A Guarded Love Read online

  “I noticed your clothes.” Kristin rolled her eyes.

  “I’m wearing basketball shorts and running shoes today.”

  She peeked over the seat. “That’s true.”

  “I’m still on the last conversation,” Lexi chimed in. “You have a guy who works for you that looks like you?”

  “Yes, and he helps me a lot.” Landon chuckled.

  “Does he look exactly like you?”

  Landon could hear the intrigue in Lexi’s voice. “He looks enough like me that he has people fooled.”

  “Is this a normal part of your life now?”

  He could hear the change in Lexi’s voice. It sounded like pity. “Don’t go feeling sorry for me. It’s part of the job. Fame makes it hard to go places. That’s why I was having such a good time last night. I almost felt normal.”

  Kristin tapped Landon on the shoulder. “Do you really think this will be over soon?”

  “I do. Security will take care of the people in the front of your apartment. But there will be guards at your home and school for a few days, just to make sure.”

  “I don’t want security around my house and school.”

  Landon stiffened. “You won’t see them, but they’ll be there.” He was caught off guard for a second. His words sounded like his dad, who always sounded stern when making a point.

  Lexi had a big grin. “This will be a fun story to tell someday.”

  ***

  Landon loved the feeling of being home. It gave him a feeling of security and peace. Privacy was important in his downtime and this mountain hide-a-way provided that. Landon first saw this area when he was on his very first tour, nine years ago. That was a strange reminder that he was turning twenty-nine this year. The tour bus drove through the Sierra Mountains and it was awe-inspiring. When they stopped for lunch in Nevada City, Landon was very impressed by the kind people that he met. They had no idea who he was, but treated him like he was one of their own. The bus continued to a concert in Reno, Nevada. He loved the charm of this quaint old mining town and went privately to check it out once the tour was completed. The architect and builder worked with Landon to help him make his dream home. When he wasn’t on the road, he put in sweat equity, learning valuable skills like putting up dry wall, mudding, and taping. Working with his hands was becoming a fun hobby. The style he chose was an ultra-modern 1960’s type, two-story home with a flat roof. But what he truly loved was the location of this home—being in the beautiful mountains, nestled by various trees, mainly pine. This was the kind of home he could live in forever.

  Kristin cranked her neck to look at the enormous mountains as she got out of the car. “You live in these beautiful mountains, and it snows up here, but your roof is flat. How can you get away with that? If the snow is heavy, won’t your roof collapse?”

  “Yes, but the architect installed warm water pipes to melt the snow. The roof is angled a little bit, so the melted snow comes down through the gutters. We haven’t had any problems so far. The pipes work well, and the snow stays melted. The driveway is designed the same way. Do you want a quick tour of the house? There’s not much to look at. I’m not here often, so I haven’t spent much time decorating. I have the basics. I also have some horses we can visit if you want to.” Landon put his hands behind his back after he noticed the expression on Kristin’s face. “If you need to study, Kristin, I understand.”

  Lexi grabbed Kristin’s wrist. “Oh, we’re looking at the house. We’ll hold off on the horses, though, because Kristin’s afraid of them.”

  Kristin glared at Lexi.

  The girls followed Landon into his home. They started the tour on the top floor.

  Kristin gasped when they walked into the first room. “I love this movie room, especially the wrap-around couch. It looks so comfortable and cozy to watch a movie on.”

  “This is one of my favorite rooms as well.” Landon plopped on the couch and looked around. “It’s hard for me to go to a movie. The fans won’t let me watch it, so I decided to make a theater in my home. I wish I were here a little more, so I could enjoy this room. But I’ll use it sometime in the future.”

  “I can’t imagine how hard it is for you to go out, especially after what I experienced today.” Kristin tilted her head and looked at him.

  Landon pushed himself off the couch. “Some days are hard, but I’ve learned how to live with it, I guess.” Landon smiled easily. “Are you ready to continue the tour?”

