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

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. Janice saw a woman standing at the front door waiting. Her muscles tensed. More introductions to get through. She was so tired. She wanted to fall into bed and sleep all night and part of the day. Pulling away from Drake left her feeling cold and alone. Hopefully, her hair and clothes weren’t too messy.
    Drake took her hand. “You’re beautiful.”
    “Right, in the middle of the night with rumpled clothes and my hair mussed.”
    He squeezed her hand as the truck stopped in front of a wide, open porch.
    Mr. Terrell turned. “Welcome to our home, Janice.”
    “Thank you.”
    Brent and Drake got out and Drake reached for Janice. He scooped her up and carried her toward the porch.
    “Put me down.” She pushed at his chest. “Your mother will think I’m a weakling.”
    He set her on her feet. “There. Come meet her.” Taking her hand, he led her toward the door and the small woman, who was welcoming Brent with a hug.
    His mother turned to Drake and frowned. “It’s about time you came home. Ten months is too long not to see your family.”
    “I agree, Mom. But I brought home a surprise for you. Meet Janice Dedrick. Janice, my mom.”
    Mrs. Terrell gave her a once-over before a big smile covered her face. “Welcome.” She opened her arms and Janice accepted another hug. Mrs. Terrell was shorter than her, about five and a half feet tall, and her sons and husband towered over her. She had golden brown hair sprinkled with gray and startling bright blue eyes.
    “Let’s all go to the kitchen. Food’s ready to be eaten.”
    She opened the door and motioned them inside.
    Janice had an impression of large rooms, cream-colored walls, and shiny wood floors. They first entered a living room with a huge fireplace, then passed a dining room and went into the big eat-in kitchen. A table with six chairs sat beside one wall. Along two other walls were all the modern conveniences a woman could want.
    “Sit and start eating. Ty will be along in a minute.”
    Two plates loaded with sandwiches sat in the middle of the table. Mrs. Terrell brought over a bowl full of hot vegetable soup—the tantalizing scent hung in the air. She poured coffee for the men.
    “Tea or coffee?” she asked Janice.
    “Tea would be nice, if it’s not too much trouble.”
    “No trouble.”
    Drake walked across the kitchen to one of the counters. “Hmm, a chocolate cake, and a lemon meringue pie.” He smiled at his mom and picked her up, whirling her around.
    “Put me down, right this minute.” Although her voice was firm, she had a smile on her face.
    Drake did as she said, and then bent to kiss her. Something caught in Janice’s heart at the sign of such open love between Drake and his mother.
    “Don’t hog her, Drake.” Brent moved behind his mother and hugged her. “The chocolate cake is for me.”
    The sound of the back screen shutting had all their attention turned to the tall man standing in the doorway. He was slimmer than Drake or Brent, but not thin. Golden strands shone through his lighter brown hair. Dark blue eyes surveyed