Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) (21 page)

He laughed. “Well, you know you’ve got no worries there.”

She nodded. She did. It made her realize how far they’d come that she had no doubts about his feelings for Ruby. “It wasn’t what
she
said that bothered me. After she’d gone a guy told me I shouldn’t mind her, but that I couldn’t really blame her after what you’d done.”

His smile was gone. “Why, what am I supposed to have done?”

She shrugged. “I was hoping you’d tell me.”

“I have no idea.”

“Don’t, Beau. Please just tell me. Whatever it is, I don’t think I’d care. I just don’t like the feeling that you have some horrible secret.”

He shook his head. “I would tell you, if I knew what I was supposed to have done.”

She sighed. “Okay then.”

“No. It’s not okay. You obviously don’t believe me. I promise you, sweetheart. I’m not hiding anything. Angie and I went out a few times. Then she messed things up for Carter and Summer and I just didn’t ask her out again. She asked me a few times, and I said no and I’ve tried to avoid her ever since. That’s the entire history.”

“Okay.” Corinne didn’t want to force him to explain anything. She shrugged. “Maybe it was just gossip.”

He put a hand on her shoulder. “If there’s gossip about me, I want to know about it.”

She shrugged again. “Well, I can’t help you. I don’t even know what it is.”

“Please don’t.” His eyes were pleading with her.

She nodded. “I’m sorry.”

He closed his arms around her. “So am I, but I don’t even know what for.”

She hugged him tight. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I do, though. I worry about you. I worry about what you think. I worry about how I can prove to you that I’m for real. And then something like this happens and there’s nothing I can do or say to prove anything to you.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. All I can do is believe you.”

“I hope you can.”

So did she.

~ ~ ~

After they’d put Ruby to bed, they sat on the sofa. It had become something of a routine that by the end of the evening they both just needed to veg out for a while. Beau had his arm around her shoulders. He wanted to feel close to her, but she still felt a little distant. He stared at the TV, but wasn’t really watching the show. His mind was still caught up in what Corinne had asked him about. What the hell was he supposed to have done? And who had said something like that anyway. Then it dawned on him.

“You know the guy who spoke to you in the post office?”

“I thought we were going to leave that alone.”

“I can’t sweetheart—any more than you can. So what did this guy look like?”

She shrugged. “He was tall. Brown hair.”

Beau nodded. For the second time in a couple of weeks, he realized it wasn’t just a guy, it was
the
Guy. Guy fucking Preston. He’d made all his brothers’ lives hell at one point or another. Now it seemed Beau himself was his latest target. It made sense, too, especially after their little encounter at lunchtime.

Corinne looked up at him. “What is it?”

“I think I know who it was. Guy Preston has had it in for all of us since we were kids. He’s the reason Mason and Gina broke up for nearly ten years. He tried messing with Shane and Cassidy. Now it looks like it’s our turn. If I know him he’s just trying to mess with your head to cause trouble between us.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he’s a Grade A asshole. That’s why.”

Corinne didn’t look convinced.

“I know it sounds like schoolyard stuff, but that’s the way he operates. Don’t buy into it, sweetheart, please. We can talk to Gina and she’ll tell you just how much damage he can do.”

“Okay.”

Beau smiled. Although he was pissed that Guy was trying to mess with them, he was at least relieved that now he knew what he was dealing with. He squeezed his arm around her shoulders. “This is going to be like a test for us.”

She looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I’m going to need you to trust me. You said you need to know that we can get through life’s bumps in the road together. Well, if I know anything about Guy it’s that he’s going to throw us some bumps. We’re going to have to be strong together to get through it.”

She nodded uncertainly. “I’m not sure I understand, but if we’re going to grow stronger and closer for it, then bring it on, I guess.”

Beau hugged her a little tighter. He could only hope that they would grow stronger and closer.

Corinne looked up at the sound of a knock on the door. She been working on the staff roster all morning and was glad of the interruption.

“Hi, I hope you don’t me dropping in,” said Gina.

Corinne smiled. “Not at all. It’s good to see you, and I could use a break.”

“Can you take long enough to come outside for a while?”

Corinne got up, she didn’t need asking twice. It was a beautiful day.

They walked down toward the barn. “I just wanted to come see you while I had chance,” said Gina. “We never get to hang out, and I’d like to.”

That made Corinne smile. “I’d like that, too. I’m still finding my feet here, and between work and Ruby I haven’t done much of anything else yet.”

“Other than Beau,” said Gina with a smile.

Corinne giggled at the implication. “Well, yes, I have been doing Beau rather a lot.”

Gina laughed. “Good for you. That’s probably what’s managed to loosen him up.”

Corinne nodded, surprised not to feel embarrassed. She didn’t know Gina that well and here they were talking about her sleeping with Beau, but it felt right. She chuckled. “You mean helped him get his head out of his ass?”

“I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but since you did. Yes! You’ve done him the world of good. And Ruby, too. Watching the two of them together is just so cute.”

