Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4)

by SJ McCoy

  She nodded. “I do enjoy their company.”

  “And I hope you enjoy the brothers’ company, too. We’re not so bad when you get used to us. And I know one brother in particular is more than happy to have you even up the numbers.”

  She willed her cheeks not to flush. “I enjoy everyone’s company,” was the best neutral response she could come up with.

  Shane raised an eyebrow. “You do?”

  Oh, no. Was he reading more into her reply than she’d intended?

  She nodded, deciding that least said, soonest mended was a good one to try for.

  Shane winked. “Good to know.”

  She smiled. Hoping that was the end of the awkwardness.

  “How would you feel about joining us on Saturday evening? We’re having a cookout for all the guests. They’ll have checked in Saturday afternoon, so they’ll be your first guests when you start Monday. I thought it might be nice for you to meet them before you’re in your official role.”

  “That’d be great,” she smiled, relieved to move the conversation back to work matters.

  “Great. I need to get going for now, but I’ll see you around.”

  “Okay, boss.”

  Shane laughed. “I have a feeling when you get started I’m going to be the one calling you boss.”

  “Probably. I won’t deny I like to take charge once I find my feet.”

  “Good; that’s what I need you for.” He looked down at Ruby. “What are you two doing today?”

  “I wanted to go for a ride.” Ruby’s bottom lip was starting to slide out.

  “But since we can’t ride every day, we’re going to go up to town and do some shopping,” said Corinne.

  Ruby’s smile reappeared. “We are?”

  “Yes, we are. After you finish telling me all the horses’ names.”

  Shane lifted a hand. “I guess I’ll catch you later, then.”

  “Bye, Shane,” called Ruby as he walked away. He turned back and gave her a wave. “I like Shane,” she said when he’d gone.

  “I like him too. And it’s a good job, since he’s going to be my boss.”

  Ruby nodded. “He won’t be a mean boss.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  “No. I can tell.”

  Corinne smiled. Her daughter did tend to be a good judge of character. She had good instincts about people. So what did that say about Beau? She still claimed he was her favorite.

  ~ ~ ~

  It was twelve-thirty by the time Beau got to the office. Wanda peered at him over the reception desk and gave him a questioning look. “I hope you’ve had a busy morning?” she asked.

  He laughed. “I thought I was supposed to be the slave driver around here?”

  “Well, it’s almost lunch time and I haven’t heard a peep out of you yet today. I figure there are two possibilities. Either you’ve been a busy little Beau, making pots of money so you can give me a raise. Or, you’re avoiding me because you don’t want to tell me how last night went.”

  Beau came in and closed the door behind him. “I’ve had a very busy morning, if you must know.”

  “And you don’t want to talk about last night?”

  He laughed. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Because you know I’m going to interrogate you about Corinne and Ruby!”

  He shrugged. “Ruby wasn’t there. It was a nice evening.”

  Wanda gave him a stern look. “And?”

  “And what?”

  “What happened between you and Corinne?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t lie to me, Beau Remington. I can tell by the gleam in your eye that something happened.”

  He shrugged. “It wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me to go talking about it though, would it? I need to protect the lady’s reputation.”

  Wanda’s hand flew up to cover her mouth. “Now you really have to tell me! What happened?”

  He laughed. “Nothing!”

  “Something! Or you wouldn’t have said that.”

  “I just said it to get you going. You’re too easy to wind up.”

  “I’m not buying it, Beau. Something happened.”

  “Okay.” Beau couldn’t believe it, but he was about to tell her what he’d done. Part of him wanted to know what her reaction would be. He’d been rationalizing his offer to Corinne as a practical solution for two people who were attracted to each other, but who didn’t want to get involved in each other’s lives. A little voice in the back of his head kept telling him it was wrong though. He knew Wanda’s reaction would give him a good read on that. “I made her an indecent proposal.”

  Wanda laughed. “And what exactly does that mean?”

