Page 26 of Branded

The plane stops. The flight attendant opens the door, and hot Texas air rushes in, carrying the smell of dust and cattle and something else I can’t identify. Money, maybe? Power?

Sebastian stands, straightening his shirt, running a hand through his dark hair. Then he offers me his hand.

“Come on, wife. Time to meet the family.”

I take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. My legs are unsteady, whether from the flight or nerves or exhaustion, I can’t tell. He wraps his arm around me to steady me, his eyes looking to my mouth before he lowers his head and steals a quick kiss, making my head spin.

We walk to the door together, and I look out at the Drake ranch spread before us.

A black SUV is parked near the plane, and beside it stands a man who can only be Sebastian’s father.

Walker Drake is in his late sixties but looks like he could still work a full day on the ranch without breaking a sweat. Tall, broad-shouldered, with weathered skin from decades in the sun. He wears jeans, boots and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing forearms corded with muscle and marked with scars. His hair is mostly gray, cut short, and his eyes – even from this distance – are sharp. He has a cowboy hat in his hands.

He looks like a king surveying his kingdom.

Sebastian’s hand tightens on mine as we descend the stairs. The heat hits me like a physical force, so different from California’s coastal coolness or Montana’s mountain air. This is oppressive, demanding, the kind of heat that makes you remember you are at nature’s mercy.

Walker Drake doesn’t move as we approach. Just stands there, watching us with an expression I can’t read.

“Dad,” Sebastian says when we are close enough. His voice is different now, harder, more guarded. “This is Lennox. My wife.”

I feel Walker’s eyes on me, traveling from my face down my body and back up again. Assessing. Just like Sebastian warned.

I lift my chin and meet his gaze directly. I might be Sebastian’s wife, but I am still a Briggs. I know how to face down men who think they own the world.

Something flickers in Walker’s eyes. Surprise, maybe. Or respect.

“Warren Briggs’s daughter,” he says finally. His voice is deep, rough, carrying the weight of decades of giving orders and being obeyed. “I always enjoy seeing your father at conferences or cattle shows. I sure was sorry to hear about his health problems.”

“Thank you, sir, he’s doing much better,” I say, keeping my voice steady.

“Sir.” Walker’s lips twitch. “Polite too. That’s good. Eleanor will appreciate that.” He finally uncrosses his arms and extends his hand. “Welcome to Devil’s Ridge Ranch, Lennox. Hope you’re ready for what you’ve married into.”

I shake his hand; his grip is firm, testing, his palm calloused from work, and I force a smile. “I’m looking forward to it.” Lying hasn’t ever come easy for me, but these words roll off my tongue with ease.

Walker looks at Sebastian. “Your mother’s beside herself. She’s been driving the staff crazy. She wants a full family dinner tonight.” His eyes cut back to me. “Hope you’re ready.”

“Dad,” Sebastian starts.

“It’s fine,” I interrupt, surprising myself. “I know how these things work.”

Walker’s smile is sharp. “Do you now?”

“Yes, sir. New stock gets inspected. Everyone wants to see what is acquired, decide if the investment is sound.” I meet his eyes steadily. “I’m prepared for that.”

For a long moment, Walker just stares at me. Then he laughs, a short, rough sound.

“I like her,” he says to Sebastian. “She’s got grit. That’s good. The women in this family need it.” He turns and walks toward the SUV. “Come on. Your mother’s waiting, and you know how she gets when she’s kept waiting. There’s a box on the back seat for you, also.” He looks at Sebastian.

Sebastian’s hand finds the small of my back again as we follow his father. He leans down, his lips near my ear.

“That went better than expected,” he murmurs. “Keep it up.”

I don’t respond. Just keep walking toward the SUV that will take us deeper into Drake territory.

A small royal blue box sits on the seat. I don’t dare touch it. Sebastian gets in the SUV and reaches for it. He opens the box, and I look upon the most beautiful diamond ring I’d ever seen. There is one huge diamond in the center, flanked by baguettes and round diamonds surrounding it.

“I hope you like it. This ring belonged to my great-grandmother. Grandpa left it to me after he passed.” Sebastian slips the ring onto my finger, and I notice there is also a band with it. An eternity band sparkling with diamonds. “The band is new, maybe we’ll pass it down one day.” He smiles, and it takes everything in me not to roll my eyes at him.