Nuptials in Nevada: At the Altar, #0

By Keira K. Barton

Scarlett Heston is disenchanted with her life in Hollywood. Her agent and her parents are all too involved in her acting career, and she longs for a real connection with a man—not one driven by money and greed. When Scarlett meets Dr. Lachele Simpson on Timmy Callen's talk show, she hopes that signing up for Matchrimony will be her way out of a life she's never wanted.

Beau Lawrence doesn't even flinch getting on the back of a bull, but he wouldn't be caught dead talking to any of the girls who want his attention after a rodeo. Beau has always chosen his bull riding career over his relationships, and he doesn't see that changing anytime soon. When Beau's friend Josh convinces him that he won't ever be happy alone, he decides to take a chance and let Dr. Lachele find a match for him.

 

Will Scarlett be able to accept Beau's cowboy lifestyle?

 

Or will the man she met at the altar make her wish she'd never left LA?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keira K. Barton
• Release date: Aug 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393320340

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Copyright © 2018 by Keira K. Barton

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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www.keirakbarton.com

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Erin Dameron Hill/EDH Graphics

Edited by Tristi Pinkston

Printed in the United States of America.

First printing edition 2018.

Scarlett Heston is disenchanted with her life in Hollywood. Her agent and her parents are all too involved in her acting career, and she longs for a real connection with a man—not one driven by money and greed. When Scarlett meets Dr. Lachele Simpson on Timmy Callen’s talk show, she hopes that signing up for Matchrimony will be her way out of a life she’s never wanted.

Beau Lawrence doesn’t even flinch getting on the back of a bull, but he wouldn’t be caught dead talking to any of the girls who want his attention after a rodeo. Beau has always chosen his bull riding career over his relationships, and he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon. When Beau’s friend Josh convinces him that he won’t ever be happy alone, he decides to take a chance and let Dr. Lachele find a match for him. Will Scarlett be able to accept Beau’s cowboy lifestyle? Or will the man she met at the altar make her wish she’d never left LA?

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Keira K. Barton

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For Tristi, thank you for your constant encouragement.

You always help me reach for more.

Chapter 1

DROPS OF RAIN SLID down the windowpane as Scarlett Heston looked out her bedroom window. It was early spring, and the lawn was the bright green color of new life that faded all too quickly as temperatures rose. The traffic would be horrible today—no one knew how to drive in the rain in LA.

The traffic. It was just one thing on a long list of things Scarlett had begun to hate about living in Hollywood. She had been born and raised here. Her parents—both actors-turned-directors—were still A-list celebrities, and she was a Hollywood legacy. A shudder ran through her. She hated that title.

Scarlett had refused to act as a child, despite her parents’ urging. She was just too shy to feel comfortable in front of a camera. As she entered her teens, she’d reluctantly agreed to television only. She might have hated being famous all her life, but that couldn’t extinguish her love of acting. Now, she was nearing thirty, with a few successful series under her belt, and even her love of acting was starting to fade. She was proud of her career, but her parents couldn’t stand her contentment with the small screen—they’d always had bigger dreams for her.

And apparently, so did her agent. She’d spent the better part of her morning trying to tune out his voice on the phone as he blabbed on and on about her needing to consider a few auditions for roles in several upcoming movies—no doubt movies he’d be paid handsomely for if she were cast.

"And don’t do something stupid today and miss your talk show appearance. You do remember you had that scheduled for this morning, right?" Zero tact. It was like the man was intentionally trying to irritate her every time they spoke.

Yes, I’ll be there. Scarlett tried to keep her tone cordial, but in reality, her blood was boiling.

I just don’t want to hear any excuses about missing this appearance. Last time it was the weather, and before that, you said you ‘just didn’t feel up to it.’ I can’t keep having you cancel on me, Scarlett. It’s a big deal. It’s getting harder and harder to book you on shows. People want someone who’s reliable.

No, people want a paycheck, Scarlett thought as she rolled her eyes. Her agent’s voice was so condescending. She didn’t know how much longer she could stay on the phone.

I understand. Don’t worry. Like I said, I’ll be there. Scarlett had to enunciate each word carefully so she didn’t give away her annoyance. It wasn’t easy to sound happy when she felt like she was getting scolded like a child. The last thing she needed to hear was how she’d let him down. He was lucky she hadn’t terminated their contract after the stunts he’d pulled over the years.

I don’t think you understand how crucial it is for you to keep up good relationships with important people in this city. Your career depends on it.

And so does yours. You’re right. Scarlett knew that was all Greg wanted to hear from her. A little praise went a long way with the man on the other line. He was the most narcissistic person she had ever met, and she couldn’t wait for their contract to expire. It would come as a really big shock to him when she decided not to renew it. Scumbag.

I’m glad you can see that. I’m just here to help.

