Chapter 4
4
With little left to say beyond goodbyes, Noel found herself swiftly escorted outside. The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the expansive Fugate Ranch, the light reflecting off the sleek black SUV waiting for her. The ranch’s logo was subtly emblazoned on the door. Landon walked beside her, his stride confident yet unassuming. Without a word, he reached for the door handle, holding it open with a practiced ease. His hand extended, offering her a steadying grip as she climbed into the back seat.
The touch was brief but firm, his fingers warm against hers, sending a tiny spark through her skin. As she settled into her seat, her gaze drifted to the back of the vehicle, where her overnight bag sat alongside another—presumably Landon’s.
As they pulled away from the sprawling ranch, she cast a sideways glance, drawn once more to the man beside her. Landon’s commanding presence had struck her the moment she’d entered the Fugate’s family room. Even standing near the imposing, ruggedly handsome figures of Thurston and Stan Fugate, her awareness had gone straight to Landon—tall and dark-haired, with a quiet intensity that seemed to radiate from him. His looks were almost movie-star striking yet rugged, his thick hair trimmed neatly on the sides and slightly tousled on top. She imagined he was the kind of man who rarely bothered with grooming products and likely did just a quick run of his fingers through his hair before moving on, practical and effortless.
His black T-shirt stretched across broad shoulders, and the leather jacket added a roughness that hinted he was ready to handle anything that came his way. Landon carried a sense of professional control and capability but also a ruggedness that made her heart beat just a little faster. Their introduction had been brief, but when their hands met, she felt a rare connection. His handshake was firm, warm, and lingering, a touch that conveyed strength without overpowering, as though he was holding back something deeper, a gentleness underneath the hard edges. She didn’t mind that he hadn’t let go right away.
Landon closed his door, and the driver pulled away from the ranch house as soon as he was buckled. Giving her head a slight shake, she wondered why her thoughts had strayed to the man sitting beside her. It wasn’t like her to be distracted during a case, and she forced her mind back to the task.
Landon was on his phone, but he looked toward her and apologized. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be rude, but I wanted to let my office know that we were on our way.”
Noel waved a hand, brushing off his concern. “No worries,” she replied softly. “I understand. We both have jobs to do.” She turned her gaze to the window, watching as the sprawling pastures and wooden fences of the ranch faded into the distance. Her mind drifted back to the mission ahead—the delicate handoff of Tad and Penny. The weight of responsibility pressed down on her, the importance of keeping the children safe and easing their transition back home. They would have questions and want to know what was happening.
“Is this common for you?”
Her head swung around, finding Landon’s intense gaze on her. She shook her head. “No, not like this.” Seeing his head tilt slightly, she continued. “I have often participated in the handoff of children who have been caught between two warring parents going through a divorce and custody issues. There are cases where the child or children are taken by a parent and hidden away from the other parent, but those are usually handled by law enforcement, and then I step in for evaluation.”
She paused, glancing out the window at the passing landscape, before adding, “I’ve never been part of a case where a parent took children out of the country. It’s… different.”
“Why do you think you were asked to do this?”
Her lips quirked upward. “I could ask you the same. You represent a private investigation and security company, not law enforcement.”
Suddenly, his lips twitched. “Touché.” Nodding, he said, “The Fugates wanted this handled with discretion.”
She nodded, then sighed. “These situations suck.”
His eyes widened slightly.
She chuckled, then lifted a brow. “I’m sorry… that wasn’t professional. But does the word suck offend you? If so, you’ll probably be shocked when I use words like shit, damn, asshole, bitch, and fuck. ”
Landon barked out laughter. “Okay, that wasn’t what I expected.”
“Sorry, again.” She laughed as her shoulders shook, glad for the distraction of seeing his face when it wasn’t set in stone. The smile was welcome, although it transformed his face from handsome to gorgeous. “I tend to let my mouth run rampant at times. My dad had been in the Navy and always said he owed his colorful language to his time in the military. It drove my mom nuts.” She leaned closer and whispered, “But I promise, I’ll be professional on the job, even if this is completely out of my realm of usual.”
“I’m sure.” He nodded.
She couldn’t tell if he believed her or not. “Really, my life is very boring.”
This brought a lifted brow, and he shook his head. “I’m not sure I believe that at all.”
She smiled as his attention shifted to his phone, and his fingers began tapping. It was strange to miss having his attention suddenly. His deep-set gray-blue eyes were mesmerizing when aimed at her—almost like the sky before a storm. She was hardly a blushing schoolgirl, but it had been a while since her insides flip-flopped at the sight of a handsome man. It’s a good thing this trip will be over quickly… I might not be able to keep my composure while being around him for longer than a few days. Dismissing her wandering thoughts, she looked down at her phone and sent a message to her mom.
Getting ready to fly to Jamaica. Let you know when I land. Met the accompanying security. Nice man.
Her fingers hesitated. Nice man. She snorted and then quickly coughed to cover the first sound. She refused to see if Landon’s attention had shifted back to her with the ridiculous sounds she emitted. Continuing to text, she let her fingers fly over the keyboard once again.
Should be home the day after tomorrow. Love to all of you.
