Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) (10 page)

“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.

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, something 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.”

“Good morning. Are you here to take Troy out?”

He nodded. “You didn’t believe me last night when I said I was leaving for the right reasons, did you?”

She held his gaze. “I think that depends on what each of us consider to be the right reasons.”

He smiled. “That could get too complicated. What I meant was, I’d like us to start seeing each other, for real.”

“Does for real mean not just for sex?”

That took him aback a little. He hadn’t expected her to be so straightforward about it. He nodded. “It does.”

She gave him a long measured look.

“What?” He’d been hoping, no, if he was honest, he’d been expecting her to be pleased. She didn’t look it.

“So are you saying Ruby passed some kind of test last night and you’re prepared to give us a go now?”

Ah. He guessed that might not feel too good looking at it from where she sat. “Honestly?”

“Yes, please. I tend to prefer the truth.”

“Okay, honestly, when I came over last night, I came with that attitude—to see if Ruby could
pass the test
as you put it. But what I discovered, and what surprised me so much that I left in such a hurry, was that
I passed the test.
She’s the first kid I’ve ever had to do deal with, I didn’t know how to, and I didn’t think I wanted to.” He gave her a hopeful smile. “I guess we’re all afraid of the unknown. Actually hanging out with Ruby made me see that there’s nothing to be afraid of. She’s just another person, only smaller.”

Corinne smiled back. “And more opinionated, and more demanding.”

He held a hand up. “I sure as hell wasn’t going to go there!”

She laughed. “I know. But it’s true. And if you really do want us to start seeing each other for real, there’s no point in trying to gloss it over.”

He nodded. “I know. And there’s no saying how—or if—it will work out. I’m just saying I’d like to give it a go, if you’re interested.” He held her gaze. “Or did you like my first suggestion better?”

He could tell by the way her pupils dilated and that pulse started to flutter in her neck that she was more than interested in his first suggestion.

It was a long moment before she replied. “Since we’re being honest about all this, I’d take you up on your original suggestion if it was all that was on offer, but I like the idea of us seeing each other for real better.”

He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face.

She was no longer smiling back. “Seriously, Beau. I don’t want you to feel you have to include Ruby, if it’s not what you want. I’d rather not put her through that. If all you’re after is no strings sex, be honest about it?”

He shook his head. “It’s not. I’m not making any promises that I won’t screw this up, but I’d like to give it a try.”

“Okay, then. No promises, no expectations. Deal?” She held her hand out to him.

He shook it. “Deal,” he replied, wondering as he did why her words bothered him. No promises, no expectations; he should feel relieved, but he didn’t.

“Beau!” called Ruby. “Look at me! Mr. Mason says I don’t need the lead rope anymore.”

“Good job, Ruby. You’re doing great.” He really needed to come up with some other words of encouragement and stop borrowing Mason’s.

“Soon me and Gypsy will be able to ride out with you and Troy, won’t we?”

He pursed his lips, he didn’t like the idea of being responsible for her out on the trails.

Mason saved him. “That won’t be for a long while yet. Now you’re off the lead rope we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Beau had to smile at the way Ruby nodded solemnly. “Yes, Mr. Mason. Sorry, Beau I have to go back to work now, I have a lot of work to do.” She reined Gypsy around and headed back out into the center of the arena.

Mason grinned at them. “She’s proving to be a star pupil.”

Corinne laughed. “I think that’s all down to her teacher. You’ve certainly got the hang of working with her; you bring out the best in her. I might be asking you for tips on how to handle her soon.”

“Me too,” said Beau. He didn’t miss his brother’s knowing look as he nodded and went after Ruby. He was surprised at himself. He didn’t like feeling outdone by Mason. He wanted to know how to bring out the best in Ruby. He had to hope it was more than just the old sibling rivalry.

Corinne raised an eyebrow at him. “So where do we go from here?”

He smiled. “I guess we make it up as we go along?”

She nodded. “It’s not my usual style, but I guess it’s our only option.”

“Believe me, it’s not mine either, but since we’re headed into unknown waters, all we can do is go with the flow.”

“Okay then, but can I ask one thing of you, set one condition?”

Uh-oh. Women setting conditions—that usually spelled trouble. He nodded. “What?”

