Dinner with the Blakemores (The Blakemore Files Book 5) by Olivia Gaines Page B

12. Welcome to the Busy B …
     
    Kevin, Jr., or Kev as Odessa liked to call him, arrived home earlier than anticipated, which was perfect for the Trodats.  A quick call to Saxton and the family met the plane at the same airstrip to fly to Houston on Tuesday evening. Aboard the aircraft, Kevin, Jr., who had been informed of the situation with his sister and Dwight, said nothing as he sat quietly, holding Ryanne’s hand.
    It also had not escaped Dora’s notice that it was not the same plane they had taken a few days before.  “Unless they changed the carpet and leather seat covers in three days, this is not the same plane.  This one is swankier,” she commented.
    Kev piped up, “They have more than one plane?  ‘Dessa, how rich is Saxton?”
    Odessa had little to say on the subject other than one comment. “Saxton and I have what we are building together.”
    Big Sarge grinned at her. “That is a good answer, ‘Dessa, but his family is loaded.  They have oil wells, oil rigs, Texas beef, horses, sheep, and everything else you can imagine. I cannot wait to see this ranch.”
    Dora spoke softly. “I can’t wait to meet his mama. Do you think what I am wearing is okay?”
    All three of her children shook their heads no.  For the damndest reason, Dora was dressed like Barbara Stanwyck from the Big Valley television series. She wore a pair of suede culottes with a turquoise studded western belt, a turquoise silk blouse, a matching suede leather jacket with deep brown calfskin gloves.  The gloves, of course, matched the knee high riding boots.  Dora Trodat had never been near a horse in her life. To make it worse, around her neck she wore a scarf that was adorned in little beetles.
    Kevin, Jr., asked, “Let me guess, you got that scarf from Mary Jean?”
    Big Sarge asked what everyone wanted to know.  “You still dating that weirdo?”
    “Dad, that is not nice. Mary Jean is a middle school science teacher …” Kevin tried to say.
    Big Sarge interrupted, “So what?  My sister is a high school English teacher; you don’t see her walking around with pages from books hanging off of her!”
    “Yes, but Daddy, she is always randomly quoting Shakespeare for no reason,” Kevin added.
    “What are you trying to say about your dear sweet auntie Kev?” Big Sarge wanted to know.
    “I’m saying, Daddy. Your sister is a weirdo, too.”
    The room was quiet. “You have a point there, son,” Big Sarge said as he slapped him on the back.
    Kevin was still in defense of Mary Jean. “She is a sweet girl, but no … the distance thing …” Kev told his father and left it at that, saying no more.
    It was also noticed that Ryanne had said no more about her circumstance with Dwight. “I don’t want to talk about that right now,” is what she told her family. They respected her wishes.
    The flight was quick as they touched down on the east side of the ranch.  A Suburban was there to meet them as the driver addressed Odessa, “Welcome home, Mrs. Blakemore.”
    Everyone turned to Odessa, who only rubbed her belly as she slid into the backseat of the vehicle and buckled her seat belt. It was less than a ten-mile ride from the east side of the farm to the front gates of the Busy B Ranch. The Trodats were all staring out the windows, watching the oil wells pump, some cattle graze as a few cowboys rode by the greener areas on horses.  The vehicle entered the front gate of the ranch, driving down the one-mile stretch to the front door of the house.  Ryanne’s brow furrowed as she took in all that she was seeing.
    “That is a big ass house!  What is that 8,000 square feet?”  Kev asked his sister.
    Odessa felt uncomfortable when she answered, “I think it is 10,000 square feet.”
    “Whoa!” Big Sarge mumbled.
    As the vehicle came to a stop, the crisp November wind whipped across the portico as an ominous sign of change being swept into their lives. The thunder of hooves could be heard, as in the distance, the