“Tell me what you know about the family.”
Landon’s softly spoken request surprised her. After hitting send on her text, she swung her head around to look at him. “I don’t know the family other than what I’ve been told since this morning. My boss got a call from Judge Waterford last night, and I was called later. Honestly, I had already gone to bed. He said I was on this case, and here I am.” She shrugged and added, “I have been in front of Judge Waterford with custody dispute cases to ensure the child’s best interest was presented, so I suppose he thought of me when the Fugates contacted him.”
“You’d never met the Fugates before?”
“No, but I have heard of them—from occasional pieces in the press. Wealthy Montana rancher donates to various causes and backs politicians… that kind of thing. I’ve never heard anything bad about them.” She cocked her head to the side. “What about you?”
“No. Just when my boss also assigned the case to me earlier today. With my background at the FBI, I seemed to be the right person for the job.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You used to work for the FBI?” When he nodded, she added, “I can see that.”
He remained quiet but lifted his brows in silent question.
“You have this... serious air about you,” she admitted, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.
His brows arched even higher, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “You think FBI agents are serious all the time?”
She scrunched her nose, suddenly worried she might have overstepped. “It’s just… in my experience, they usually are. I’ve met a few during cases—mostly when they interviewed me or the children I was working with. They never seemed like the kind of people who smiled easily.”
Landon held her gaze, his expression unreadable, but after a moment, he gave a slow nod, acknowledging her observation without offering much in return. The silence between them stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Instead, it seemed to pulse with unspoken thoughts and questions.
Her natural curiosity sparked again, and she found herself wanting to ask why he left the Bureau. But she held back, recognizing that the question would be too personal for someone she’d just met. Still, the mystery surrounding him only deepened, making her wonder about the stories hidden behind those serious, watchful eyes.
Landon’s steady gaze remained fixed on her, a quiet intensity that made Noel feel both exposed and compelled to keep talking. The silence stretched between them, pressing down until she found herself filling it, almost against her will. “So, um… I remember reading about Stan and Pamela Fugate in the gossip columns once. There was this big scene outside a charity event.” His brow lifted slightly, prompting her to continue.
Noel rushed to explain, her words tumbling out in a hurried stream. “Apparently, Pamela had too much to drink, and when Stan tried to escort her outside, she caused a scene. She was screaming, yelling… it became such a spectacle that some nearby journalists snapped photos and wrote a pretty damning article.”
Landon nodded, offering no verbal response, his silence a steady undercurrent that seemed to draw more out of her.
Noel wondered if that was requisite for agents… or former agents—to stay silent until the other person blabbed all their secrets. Blowing out her breath, she added, “After that, the next thing in the papers was that they were getting a divorce. I obviously don’t run in the same circles, so that’s all I know.”
She was saved from her continued gossip column recitation when interrupted as the vehicle turned down a road leading to the private section of the airport. The SUV bypassed the bustling main terminal, heading toward a secluded area where sleek jets stood ready for departure.
Once parked, Landon alighted, and by the time the driver opened her door, Landon was there with an outstretched hand to assist her down. Noel placed her hand in his, and her breath caught in her throat at the feel of his long fingers wrapping around hers. The same surge of warmth she felt earlier coursed through her again, confirming it wasn’t a one-off reaction.
The moment her feet touched the ground, the connection broke, but not before she noticed the slight furrow in Landon’s brow, as if he, too, was puzzled by the lingering sensation. He turned away, heading toward the back of the SUV. Noel followed, her heart still fluttering slightly. The driver opened the trunk, and Landon grabbed their bags before she could even offer to help.
“I’ve got it,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He nodded toward the small, sleek jet parked nearby. “This is their jet.”
“Oh,” Noel muttered, the word slipping out before she could stop it. As they walked toward the jet, a giggle bubbled up unexpectedly.
Landon glanced back over his shoulder with a quizzical look in his eyes.
She shook her head quickly. “Sorry. It’s just… I’ve never flown on anything other than a commercial airline. You know, crammed in with a hundred strangers, usually stuck between two people who invade my personal space.” She gestured toward the jet. “This? This is way out of my league.”
His gaze held hers for a moment longer, and she felt the heat of his attention. Even as they walked, she fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny.
Landon stepped aside at the base of the jet’s steps, gesturing for her to go first. As she climbed, she couldn’t help but think of the romance novels she read at night. The thought made her wince, her cheeks heating.
She shook her head, trying to banish the thought. Romance novels were a secret love of hers, a guilty pleasure that offered a refuge from the harsh realities of her job. People often dismissed them as fluff, but she knew better. They provided hope, a reminder of the beauty in connection and the possibility of a happily ever after, even in a world often filled with pain and hardship. And in her business, sometimes seeing the worst of what can be done to a child, her evening escape into romance helped to balance the scales of emotions in her weary mind.
As she entered the plane and looked around the interior, she tried to cover her wide-eyed expression of awe. Toto… I’m sure as hell not in Kansas anymore. She chalked up her wavering attention to finding herself in an unusual and exceptionally different atmosphere than she was accustomed to.