“Just be honest with me about Ruby? If she drives you nuts, say so? I know she’s not easy; she’s my whole world and she drives me nuts sometimes, but she doesn’t deserve to be taken for a ride. Don’t humor her just to get on my good side?”

“I won’t.” He gave her a wry smile. “I don’t think I could. It’s like you said, no promises no expectations?”

“Agreed.”

“Okay, well I’m going to take Troy out. Can I stop to see you at the cabin when I get back?”

The way she hesitated made him wonder.

She shook her head. “Don’t go thinking I’m backing out already. It’s just that I agreed to go to Shane’s cookout for the guests later. Would you want to come?”

He thought about it. It wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind, but why not. “Sure.”

“Great.” Her smile was back. “Just come on over whenever you’re ready then.”

“Will do.”

It felt so weird to Beau walking up to the guest ranch holding Ruby’s hand. He could just imagine Shane’s face when he spotted them. He was going to give him so much grief! But what the hell, if he was going to do this, he was going to do it. Ruby squeezed his hand and smiled up at him. “Thank you for coming with us.”

Damn! She was cute when she wanted to be! “Thank you for inviting me.”

Corinne smiled at him. “Do you come out here much normally?”

He shook his head. “I come down to see my folks, I check in with Shane every now and then, or when it’s Mason and Gina’s turn to host dinner I come out to the cottage. Mostly I’m pretty busy up in town.”

“Why did you move to town?” asked Ruby. “If I had my horse here I would never move away.”

“I have my business in town. It’s a long way to drive every day.” Beau thought about his answer. Was that really why he’d moved to town? No, it wasn’t. It was a practical consideration, but he’d moved up to town to make the break from his family. He’d needed to move out of his parents’ place, they all had. Mason had taken the cabin, and, of course, Chance had gone in with him. It made sense since they were the two who worked the ranch. Shane had been away in the Navy at the time and he’d bunked in with them when he came back. He’d had to be out here too since he was building the guest ranch. Carter had moved out first—when he married Trisha, but even they had lived here, until Trisha cheated on him and it all went to hell. Carter had moved up to town to grow his landscaping business, but Beau had always believed that he’d moved away from bad memories as much as anything else. Now he lived just a few miles from the ranch, with Summer in the house that he’d sold them.

Beau himself had gone away to college, and by the time he came back, he’d felt like an outsider at the ranch. He had no reason to be here, and a lot of reasons to be in town. If he was honest he felt as though his place here and in the family had been usurped by Chance, so he’d gone his own way. Trying to prove that he didn’t need them, he could do great by himself.

Corinne gave him a questioning look.

“Sorry. I’m just thinking that Ruby has a point. It’d be nice to live here.”

He felt a hand come down on his shoulder. Shane had an annoying habit of appearing out of nowhere and doing that. “Did I just hear you right?”

Shit. Beau wished he hadn’t heard him at all! “I don’t know, what did you hear?” He wished that edge to his voice wasn’t there, but he couldn’t help it.

Shane surprised him by seeming to sense he shouldn’t go there. “I dunno, I just thought for a moment I might get to have my other big brother back on my doorstep.”

Beau gave him a hard stare.

Shane grinned, unperturbed. “I’d like that.” He smiled down at Ruby. “I think it’d be awesome if Beau moved back down here, don’t you?”

“Yes. Then we could see him every day!”

Beau didn’t know what to say to either of them. He smiled at them both and left it at that.

“Anyway. I’m glad you’re here,” said Shane. “Would you mind if I steal Corinne for a minute? There are a couple of people I’d like to introduce her to.”

Beau nodded. He hadn’t expected to be left alone with Ruby, but he could hardly argue. Corinne shot him an apologetic look as Shane led her away. He looked down at Ruby, not sure what to do.

She was looking around, surveying the people gathering in front of the lodge. Her face broke into a big grin as she pointed. “Summer Breese!”

Beau cringed. He’d thought only dogs could hear such high frequencies, but his ears convinced him otherwise.

Ruby tugged at his hand. “Can we go see, Summer? Pleeaase?”

He nodded, more than happy to oblige. He was happy to make an effort with the kid, but it sure would be easier if she were distracted by Summer.

Carter spotted them coming and put a protective arm around Summer’s shoulders, making Beau smile. It reassured him that he wasn’t the only one who was wary—or if he was honest, scared—of Ruby.