  “I suggested that since we’re obviously physically attracted to each other, but we both know I wouldn’t be any good with her daughter…” he hesitated. Here it came. “…we should just get together to have sex sometimes.”

  Wanda’s eyes widened and she stared at him, seemingly speechless. That didn’t last long. She laughed loudly. “You son of a gun, Beau! You take the biscuit. What did she say?”

  “I didn’t give her chance to answer. I left her to think about it.” He smiled, remembering the way she’d felt, rubbing herself against him, kissing him back so hungrily. “I think she’s giving it some serious consideration though.”

  Wanda grinned. “Well, good for her!”

  “Really? You don’t think I’m an asshole for even suggesting it?”

  “I don’t. I think you may live to regret it, but it’s probably just what a girl like her needs.”

  That took Beau by surprise. It was pretty much the opposite of what he might have expected—Corinne might live to regret it, but it was just what he needed! “Why would I be the one to regret it?”

  Wanda grinned. “Oh, I dunno. I just have a feeling that you like her a lot more than you realize. And by the time you do realize, she’ll just see you as bonking material, not boyfriend material!”

  He laughed. “Bonking material?”

  Wanda laughed with him. “Or whatever you call it these days. Someone to screw around with, but not someone to settle down with.”

  “That’s fine by me. That’s exactly why I suggested it. I’m not looking to settle down and most definitely not into a life that includes Ruby.”

  Wanda nodded sagely. “Only time will tell.”

  Beau nodded. She had him wondering now. “I guess it will. In the meantime, how are the docs coming for Hickory Lane?”

  She tapped the top file on the pile beside her. “All done and ready to roll.”

  “Thanks, Wanda. You’re the best.”

  “And don’t you forget it!”

  “No worries there, how could I forget when you remind me every day?”

  “I just need to make sure you appreciate what you’ve got.”

  “I do, and to prove it, how about I go pick us up some lunch from the coffee shop?”

  “That’d be great! Thank you.”

  “The usual?”

  “Yeah, and don’t forget my cookie!”

  He laughed. “I won’t. See you in a few.”

  He let himself back out and walked the few blocks to the coffee shop. He was making his way to the counter when he stopped in his tracks. Ruby was sitting at one of the tables by the window. Corinne had her back to him, but Ruby had spotted him. A big smile was plastered all across her little face.

  “Beau!” she screeched and started waving madly at him.

  Shit! He sucked in a deep breath. Corinne had turned around. There went his chance to beat a hasty retreat! He fixed a smile on his face that felt more like a grimace and made his way over to them.

  “Good afternoon, ladies.”

  “Hello, Beau! Are you going to have lunch with us? You can share my sandwich if you like!” She held up a grilled cheese sandwich that had been gnawed all around the edges.

  He shook his head. “No!” Even he could hear how disgusted he sounded; he had a feeling he might have shudde
red when he said it, too. He needed to make more of an effort. “No, thank you, Ruby. But it’s very kind of you to offer.”

  Corinne caught his eye. He didn’t even want to hazard a guess at what she was thinking.

  “Sit down with us,” said Ruby as she pulled out a chair.

  He should make his excuses and make his escape while he still had a chance. He looked at Ruby who was smiling at him expectantly, then he looked back at Corinne. She raised an eyebrow. Damn! If that look was translated into words, it would say, I dare you. He didn’t know how to refuse a dare. He was genetically incapable of refusing a dare. Dammit. He sat down, wondering as he did what the hell he was getting himself into.

  Ruby grinned at him. Why the hell had he sat down? He smiled back uncertainly. So. This was awkward.

  “I like Troy.” Ruby grinned at him while he tried to catch up.

  “He’s a good horse.” At least she wasn’t demanding anything of him—yet!

  Ruby’s smile faded. “I don’t think he likes me, though.”

  Beau didn’t dare look at Corinne. “I’m sure he does.”

  Ruby shook her head. “No. He won’t come when I call him.”

  “He doesn’t come when anyone calls him.”

  “I bet he comes to you. He’s your horse.”

