by SJ McCoy
“For snuggles?”
He smiled. “Yep, for snuggles.” He looked at Corinne. “For snuggles?” He wanted to see her smile before he left.
He was relieved when she did. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I guess I’m just a bit crabby this morning.”
He went to hug her. “No problem. I look at it as a good thing. I just learned something else about you.”
She nodded. “Yep, I’m afraid I can be uptight about some things.”
He laughed. “We’re definitely two of a kind then.”
She finally relaxed. “I guess so.”
When he got to the office, Wanda was sitting at her desk sipping her coffee. “G’morning, boss.”
“Morning, Wanda. What have you got for me?”
She made a face. “Nothing much, other than a message from Guy Preston. He wants you to call him back. Wants to know if you’ve written up his offer yet. I can’t stand that man.”
Beau nodded. “I know how you feel. In fact, do you know what? You can call him back and tell him that I can’t do it.”
She raised an eyebrow. “And the commission?”
He laughed. “I know you think I’m a tightwad, but some things are more important than money.”
She grinned. “That girl is so good for you. When are you going to pop the question?”
“Where did that come from?”
“Well, the Beau of old, wouldn’t have hesitated to take Guy’s money. Only one thing can make a man open up his eyes the way you have these last few weeks, and that’s love. You may as well just admit it and get on with it.”
“I have admitted it. It’s her who’s been taking her time, but I think we’re almost there.”
“Good. I hope I’m invited to the wedding?”
“Of course you are.”
“Okay. Well, in that case I’ll get right on the phone and tell Mr. Preston where he can stick it!”
Beau laughed and made his way into his office. “Thanks, Wanda.”
It was lunchtime before he lifted his head. He’d had a lot of paperwork to catch up on. He wandered out into the reception. “What do you say, do you want to come for lunch?”
She stared at him as if he’d grown two heads. “Are you buying?”
“I sure am.”
“Sorry, I can’t. I’m meeting Terry today.”
“So why ask if I was buying?”
She grinned. “So that you owe me one!”
He laughed. “You are a piece of work.”
She nodded happily. “That’d be me. Oh, and by the way, Guy Preston was well and truly pissed. I don’t know what his game is on that place, but he asked me to let you know that you’d be sorry.”
Beau nodded. It was hardly surprising. “I just don’t want to play his games. It’s not worth it.”
“I agree, but watch your back. He’s a vindictive bastard.”
“I will.” Beau knew he was, but he didn’t see any way Guy could get at him. The only way would be to cause trouble with Corinne, but they’d already talked about it and he was confident that she wouldn’t let Guy get to her. He smiled. They were too solid. As he walked down the street toward the coffee shop, he had no clue just how vindictive Guy could be, or any idea how soon he was about to find out.
Once he’d bought his sandwich he decided to go back to the office for his car. He wanted to run home and get some more clothes. He was slowly transferring his stuff to Corinne’s cabin. Everything he took there, he left. He still didn’t have everything he wanted yet though.
He noticed a man sitting in a beat-up old pickup truck as he turned into his driveway. He smiled to himself. There were plenty of those around here, he wasn’t worried. He realized that he wasn’t so anal anymore about locking doors and drawers and everything else. Corinne really had opened him up.
He let himself in and ran up to the bedroom to grab a couple more pairs of jeans and shirts. It’d be nice to maybe take them out riding this weekend. Have that picnic in the foothills. He knew Ruby would love that, though he hadn’t managed to get Corinne on a horse yet.
He thought about eating his sandwich while he was here, but decided against it. This house didn’t feel like home anymore. Home was with Corinne and Ruby. He smiled as he remembered this morning’s conversation about snuggles. He had that to look forward to at the end of the day, and hopefully more with Corinne come bedtime.
He locked the door and ran back down the steps. On a whim, he got into the Mercedes instead of his truck. Ruby loved it, she called it his posh car. Maybe a ride in it would cheer her up later if she was still cranky.