  Kristin appeared to be feeling calm. She smiled more and was pleasant to talk with. The tour continued until they reached the lower level. Lexi went directly to the pool and felt the water with her hand. She seemed to take it seriously when he invited her to come swim anytime. The girls seemed to like the award room. Kristin joined Lexi, who was reading a plaque. Landon caught Kristin taking a peek at him. She quickly looked away and went to look at the recording studio. Lexi followed her. He still wasn’t sure what to make of Kristin. He wondered if she needed a tangible item, like an award, to see Landon’s value as a person.

  “Do you record your songs here?” Lexi had a dazed expression.

  Landon shrugged his shoulder. “Sometimes.” It was odd for him to have strangers touring his house, but they wouldn’t even be there if his fame hadn’t caused a problem. But still, he wasn’t one for sharing too much personal information. Landon wasn’t prepared for how awkward it was going to be. He decided to keep the conversation focused on general topics.

  “Ready to continue with the tour?”

  The girls slowly finished and joined him as he led them to the front room.

  “Do you play the piano, or is it just for show?” Kristin raised her eyebrow.

  Landon looked at her, wondering if she thought of him as some back-wood hick. Little did she know that he took piano lessons for years. Sitting at the piano, he played a beautiful classical song by Vivaldi. He smiled to himself as he watched Kristin’s mouth gape open. She covered it with her hand.

  “I know about all kinds of music genres, even though I make a living singing country music.” Landon sauntered into the study. The girls followed him.

  “Here’s a quiet place to work. Make yourself at home, Kristin. Lexi, let’s make something to eat. I’m starved.”

  ***

  “Why don’t you cut the tomatoes.” Landon pulled cheese, lettuce and ham from the fridge. Glancing at Lexi, he noticed her hands were trembling. “Is everything okay?”

  “I can’t believe that I’m preparing lunch with Landon Ross in his own kitchen.” Landon watched her fling the knife around while she talked. Lexi looked up at her hand and promptly put down the knife. “Kristin might be having a terrible day, but I’m having the time of my life.”

  Landon smiled. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I do feel bad that Kristin is so upset. I mean, it’s understandable, but I still feel bad.”

  Shaking her head and breathing deeply, Lexi explained, “Kristin is a highly stressed person anyway, but this has pushed her over the top.” Lexi went back to cutting. “She hasn’t always been like this. In high school, she was very optimistic and social.”

  “What changed?”

  “Her mom and dad got a divorce. He’s not around much. Then she fell in love with Wes, who broke up with her. Within months, he married someone else. I could tell she was devastated. Since then, she has put up walls.”

  Listening carefully, Landon grabbed the lettuce and started rinsing it.

  “Last year she was dating a guy named Sam,” Lexi continued, “but he wasn’t supportive of her music. They broke up in the spring, and now she’s completely focused on school and her career.”

  “It sounds like she’s had a rough time.”

  “That’s true. She’s been through a lot and constantly doubts herself. But she is resilient, and her music helps her. She can come across cold. The more time you spend with her, the warmer she becomes. Kristin is a very loyal friend.”

  “It’s good you have each other.” Lexi w
as right. Kristin did seem cold, and he didn’t know if he wanted to be around her long enough for her to warm up.

  Chapter 5

  Kristin looked around the study and clearly understood that there was more to Landon than what she saw the previous evening. She felt a twinge of guilt. Rubbing her neck, she looked at her computer and couldn’t bring herself to open it. Her first impressions of people, especially men, never seemed to be accurate.

  The first time she saw a spark of Sam’s anger wasn’t very long after they had started dating. They were invited to a friend’s home to play games. Sam didn’t want to go and was unhappy that she was willing to go without him. Trying to convince her to stay, he had grabbed her arm. Kristin yanked free and left. Sam noticed the bruise the next day and apologized with lavish gifts. He seemed sincere and Kristin readily forgave him.