  Beau nodded. “He does, but like you say, he’s mine. We’ve been friends for a long time.”

  “Will you tell him that I’m your friend too and then maybe he’ll like me?”

  He could feel Corinne’s gaze boring into him. He was in a total lose-lose situation here. Anything he said to appease the kid would just prove to her mom that he was a liar. Damn, he wished he hadn’t sat down! He nodded. Hoping maybe they could move on.

  “You are my friend, aren’t you?”

  Shit, shit, shit! He turned to look at her. She seemed so angelic. Big blue eyes, big blonde curls framing a sweet little face. He smiled.

  “Aren’t you?”

  He nodded. “We haven’t known each other very long though.”

  She grinned. “So we should do something together. Then we really will be friends and you can tell Troy we are and then he’ll like me!”

  Beau sighed. He didn’t need to do this. He really didn’t. He didn’t need to impress her mother; she already knew the score, but looking at Ruby’s hopeful little face he couldn’t bring himself to turn her down. “What do you think we should do?” Damn! Why in hell’s name had he asked?

  She looked at Corinne. “You should give us riding lessons.”

  “I thought Mason was teaching you. He’s the best teacher.”

  “Yes, but he’s busy.”

  Beau pursed his lips. It wasn’t something he wanted to get into, but he didn’t know how to turn her down.

  Corinne came to the rescue. “Mr. Mason is your teacher, Ruby. That’s already decided.”

  Beau hoped his relief wasn’t too obvious.

  “You should come for dinner, then. Mommy likes to have people over for dinner and no one has been to our new house yet. You should be our first friend.”

  Beau froze. He slowly lifted his gaze to look at Corinne. She looked as frozen as he felt. Ruby grinned at them both.

  “Tomorrow night is Friday night. You should come tomorrow.”

  He stared at Corinne. She stared back. Why did she have to be so damned beautiful? Why did that dimple on her cheek have to give away the hint of a smile? And why in the hell was he smiling back? And nodding? Oh, shit! He’d gone and done it now!

  Ruby beamed at him. “Yay! And after we have dinner we can go and see Troy and you can tell him I’m your friend, so he can be my friend, too!”

  Beau nodded. Then looked at his watch. “Okay, but I need to get going for now.”

  Corinne smiled. “Six o’clock tomorrow? We can’t eat too late. Ruby needs to get to bed.”

  He nodded. Her voice was warm and soothing even in this situation that he’d walked himself into. All he’d wanted was to get Corinne into bed, not to have to worry about what time Ruby went. “Great. I’ll see you then.” He got up and made his way to the door. It was only once he was outside that he realized he was supposed to be getting lunch. No way was he going back inside though! He made his way back to the office, cursing himself as he went.

  He stopped in the doorway when he got back. Wanda was sitting there eating a sandwich. A sandwich that had come from the coffee shop. He scowled at her. “Why did you let me go for your lunch when you already had it?”

  She grinned. “I thought you might enjoy a visit to the coffee shop.”

  “You knew they were in there?”

  He didn’t think he’d ever seen a smile that big on her face. “How did it go?”

  “How did it go?” he ran his hand through his hair. “I fucked up, Wanda. I well and truly fucked up.”

  “Oh, no! You blew it?”

  He shook his head. “I’m having dinner at the cabin tomorrow night with both of them!”

  Wanda laughed. “Good for you!”

  “No. It is not good for me. It will be so bad for me. How can I spend an entire evening with that kid? She’s a monster!”

  “Now you stop that! She is not! You sound like a kid yourself. Waa, waa, waa. I don’t like her! I don’t want to play with her.”

  Beau had to laugh. “Seriously? I’m that bad?”

  She nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

  “Well, shit! It’s just that I thought I had this thing figured out. That I’d get to spend some time with Corinne—some adult time. And now I somehow roped myself into an evening with Ruby!”