He started it up and pulled out into the street. It happened so fast and yet it felt like slow motion. The pickup that had been sitting there was gone, but as Beau looked to his left he saw it heading his way. He had time to think the guy driving it must be an idiot as he hit the gas. He started to think the driver might be crazy as the truck veered toward him. The grill of the truck filled his view. Then came the sound, the sickening noise of crumpling metal. The truck rammed into the driver’s door sending the car crashing into the wall. Beau was vaguely aware of pain in his leg; he looked down to see bent metal. He couldn’t process it and looked up again, only to see the grill of the truck backing away from him. Hopefully the driver would be able to disentangle the vehicles and he might be able to free his legs. Instead, the truck kept going, reversing away from him. Was the guy just going to leave?
No. Beau started to panic when he heard the engine rev. It was coming again. He scrabbled at the door, but it was no use. The thing was crumpled, buckled inward, as his leg could vouch. The impact came and Beau saw stars. Then everything went dark.
~ ~ ~
“Hello?” Mason didn’t recognize the number on his cell phone display.
“Mason? It’s Luke Wallis.”
“Oh, hey Luke. What’s up?” Luke was with the sheriff’s department up in town. They’d been friends in high school, but didn’t get to catch up much these days.
“This isn’t a social call. It’s about Beau.”
“Beau? What’s up?”
“He was involved in an RTA. He’s in the hospital.”
“What?” Mason shook his head in disbelief. “What happened? Is he okay?”
“He’s going to be okay, but he was unconscious when we got to him. Maybe some broken bones.”
“What happened?”
“We don’t know. We had a report of a hit and run. Two kids walking down that end of Main said they saw a beat-up old pickup ram him as he came out of his driveway.”
“Ram him? What the fuck?”
“Yeah. That’s what I thought. But it gets worse.”
“How?”
“They said after it hit him, the truck backed up and then rammed him a second time.”
“Jesus!” Mason didn’t know what to make of that.
“We’re talking to the kids to see what they can remember. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”
“Damned straight we are. I’m on way up there.”
“Okay. If I’m not around, have the nurses call me.”
“Will do.” Mason hung up and strode out of the barn. He started to make his way up to the big house then thought better of it. His first thought had been to go get his folks and take them up to town. But the person he should be taking was Corinne. He changed tack and headed down to the guest lodge. He dialed his folks as he walked.
His dad answered. “Hey, son. What’s up?”
“I’m heading up to town. Apparently Beau had an accident in his car. He’s going to be okay, but he’s in the hospital.”
“We’re on our way.”
“See you there.”
Next he called Carter.
“Hi, Mase. Is everything okay?”
“For once, I can’t laugh at you for asking that. It’s not. Beau’s had an accident. He’s in the hospital.”
“Shit! What happened? I’m in town. I can be over there in five.”
“Apparently a truc
k hit him, that’s all I know. You’ll be the first there, so call me when you find anything out?”
“Will do.”
Mason was almost to the lodge now. He didn’t know if Shane would be there, but he called him anyway.
“Yo, bro!”
“Hey. Where are you?”
“I’m in town, why?”
“Can you get your ass to the hospital? Beau’s in there.”
“Oh, fuck! Why?”
“A truck ran into him. Luke Wallis said he was unconscious and maybe some broken bones.”
“Shit. Are you still at the ranch?”
“Yep.”
“Do you want to tell Corinne? Bring her up here?”
“Why do you think I’m not on my way already?”
“Yeah, I should’ve known. I’ll see you at the hospital.”
“Yup.”
Mason hung up and ran up the steps to the lodge. Corinne was standing at the reception desk. She smiled as she saw him approach, but her smile faded as he got closer. “What’s wrong?”
He tried to smile. He didn’t want to scare her. “Beau had a little car accident.” He took hold of her arm and started to lead her out. “We’re going up to the hospital to see him.”
