by Gemma Weir
Pulling my hand free the moment I’m standing on the sidewalk, I busy myself locking my shit-heap of a car—that absolutely no one would want to steal—just so he can’t try to hold my hand again. “So,” I say when I turn around, my fingers wrapped tightly around the strap of my purse. “What kind of tour are you looking for?”
“The kind that means we get to stroll and chat for an hour, I booked us a table for eight. Until then, show me around this little town of yours,” he says flirtily.
“Okay, well then let’s go,” I say moving forward. He falls into step at my side and within minutes I’ve relaxed. I’m not attracted to Dan, but I like him, he’s fun and flirty, although I get the feeling he probably behaves like this around all women. We stroll along main street and I point out random tidbits of town history and the things Rockhead Point has to offer, while he nods and laughs and flirts with me.
By the time we’ve circled back to Rochelle’s, the restaurant we’re having dinner at, I’m relaxed and smiling and really enjoying myself.
“Actually, I found some really attractive properties, can I show them to you and you can veto if it’s in a rough neighborhood or whatever?” he asks.
“Sure,” I say as we follow the hostess to our table. “But you do realize our little town doesn’t really have any rough neighborhoods, right?”
Dan pulls out my chair for me and I sit, thanking him quietly as he takes his seat opposite me. We’re at a prime table, right in the window, overlooking the small courtyard seating they’ve laid out which is lit up with twinkle lights and flickering candles in hurricane jars.
“Hi Bonnie, what can I get you guys to drink?” our waitress Claudia asks, she’s one of Rochelle, the owner’s, daughters and was the year above me at high school.
“Hi Claudia, could I get a beer, please?” I ask.
“I’ll have a gin and tonic, Bombay sapphire if you have it,” Dan says.
With a smile she hands us each a menu and then leaves.
“This really is a small town isn’t it,” Dan says with an amused laugh.
“It really is,” I nod. “Not many people leave and if they do, they usually come back. This place isn’t a lot, but it is home and it’s got a charm that pulls you in.”
“Did you go away to college, then get lured back in then?” he asks.
“Nope, I was due to start college then my mama got sick, so I gave up my place to stay home and take care of her.”
“You didn’t re-enroll after she got better?” Dan asks.
“She did get a little better, then she had a heart attack, she died over a year ago,” I say, clearing my throat.
“I’m so sorry,” he says, his eyes showing genuine sadness.
“Thank you,” I say clearing the emotion from my throat. “Now it’s just me and my dad at home, and my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews live on the other side of our property.”
“Your family own a ranch?” Dan asks.
“They do, ranching’s been in our family for generations, but the Williams ranch was started by my daddy, he built the house we live in, and he and my brother built the house my brother lives in with his family,” I tell him, pride brimming from my voice.
“Wow, my dad’s an orthodontist,” he says with a grimace.
I laugh and he joins in as a waiter arrives at our table with our drinks. “Hi Bonnie,” he says.
“Hi Derek, the beer’s mine.”
He quickly places the glass of beer in front of me and the tumbler full of clear liquid in front of Dan. “You ready to order, or do you need another minute?”
Realizing I haven’t even opened my menu I quickly pick it up and start to scan the choices. Working long hours means I rarely have chance to eat out, so my eyes devour all the delicious sounding foods.
“I think we may need a minute,” Dan says, and Derek leaves with a smile. “So, what’s good here?”
“Rochelle is an amazing chef, so everything is good, I think I’m going to go with a walnut and pear salad, then the sea bass,” I tell him.
“The pork loin stuffed with mushrooms sounds amazing,” he says, his eyes fixed on his menu.
Derek returns and we order our food. “So, show me these properties,” I say, lifting my beer and taking a drink as he pulls out his cell.
For the next fifteen minutes he shows me the houses he’s short listed, all of them were built recently, with little to no character in an area we call secondhomeville, because the majority of people who own them only use them during the winter season and on occasional weekends.
