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

you soon, Shane.”
    Beau hung up smiling to himself. Not so long ago it would never have occurred to him to call Shane back. Nor would he have given the conversation another thought. It seemed he was changing. Was it just because Wanda had pointed out his shortcomings? He didn’t think so.

Chapter Eight
     
    Corinne woke early the next morning and lay staring at the ceiling, running over her encounter with Beau. At dinner at Summer’s house, she’d seen a guy she liked, in personality as well as looks. Well, apart from that one minor detail about Ruby! He was someone she could be friends with. Then when he’d come after her on the way home she’d seen a guy she liked even more, and someone she’d like to be more than friends with. Was that true though? What he was offering was sex. That wasn’t more than friends. It was different from friends, wasn’t it? She sighed. And was it something she was interested in? A wave of heat washed through her. Hell, yes! Her body, at least, was more than interested. The question should be whether or not it was a wise move. It’d be the odd night here and there. He was her new boss’s brother. He was an integral part of the social life she was going to have here. How would it be when they were out with everyone else as they no doubt would be? Would they just screw each other on the quiet and then be civil acquaintances when anyone else was looking? She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. And the most important question was, what about Ruby?
    “Mommy? Are you awake?” As if on cue, Ruby came into the bedroom clutching her favorite bear.
    Corinne sat up. “Yes, I’m awake, sweetie. I’m just getting up.”
    Ruby climbed onto the bed and sat beside her. “How many days until I start school?”
    “Four more.”
    Ruby smiled. “That’s not many.”
    “Are you excited to go?”
    “Yes, I get to play with Tara and Josie, and I get to go to Miss Susie’s with them after school too.”
    Corinne nodded. Ruby was an outgoing little person. She was glad she didn’t have to worry about her being shy or nervous. “Did you have fun with Miss Susie last night?”
    Ruby nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. We did letters and we went for a walk and she told me all the horses’ names. When can I ride Gypsy again?”
    “I don’t know, sweetie. We’ll have to ask Mason.”
    “Tell him I’ve been good, won’t you?”
    Corinne smiled. “I will, because you have. You’ve been very good. Now, do you want to come and help me make us some breakfast?”
    “Yes! Can I squish the oranges?”
    Corinne laughed. “You can help.”
    Once they’d had their breakfast and were dressed and ready for the day, Ruby wanted to take Corinne for a walk to show her where she’d been with Susie last night. Although she still had a lot to do before she started work on Monday, she agreed, knowing that once she did start work there wouldn’t be many opportunities like this to just enjoy time together.
    As they walked down the path from the cabin toward the barn, Ruby chattered about the horses she’d seen last night.
    “Do you want to know who’s my favorite?” she asked.
    “I bet I can guess.”
    “Go on then.”
    “Gypsy?”
    “Nope.”
    “Oh, I don’t know then.”
    “Him!” Ruby pointed to a tall dark horse grazing by himself.
    “And what’s his name?”
    “Troy! Isn’t he handsome?”
    “Yes, he is.” He really was a beautiful horse.
    “He belongs to Beau.”
    “Oh.” Just the mention of his name sent shivers racing through her as she remembered the feel of his lips on hers. Thinking about the way he’d felt as he held her to him, she wondered if there was any way she could turn down his offer.
    “Are you okay, Mommy?”
    “I’m fine, sweetie.” There was her reminder why she should turn him down. She’d have to keep secret from Ruby where she was going, and that just wasn’t right.
    They’d reached the fence and Ruby called to Troy. He lifted his head and looked in