“He’s in hospital? How bad is he?” She’d turned as white as a ghost.
“The deputy I talked to said it wasn’t serious. Maybe some broken bones.”
She visibly pulled herself together. Mason liked her. She was strong, not easily panicked. “What happened?”
“We don’t know yet. I’ll tell you the little I do know on the way.”
~ ~ ~
The ride up to town seemed to take forever. Corinne called Susie and asked her if she could keep Ruby for a while longer when she picked her up. She had no idea what time she’d get back. Of course Susie was as accommodating as ever, just told her to let her know how Beau was when she knew anything.
Mason called Gina. She would meet them at the hospital.
When the phone calls were done she turned to Mason. “What happened?”
“Apparently he was coming out of his driveway and some kids saw a truck drive into him and then drive away.”
“A hit and run? I didn’t think things like that happened here.”
“Neither did I. I can’t believe a local would do something like that.”
Corinne couldn’t imagine anyone ever doing something like that. She knew it happened, but she never would have thought it could happen here. And not to Beau.
Her cell phone rang and she fished it out of her purse. She recognized the number. It was Beau’s office.
“Hello?”
“Hi. Is this Corinne?”
“Yes. Hi, Wanda.”
“Hey. I’m sorry to bother you, hon. But Beau isn’t with you by any chance, is he? He’s got appointments this afternoon and I can’t find him. He went out for lunch and didn’t come back. He’s not answering his phone. I’m worried.”
“He had an accident, Wanda. Someone ran into him. They’re saying it’s not serious. I’m on my way to the hospital with Mason.”
“Oh my God! Please let me know how he’s doing when you get there? I’ll come straight over after work.”
“Okay, I’ll keep you posted.” She hung up.
Mason gave her a rueful smile. “Wanda loves him more than anyone.”
“Not more than I do!” The words surprised her, they came out so fast.
Mason looked taken aback.
“Sorry. I think that was me telling myself, not telling you. I’ve been holding back too much for too long.”
Mason smiled. “No worries. It sounds like you’ve figured it out now.”
She smiled back. “I have! Why is it that it takes a shock like this to give us the wake-up call we need?”
Mason shrugged. “I can’t speak for you, but I know for me the answer would be a combination of fear, stubbornness, and pride.”
She let out a little laugh. “I think you are speaking for me.”
He nodded. “I think it’s the same for all of us if we’re honest with ourselves. I wasn’t sure how honest you liked to be with yourself, so I used myself as the example instead.”
She smiled. He was a wise one.
When they got to the hospital, there was quite a crowd waiting. It seemed the entire family, minus Chance and Summer had beaten them to it.
“Beau’s still in surgery,” said Carter. “He has a broken leg and took a nasty knock to the head, but he’s fine other than that.”
Corinne heaved a sigh of relief. It was bad enough, but she’d been fearing much worse.
“I called Luke,” said Shane. “He’s on his way over.”
Mason nodded.
Corinne watched him closely. There was something he wasn’t saying, but she didn’t know what.
She took him aside and held his gaze for a moment. “I’m not a damsel in distress; if there’s something that needs saying, please say it.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. “Sorry. Gina gets pissed at me all the time. I can’t help it. It’s instinct with me to try to protect the ladies. I have to remember how strong you are.”
Corinne nodded, wishing he’d just hurry up and spit it out.
“So, Luke, the deputy told me that the kids who witnessed it said that the truck didn’t just hit him and drive away…”
Corinne’s heart was hammering in her chest. “What then?” she interrupted.
“They said it backed up and rammed him a second time.”
“What the hell?”
Mason nodded. “Exactly! Either he got real unlucky and ran into the path of some crazy bastard, or…”
“Or it was Guy Preston!” Corinne knew it. It had to be him!
Mason shook his head. “No. He wouldn’t do something like that.”
“He wouldn’t? From what I’ve heard about him he’s the only one around here who would.”