Derek delivers our appetizers and we make polite chitchat, not covering anything too personal, strictly first date material all the way.
“So that big guy at the coffee shop?” Dan asks.
“What about him?” I ask dismissively.
“You sure he’s not your boyfriend?”
“No, he’s not, but what makes you ask that?” I ask carefully.
“Well because he just barged into the restaurant, he’s coming this way and he looks seriously pissed.”
8
Beau
Pulling my cell from my pocket I check for the hundredth time to see if she’s replied to any of my texts, but she hasn’t. I’m antsy to see her, I don’t like the way we left things last night, I don’t like thinking she’s mad at me and that this thing between us isn’t settled. To me it’s obvious, she’s mine and we’re together, but for some reason she doesn’t seem to think it’s that easy.
I don’t do girlfriends, the last time I did, I was a wet behind the ears high school senior dating a cheerleader. That’s not to say that Mary-Ann wasn’t a nice girl, but when we broke up and she immediately started dating my buddy, Brad, I was happy for them both. They’ve been married almost twenty years and have a brood of kids.
I haven’t been a fucking monk; I’ve indulged in women the last twenty odd years when the mood’s taken me. Snow bunnies in the winter and out of towners in the summer are always up for a quick fling with a fit, attractive townie. But I never date, I just fuck. Bonnie is the first woman I’ve seen myself having anything permanent with, and now I know she’s attracted to me, I just don’t see what the problem is.
The age gap could be a sticking point, but she hasn’t mentioned the twenty-two-year age difference at all. For some reason she seems really hung up on the fact that I haven’t asked her out on a date. But really, who the fuck cares about dates when we’re talking about forever? When I saw her, really saw her with honesty in my eyes, I knew she was it for me. She’s my chance at a future filled with real, raw, brutal love, so dating seems inconsequential to me. I’m ready to hand her my heart on a platter, and she wants to make small talk over wine and steak.
Apparently, I want to make her happy more than I care about my own dignity, that’s why I’m in slacks and a button down when I park my truck outside her house and make my way to the front door. I told her I’d pick her up at eight, and I’m right on time as I lift my hand and rap at the door.
“Beau?” Hal says when he opens the door.
“Good evening, Hal, I’m here to pick up Bonnie,” I say, pulling at my uncomfortable collar.
“She’s not here,” he says, confusion lacing his tone. “I thought she was out with you.”
“What? I told her I’d be here to pick her up at eight. Where’s she gone?”
“No clue, she just said she was eating out tonight, I assumed you were going out on a date. Her car’s gone, so did she think she was supposed to meet you at your place?”
Pulling my cell from my pocket I check it again, but there’s still no texts or missed calls from her. “I told her I was picking her up. I’ll give her a call and see where she’s at,” I tell him, walking away from the front door as I lift my cell to my ear. It rings several times, before her answerphone message plays in my ear and I end the call.
Turning back to Hal, I find him watching me, a concerned expression etched across his weathered face. “She didn’t answer. Maybe we got
our wires crossed, she’s probably at my place waiting for me,” I say to placate him. I know she’s not at mine, but I don’t want to worry him by telling him I have no fucking clue where his daughter is. “I’ll go find her, then I’ll give you a call and let you know she’s with me.”
Hal nods, disappears into the house for a minute, then comes back and hands me a slip of paper, “that’s the house number and my blasted cell phone too.”
“Thanks,” I say, taking it from him and immediately turning for my truck. Climbing in I start the engine and peel away from the house, driving a little too quickly down the drive and onto the highway.
The advantage to having six brothers and living in a town this small, is that when you need to find someone you can just engage the Barnett brothers telephone tree, and that’s what I do now. Instead of making six calls, I just hit dial on the video chat app and invite the family group. Within seconds, I’m looking at all of my brothers’ faces as I slide my cell into the holder on my dash.
“Beau, what’s going on? You okay?” Granger asks.
