by SJ McCoy
His smile was hesitant as he brought his other around from behind his back and presented her with a bunch of roses. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, and nodded. She knew her smile would give him the answer he was looking for. Was this okay? Yes! Absolutely! He’d done right, gotten off on a good foot.
He smiled back and thrust them toward her, making her realize that she hadn’t taken them from him, and also reminding her of their first encounter in the wine store when he’d given her that bottle. Finally she found her voice. “Thank you! They’re beautiful. Why don’t you come on in? We’ll put them in water and get you a drink.”
Ruby took hold of his hand and led him through to the kitchen. Corinne had to suppress a smile at the grimace on his face which he quickly and consciously transformed into a smile. He was making an effort. There was no mistaking it. Though how long he’d be able to keep it up remained to be seen.
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Yes, please.”
She poured him a glass of the Cab and handed it over.
“Thank you.”
Ruby picked up her glass of orange juice and held it up, forcing them to break eye contact. “We should do a toast, Mommy.”
Corinne smiled. Ruby loved toasting to anything. “What do you want to toast to?”
Ruby looked from her to Beau and back again. “To making new friends!”
She raised an eyebrow at Beau and raised her glass. “What do you think?”
He nodded slowly and touched his glass against Ruby’s and then hers. “I’ll drink to that. Here’s to making new friends.”
Ruby smiled. “Shall we go and tell Troy that I’m your friend now?”
Beau laughed, but Corinne could tell it was forced and uncomfortable. He wanted to say no, but he either wasn’t sure if he should, or didn’t know how to.
“Not yet, Ruby,” she said. “Perhaps later we’ll walk down and see the horses.”
From the look Beau gave her she could tell he was both grateful and concerned that he’d messed up somehow. She smiled reassuringly before she added. “By the time we’ve had dinner, Beau may not want to be our friend.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, there was a smile lurking on his lips and questions lurking in his eyes.
Yes, she was teasing him! This wouldn’t be worth doing if they couldn’t have some fun with it.
He grinned and looked at Ruby. “And perhaps you ladies won’t want to be friends with me.”
“Don’t worry. We will.” Ruby patted his arm. “You gave me flowers. You’re going to be my friend forever now.”
Corinne couldn’t hold back the little laugh that escaped.
To her surprise, Beau laughed with her. Ruby looked at them and joined in. Oh, well. They were off to a good start if they could laugh together.
“Do you like chicken?” asked Ruby. “We’re having chicken.”
“I do,” said Beau and looked down at his glass.
Corinne knew what he was thinking. The Cab was hardly a traditional pairing with chicken. “I think you’ll be surprised how well the Cab will taste with it, though I do have a whole selection of whites you can choose from if you prefer.”
He met her gaze. “Of course, you used to work in wine country, right?”
She nodded. “And I know you don’t tend to think much of us crazy Californians and our newfangled ways of doing things up here.”
He held up a hand. “Hey, don’t go tarring us all with the same brush. Yes, there is some resentment of the implants here, but most of us judge on a case by case basis.”
“Implants? I thought people who came from a different state were known as transplants.”
Beau laughed and let his gaze travel over her. Her entire body tingled in response and she felt her nipples tighten when he reached her breasts. “It’s a California thing, isn’t it?”
“Oh!” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Not in my case it isn’t!”
“Like I said, it’s a case by case basis, and in your case, I’m happy to say I wouldn’t use the word implant.” He lifted his gaze to meet hers. There was no mistaking the desire in his eyes, or denying that she felt it too. Part of her mind was screaming that she should be offended, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel that way. She loved the way he’d looked at her, she loved feeling desirable, and some part of her felt as though she was being accepted into Montana. She knew some of the Californians that moved up here had earned themselves a bad reputation, she didn’t want to be lumped in with them.
He shook his head as if to clear it, as if he were coming to his senses and realizing the exchange they’d just had. “Anyway. I’ll be happy to try your recommendation. I’m always eager to try out new pairings.”
