Page 83 of Branded

Inside, the house smells like coffee, my father’s leather boots and something baking in the oven, probably because Grace stress-bakes the way normal people stress-eat. The familiar scents make my chest tight.

The living room is packed. My father sits in his chair, the same worn leather recliner he’s had since I was a kid. Warren Briggs, sixty years old, weathered from decades of Montana ranching, his gray hair still thick, his blue eyes sharp as they land on me. Crew, only ten months younger than Cage, and his very pregnant wife Lark hover between the couch and the windows. Cole, my younger brother, stands by the fireplace. At twenty-six, he’s already running half the ranch operations. Grace sits on the couch, twenty-four and fresh out of culinary school, her hands covered in flour.

And there, in the corner looking like she wants to disappear, is Janie Turner. Small, delicate, her dark hair pulled back into a tight bun, her eyes go wide when she sees me. I give her a slight nod and watch some of the terror leave her expression.

“Kathryn Lennox.” Dad’s voice fills the room, and I know I’m in trouble. He never calls me Kathryn, ever. The voice that has run this ranch for forty years booms. “Sit down. Now.”

I sit on the couch between Emma and Grace, feeling like I’m sixteen again and have been caught sneaking out.

“Start talking,” Dad says, and I look around the room. My siblings are watching with curiosity and concern. Janie is practically vibrating with anxiety. And my father, sitting in his chair, leaning on his cane, looking like he’s aged five years since I left.

And I lie.

“I met someone in California,” I start. It’s getting easier to tell the story, like every time it flows from my mouth, it becomes more natural.

“When did you get married?” Dad’s voice is flat as he looks at my left hand.

“Five weeks ago.”

“Five weeks.” Dad shifts in his chair. “You’ve been married for a month, and you’re already home alone? Where’s your husband?”

“Texas. His family has a ranch there. He’s handling some business.”

“What kind of business is more important than meeting your wife’s family?” Dad bellows.

“Dad, please,” I beg.

“Don’t ‘Dad’ me. That’s not how this family works, Lennox. We talk to each other. We include each other in major life decisions.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I can’t tell him why I really did it. “It all happened so fast. We were caught up in the moment and just eloped. I should have told you first.”

“Yes. You should have. Look at me,” he demands. I meet his eyes. “Are you in trouble? Did he force you into this? Because if some asshole thinks he can buy my daughter…”

He’s closer to the truth than he knows.

“He didn’t force me. I chose this.” The lie comes easier now. “I love him, Dad. I know it’s fast and unconventional, but I love him.”

“Who is he?”

“His name is Sebastian Drake. He owns resorts in California and has a ranch in Texas. I met him at work.”

“Drake. The Drakes from around Odessa?” Dad’s eyes go wide. “Those people are… Lennox, they’re massive. Like, serious money and serious power. How the hell did you end up married to one of them?”

“It happened fast.”

“No shit it happened fast. You’ve been gone eight months. The last time I talked to you, you were working at a resort, trying to figure out your life. Now you’re married to a billionaire?” He shakes his head.

“He’s not a billionaire, Dad.”

“Oh no? Maybe you should look up your husband and his family.” He taps on his phone, and I shake my head. They are well off, anyone can see that, but billionaire is a stretch.

“Already having problems?” Cage’s voice goes sharp.

“No, it’s nothing like that, I just needed space. Time with family. Is that so hard to believe?”

“From you? Yeah, actually. You don’t run home when things get hard. You dig in and fight,” Dad says, taking control of the conversation again. “So whatever sent you running back to Montana must be pretty serious.”

“I haven’t come running back,” I say. “But living on a ranch made me realize how much I missed you all.”