t feel bad, bracing for the shocking lemon taste this time. Then she put the cup on her nightstand. “It’s a little strong, but good. Thanks, sis.”

  Brie’s smile returned. “You’re welcome. I wanted to cheer you up. I’ve hardly seen you since you’ve been back. I know it must be hard with the media spreading all that gossip about you. I wish they’d get a life and leave you alone.”

  Addison shrugged. “It’s my fault really. I left town and let it snowball. If I would have stayed here…exposed Jared for the snake he is and worked on damage control this would all be in the past by now.”

  Brie rolled her hazel eyes. “Yeah. Then the media would have moved on to the next juicy gossip.”

  “Yep.” Addison frowned and scratched her head. Did her naive little sister realize the next juicy gossip could have been about her if she hadn’t gone along with Jared’s demands?

  She let her gaze fall to the colorful pink bedspread. Her dad had kept her room exactly the same as when she lived here as a child. He treasured those innocent days—always tried to protect her at any cost. Now the Lewis family had landed in the spotlight and it was all her fault.