Corinne had to wonder if he was still veiling one conversation with another. Was she a new pairing for him? The word coupling kept running through her mind, conjuring up images she shouldn’t be thinking about in front of Ruby. “In that case I hope you have adventurous taste.” She wanted to cover her mouth with her hand. Had she really just said that?
He smiled. “Oh, I do. In the meantime, is there anything I can do to help?”
Corinne shook her head. She shouldn’t be playing with him like this. She hadn’t even decided that she wanted to take him up on his offer yet. She was supposed to be seeing how he dealt with this evening before she’d entertain the idea of sleeping with him. At least that was what her head was saying. It seemed her body had already reached its decision and, left to its own devices, would be dragging him to the bedroom at the first opportunity. “Everything’s ready, thank you. Just take a seat and we can eat.”
Ruby tugged at his sleeve and led him to the table. “You get to sit next to me.”
Corinne smiled as she turned to the fridge to get the salad out. She had to remember she might not get the opportunity to do anything at all with Beau—other than watch him ride off into the sunset at the end of the evening if he couldn’t handle Ruby.
“So how do you like it here so far, Ruby?”
Corinne was curious as to what her answer would be. “I love it! I love our cabin, and I love the ranch, and I love the horses, and I love Miss Susie and I love that I get to see Summer Breese sometimes.”
Beau laughed. “So lots of good things here for you then?”
Ruby nodded, as Corinne came back to the table and sat down. “And for Mommy too. Mommy deserves good things.”
Beau smiled and met Corinne’s gaze. “I’m sure there will be.”
There went those tingles racing down her spine again. By the look on his face he was planning on being one of the good things that was about to happen to her. In the physical sense at least.
“Does your mommy get to go out and do good things?”
Ruby shook her head. “She always works too much.”
Beau frowned. “But now that she’s here she won’t be working so much.”
Ruby brightened at that. “No.” She turned to Corinne. “You should go out. And if you do, I can go to Miss Susie’s. She even said I can stay there sometimes if you don’t mind.”
“She did?” Corinne stopped with her fork midair. This almost felt as though there was some secret conspiracy that even Ruby was in on. Everything was being set up so she could spend time with Beau. Who was she kidding phrasing it like that? So she could sleep with Beau! It didn’t feel right though. She’d never had that kind of relationship with a guy. Never been just a…a… what was the term? Fuck buddy? That sounded so crude. Because it was!
Ruby was nodding at her. “Can I? Can I go stay over with Tara and Josie?”
She realized that Beau was watching her, waiting for her reply almost as eagerly as Ruby was.
“We’ll see.” She wasn’t sure she wanted to say yes to either of them yet.
After they’d eaten, Beau sat back. “That was wonderful, thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, Mommy. Can we have the ice cream now?”
“I think we should wait a little
while first.”
Beau stood. “Can I get the dishes?” He started clearing plates.
“I’ll help.” Ruby jumped up to join him.
Corinne watched as Ruby bossed him around the kitchen. He was taking it well, getting a laugh where he could.
“Now we have to get my chair,” she told him.
Beau gave her a puzzled look and looked to Corinne for help.
“It’s okay, Ruby,” she said. “I’ll do the dishes later. I’ll put them in the dishwasher.”
“But I want to do them now. Beau’s going to help.” There was no mistaking the edge to her voice.
Beau sensed it too. “I can help. What do I need to do with your chair?”
Corinne smiled to herself as Ruby directed him until she was standing at the sink on her chair and he was beside her, towel in hand ready to dry the dishes. She was pretty sure this hadn’t been in his picture of how this evening might go. He was doing really well, she had to give him that. He had Ruby laughing. He even dabbed some bubbles on the end of her nose when she handed him a plate that was still covered in them. She went to join them, realizing that, as Beau dried the plates, he had no idea where to put them and was piling them precariously on the countertop next to the drainer.
