Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) by SJ McCoy Page A

dark by the time he arrived home. He unlocked the front door and went through to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of wine. He’d been back to Deb’s and bought another four bottles of the Cab. He needed to finish the one that was open.
    His cell phone rang in his pocket and he pulled it out. Shane.
    “What’s up?”
    “Just making sure there’s nothing up with you.”
    “What might possibly be up with me, oh littlest of the brothers?”
    Shane laughed. “Umm, my new manager maybe? It was hard to miss the fireworks flying between the two of you. Then you shot out of Carter’s place to chase after her. Want to tell me what’s going down?”
    “Nothing.”
    Shane waited.
    “Yet.”
    “Yeah, that’s more like it. But how’s it going to work?”
    Beau thought about it. He didn’t really want to tell Shane that he’d just made his newest employee an indecent proposal. He wasn’t sure what Shane would make of it. He wasn’t sure what he made of it himself really. “I don’t know yet. It might not even work at all, but there’s a spark there.”
    “Jesus, Beau. That’s no spark, that’s a big-ass flame waiting to ignite a wildfire.”
    Beau laughed.
    “Seriously, bro. You’re getting into something big there.”
    “You sound concerned.” Beau might have expected that from Carter, but not Shane. It seemed his littlest brother really was growing up. Or maybe it was just the love of a good woman that helped him see farther than jokes and sex.
    “I am. I don’t see you taking on Ruby. And I don’t see Corinne being interested in a guy who doesn’t like her kid. I don’t want to see you screw yourself over.”
    “And you don’t want to lose your new lodge manager?”
    Shane laughed. “No, I don’t. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing her turn into my next sister-in-law. I mean, then we’d have a full set.”
    Beau stared at the phone for a moment. “What the fuck, Shane? Have you lost it? This is me you’re talking to, remember? Even if I was looking to settle down, it sure as hell wouldn’t be with Ruby.”
    “Yeah. I know. Just pulling your leg.” He didn’t sound as though he was.
    “Okay, well is that all you wanted to know?”
    “I guess. Will you be out to the ranch this weekend?”
    “Yeah. I want to ride Troy again, and I need to see the oldies.”
    “Uh-oh. Are you still on the warpath about the ranch?”
    He sighed. “No. As a matter of fact, I want to do something nice for them. Not that you’ll believe that of me. See ya.”
    He hung up, pissed that everyone got so antsy about his opinion on the division of the ranch, or more specifically on Chance getting a share. He stared out the window. Why shouldn’t they get that way, though? He never missed an opportunity to make his opinion known. He felt bad. Shane had only been trying to talk honestly with him, and he’d shut him down. He needed to stop doing that. Wanda’s words about him putting up walls and keeping people out echoed in his head. He picked his phone up and called Shane back.
    “Hello?”
    “It’s me, asshole.”
    “I know.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Can you just wait while I find a way to record this conversation and then repeat that?”
    He had to laugh.
    “I’m sorry, too, Beau. I didn’t mean to piss you off. I guess we’ve just gotten so much more relaxed with each other lately. I felt comfortable enough to say it before I remembered I shouldn’t go there.”
    “Damn.”
    “What?”
    “Am I that bad?”
    “You haven’t been lately, no.”
    “Well, I guess that’s something, at least.”
    “It is. Anyway, we don’t need to be on the phone for hours doing kissy, kissy make up stuff. I’m sorry, and I’m thrilled that you called me back.”
    “I’m sorry, too. I think I’m getting a bit better. And I’m glad I called you back, too.”
    “Great. Then everything’s just peachy again. Kissy, kissy, smoochy, smoochy, love you big bruv. Talk to you soon.”
    Beau laughed. “Yeah, right. See