Scarlett wanted to barf. If by help, he meant he wanted to exploit her name to get new clients who he could screw over, then sure, he was just here to help. Her skin crawled, thinking of the conversations she’d had with up-and-coming actresses who had fallen victim to his schemes.

I appreciate all you do, Greg. I need to go. I’ll have to leave soon if I’m going to make it. I don’t want to disappoint you again and miss the show. She couldn’t hide the sarcasm in her voice that time. Luckily, he was so dense, he would never pick up on it.

You’re welcome, Scarlett. You’re always my number-one priority. Greg’s caring tone was so forced, it made her sick. He didn’t care about anyone but himself.

She couldn’t believe he had the audacity to say you’re welcome. Who is this guy? It was a good thing the conversation was almost over. Scarlett wouldn’t be able to hide her disgust much longer.

After forcing out a polite goodbye through her gritted teeth, Scarlett hung up the phone and let out a huge breath. She hadn’t realized that her breathing had been so shallow and pinched that entire time. She couldn’t wait to wash her hands of Greg, the slimy snake.

She’d taken a chance on having him as her agent when she’d started her career. He was new, and therefore, his reputation didn’t reflect the monster he was until it was too late. He’d gotten her some pretty good roles over the years, so she had put up with him, but his behavior had just gotten worse.

Like everything else in my life, she thought. She pushed off the window ledge where she’d been leaning and turned around. Her bedroom was large, and there was a California king centered on the wall in front of her. She smiled as her eyes moved over a favorite painting hanging on the wall opposite her. That was one thing she was grateful to her parents for—helping her appreciate art.

Scarlett sighed and walked to her closet. She’d better get ready for the all-important talk show appearance. She loathed them, but the contract her agent had negotiated for her latest role required at least four appearances per season. She flipped through her dresses, finally landing on a white cotton one perfect for spring. Her silky robe felt smooth on her skin as she slipped it off and stepped into the dress she’d picked out, her relationship with her parents, and how strained it had always been, still on her mind.

She did love them. After all, they had given her everything. Every opportunity she’d had, especially the ones that had launched her career, were all orchestrated by them. That wasn’t lost on her, but they were just so materialistic. She looked at the clothes and shoes that lined her large closet before she flicked off the light and thought about how modest it seemed compared to her mother’s. She walked out of her room and down the hall. Everything was about money and fame for them, and that just wasn’t the kind of life she wanted. She loved acting, but it didn’t consume her the way it did her parents.

There’s more to life than this, isn’t there? She stood at the top of the stairs looking out over the main floor of her house. The thought seemed to echo in the stillness, and in the empty chambers of her heart. She couldn’t help but wonder what her life would be like if her parents weren’t so consumed by their careers. Would I have a sibling? Would I be closer to them? Both questions seemed to highlight their failure to put family first, and to help her recognize the love she had been craving since she was a little girl.

The gray skies and rain-covered windows cast an eerie light into her usually sunny kitchen, adding a cold edge to the loneliness that already ached within her. She rushed down the stairs to make some coffee before she had to leave. There was nothing she wanted more than something warm to drink on this dreary day.

Scarlett’s mind wandered as she worked, and she found herself daydreaming of being cuddled up with a handsome man who loved her. On rainy days like this, would they drink their coffee together, snuggled in blankets on the couch? Would they make breakfast, then watch old movies all day as the rain drizzled? Her heart ached for a life with someone she could count on to be there on rainy days. All she wanted was to fall in love—to be with someone who occupied her thoughts constantly, knowing that he was thinking of her too.

Right now, the only person she saw regularly—besides her fellow cast members at the studio—was her housekeeper, Aldona, and she wouldn’t be coming by until Thursday. How pathetic am I? The thought wasn’t a new one. Scarlett had been wondering if she would ever find any type of companionship in her current situation. Her friends tried to set her up all the time, but she was too worried that the guy would only want to be with her for her money or her connections, and she couldn’t trust anyone enough to say yes. She’d learned her lesson about trusting people with her heart, and she had learned it the hard way. Not everyone’s intentions were as noble as they might first appear to be.

The glowing clock on the microwave grabbed her attention. It was already after eight. She needed to get going. When the coffee was done brewing, she poured it into a travel cup and added creamer. Then she grabbed her purse, keys, and phone. Good thing they do makeup on set, she thought as she headed out the garage door.

The rain didn’t let up at all during her drive, and she had been right—the traffic was horrible, but she still made it right on time for hair and makeup. She might loathe appearances on talk shows, but it was always nice to have other people get her ready.

Good to see you, Miss Heston. Please, sit. The friendly blonde woman who welcomed her as she entered her dressing room pointed to a swiveling black chair in front of a mirrored vanity.

Scarlett watched the filming of the first guest’s interview—which was already in progress—on a screen mounted to the wall while she was primped and prepped