“It is, isn’t it? They seem to bring out the best in each other.”

Gina nodded. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“What?”

“I know it’s none of my business, but how serious is it?”

Corinne sighed. “It’s serious. I guess I’m just a little cautious.”

“Which is understandable, in your position.”

Corinne nodded. “Why do you ask?”

Gina gave her a rueful smile. “I don’t know. Maybe spending so much time with these Montana men has rubbed off on me. I guess I’m trying to look out for him. I worry about him. I’d hate to see him get hurt. He seems as though he’s all in. And, the old Beau, at least…well, I don’t think he’d realize if you didn’t feel the same way. He’s always been one to go after what he wants and not necessarily see that other people might want something different. Like I said, I know it’s none of my business, but I just had to know. I wouldn’t want either of you getting hurt.”

Corinne nodded. She was glad Beau had someone who cared enough to look out for him and she knew Gina was trying to look out for her too. “No, I do feel the same way. And he is being understanding of me and what I need. You’re right, he’d like to go after what he wants, but he’s prepared to go more slowly because he knows it’s what I need.”

Gina grinned. “Good. I hope you don’t think I’m being a busybody. I almost didn’t say anything, but a helping hand from someone who cares, can save a lot of misunderstandings.”

Corinne looked at her. “Did he ask you to talk to me?”

Gina shook her head rapidly. “God, no. I’m sure he’d be pissed at me, but it was worth risking it. Why do you ask?”

“The other day I apparently had a run in with Guy Preston. Not that I knew it at the time. He said some things that made me wonder about Beau.”

Gina blew out a big sigh. “That man is trouble.”

“That’s what Beau told me. He said if I didn’t believe that he was just trying to cause problems for us, I should ask you about him.”

“Yep. I can tell you just how much trouble that man can cause. And I’ll also tell you that if he’s got his sights set on you and Beau, you’re going to have to hang in tight. He’s the reason Mason and I didn’t speak for ten years. And even after we got back together he was still messing with my head. He tried to do the same with Shane and Cassidy, but they had enough sense to trust each other and keep talking.”

Corinne nodded. “That’s what Beau said. But why would this Guy do it?”

“It goes all the way back to grade school. It was kids’ stuff to start with, but it came back to the surface earlier this year.”

“Why?”

“Because Mason and Chance helped Guy’s wife, April, to leave town.”

“Wow!”

“Yeah. He is not a nice man. And she had the bruises to prove it.”

“Oh, no!”

“Yeah. She’s safe now though.”

“Good.”

“It is, but you watch your back and if he says anything to you, don’t let him get inside your head. In fact, if he says anything that makes you wonder about Beau, you come to me, okay? Beau’s the one you need to talk to, but I know how hard it can be to trust after Guy gets to you.”

“Thanks, Gina.”

She nodded. “No worries at all. I want to see the two of you make it, and if I can help in any way, I will. And you can bet any of the others will, too.”

Corinne smiled. “I love the way their family works. They all want to see him happy.”

“And they know you’re the one who can make him happy.”

Corinne loved to think that Beau’s family thought she was good for him. She already knew that he was good for her and Ruby.

They walked in silence for a few minutes. “Oh, I also wanted to ask you about dinner this week. We’re having it at the cottage on Wednesday, if that works for you.”

“It does. I might need to bring Ruby.”

“You know she’s more than welcome.”

“Thanks.”

“Okay, well I should probably get going. I need to get to the gallery and meet with Cassidy.”

“Say hi to her for me.”

“Will do. I think she’s your biggest fan. She didn’t think much of Beau until he met you. You should have heard her on Saturday after you guys left. She was so impressed with the way he handled the dividing of the ranch.”

“I can’t take any credit for that. Beau’s making a lot of progress all by himself.”

Gina gave her a knowing smile. “He’s not by himself, though, is he? Not anymore.”

Corinne nodded. No matter what reservations she might have about taking things slowly, it seemed they really were in it together. Beau was stepping up and growing, Ruby was blossoming, and she herself was feeling more relaxed and settled than…well, than she ever had now she thought about it. That was quite a realization.

Gina raised an eyebrow. “Penny for them?”

“I’m just realizing how good we are together.”

“You are. I understand your wanting not to rush, but if I were you, I wouldn’t take it too slowly either. Take it from one who knows, when you know you’ve found the right man, all the time in the world won’t change it.” She looked at her watch. “And now I really need to get a move on. See you soon.”

“Yep, see you, and thanks for coming by.”

~ ~ ~

Beau decided he may as well walk to Second Street, it was such a beautiful day and it seemed he rarely got the chance to get outside. He smiled. They should change that this weekend and take Ruby out for a picnic or something. His smile faded when he turned onto Second and saw Guy’s truck parked up outside the house. He had to wonder if he was doing the right thing. After their run in the other day, he’d been surprised when Wanda had handed him the appointment slip. Guy still wanted to see the little house and Beau had to wonder why. He lived down the valley, his ranch was one of the largest in the county. He wished now that he’d gotten around to talking to Gina. She knew something was up.