  “So make the most of it! Give the kid a chance. Stop thinking from your pants for a minute, and instead think with that big soft heart you keep hidden away. That poor little mite doesn’t have a daddy. Her momma works a lot, she doesn’t have any friends here yet. What would it cost you to show the little thing some kindness?”

  Beau stared at her. “You’re appealing to my better nature?”

  Wanda made a face. “Sorry, I forgot you don’t have one.”

  “Ouch. That hurts.”

  “So prove me wrong.”

  He pursed his lips. If he thought about Ruby in the way Wanda had just described her then he could feel a certain sneaking sympathy—until he remembered what she was like! “I suppose I could try to be nice to her. Just for one evening. It’d earn me some brownie points with Corinne.” He shrugged. “And you’re right, what would it cost me?”

  Wanda laughed. “Only your reputation as an asshole, but don’t worry I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Well, thanks. I guess, since I got myself into it, I may as well try to make the most of it, huh?”

  “See, there’s the spirit! You can do it!”

  Beau nodded. He was glad Wanda had faith in him—he wasn’t so sure he did!

  Chapter Nine

  Ruby came out of her bedroom and did a twirl. She really did look cute in the purple dress.

  “You look lovely, Ruby.”

  “I do, don’t I? How long till Beau gets here?”

  Corinne looked at the clock on the wall. “Fifteen minutes.” And she needed to get ready herself. She wondered again why she’d agreed to this. She could have told Ruby no when she’d invited Beau to dinner. She could have let him off the hook when she’d seen the panic in his eyes. She wasn’t stupid; she knew he didn’t want to spend an evening with Ruby. She should have said no. But she hadn’t. And she couldn’t decide why.

  She had two theories and she considered them both while she went to her room to change her shirt and freshen her makeup. She had to be honest, part of her hoped that Beau would like Ruby if he got to know her properly. And this was a chance for him to do so. She pursed her lips while she brushed her mascara on. Another part of her felt that if he really didn’t like Ruby, then this was a chance to make him suffer! He was a guy, a guy who wanted sex. She wanted him, too, but it didn’t seem right to go sneaking off to screw him! If he really couldn’t stand Ruby, tonight would see
him off altogether and she wouldn’t have to wrestle with her own conscience. She probably shouldn’t have to anyway, but she couldn’t deny the internal battle that was raging: the battle between the devoted mother who put her daughter first in all things, and the young woman who might just occasionally want to put herself first. She felt guilty even thinking it, but it was true. It would be nice to have some fun, to feel attractive—and to have sex!

  Ruby stood in the doorway. “You look pretty, Mommy.”

  “Thank you, sweetie. Not as pretty as you do.”

  Ruby smiled and twirled again. “Do you think Beau will like my dress?”

  “I’m sure he will, but he might not say so.”

  “I’ll ask him then.”

  “Ask him if you want to, but what matters most is if you like it.”

  “I do.”

  Corinne smiled. She wasn’t going to tell her not to ask, and that wasn’t about saving Beau. She’d grown up living by her own mother’s rules. Believing that other people’s opinions mattered more than her own. It’d taken her most of her life to step into her own confidence. Perhaps she was going too far in the other direction with the way she was raising Ruby, but she’d rather her daughter was outspoken, than crippled by fear of what people might think.

  She started at the sound of a knock on the door. Oh, well. Here went nothing. Ruby ran to open it.

  “Hello, Beau!”

  Corinne smiled as she joined Ruby in the hallway.

  Beau was gorgeous. He took her breath away. He was wearing black jeans and a black shirt and he had his hands behind his back. He caught her eye and winked before looking down at Ruby.

  “Good evening, pretty lady. I have something for you.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded and brought his hand around to present her with a little posy of flowers, pretty pinks and blues tied with a string.

  Ruby’s eyes were wide as she smiled and took them from him. “Thank you!” She turned to Corinne. “Look, Mommy. Beau gave me flowers!”

  Corinne smiled. She didn’t have any words right now, just a big lump in her throat. What a sweet thing for him to do! And the last thing she would have expected. She looked up to meet his gaze.