  The worst time he got upset was a few days before she was to leave for her trip abroad four months ago. She had started packing a few items, because waiting until the last minute wasn’t her style. Sam came in and looked at the luggage. His eyes became wild and he started pulling her clothes out, throwing them on the floor. At that moment, she knew she needed to be away from him. Breaking up with him the night before she left was the best way. He could heal while she was gone. Butthat obviously didn’t happen because he had picked up right where he left off.

  Kristin felt more safe in Landon’s home than she had in her own since returning from karaoke. It was remote, and with the gate at the entrance of his home, there was no way Sam could find her. But what would happen once she left there? Sam had found her at the club. Over the time that they were dating, she had tried several times to talk logically with him, but it didn’t seem to matter. Maybe a more drastic measure was needed to drive the point home that they were not a couple and would never be. Taking a deep breath, she opened her computer and jumped a little when the phone rang.

  Looking at caller ID, she saw Sam’s name. Setting the phone down and drumming her fingers, she considered not answering, but she knew she would pay for it later if she didn’t answer him now. “Hello.”

  “You didn’t waste any time finding someone else.”

  It felt like ice coursing through her veins as she heard that voice. “What are you talking about?”

  “I saw your picture online. I didn’t know you liked cowboys. Is that why you broke up with me before you went to Austria?”

  Kristin was surprised to hear the hurt in his voice. Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, she said, “I told you why I was breaking up with you when I ended our relationship. I don’t need to explain anything to you!”

  “He’s a player, so be careful.”

  “Why do you care? Landon treats me well.” Kristin surprised herself by saying that.

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Something about how calm he talked before he hung up made Kristin shiver. What had she ever seen in Sam? When they first met, she was attracted to his brown eyes and jet-black hair. He seemed to really care for her, which she found appealing, but then the caring changed to controlling. It started slowly and was hardly noticeable, but eventually he wouldn’t even let her see her family. He had to have a final say in where she went and who she could go with. It took courage to break things off with him last summer. He obviously didn’t handle it as well as Kristin had thought and coming home to his controlling behavior was not what she had expected.

  “No, it can’t be him again,” Kristin mumbled as she picked up her phone to see who was calling. Relief flooded through her as she saw her mom’s name. Answering the phone, she was greeted with a high-pitched scream from her sixteen-year old sister, Taylor. Holding the phone away from her ear she said, “Hello.”

  “Your picture is on my newsfeed.”

  Julie, Kristin’s mom, chimed in, “Honey, do you have a famous boyfriend? I was surprised to see you on my computer.”

  Kristin hadn’t registered the far-reaching effect of this article. Now her family thought something was going on. “No, he’s not my boyfriend. He bumped my arm and was saying sorry. Someone who happened to be in the club took a picture and sold it.”

  “So, you’re not dating Landon Ross?”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, sis, but we’re not dating. I actually was surprised as well when I opened my front door to be greeted by the paparazzi who wanted to find out the scoop about Landon and myself.”

  “Is this something we need to be concerned about? Are you safe?” Kristin could hear the nervousness in her mother’s voice. It was unsettling.

  “Landon came to the university and rescued Lexi and me. He has a security team working on things.”

  “That’s exciting! Landon is a modern-day knight in shining armor. I want to be rescued by Landon.” Taylor was a little too young to know the seriousness of the picture hitting social media.

  “It sounds terrible to me. I don’t like it, but I’ll have to trust that this singer will get this cleared up.” Julie’s voice sounded strained.

  “I’m confident that he will take care of everything and it will start to calm down soon.” Kristin didn’t want to burden her family, especially her mom. Since the divorce, Julie had worked hard to provide for and protect her two daughters. Kristin’s dad was the typical dead-beat dad. He didn’t pay child support or alimony. Her mom, on the other hand, worked two jobs to give them a quality life and Kristin was grateful for everything her mom did for her.

  “I hope you’re right. I want to be kept informed. I need to go. I have to take Taylor to her dance rehearsal.” Julie sounded rushed.

  “Make sure to get a picture of him for me. I want to hear everything that happens too.”