Her job was either spent in a cramped office, the courtroom, or various homes that ranged from the wealthy to the poor. Flying on a private jet was not something she’d ever expected to do, much less on the job. She had seen photographs of ultra-rich jets before. This one was probably modest compared to many, but the plush leather seats facing each other with small tables between were a luxury she had never experienced.
“Hello, I’m Jana. You must be Ms. Lennox and Mr. Sommers.” An attractive woman in a flight attendant uniform walked from the front with a pleasant smile. She looked at Landon and indicated where he could stow their bags. He stepped around the two women, placed their bags into a bin, then turned toward Noel.
Uncertain where to sit, she hesitated, her gaze moving between Jana and Landon. “Do I sit somewhere special?” she asked.
Jana smiled. “No. Sit anywhere you like. I’ll bring out refreshments when we’re in the air.”
Nodding her thanks, Noel moved to the closest chair, ensuring it was near a window, and sat down. The plush leather seat was contoured to fit the human body, and she felt cradled. Even the seat belt buckle was shiny.
She glanced up, curious to see where Landon would sit, when another man walked through the doorway, his gaze circling the interior.
“Mr. Westerly,” Jana greeted. She showed him where to stow his bags and asked what he’d like to drink once they were in the air.
His gaze didn’t return to Noel but held Landon’s with a steely expression. The two men shook hands as they introduced themselves.
“Mike Westerly. I’m the chief ranch manager for Mr. Fugate. Been with the family for a long time. Stan and his parents wanted the kids to see a familiar face. They figured that’d make them more at ease.”
“Hello,” she greeted. “I’m Noel Lennox.”
He inclined his head. His broad shoulders and sturdy frame bore the mark of a life spent tending to the land. Deep lines etched his sun-kissed skin, offering evidence of countless days spent under the relentless sun and in the biting cold of early mornings. His thick and neatly combed silver hair framed a face that exuded quiet authority and wisdom. He dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with the Fugate logo stitched over his heart.
Landon lifted a brow. “We didn’t meet you at the ranch?—”
“No, no… sorry about that. I was trying to make sure everything would run smoothly while I was away. Just made it back to say goodbye to Thurston and the family before I came here. It’s real nice to meet you two. It’ll be good to get those kids away from that bitch.”
Before Mike could claim a place to sit, Landon deftly moved to the seat closest to Noel. He sat facing her, with only the small table between them. Mike turned, moved to the opposite side of the plane, and settled into a seat.
Stunned at the added person to their group and surprised that the Fugates didn’t mention someone else coming with them, she noticed Landon’s assessing gaze on her. She made bug eyes at him as her lips curved. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and his lips twitched. The situation was surreal, and she wondered what other surprises were ahead.
She mouthed, “Anyone else coming with us?” Landon shook his head and pulled out his phone. Noel wondered if he was checking in with his employer. She sighed as his attention stayed on his phone and pulled out her e-reader. It appeared her flight to Jamaica would be spent reading since, so far, Landon had seemed to be a man of few words. When she glanced to the side, Mike had earbuds in, and his fingers flew over his phone keyboard.
As the jet taxied down the runway, the hum of the engines grew louder, and Noel instinctively gripped the armrests. Her knuckles whitened as the plane surged forward, lifting off the ground with a rush of power. The sensation of being propelled skyward made her stomach lurch, leaving her feeling momentarily untethered. It wasn’t until she noticed Landon’s steady gaze on her hands that she realized how tightly she was holding on.
“Sorry,” she muttered, forcing her fingers to relax, though her heart still raced. “I don’t fly often. It always feels like my stomach stays on the ground while the rest of me hurtles down the runway.”
Landon gave a small nod, his expression softening, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “No problem. Would ginger ale help?” Before she could respond, he turned his head and called over his shoulder. “Jana? Can you bring some ginger ale for Ms. Lennox?”
“Certainly,” the efficient attendant agreed, disappearing behind the deep blue and gold curtain that separated her area from the passengers' sight. Moments later, she returned, gliding gracefully through the slight sway of the aircraft. In her hands, she carried a crystal tumbler filled with amber liquid.
Noel accepted the drink with a murmured thanks, noting the elegance of the glass as well as the thoughtful gesture. Jana also served drinks to Mike and brought water for Landon, each served in beautiful cut-glass tumblers that added a touch of sophistication to the journey.
Sipping the cool ginger ale, Noel felt the soothing bubbles ease her unsettled stomach. After a few moments, she glanced at Landon and gave him a grateful nod. “Thanks. This is perfect.”
The corners of his lips curved ever so slightly in a subtle gesture but enough to transform his typically stoic demeanor. That almost smile sent a flutter through her chest, a small triumph that felt oddly significant. She couldn’t help but wonder if she might see that expression more often, maybe even a full smile, once the mission was complete and they had the children safely on their way home.
A sudden realization struck her. Why exactly was someone like Landon necessary for this trip? The Fugates had kept things vague when briefing her, and she hadn’t had much time to process the full scope of her role before being whisked away.
Leaning slightly forward, she met Landon’s steady gaze, her curiosity piqued. “Tell me… why do the Fugates need a security specialist on this trip? What do you think will happen?”