Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (18 page)

“By the time you were fifty, he’d be a judge and perhaps you, too.”

“Something like that.”

Drake pulled her closer against him and tilted her face toward his. “I’m sorry he lost his life, but I’m not sorry I’ve met you and derailed your plan to be a career woman and nothing else.” His mouth came down hard on hers.

She tightened her arms around his neck and pushed her breasts against his chest. Her heart pounded and heat washed over her. One of his hands moved along her back and the other cupped her breast, his thumb rubbing across the peaked nipple.

He leaned back slightly and stared into her eyes. “I love your passion, your smart brain, the way you smile and giggle at times. I love all of you.”

Tears came into her eyes. “I know, and I love all the ways you’re different from other men. You are your own man.”

He gently wiped the tear away that had run down her cheek. “Guess we’d better get that wedding planned soon. I want to start our lives together. Of course, we do have one small problem to take care of, which is catching the guy who wants to kill us.”

“A minor problem, with you and Brent on the job.” Janice kissed his lips and cuddled into his shoulder. “I may fall asleep, I’m so comfortable.”

“Go ahead, I’ll be right here when you wake.”

* * * *

Brent met them at the airport. “You all want to go eat lunch?”

“I do,” Janice said. “If you like Italian, I know just the place.” She gave Brent directions to her and Samantha’s favorite restaurant.

“The food smells great before you even get in the door,” Drake said as they got out of the car.

Janice requested her favorite table, and after ordering, they sat back to sip on their wine. Brent sat across from her and Drake.

“Do you remember mentioning the man that used to work at your office? The one you thought might have written on your windshield?” Brent asked.

“Yes. Is he the one?”

“We’re almost certain he’s the mole. We’ve been following him to see if he’d lead us to the one he’s passing information to, but he hasn’t met anyone in particular. I expect he makes phone calls. The police are following up on our information.”

The waiter brought the large, steaming pizza. They all took a piece.

“Man, this is good,” Brent said and smiled across at Janice.

“Samantha and I discovered this restaurant one Saturday when we were out and about.”

“You still don’t have any ideas about the identity of the guy who has been trying to kill us?” Drake asked.

Brent swallowed and took a sip of his wine. “I’ve had a bad feeling about the car mechanic, the newest worker at the shop. I’m not sure why. When I had talked with him what he said sounded fine, believable, but there was something off, maybe his attitude. Whatever I haven’t been able to put him out of my mind, so I went by the shop where he works today. He was there. Talked with his boss again, and he mentioned the guy had just returned from vacation, said he’d been to visit his mother.”

“Does his mother live in
Texas
?” Drake asked.

“The boss didn’t know. I asked him not to say anything about my questions. I have my best man checking his history. We’ll find the mother and see if he really was with her. Meanwhile, we’ll be watching him.”

“Janice and I are staying close together until the stalker is arrested. We’ll go by my house to see how the work is going, and to her house so we can change before visiting her parents tonight. Keep in touch.”

“Will do. Now let’s shut up and eat,” Brent said. He grinned. “You two lovebirds might be able to live on love—I can’t.”

* * * *

Her mother had suggested Janice come for dinner. She told them she was bringing a friend. Her mother tried to question her about who, but Janice managed to put her off. Now headed to her parents’ home, butterflies were flitting around in her stomach. Drake drove his fancy sports car and had dressed in a tailored blue suit. He looked very handsome.

He reached out and took hold of her hand. “Nervous?”

“A little. Dad has always been a bit overwhelming when he’s angry or upset in any way. It’s been easier to let him have his way.”

* * * *

A bully that frightens his women to keep them under his control
. Drake didn’t verbalize his thought. Janice certainly didn’t ordinarily let others ride over her. Perhaps her determination not to was a direct result of her father’s overpowering persona. He hadn’t like the man before and liked him less now, but he was going to be his father-in-law so he’d have to find a middle ground for Janice’s sake. He wasn’t looking forward to this visit, and from seeing Janice’s tense posture, neither was she.

The house was big, square, and sat on a hill slightly above the neighbors. Drake pulled into the curved driveway and parked a short distance from the front door. He turned to Janice.

“Are you sure you’ll be happy in an old farmhouse after this?” He motioned to the house.

“Definitely.”

He curved his hand around her cheek and chin. “Nothing that happens tonight will have any effect on how I feel about you.”

“I know.” She turned her head and kissed his palm. Her touch always warmed him.

“Let’s get this done, then.” Drake got out and came around to open her door. “I promise to be on my best lawyer behavior.”

Janice chuckled. “I can’t wait to see what that is, as I’m sure I haven’t observed such a phenomenon before now.”

Drake took her hand and they started toward the door. “That’s what I love about you, your smart mouth.”

A maid dressed in a black and white uniform opened the door. “Judge and Mrs. Dedrick are waiting in the family room. Please follow me.”