  “Thanks for being concerned. I love you both.” After ending the call, Kristin sat there staring at her computer. Landon and the paparazzi were not what she was most worried about. It was Sam. Not wanting to burden her mom, she decided not to let her know about Sam. Hopefully, the problem would resolve itself. Maybe Sam would find another girl to be interested in. Sitting there in the quiet, she allowed herself to soak up the safe, peaceful feelings that filled the entire home.

  “Do you want to join us for lunch?”

  Kristin looked up to see Lexi standing next to her. “Sure.” Studying was not an option. She was too worked up. This would be a much-needed break from the craziness.

  The kitchen felt sterile with all the stainless-steel appliances. There were no color accessories, not even a plant. Walking over to the bay window with tall, wide windows, she sat on the bench seat and observed the mountains, covered in evergreen and blue spruce trees. The breakfast bar had everything she would need to make sub sandwiches. Landon handed her a paper plate along with an apple. Everyone made their sandwiches.

  Kristin was so fixated on her problem with Sam, she hardly noticed what she was doing. Why couldn’t he move on and start dating someone else? Although she couldn’t bear to see another girl mistreated by him, she didn’t want him in her life anymore. The big question was what would it take for him to get over her?

  Lexi went over to the bay window. “It’s a gorgeous day. Should we eat outside?”

  “Good idea.” Landon nodded.

  Kristin followed them to the backyard where they all sat on his patio furniture. It was a beautiful September day with bright green grass and deep green trees. Looking at the small forest, she noticed that a few of the deciduous trees had some leaves that changed colors. There were hints of yellow and orange. It appeared that autumn started a little earlier in the mountains. “It’s pretty. I can see why you’d want to live here.”

  Looking around at the mountain backdrop, Landon replied, “I love being home.”

  Lexi followed his gaze. “Do you travel most of the year?”

  Landon chuckled. “I travel about three months at a time and then come home for a few weeks. Recording sessions and talk shows take several weeks. Then the cycle repeats itself. Careers in the music business are very busy when you have hit songs. But
the fame and hype don’t last a long time. Your window for success is very small, so I’m going to enjoy it and make plans for the future when no one remembers my name.”

  “You’ve been popular for about four years.” Lexi looked at him and smiled. “I can see you lasting in this business for a while.”

  Landon stopped smiling which made him look uncharacteristically serious. “I’m having fun, but this isn’t what I want to do forever. It’s not the best career for a family life. Someday, I want to settle down and I’ll need to have a different job.”

  “Do you know what you want to do?”

  Landon shrugged. “No, but I’ll figure it out.”

  Kristin watched Landon. Boy, had she misjudged him. He wasn’t an ignorant country singer. Obviously, he was a talented, caring, and a friendly man who set goals for the future. Plus, he was gorgeous. His dark eyes were smoldering, and his dark brown hair was long enough to comb his fingers through for a quick natural look. Broad shoulders, long legs. She couldn’t stop staring. How did she miss so much? Thinking about him calmed her down and excited her at the same time. Unfortunately, Landon caught her looking at him and winked at her. Kristin quickly looked at a nearby rosebush. Why did she have to get caught staring?

  Kristin felt his gaze stay on her.

  “Were you able to study?” he asked.

  Happy to have a reason to look at him, she turned back. “No. My mind keeps drifting to thoughts of this morning.”

  “That’s understandable. I’ve never gotten used to the lies that the media spreads.”

  “Does that happen often?”

  “More than I’d like it to.” Picking up the plates and standing, Landon asked, “Should we go back in?”

  “Sure. I should probably get a little more studying in.”

  Lexi and Landon went to the kitchen to clean up. Kristin sat down at the desk and realized that she had left her phone inside while she was eating lunch. Noticing her phone next to the computer, she reached for it and automatically started looking at her messages. She groaned. “Twenty-two voicemails and text messages.” Pushing the button, she was greeted by Melissa’s giggling voice. “Hi. I can’t believe you’re on the Internet. I wonder who took the picture? I didn’t see anyone taking a picture last night. How does it feel to be Landon’s girlfriend? Call and let me know what’s going on.”