Annabelle settled back against his side and laid her head on his shoulder.
“Let’s see if we can make it just a bit better,” she murmured.
If anyone could help repair the relationship between him and Beau, he knew it was Annabelle.
Maybe there was hope, because all he’d ever wanted was a close family. That was the ultimate way to honor their father.
* * *
Beau glanced over the blueprints of the dude ranch. The cabins, one of which he was using, were in perfect proportion to the river, the creek, the stables. His brothers couldn’t have chosen a better spot for the guests to stay.
The mini-prints hung in raw wood frames on the wall of the office in the main stable closest to Colt’s house. Beau’s eyes traveled from one print to the next. The four original surveys of the land from when their grandfather purchased the ranch were drawn out in quarters. So much was the same, yet so different since he was home last.
A lump of guilt formed in Beau’s throat. His brothers had designed this and started construction while he’d been in LA living his own life and dealing with Jennifer and her pregnancy. His father’s main goal for his life was to see a dude ranch one day on the Elliott Estate. Now the dream was coming to fruition, but Grant couldn’t even enjoy it because he was a prisoner in his own mind. Even if Beau or his brothers managed to bring their father here to see the progress, he’d likely never realize the sight before him, or the impact he had on his boys.
“I was hoping to find you here.”
Beau glanced over his shoulder at the female voice. Annabelle, Colt’s wife, stood in the doorway with a sweet smile on her face. Her long, red hair fell over both shoulders and she had a little girl on her hip.
“Which one is this?” he asked, smiling toward the toddler.
“This is Emily. Lucy is back at the house for a nap because she didn’t sleep well last night.”
Emily reached for him and Beau glanced to Annabelle. “May I?”
“Of course.”
Beau took the child in his arms, surprised how much different she felt than his own. Granted, there was nearly a year between the two.
“I imagine having twins is quite a chore,” he stated. “Do you ever get sleep?”
Annabelle laughed. “Not at first, but they’re pretty good now. Lucy is getting another tooth, so she was a bit fussy during the night.”
Apparently teeth were a huge deal in disrupting kids’ sleep habits.
Emily smacked her hands against his cheeks and giggled. Such a sweet sound. “What brings you to the stables?” he asked Annabelle. “If you’re looking for Colt, I haven’t seen him today.”
Likely because his brother was dodging him, but Beau wouldn’t let that deter him. He was here to try to repair relationships and he couldn’t give up.
“I’m actually looking for you,” Annabelle stated. “I’d like you to come to dinner this evening. Well, you, Madelyn and Scarlett.”
Beau stilled. Dinner with his disgruntled twin brother? Dinner with his baby and his nanny? Why the hell would he want to torture himself?
When he and Colt got a chance to speak about their past, Beau sure as hell didn’t want an audience.
There was so much wrong with this dinner invitation. First of all, he wasn’t quite ready to settle around a table with his brother and second, he couldn’t bring Scarlett. Having her there would make things seem too familial and that would only give her the wrong impression.
Damn it. Beau could still feel her against him, still hear her soft pants and cries of passion. Last night had been a turning point, though what they’d turned to he had no idea. All he knew was they were far beyond nanny and boss—which was the reason she couldn’t come to dinner.
“I can tell by your silence you’re not thrilled.” Annabelle smiled. “Let me rephrase. You will come to dinner and bring your daughter and your nanny.”
“Why are you so determined to get me to dinner?” he asked.
Emily reached for her mother and Annabelle took the little girl back. “Because you and Colt need to keep working on this relationship. My husband is agitated and he’s keeping his feelings bottled up. The more time you two can spend together, the better off you both will be.”
He nodded, not necessarily in agreement, but in acknowledgment of what his sister-in-law had just said.
Beau tipped back his hat. “Why does Scarlett need to join us?”
Annabelle rolled her eyes. “Because it’s rude to leave her at the cabin and I imagine she wants some female companionship.”
Did she? He’d never asked. Granted, it was difficult to talk about her needs when he’d only been worried about his own—which basically involved touching her, tasting her.
Annabelle’s intense stare held him in place and he wrangled in his errant thoughts and let out a deep sigh.
“Does Colt ever win an argument with you?”
A wide smile spread across her face. “Never. We’ll see you all at six.” Then she turned and headed out of the office.
Beau stared after her until he realized he was still staring at the open doorway. That was one strong-willed woman, which was exactly what Colt needed in his life.
The Elliott men were headstrong, always had been. A trait they’d all inherited, right along with their dark eyes and black hair. Beau figured there would never be a woman who matched him, but that was all right. He had Madelyn and she was more than enough.
He turned back to the blueprints on the opposite wall and continued to admire what would become of this property. Beau didn’t know if his father would ever be able to come see this, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he should take a copy of these blueprints to show him. Maybe seeing something that meant so much to him his entire life would trigger some memory.
Beau just wanted to do something, to make it possible for his dad to have some semblance of his past to hopefully trigger the present.
In all honesty, Beau wondered if his dad would even recognize him.