There was no time now, though. He nodded when Guy climbed out of his truck and grinned at him. “Beau.”

“Guy.”

“I hope we can put recent events aside? I can’t say I’m impressed with your change of attitude toward Chance, but I do know you’re a man who will always put business ahead of other considerations.”

Beau nodded, even though he wasn’t sure he agreed with that assessment. He would have until not so long ago, but these day he knew he’d put Corinne and Ruby ahead of anything else. He made his way up the path to the front door. “Let’s get on with business then.” He opened the lockbox and let them in. “I’m sure you don’t need the realtor spiel, so I’ll let you look around.”

Guy smiled and wandered into the kitchen.

“How are your folks doing?” he called.

“Good, thank you.” Beau had to wonder where in the hell he was going with that.

“Are they all set to head for warmer climes this winter?”

“They are.”

“It’ll be strange for them not to live at the ranch when they come back, won’t it?”

“I guess.” He knew Guy was fishing, but he didn’t know what for. He didn’t intend to give anything away.

Guy wandered around the house and then came back to join him in the living room. “It’s great. I want it.”

“What for?” Beau let his curiosity get the better of him.

Guy shrugged. “I don’t know. I just figure it’d be good to have a little place in town.”

Beau shrugged. He didn’t need to know. “Okay. What kind of offer do you want to make?”

“Five grand more than any other.”

“What?” That was crazy. As far as he knew there hadn’t been any other offers on the place.

Guy gave him a condescending smile. “You just run along and write it up for me, okay?”

Beau shrugged. “Okay.”

When he got back to the office he decided to call Gina. Maybe she had some insight on what Guy was up to.

“Hey, Beau!” she answered.

“Hi, Gina. Can I ask you what you were worried about when you mentioned Guy Preston being interested in the place on Second Street?”

“Sure. It was ages ago that your mom had mentioned she wanted to look at it. You know, when they were thinking they were going to move up there. It struck me as odd that Guy then started showing an interest. I guess I’m just paranoid about him, but I thought maybe he’d got wind and was trying to make sure your folks couldn’t buy it. It was probably silly of me. And it doesn’t make any difference now, does it? Not since their wonderful son gave them a cottage right there on the ranch.”

He had to smile at that last part. His mind was working overtime though. “I guess Guy doesn’t know about the cottage.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, why would he? Unless any of you have talked about it. And I just showed him the house on Second. I knew he had to be up to no good and the offer he wants me to write up doesn’t make any sense.”

“Why?”

“He’s wants to beat out any other offers, and he’s willing to pay over the odds to do it.”

Gina laughed. “Well, I hope you’re going to let him. It’d serve him right.”

Beau thought about it. It would. “I dunno, G. It’d hardly be ethical, would it?”

“No, you’re right. But it would be fun!”

He chuckled. “True. Anyway, I’ll let you go. Thanks for the info.”

“No worries. Oh, and I saw Corinne this morning.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I like her Beau, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

She laughed. “Okay, I will. You don’t yet know that there are going to be four Remington weddings this year, but I’d put money on it.”

He had to smile. “Damn, I hope you’re right.”

“Me too.”

He didn’t know what else to say. He felt as though he might have opened up too much. “Well, I’ll see ya.”

“Bye, Beau.”

He hung up and stared at the wall for a moment. He would love to think that he and Corinne might get married before the year was out, but he could hardly see it. She wanted to take things slowly and he understood that.

While he still had his phone in his hand, he decided to give her a call.

“Hey,” she sounded pleased to hear from him.

“Hey. I just wanted to check in with you. How’s your day going?”

“Okay. Busy. And I saw Gina this morning. Dinner is at their house this week.”

Beau smiled to himself. He loved the idea that they were now one of the couples. Gina hadn’t mentioned dinner to him, but she hadn’t needed to. She’d already spoken to Corinne. “Great.”

“I was wondering if you think we should offer to host next week?”

He grinned. “I’d love to. I’d thought about it, but I wasn’t sure.”

“Well, I like the idea if you do.”

“I love it. It gives me hope.”

“Hope?”

“That we’re getting closer. That you’re starting to trust that we’re for keeps.”

She was quiet for a moment. He had to hope he hadn’t pushed it.

“Are you still there?”

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“Did I screw up?”

“No. I did. I was just wondering how to tell you that I think we
are
getting closer.”

He smiled. “To each other, or to the point when you’ll say yes?”

She was quiet again, but this time he waited.

“Both.”

Wow! “You have no idea how happy that makes me, sweetheart.”

“Well, touché, because you have no idea how happy you make me.”

She was right, he didn’t! But hearing her say that gave him hope for the future—and hope that the future might come sooner than he’d thought. “I want to make you happy for the rest of your life, Corinne.”