Walt managed a pained smile. “Never better.”
“Now, about your public image. The woman you have recently started dating. You really should have run that by us first.”
Ryker stifled a snarl.
Walt flashed Ryker a look that was half pleading, half warning. “Don’t eat him,” he mouthed.
“You have a problem with Daisy?” Harriet barked at Mr. Trenton. “Then you’ve got a problem with me.”
“Does she need to be here at every meeting?” Mr. Trenton snapped at his assistant, Joseph.
“She’s a shareholder. And my mother. So yes,” Ryker responded coldly.
His mother was also a whiz at sewing and helped to design a lot of their most popular outfits.
Mr. Trenton barreled on. “We’re not entirely against this match. We’d have preferred someone skinnier—”
Ryker leaped to his feet, and his face went shaggy.
Walt grabbed him by the arm, pleadingly. “Alpha. Think of your pack,” he said in low, urgent tones.
Several of Mr. Trenton’s associates glanced at Ryker and took nervous steps back. Trenton cleared his throat and inched his chair back a little.
“She does have an excellent pedigree,” Trenton said quickly. “We researched it. Her family lineage is impeccable. However, her behavior in front of the press the other day—”
“Is none of your business!” Ryker growled.
Mr. Trenton looked him right in the eye. “But it is, if you expect us to invest in your company,” he said coolly. “This is our money that you’re asking for. Your public image is everything, and whoever you mate is part of your public image. So I suggest you rein in her behavior if you expect us to move forward.”
Ryker shifted into wolf form, and barely restrained himself from lunging at Mr. Trenton again. Instead he turned and stormed out of the room.
He could hear Walt desperately apologizing to Mr. Trenton; Walt was shouting to be heard over Harriet’s howls of anger.
Chapter Ten
Ryker didn’t waste any time getting Daisy’s car fixed. He’d had it towed to a garage, fixed, and dropped it off at the school for her by the end of her work day Monday. Then he’d left the keys at the front desk for her. He’d told her where he’d left it, towards the back of the lot.
As Daisy left, she felt an odd, uncomfortable prickling on her neck. The closer she walked to her car, the sharper the prickles got.
When she reached her car, she saw why. Her mother Phyllis was standing there next to her car – and she’d brought Frasier. They’d come all the way from Georgia. Hooray. That probably meant they were renting a hotel in town and wouldn’t be leaving soon.
“Mother,” she said, as her mother looked around her in dismay.
“Well, this won’t do,” Phyllis said in a disgusted tone, eyeing the scruffy children running around the parking lot.
“The children? They won’t do? It’s a little late, they’re already here,” Daisy said. “And so are you. Why?”
Her mother looked annoyed and opened her mouth to make a sharp retort. Frasier elbowed her and gave her a significant glance.
Phyllis cleared her throat and forced a smile. “By the way, I was going to mention, congratulations. I can see that you’ve lost a few pounds.”
Daisy looked at her mother with suspicion. The last time that her mother had complimented her was… She couldn’t remember a time.
“No I haven’t, I’ve actually gained two pounds this month. Went up a clothing size this year. Eighteen, if you’re looking to buy me something.”
“Daisy!” her mother hissed furiously, looking around frantically. “Somebody might hear!”
“Somebody might hear that a member of the Bennett family wears a size eighteen?” Daisy raised her voice even more.
Her mother’s face was turning an interesting shade of scarlet.
Frasier quickly reached into the pocket of his lime-green sports jacket and pulled out an envelope, which he held out towards Daisy. “Here,” he said. “For you. Well, for us, really.”
She took it gingerly. “What is it?”
“A ten-day trip to the Healthy Heaven Ranch in Texas. For the two of us! The plane tickets are in there too!” He looked at her expectantly. She shook her head in bewilderment.