He did know one thing. He couldn’t keep putting that visit off. He pulled his cell from his pocket and figured it was time to set up a time to see his father.
* * *
Scarlett adjusted the tree once again, but no matter how much she shifted and tilted it, the stubborn thing still leaned...and by leaned she meant appeared as if it was about to fall.
She let out the most unladylike growl, then startled when she heard chuckling behind her.
“Problem?”
Turning toward the doorway, Scarlett tried to keep her heart rate normal at the sight of Beau. First of all, she’d thought she was alone, save for Madelyn. Second, she hadn’t seen him since he’d sent her to her room last night, though she’d thought of him all day.
Okay, she’d actually replayed their erotic encounter over and over, which was quite a leap ahead of just thinking of her hunky roommate. Had Beau thought about what happened? Did the intimacy mean anything to him at all or was this just one-sided?
“The damn tree is crooked,” she grumbled.
Beau tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “Not if I stand like this.”
She threw up her hands. “This doesn’t happen in the movies. Everything looks perfect and everyone is happy. Christmas is magical and everyone has matching outfits and they go sleigh riding in some gorgeously decorated sled pulled by horses.”
Beau laughed as he slid his hat off his head and hung it on the peg by the door. “That’s quite a jump from worrying about a tree. Besides, everything is perfect in the movies because decorators are paid a hefty sum to make that happen. Real life isn’t staged.”
Scarlett turned to stare back at the tree. “It was the only one they had that would fit in this space. I thought I could make it work. Now what am I going to do?”
Beau’s boots tapped across the hardwood, the
n silenced when he hit the rug...the very rug where she’d lain last night and on which she’d been pleasured by this man. She’d tried not to look at it today. Tried and failed.
“Decorate it.”
She glanced over her shoulder at his simple, ridiculous answer, but he wasn’t looking at her. He only had eyes for his little girl who sat in her swing, mesmerized by the spinning bumblebee above her head.
“How’s she been today?”
“Pretty happy.” Scarlett stepped around the bags of ornaments and lights she had yet to unpack. “I made some organic food for her so you have little containers in the fridge we can just grab whenever. It’s better than buying jars.”
Beau jerked his dark eyes to her. “You made her food?”
“I know you want to keep things simple and healthy for her.” Now she felt silly with the way he seemed so stunned. “I mean, if you don’t want to use it, that’s fine, I just—”
“No.”
He reached for her arm and Scarlett tried not to let the warmth from his touch thrust her into memories of the night before. But considering they were standing right where they’d made the memory, it was rather difficult not to think of every single detail.
“I’m glad you did that for her,” he added, sliding his hand away. “I just didn’t expect you to go above and beyond.”
Scarlett smiled. “Taking care of children is my passion. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.”
Beau tipped his head. “Yet you’re not going to be a nanny anymore when you leave here.”
There was no use trying to fake a smile, so she let her face fall. In the short time she would be here, Scarlett really didn’t want to spend their days rehashing her past year and the decisions that led to her leaving her most beloved job.
Scarlett stepped around him and turned the swing off. She unfastened Madelyn and lifted her up into her arms. When she spun around, Beau faced her and still wore that same worried, questioning gaze. Not what she wanted to see because he clearly was waiting on her to reply.
Also not what she wanted to see because she didn’t want to think about him with those caring feelings. Things were much simpler when she assumed him to be the Playboy Prince of Hollywood.
“Let me get Madelyn settled into her high chair and I’ll start dinner.” Maybe if she completely dodged the topic, then maybe he wouldn’t bring it up again. “Do you like apricots? I found some at the farmer’s market earlier and I want to try a new dessert.”
Before she could turn toward the kitchen, Beau took a step and came to stand right before her.
“Actually, Annabelle is making dinner tonight,” he told her. “She came to the stables earlier and invited me.”
“Oh, well. No worries. I’ll make everything tomorrow.” She brushed her hand along the top of Madelyn’s baby curls. “Should I put Madelyn to bed while you’re gone or are you taking her?”
Beau cleared his throat and rocked back on his boot heels. “We’re all going.”
“Okay, then I’ll just clean her up and—” Realization hit her. “Wait. We’re all going. As in all of us?”
Beau nodded and Scarlett’s heart started that double-time beat again.
Why on earth would she go to Colt and Annabelle’s house? She wasn’t part of this family and she wasn’t going to be around long enough to form a friendship with anyone at Pebblebrook Ranch. She was trying to cut ties and move on, not create relationships.
“There’s really no need,” Scarlett stated, shaking her head. “I can make myself something here.”
“Annabelle didn’t exactly ask,” he told her. “Besides, why wouldn’t you want to come? The only person Colt will be grouchy with is me.”
“It’s not that.”
Silence nestled between them. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason she didn’t want to go. There wasn’t just one; there were countless.
“One meal. That’s all this is.”
Scarlett stared up at him as she held on to Madelyn. Beau’s dark eyes showed nothing. No emotion, no insight into what he may be thinking, but his words were clear. Just dinner. Meaning there was no need to read any more into it.