She took a plate from his hand, but he held on to it until she looked up into his eyes. His smile made her heart race. She got lost in his eyes wondering what was going on behind them.
“Are you two going to kiss now?”
“Ruby!” Corinne felt herself blush, which was pretty ridiculous since they were both just waiting for the time when they could sleep together, let alone kiss each other.
“What? Are you?”
“Not right now,” said Beau.
“Soon though. You’re going to. I can tell.”
Corinne stared at Beau; he smiled and then gave a shrug. “Out of the mouths of babes…”
“What does that mean?” asked Ruby.
He shrugged again. “Do you want to go see Troy now?”
“Yesss!” Ruby climbed down from her chair, all thoughts of kissing and dishes forgotten. “Can we, Mommy?”
Corinne nodded. “Okay, but go and get your sweatshirt first, it’s chilly outside.”
Ruby ran to her bedroom.
Beau leaned toward Corinne, placing his hands on the counter on either side of her. “She’s a smart kid.”
Corinne nodded. She couldn’t help it, she reached her hands up to his shoulders and looked up into his eyes. He smiled as his arms closed around her drawing her to him as his lips came down on hers.
It was a brief kiss, but it spoke of so much more to come. He stepped back at the sound of Ruby coming out of her room.
“Do you think I can ride Troy one day?” she asked Beau.
Corinne was grateful that she seemed oblivious to the fact that they’d just been fulfilling her prediction that they’d kiss each other soon.
“He’s a bit big for you.”
Corinne watched her daughter’s eyebrows knit together and waited. She was relieved when Ruby smiled.
“We can wait till I’m taller then. You can ride Troy and I can ride Gypsy. But who can Mommy ride?”
Corinne deliberately avoided looking a Beau. She had a feeling she knew who he might suggest, and it wasn’t one of the horses!
“How about we take a walk down to the barn and see,” suggested Beau.
“Yes! Let’s go.”
Ruby took hold of Beau’s hand as they walked down the path. He shot a glance at Corinne over her head. She had to give it to him, he seemed to be doing really well. She gave him a questioning look and he nodded. He did seem to have relaxed some. She was allowing herself to hope now, even though she knew she shouldn’t. It would be so nice to think that she and Beau might start seeing each other—and that he might learn to enjoy Ruby’s company as well.
When they reached the fence, Ruby leaned on the bottom rail and started calling Troy. He lifted his head and looked in their direction, but didn’t come over.
Ruby looked up at Beau. “See, he doesn’t like me.”
Corinne couldn’t have been more surprised when he picked Ruby up and sat her on the top rail, keeping his arm around her so she didn’t fall. She could see that he was no longer trying to impress her, or Ruby. He was simply focused on what he was doing. He let out a long, low whistle.
Troy’s head came up again and this time he trotted in their direction, tail lifted. He nickered and came close, but stopped a few feet away.
“Come here, buddy. Let’s see you.”
Troy took a step closer and stopped again, nodding his head and pawing at the ground.
Ruby grinned up at Beau. Corinne had to stop her mind from racing off in all kinds of ridiculous directions when she saw the way Beau smiled back. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled something out.
“I’m going to let you give him his favorite treat, and then it’s guaranteed, he’ll not only be your friend, but he’ll love you.”
Ruby’s eyes were wide as he handed whatever it was to her.
“Now just hold your hand out flat.”
Corinne was a little concerned. “He doesn’t bite, does he?”
Beau shook his head.
“It’s okay, Mommy. I just have to hold my hand flat and tuck my thumb out of the way so he doesn’t think it’s a carrot!”
Beau laughed. “I’m guessing Mason taught you that?”
She nodded and held her hand out. “Here, Troy. It’s okay. Come here.”
Corinne held her breath as the horse took two more steps. Ruby held her hand out, with what she could now see was a mint balanced on her little palm. The kid had no fear at all. “Come get it.”
