Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron

Author:Paige Cameron [Cameron, Paige]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc.
Published: 2011-08-09T14:56:40+00:00

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A tall, broad-shouldered man with salt-and-pepper, short hair, waited beside a large silver truck. Janice saw the resemblance to Drake and Brent right away.

“Glad to see you boys home,” their father said. Both sons stepped forward and hugged him. “Who’s this pretty lady?” He smiled at Janice.

“Dad, this is Janice Dedrick. Janice, my dad, Joseph Terrell.”

She put out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

Joseph Terrell gave her hand a yank and pulled her into his arms for a hug. “We don’t stand on formality around here, and if my boy has brought you home, then you’re important to him. Just call me Joe.”

Mr. Terrell smelled of horses and cigars. He kept one arm around her shoulder. “My missus is going to be tickled pink to see you,” he assured Janice. “Get those suitcases loaded up. Momma’s waiting with coffee and sandwiches.”

Drake and Brent put the luggage in the back. Drake helped Janice into the back seat of the truck. His father drove with Brent in the seat beside him.

“I hope Mom made one of her famous lemon meringue pies,” Drake said.

His father threw him a glance over his shoulder. “Do you think she’d miss baking one with you on the way home?” All three men laughed.

Janice felt off-kilter. Drake’s family was so demonstrative and big, and overwhelming. Her mother and father were reserved at all times. Sometimes she’d longed for them to be spontaneous in some way. It never happened. Vacations were planned down to the last minute. Lives were orderly and moved in an expected direction.

She’d been coached through life to excel in all areas. When she came home, her mother greeted her and brushed a cool kiss on her cheek. Her father smiled and told her he was glad to see her. She knew they loved her, but too much emotion had been frowned upon.

“Are you all right?” Drake bent his head to see her face. “You’re very quiet.”

“I’m absorbing all my initial impressions. Your father is sweet,” she whispered into Drake’s ear.

Drake chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you describe him that way.” He draped his arm around her and pulled her close to his side. “Everything’s going to be fine. Relax and enjoy your visit.”

“I will, I am.” But she knew she’d stiffened in his father’s arms when he’d hugged her, and Mr. Terrell noticed. He’d raised an eyebrow questioningly, smiled, and let her go, except for the one arm over her shoulder. She hoped he didn’t feel she’d responded coldly.

Drake’s finger ran across the frown line between her eyes. “Don’t worry,” he repeated. He tipped her chin and brushed a soft kiss on her mouth. “Taste good, feel good, can’t beat it.”

“You two behave back there.” Mr. Terrell spoke in a light tone.

Janice looked into the rearview mirror and saw his warm smile. When she glanced at Drake, the same smile reflected back at her. “Two peas in a pod,” she mumbled, but Drake heard her and laughed out loud.

Lights blazed from the farm house.

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