“Bonnie’s gone AWOL; I was supposed to pick her up to take her out tonight but I just got to her place and she’s not here. Her daddy thought she was with me, so now he’s freaking out. Where you all at?” I ask.
“Bay and I are home,” Teddy says.
“I’m still at the garage,” Penn says, but the camera is moving and a moment later I recognize the office at the back of the shop.
“Cody and me will head into town, see if she’s here,” Huck says.
“No need, I’ve got eyes on her,” Granger tells us.
“What? Where is she?” I snarl.
“She’s just walked into Rochelle’s, looks like she’s on a date, bro,” Granger chuckles.
“Hell fucking no, the guy blond, from out of town?” Bay snaps.
“I didn’t get a good look, but I don’t recognize him, so he’s not from round here,” Granger says.
“That little…” I trail off, my teeth grinding together so hard it actually hurts.
“What the fuck, Beau, I thought you had things settled with Bonnie?” Penn hisses.
“Me too,” I growl.
Glancing at my cell, I see my brothers’ faces reflected back at me, all of their expressions a mix of concern and amusement. They think it’s funny that I’m panting after a girl who apparently hasn’t got the memo, that when I claim a woman, I don’t fucking share.
We all stay on the video chat, but no one really speaks as I do the twenty-minute journey into town in ten minutes. Abandoning my truck in a side street, I find Granger on the street opposite Rochelle’s.
“He’s here,” Granger says into his cell and I hear a chorus of “okay’s” and “don’t let him kill the guy” before he presses a button and slides his cell back into his pocket. “You good?” he asks.
“Nope,” I seethe.
“I’ll wait, make sure your crazy ass doesn’t get arrested,” he laughs, slapping me on the back as I stomp towards the restaurant and my infuriating woman.
Claudia, one of Rochelle’s daughters, smiles at me as I throw open the restaurant door, but when she sees my face her smile falls away and she just steps aside without a word. It only takes me a moment to spot Bonnie, and the soon to be deceased Dan from the coffee shop, sitting at a table together.
Staring at her, I take a moment to forcibly unclench my fists and inhale sharply. I’m managing to stay pretty calm until Dan lifts his head and looks at me. Surprise and then fear flashes across his pretty boy expression. His lips move and Bonnie’s head snaps around to look at me.
9
Bonnie
“Oh fuck,” I whisper, as Beau saunters across the room towards us.
“Bonnie?” Dan asks, warily.
“Baby girl, did you misunderstand my message? Cause I told you I’d pick you up at eight. I never mentioned you coming down into town, or inviting someone else to join us,” Beau asks, his voice deceptively calm, in spite of how obviously angry he is.
“Beau—” I start.
“Bonnie?” Dan questions.
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced properly,” Beau says, holding out his hand to Dan. “I’m Beau Barnett.”
“Errr Daniel Cheshire,” Dan says, taking Beau’s hand and wincing slightly when Beau’s paw like fist crushes Dan’s in his grip.
Beau releases Dan and immediately turns to me, he steps toward me, lifts me from my chair and sits back down, pulling me into his lap, his arm banded round me in a steely grip a second later.
“Beau,” I hiss. “I’m on a date, what are you doing?”
“What did I tell you, baby girl?” he asks, his fingers gripping my chin tightly and forcing me to look at him.
“Beau—” I start, but he interrupts me again.
“I told you that I’m a possessive, unreasonable, jealous mother fucker. So I suggest you say goodbye to Dan, tell him you’re not even slightly fucking interested in him, and walk out of here with me.”
“What the hell gives you the right—” his lips on mine silence me. His kiss is angry and bruising and so utterly consuming, that without even realizing I’m doing it I kiss him back just as harsh and furiously.
