Chapter 29 #2
Our eyes meet for a split second, and I see terror in hers. She knows. Knows exactly what I am, what I’ve done, what Lennox has sacrificed.
I give her an almost imperceptible nod, and some of the panic leaves her face.
“Everyone,” Warren says, settling into what is clearly his chair, positioned so he can lean his cane against the armrest, his weaker left side supported.
“This is Sebastian Drake. Lennox’s husband.
Sebastian, these are my sons, Cage, Crew and Cole.
My daughters, Emma and Grace, Crew’s wife Lark, and that’s Janie Turner, a family friend. ”
I shake hands with each of them, reading reactions.
Cage assesses me like prize livestock at auction, practical, thorough, looking for flaws.
Cole is openly suspicious, his handshake just shy of aggressive.
Crew seems friendlier, but his glare is slightly intimidating.
Emma seems curious, her smile genuine, but her eyes sharp.
Grace is skeptical, barely touching my hand before pulling back.
And through it all, Lennox stays pressed against my side, her body tense with nerves.
“Sit.” Warren gestures to the couch. “We’re going to have a conversation before dinner. Get to know each other.”
I sit, pulling Lennox down beside me, keeping my arm around her shoulders. Claiming her publicly, but also providing support. Showing her family that whatever else I am, I’m with her.
“So, Sebastian.” Warren leans forward slightly, his right hand gripping the head of his cane. “Tell me about yourself. How you built your business. What kind of man you are. And most importantly, how you met my daughter.”
“I met Lennox at my resort in Monterey,” I start, the story we agreed on rolling out smoothly.
“She was working in guest relations. I noticed her immediately, not just because she’s beautiful, but because she’s competent.
Professional. The kind of employee who anticipated problems before they happened. ”
“So you noticed an employee,” Cage says. “That’s how this started?”
“That’s how it started. But it became something more pretty quickly.” I look at Lennox, and what I say next isn’t entirely a lie. “She challenged me. Didn’t treat me like someone to impress. Just – treated me like a person. And I hadn’t had that in a long time.”
“She told you off, didn’t she?” Cole asks, nodding like he knows full well what his sister is capable of.
“No, she didn’t, it was worse; she ignored me. I think I would have welcomed being told off instead of what she did.” I laugh lightly, and Lennox shakes her head.
“How long did you dance around one another?” Lark asks as she takes a seat in the chair across from us. She’s probably tired of standing being so pregnant.
“About three months. Lennox worked for the resort for six months, but it took me three months to even get her to notice me. I know it’s fast—”
“Fast?” Warren’s voice hardens. “It’s reckless. You barely know each other.”
“With respect, sir, I know her better than you think.” I tighten my arm around Lennox’s shoulders.
“I know she’s stubborn and proud and will work herself into the ground before asking for help.
I know she loves her family, but needs space from expectations she didn’t choose.
I know she’s brilliant with cattle and horses, and that she understands ranching in her bones.
” I pause, making sure Warren hears this part—“And I’m trying every day to be the man who deserves her. ”
Silence fills the room. Lennox’s hand finds mine on her shoulder, squeezing once.
Warren stares at me for a long moment. “Pretty words. But words are easy. Actions are what matter. So tell me, Sebastian—why is my daughter here alone after a month of marriage? Why isn’t she with you in Texas?”
“Because I fucked up, sir. There’s no other way to say it.”
“So you’re having problems?” Warren interprets.
“We’re having adjustments. Which is why Lennox being here, taking time with family, is good. Gives us both perspective.” I look at her. “And gives me a chance to prove I’m worth coming back to.”
“And are you?” Warren’s voice is quiet but sharp. “Worth coming back to?”
“I’m trying to be. That’s all I can promise right now.”
More silence. Then Warren pushes himself to standing with the help of his cane, the movement requiring visible effort.
“Alright. Dinner’s in thirty minutes. Lennox, help Grace in the kitchen. Boys, go wash up. Emma, set the table. Lark, don’t lift a finger, you’re doing enough.” He looks at me. “Drake, you’re with me. We’re going to have a private conversation. Man to man.”
Lennox’s hand tightens on mine. “Dad.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her quietly.
I follow Warren out of the house, across the porch and down toward the barn.
He moves slowly but deliberately, the cane tapping a steady rhythm, his gait showing the careful balance of someone who is dealing with not being able to move as fast as he wants.
Neither of us speaks until we are out of earshot of the house.
Then he stops, turns to face me with the careful pivot. The protective father disappears, and in his place stands a man who’s survived a stroke that would have broken most people. He came back meaner.
“Now,” he says, his voice hard. “Tell me what you’re really doing with my daughter.”