Mason wasn’t buying it, she could tell.
Gina came over to join them. “What’s up?”
Mason explained what he’d just told Corinne. “And she thinks it must have been Guy,” he finished.
Gina shook her head. “No. He wouldn’t do that.”
“But who else would?”
“I have no idea. I know Guy must seem a likely candidate, but it’s just not his style. He likes to get inside people’s heads, but at heart he’s a coward. And he’s too smart, the chances of getting caught are too high.”
Corinne knew they were making sense, but she had a feeling she just couldn’t shake. It had to be Guy.
A doctor came out, and went straight to Dave and Monique. Monique turned and beckoned for Corinne to join them. The others followed her and crowded around.
“He’s out of surgery now. His leg was broken in two places, but we’ve set it, put a few pins in and he’s in plaster. He’ll be in recovery for a while. The nurses will let you know when you can see him.”
“Thank you,” said Dave.
Corinne eyed a guy in uniform as he approached. He must be Luke. He nodded at her and looked around the group.
“What’s going on, Luke?” asked Mason.
“I do have a bit more information.” He looked hesitant to speak in front of all of them.
“You may as well just tell us all,” said Dave. “We all want to know.”
“Okay. Well, according to the witnesses, Beau was pulling out of his driveway when a pickup apparently veered off the road and ran into him.” He hesitated. “And then, the truck backed up and came at him a second time. That second impact did the most damage before the truck drove away.”
“Oh, my God!” said Monique. “Someone hit him on purpose?”
Luke nodded grimly. “That’s how it sounds.”
“It was Guy Preston!” Corinne blurted out.
Luke turned to look at her. “What makes you say that?”
“He’s had it in for Beau for a while now.”
“But you don’t have any evidence that he intende
d to injure him in some way?”
Mason shook his head and put an arm around Corinne. “No. She’s just upset. You know there’s been bad blood between us for years. There’s no reason to believe he’d step things up to this level.”
Luke raised his eyebrows.
“What?” asked Corinne. “You think I’m right don’t you?”
Luke looked over his shoulder before he replied. “I shouldn’t tell you this, but the description the kids gave of the truck, sounds a lot like the one belonging to a ranch hand out at the Preston place. We had him in a couple of times for drunk and disorderly. Found him sleeping in that truck on Main a couple of Sunday mornings, too. I’m going to take a ride out there.”
Corinne nodded. She was convinced that he would find the truck had damage consistent with having run into Beau’s car.
Mason followed Luke as he walked away and they spoke for a few moments before he left. As he went out through the doors Chance came in with Summer by his side.
“How is he?” he asked.
“He’s going to be fine,” said Dave. “His leg’s broken in a couple of places, but nothing worse than that.”
Corinne saw the relief on Chance’s face. He cared. He really cared. She smiled at him and he came to hug her.
“Damn, I was scared for a while there.”
“Me, too,” she said. “He’s going to be okay though.”
“Thank God.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Beau opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. It wasn’t the right ceiling. It wasn’t his bedroom. It wasn’t Corinne’s bedroom. Where the hell was he? He tried to sit up but his head swam and his left leg hurt like crazy. He lay still, trying to figure it out. Then it came back to him. The crazy bastard in the truck!
“Are you awake?” Corinne leaned over him.
He smiled. Even his face hurt.
“I’m okay.”
She leaned in and kissed his lips gently. “The doctors say you will be, though you’ll be on crutches for a while.”
“It’s broken?”
She nodded. “Do you remember what happened?”
He tried to nod, but thought better of it. “I do. The crazy…drove straight at me! Twice! He backed up and did it again.”
“Did you get a look at him?”
Beau closed his eyes. “No.” All he’d seen was the grill of that truck headed straight at him. “No wait. I did see him. He was there when I pulled in.” Could he have been waiting for him? He screwed his eyes shut, not wanting to consider that possibility.