“That’s what gives me the right,” he growls against my lips when he pulls back just enough for us to breathe. “The fact that I’ll bet your pussy is wet and dripping for me right now, that’s what gives me the right.” His fingers collar my neck, firmly enough that I can feel his possession, but not hard enough that he’s restricted my breathing. “The fact that you’ve been grinding up on my dick and that you didn’t even notice that your date left a few minutes ago. That’s what gives me the mother fucking right. You. Are. Mine.”
I part my lips to argue, but his grip on my neck tightens, warning me not to. His hands drop to my waist and he lifts me off his lap, his fingers holding my wrist like he’s worried I’m going to make a run for it.
Standing, he drops some bills to the table and then releases my wrist to wrap his palm around the back of my neck. He guides me with his firm grip on my nape out of the restaurant, ignoring the stares of every person in here who watches us leave.
Once we’re outside and on the sidewalk, Beau starts to guide me in the opposite direction of my car. “My car’s outside the coffee shop.”
Ignoring me, he continues to walk, pushing me along with him.
“Beau,” I snap, ducking out of his hold and turning to face him. “My car’s over there,” I point.
“I don’t give a fuck about your car,” he snarls.
“Well I do, I can’t just leave my car in town.”
Huge hands grab me and he hauls me off the floor and over his shoulder yet again. “Beau,” I screech.
“Bonnie, just shut the hell up. I swear, woman, you were put on this earth to drive me fucking crazy. We’re leaving your car here and you’re coming with me. You can kick and hiss and scream like an angry kitten all you fucking want, but the end result won’t change. And don’t think kicking me in the balls will give you the chance to run away this time, you played your hand too early and I’ll be looking out for those tiny lethal feet of yours.”
“I need my car to get to work in the morning,” I say, not even bothering to fight him this time as I hang over his shoulder, hoping that my ass isn’t on display to the whole town.
“I’ll drive you to work in the morning,” he hisses, lowering me to my feet at his truck and opening the passenger door for me.
Climbing in, I smooth down my skirt and wait while he walks around to the driver’s side and slides in. As soon as he closes the door, he pulls his cell from his pocket and taps at the screen before lifting it to his ear. “Hi Hal, it’s Beau. I’ve got her, she’s fine, there was just a little confusion over where we were meeting is all, nothing to worry about. She’s gonna sleep at my place tonight so don’t wait up for her.” He pauses for a second listening, then says, “Okay… Sure… I will… Night Hal.”
“Was that my da
d?” I ask incredulous.
“Yep,” he replies, starting the truck and pulling onto the street.
“Why are you calling my dad? And why are you telling him I’m staying at your place tonight? I want to go home.”
“I’m calling him, because when I turned up at your place to pick you up tonight and you were nowhere to be found, he was worried,” he says curtly, the muscles in his jaw tense as he keeps his eyes on the road ahead, not even glancing in my direction.
“I want to go home; can you take me home please?”
“No.”
“No?” I echo.
“No,” he hisses through gritted teeth.
Stunned at his blatant refusal I fall silent, watching the mountain roads meander upwards until I spot the familiar turn off for the Barnett property. We slow to a stop in the same place he parked the other day and I consider refusing to get out of the truck, or stealing it again, but as if he’s reading my thoughts, he pulls the keys from the ignition and smirks at me as he opens the door and climbs out.
Sighing, I open my door too, resigned to the fact that Beau isn’t going to let me go home just yet. As if just remembering that I left the restaurant before really eating, my stomach lets out an embarrassing growl.
“If you’d been where you were supposed to be, we’d have eaten by now,” Beau smirks.
“Look—” I start.
“I don’t want to hear it, Bonnie. Right now, I’m a second away from taking you over my knee and spanking your ass until you can’t sit down for a week. So just be quiet and let me calm down,” he warns, reaching for my hand and taking it in his huge one. He pulls me from the truck and closes my door before leading me across the drive and to the front door.
“You’re scaring me, Beau,” I tell him, pulling against his hold.
“You think I’d hurt you?” he gasps, spinning around to look at me, horror filling his expression.