Was that a blanket statement for what happened between them right here last night? Was he making sure she knew there was nothing else that could happen? Because she was pretty sure she’d already received that message. A message she needed to keep repeating to herself.
“We should discuss last night.” As much as she didn’t want to, she also didn’t want this chunk of tension growing between them, either. “I don’t know what you expect of me.”
“Expect?” His dark brows drew together.
Why did he have to make this difficult? He had to know what she was talking about.
“Yes,” she said through clenched teeth. “You don’t think I believe you don’t want...something in return.”
Beau’s eyes darkened as he took a half step closer, his chest brushing her arm that held his daughter. “Did I ask you for anything in return? Did I lay out ground rules?”
Scarlett shook her head and patted Madelyn when the baby let out a fuss. She swayed back and forth in a calming motion.
“Then I expect you to listen to your body,” he went on in that low, whisky-smooth tone. “I expect you to take what you want and not deny the pleasure I know you crave. I expect you to come to me when you’re ready for more, because we both know it will happen.”
Scarlett licked her lips and attempted to keep her breathing steady. He painted an erotic, honest image. She did want him, but would she act on that need?
“You sent me away last night,” she reminded him. “If you know what I want, then why did you do that?”
He reached up and slid a fingertip down Scarlett’s cheek, over her jaw and around to just beneath her chin. He tipped her head up and leaned in so close his lips nearly met hers.
“Because I want you to ache just as much as I do,” he murmured in a way that had her stomach tightening with need. “Because I knew if we had sex last night, you’d blame it on getting caught up in the moment. But now, when you come to me, you’ll have had time to think about what you want. There will be no excuses, no regrets.”
Her entire body shivered. “You’re so sure I’ll come to you. What if I don’t?”
Beau’s eyes locked onto hers and he smiled. “If you weren’t holding my daughter right now, I’d have you begging for me in a matter of seconds. Don’t try to lie to me or yourself. You will come to me.”
“And if I don’t?”
She fully expected him to say he’d eventually come to her, but Beau eased back and pulled Madelyn from her arms. He flashed that high-voltage smile and winked. That man had the audacity to wink and just walk away.
That arrogant bastard. He thought he could just turn her on, give her a satisfying sample, then rev her up all over again and she’d just...what? Jump into his bed and beg him to do all the naughty things she’d imagined?
Scarlett blew out a sigh. That’s exactly what she wanted to do and he knew it. So now what? They’d go to this family dinner and come back to the cabin, put Madelyn down and...
Yeah. It was the rest of that sentence that had nerves spiraling through her.
Beau Elliott was a potent man and she had a feeling she’d barely scratched the surface.
Nine
Beau was having a difficult time focusing on the dinner set before him. Between his brother’s glare at the opposite end of the table, the noise from the three kids, and Scarlett sitting right across from him, Beau wondered how much longer he’d have to stay at Colt’s.
He’d left Scarlett with something to think about back at the cabin, but he hadn’t counted on getting himself worked up and on edge. That flare of desire in her eyes had given him pause for a moment, but he had to be smart. Wanting a woman wasn’t a new experience, but wanting
a woman so unattainable was.
The temporary factor of her presence didn’t bother him. After all, he wasn’t looking for anything long-term. He actually hadn’t been looking for anything at all...but then she showed up on his doorstep.
What bothered him was how fragile she seemed beneath her steely surface. He should leave her alone. He should, but he couldn’t.
Scarlett wasn’t playing hard to get or playing any other games to get his attention. No, she was guarded and cautious—traits he needed to wrap his mind around before he got swept up into another round of lust.
“Scarlett, what are you going to be doing in Dallas?”
Annabelle’s question broke into Beau’s thoughts. He glanced across the table as Scarlett set her fork down on the edge of her plate.
“I’ll be an assistant director of recreational activities at a senior center.”
She delivered the answer with a smile, one that some may find convincing. Even if Beau hadn’t been an actor, he knew Scarlett enough to know the gesture was fake.
“I’m sad to leave Stone River,” she went on. “But Dallas holds many opportunities, which is what I’m looking for. I’m excited. More excited as my time to leave gets closer.”
“What made you decide on Dallas? Do you have family there?”
Beau was surprised Colt chimed in with his questions. But considering Beau was curious about more of her life, he turned his focus to her as well, eager to hear her answers.
Her eyes darted across the table to him, that forced smile frozen in place. “I have no family. That’s one of the reasons being a nanny was so great for me. But circumstances have changed my plans and I’m looking for a fresh start.”
Colt leaned back in his seat and smiled. “Well, good for you. I wondered if my brother would convince you to stick with him.”
Beau clenched his teeth. Was Colt seriously going to get into this now? Did every conversation have to turn into an argument or a jab?
“There’s no convincing,” Scarlett said with a slight laugh. “I’ve already committed to the new job. Housing has turned into a bit of a chore, though. I didn’t realize how expensive city living was.”
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