“So you can slim down for our wedding. And I’ll be there to cheer you on and make sure you stick to your diet. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of pampering and spa treatments for you. Just no second helpings. Or desserts.” He turned his smile up a notch to “dazzling”. Daisy blinked hard. The afternoon sun was bouncing off his big Chiclet teeth and blinding her. Ryker had white teeth too, but they weren’t perfect like Frasier’s. They were a little crooked, and she loved that.
Jasmine walked up to them, causing her mother to take a step backwards and clutch her purse.
“Ewww, you’re marrying him?” Jasmine said to Daisy, appalled. “Gross. He waxes his eyebrows and wears perfume!”
Frasier’s strained smile vanished. “Cologne!” he squawked indignantly.
“Your instincts are spot on, and no, I’m not marrying him,” Daisy said to Jasmine. “I was going to, but then, thank God, he cheated on me.”
She turned to her mother. “I am involved with someone,” she said. “It’s actually pretty serious. We’re talking about cubs.”
Her mother went pale. “I have heard that you are associating with some low-class boxer. That is simply not acceptable.”
“Ooh, is it the guy who dropped you off at school this morning?” Jasmine said. “I need to check him out. In case he’s a jerk. I might have to shank him.”
“Will you stop with the shanking?” Daisy said with exasperation.
Jasmine pretended to think about it. “Probably not,” she said after a moment’s consideration.
“Anyway, Ryker’s not a jerk,” Daisy said. “He actually treats me very well.”
“This is all your Aunt Wynona’s fault, her and her mating agency,” her mother said indignantly. “She set this up, didn’t she?”
“I plead the fifth.” Daisy widened her eyes and looked innocent.
“I knew I should never have let you spend so much time at her house when you were younger. She gave you…ideas.” Her mother raked her with a scornful glance. “And cookies.”
Daisy stifled a snort of scorn. Phyllis had been more than happy to ship Daisy off to Wynona’s house; she was allergic to cubs. Why she’d ever had any was a mystery to Daisy.
“What difference does it make who arranged the date? Ryker contacted your pack and asked if it was okay for him to court me,” she said. “And you said yes. So too late. No takey backsies.” Technically it had been Walt who’d called, but either way, her mother had given permission.
“That was only when I thought the mating would never work out,” her mother said, looking wounded.
“I know,” Daisy said coldly. “But too late anyway.”
Jasmine’s grandmother walked up to them, wearing her scrubs and looking sweaty and tired. “Got called in to work today again, just when I got back home,” she said wearily to Daisy. “That’s twenty-four hours without sleep. Jasmine, are you ready to go?”
Daisy thrust the envelope with the tickets at her. “Hey, want a free vacation to a luxury ranch for two, plane tickets included?” she said. She nodded her head at Frasier. “This is on him,” she said. “He came here today looking for a deserving single parent to reward for all of their hard work, and he picked you.”
“Oh my goodness, for me?” Marta squealed. “I’ve never won anything before! But – who would watch Jasmine?”
“I could figure something out for you,” Daisy said. “Or she could go with you when you both have some vacation time.”
“Thank you so much!” The woman launched herself at Frasier, who flinched in horror and tried to dodge her hug, but failed.
“Stop that! Your uniform isn’t clean!” he wailed. “You’re hugging me too hard! Dear Lord, do I have Ebola now?
”
“Be careful of him,” Daisy called out. “He’s a delicate flower.”
“Daisy, really.” Her mother shook her head reprovingly.
Jasmine snickered quietly behind her hand. “Well played,” she said as Daisy backed away slowly. “Hey, are you coming back here tomorrow?”
“Of course. I work here. Why wouldn’t I come back?”
Jasmine shrugged. “Teachers leave all the time.”
It was true – this wasn’t exactly a plum assignment.
“I’ll be here. Well, toodles, everyone,” Daisy said, and she hurried off as Frasier frantically struggled to get free from Jasmine’s grandmother
“This isn’t over!” Daisy’s mother called out after her.
* * * * *
Tuesday evening
Larissa was sitting on the rocking chair on the front porch when Daisy pulled up to Ryker’s house at the end of the day.
“What’s up?” Daisy asked her as she climbed the steps. “No work today?”