She giggled as Troy brushed his lips over her hand and took the mint. Both she and Corinne laughed when he lifted his head and peeled his lips back after he’d crunched it.
“He likes it!” cried Ruby. “Look, he’s laughing!”
Beau grinned at her. “I told you, they’re his very favorite.”
“Can I give him another one?”
Beau shook his head. “No, they’re a special treat. If he gets too many they won’t be special anymore.”
Corinne smiled, that was a line of reasoning she often used herself with Ruby, especially when it came to candies.
Troy stepped forward again and nosed at Ruby, making her giggle.
“See. He’s your friend now,” said Beau.
Ruby patted his nose. “Yes, now we’re friends.”
“Now we’re all friends,” said Beau.
Corinne gave him a questioning look. His nod was brief, but his smile seemed genuine.
Chapter Ten
Beau made his coffee strong and took it to sit out on the deck. It was a beautiful morning, promising a beautiful day ahead. He was heading back down to the ranch to ride Troy. And to see Corinne. Not that she knew it yet. After their walk down to the barn last night he’d made his excuses and left. He knew that had surprised her. She’d probably been expecting him to stick around until Ruby went to bed. Hell, that’s what he’d been expecting to do, but somehow, at some point during the evening that had changed. He’d gone in expecting to have to endure Ruby for a couple of hours and then to get Corinne to himself for a little while afterwards. But seeing the way they were together, mother and daughter, he’d realized that they were a package.
He’d come to understand that his offer to Corinne, to meet up and sleep together whenever they got a chance, was pointless. If he just wanted sex, that was on offer anywhere. He could go to any bar in town, or to Chico, and find a girl willing to go home with him any night of the week. If that was all he wanted he didn’t need to complicate his life, or Corinne’s. He sighed and took a sip of his coffee. Maybe he was getting old, maybe it was watching his brothers find the women they were meant to be with and start settling down; he didn’t know what it was, but he wanted more than just a body to warm his bed occasionally. He wanted…he didn’t know what, but something, somethi
ng more. It was crazy to think he might find it with Corinne. She definitely offered something more, but a five-year-old daughter hadn’t been the kind of something he’d had in mind.
Crazy as it might seem though, he’d decided that he was going to give it a go. He was going to start seeing Corinne, and let the dice fall where they would regarding Ruby. So, this morning he was going to head down to the ranch to ride Troy, just like he’d planned. And he was going to go find Corinne and Ruby and see what their plans for the day were. See if they wanted to hang out, do something together. He chuckled to himself as he thought about calling Wanda to tell her what he was up to.
When he got to the ranch, he could see Ruby in the arena; she was riding Gypsy. Mason was standing in the middle calling instructions. Apparently, he’d decided she was ready to be off the lead rope. Beau wasn’t sure he liked that idea. He shook his head as he closed the truck door and started down the path. What the hell was happening to him? He was protective of her all of a sudden? No, he was just being practical, that was all. He’d always been more cautious than Mason, in all things.
As he approached the arena, he spotted Corinne; she was perched up on the fence watching. She took his breath away. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, she wore a pink and blue checkered shirt, and jeans that hugged her figure in the most appealing way. She was even wearing boots, not something he’d seen her do before—but something he’d love to see her do again, minus the rest of her outfit. Damn! Where had that thought come from? He shoved his hands in his pockets to adjust his own jeans before he reached them. He didn’t want her to notice just how pleased he was to see her, but thoughts of her in nothing but a pair of cowboy boots had him wishing Mason could make Ruby’s lesson last at least a couple of hours.
She turned at the sound of his approach. Her smile was hesitant. He’d left in a hurry last night and it seemed she was thinking the worst. He needed to let her know as soon as he could that he was actually hoping for the best. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring grin and went to lean on the fence beside her. Bad move. Now he was face to face with her breasts, that wasn’t going to make for easy conversation, not while it sent his mind racing in another direction completely. He forced himself to lift his gaze and smile at her face. “Hi.”