Not even a family greeting at the door. This did not bode well. Drake had a feeling the judge had checked around and knew exactly who was arriving with his daughter.

“Dad, Mother.” Janice stepped forward and kissed her parents on the cheek. Her mother gave her a small hug—her father’s eyes were on Drake. “Mom and Dad, this is Drake Terrell, my fiancé. Dad, you may have met him before. He’s a lawyer. Drake, my parents.”

Drake stepped forward and shook Mrs. Dedrick’s hand. He turned to the judge. The man’s blue eyes were cold, and he hesitated just a second before putting out his hand. The shake was brief.

“Please be seated.” Her mother motioned them toward a striped couch. “Clara will bring us hors d’oeuvres. What would you like to drink? Janice, do you want white wine?”

“Yes, Mom, thank you.”

“I’m having bourbon, Terrell. Want to join me?” Her father held up the bottle.

Drake nodded, and her father poured a shot into a crystal glass. The maid had come into the room. Judge Dedrick handed Drake’s glass to her, and she passed the drink to Drake. She also carried a tray with various appetizers, stuffed shrimp and oysters, cheese and crackers, and other tasty morsels. Drake ignored the Judge’s continued frosty behavior and put several of the tasty treats onto a small plate. He handed it to Janice, then took the same for himself.

No one spoke for a moment as they ate. “These are very good, Mom. The cream cheese mixture on the cracker is new.” Janice turned to Drake. “Mom has always made her own hors d’ oeuvres.”

“They are wonderful, Mrs. Dedrick.”

“Thank you.” She smiled her perfect smile, but Drake saw her anxiety in her tense muscles, especially around her mouth and eyes.

Janice’s father sat as far away as he could and stared hard at the two of them. “Where did you two meet? Isn't this engagement rather sudden?” he asked.

“The first time at Samantha’s wedding, and then not again until the auction,” Janice told him.

“Humph, I never understood why you volunteered for such a spectacle.” He held up his hand. “I know it was for charity, but there are others ways of making money for a cause without making a fool of yourself.”

Anger burned in Drake’s stomach. He took hold of one of Janice’s hands and stared back at her father. “Janice has never done anything to make a fool of herself. She was beautiful and poised on the stage.”

“You’ve hardly known her long enough to make such a broad statement,” her father snapped.

“I know your daughter well enough to understand she would never do anything to make the people she loved feel foolish, or to make herself feel that way. You underestimate her, Judge.”

“And just who are you to come into my house and, after knowing her a relatively short time, tell me about my daughter?” Judge Dedrick stood to emphasize his words.

Clara came to the door. “Dinner is served.”

Drake watched the judge struggle to regain his calm. He suspected there were few who chanced angering the big man.

“Please, let’s go to the dining room,” Mrs. Dedrick said. She led the way, Janice behind her, and the men followed. Drake felt her father’s heated glare between his shoulder blades. Determined to try and ignore the older man’s dislike, he smiled and pulled out the chairs for Mrs. Dedrick and Janice. He walked around the table to sit facing Janice.

The meal was delicious. Conversation had been kept to a minimum, as they were all aware the judge still seethed underneath his outward calm. How many times had Janice and her mother had to tiptoe around the bully, Drake wondered.

“Mrs. Dedrick, I’d like to offer my compliments to the chef. Would that be you?” She blushed at his words and nodded.

“Do I dare hope you taught your daughter how to cook this wonderful roast?”

Now, she smiled. “I have tried. Janice can cook quite well, although she usually prefers not to, but it is difficult to cook for only one or two.”

“We hope to have a large family. Her cooking skills will come in handy.” Drake winked at Janice, who blushed bright red.

“That is enough, young man.” Judge Dedrick threw down his napkin.

“Enough, sir? Did I eat over my limit?” All thoughts of being pleasant to this annoying man left Drake.

“Dear.” Judge Dedrick glanced at his wife. “Stay here with Janice while I and this upstart have a discussion in my office.”

“Father, I...”

“You will stay with your mother. Or does he need you to protect him?” her father sneered.

Janice looked across at Drake with a worried, almost tearful expression.

“It will all be fine. Enjoy your visit with your mother. I am going to explain a few particulars to your father.”

Drake walked behind the judge down a hallway to a room on the right. The paneled walls were a rich, dark wood. Several heads of animals hung from the walls. A huge, dark wood desk sat in the middle of the room. The top clean and polished. In fact, everything in the room was precisely in place.

Judge Dedrick walked behind his desk and sat. He didn’t offer Drake a chair, so Drake pulled one for himself right in front of the judge. A frown crossed the older man’s face.

“That doesn’t go there. Put it back.”

“No. Maybe others are afraid to challenge you and sit in your presence, I’m not.”

“Listen to me, young man. You will not marry my daughter!”

Drake leaned across the desk, putting his face close to the judge’s. “No, you will listen to me. You’re involved in politics, and I’m sure you eventually want to go higher than simply being a local judge. I can stop you.”