Larissa worked as a secretary at a temp agency.
“Yeah, no work. Just came over to make absolutely sure you’re not being held hostage.” Larissa made a face and looked around. “This is really…country.”
Daisy stifled a flare of annoyance. It wasn’t what she was used to, but she liked it out here. The people were decent and welcoming and genuine.
“Yes, that’s because it’s not in the city,” she said shortly. “You came over by yourself?”
Larissa scowled. “Cadence isn’t speaking to me for some reason. She’s got some bug up her butt.”
Well, that was going to make for an awkward dinner Wednesday night, Daisy thought.
Larissa followed Daisy into the house, and Daisy reluctantly went and got iced tea for both of them.
“Where’s Ryker?” Larissa asked, looking around.
“He’s at work. He’ll be home in a few hours.” Ryker had texted her that afternoon, saying he’d bring home dinner for them. The two of them had spent a polite, somewhat awkward evening on Monday night before she went off to sleep in her own room. Knowing that the relationship had a time limit made things weird, so after dinner Daisy had fled the living room and spent the evening reading by herself. Ryker had poked his head in once to ask if she wanted to sit out on the back porch with him, but she’d turned him down. She had a feeling that the best way to get through this was to avoid him as much as she could.
Otherwise, it was just too tempting. She didn’t want to get used to his easy smile, or his laugh, or his meltingly hot kisses.
“Is that him?” Larissa looked out the window at a van pulling up in front of the house.
“No, that’s not his van. I don’t know who that is,” Daisy said as several men she didn’t recognize climbed out.
A snooty-looking man in a tailored suit marched towards the door, hauling a dress rack with him. Several skinny, black-clad male assistants helped him to carry a dress rack laden with sparkly evening gowns up the steps.
“Hello? I didn’t order any of this, and I’m pretty sure those dresses are too fancy for Ryker,” Daisy said. “He’s more of a jeans and T-shirt guy.” She laughed out loud; the man just stared at her, looking down his long nose until she stopped.
“I’m Van Hoffmer, of Hoffmeer Stylists,” the man said to her. “Mr. Harrison feels that you need a makeover before he can take you out to several public events that he has planned.”
Daisy felt a wave of queasiness wash over her. That was the kind of thing she’d heard all her life from her mother; she’d never expected to hear it from Ryker.
“What a jerk,” Larissa loud-whispered, and the stylists looked at her in disdain. “You should just come home with me right now. Do you want me to help you pack?”
Daisy bit back an angry retort. She knew Larissa meant well, but at the moment, she didn’t have the energy for her negativity, or her tendency to insert herself into Daisy’s life and try to make decisions for her.
“No, honestly, it’s better if you go home,” she said. She’d deal with this herself.
“Fine,” Larissa said huffily. “I can see when I’m not wanted.” But she didn’t move.
Can you? Daisy thought.
“Maybe I won’t even come to dinner Wednesday,” Larissa added loudly.
“All right then,” Daisy said.
“You don’t want me to come?” Larissa’s voice went up into a high-pitched wail.
Daisy looked at her impatiently. “Larissa. If you want to show up and have a drama-free good time with us, then do so, and if you don’t, that is your choice. I will see you at the restaurant. Or not.” She shot a significant glance at the door, and Larissa flounced out in a huff.
Van looked at Daisy. “For your dinner Thursday night, we need something that flatters your figure,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “It would be helpful if you didn’t eat much for the next couple of days, too.”
Excuse you?
“What dinner Thursday night?” she asked. “I didn’t agree to any dinner.”
He rolled his eyes. “Mr. Harrison already made the reservations. You’ll have to discuss it with him.”
She folded her arms across her chest. So that was how it was going to be for the next few weeks. “I see.”
He took a corset off the rack and held it up. “We’re definitely going to need you to put this on before you try on any of the dresses.” He started unlacing it.
“A corset?” she said, appalled.
He looked her up and down, his pale-blue eyes radiating disapproval. “Or a girdle. None of the dresses here will fit without it.”
She blinked back angry tears of humiliation. “Then I won’t be wearing any of them.”
“Mr. Harrison isn’t going to like this!”
When Daisy told him where Mr. Harrison could insert the dress rack and the corset, Van gasped in shock, then spun on his heel and left. His assistants grabbed the dress rack and hurried after him, shooting her horrified glances over their shoulders.
Daisy went and locked herself in her room, fuming. Was the rec center worth this kind of humiliation?
It wouldn’t have hurt so much if it had come from anyone else but Ryker. He’d made such a big deal of how attractive he found her and how much he loved her figure. All her life, she’d been made to feel self-conscious about her size, and Ryker was the first guy who’d ever made her feel sexy. Had that all been a lie, to get her to stay and help him fix his public image?
She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself down. She had to stick it out for the next few weeks. Had to. She’d just avoid Ryker at all times except for when they were out in public together. It wasn’t like he could argue; he needed this to work as much as she did.
Around six o’ clock, she heard him come in.
“Hey Lucy, I’m home!” he called out in a fake Ricky Ricardo accent. She tried not to smile. Then she thought about the corset and got mad all over again.
“I got dinner!” he yelled. “Barbecue!”
“Sounds good! Enjoy it!” she called back, her tone curt.
“Come on out and join me,” he called. “We can eat on the back porch – it’s beautiful out.”
“Not in the mood, thanks,” she called out to him.
Soon the sweet smells of barbecue drifted into her room. He’d apparently decided to eat inside after all. She hadn’t eaten since lunch, and her stomach rumbled.
A few minutes later, he called out, “Mmm, mmm, you don’t know what you’re missing!”
She ignored him, and turned her TV on.
She heard his boots clomping down the hall as he walked over to her door. “Hey, I know you don’t want to date me, but I thought you’d at least have dinner with me!”
Was he really that insensitive? He thought he could humiliate her, and she would just sit there and take it?
She stalked over and yanked open the door.
“Then I wouldn’t fit in the corset you picked out for me,” she said angrily, an
d hot tears filled her eyes. She tried hard to blink them away, and was surprised at the look of concern on his face.
He shook his head in bafflement. “What corset?”
“The stylists you sent over this afternoon to dress me for our dinner Thursday night?”
“Come on, Daisy, do I seem like the kind of guy who’d even know a stylist?”
“Ummm…the stylists who said that Mr. Harrison felt that I needed a makeover? They came to the house a few hours ago?” She could see from the look on his face that he knew nothing about it. “You didn’t send them? They were horrible. They really hurt my feelings. Said I shouldn’t eat much for the next couple of days before our dinner Thursday night. And I had to wear a corset so the dresses that they’d brought for me would fit.”
“What dinner Thursday night?”
She shook her head. “That’s what I said.”
Ryker’s face flushed with anger. “The Mr. Harrison they were talking about, that’s got to be Walt.”
“Ohhh.” Relief washed over her, and she realized how much it had hurt to believe that Ryker was no different from all the people who’d looked down on her for her size all her life. “Then…I apologize. I should have known better, really. The way they were talking to me…now that I think of it, I’ve never heard you talk to me that way.”
“And you never will,” he assured her. “Go in the kitchen and eat some barbecue while I straighten Walt out. Don’t say you’re not hungry – I can hear your stomach rumbling.”
She went into the kitchen, where he’d set the take-out barbecue on the table. She dove into it, savoring the sweet, tangy sauce as she listened to Ryker’s bellows of rage drifting down the hallway.
“What the hell were you thinking? No, you weren’t doing what was best for the company, you were doing what was best for your big, fat wallet! You keep those people the hell out of my house and the hell away from my— from Daisy!”
Was he about to say ‘my mate’? she wondered.
“Yes, they actually tried to make her wear a corset! Damn it, you don’t put a corset on perfection! Well, they’d better not come back!”
Perfection?
The Mating Game: Big Bad Wolf Page 7
