Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

subject. He held his hand out. “I guess we’ve made it to the stage where we should introduce ourselves. I’m Beau.”
    She nodded and shook his hand briefly. Her smile was still there, but it was merely polite now. “It’s nice to meet you, Beau. I’m Corinne.” She raised an eyebrow, apparently waiting for some reaction. Should he know her name for some reason?
    She sighed. “Ruby’s mom.”
    He could feel the blood drain from his face. He didn’t know which was worse: the fact that he’d just told this beautiful woman that her daughter gave kids a bad name, or the fact that she was the two-foot tyrant’s mother. He nodded. He didn’t have any words.
    She pursed her lips and nodded back at him. She wasn’t happy. Not happy at all.
    “Well, it was nice meeting you.” He tipped his hat at her and beat a hasty retreat to the barn. Wonderful! Just wonderful. Wasn’t that just his luck? He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair. The most beautiful woman he’d ever met and she had to be the mother of the brat! He blew out a big sigh. “Fuck it!” He muttered under his breath.
    “Are you okay?” Summer popped her head out from one of the stalls.
    What the hell? Was everyone out here today?
    He nodded. “I’ll survive.”
    She came out and closed the door behind her. “Are you sure? You sounded pretty upset. What is it?”
    Beau shrugged. He wasn’t into talking about his problems, or his personal life, with anyone. If he was he might start with Summer. She was good people. She had a kind heart. She seemed like she cared about everyone, even him. He smiled. “It’s nothing. Really. I just messed up. I made a fool of myself.”
    She gave him an inquiring look.
    He shook his head. “Explaining it would be reliving it, and I’m still cringing from the first time.”
    She laughed. “I know how that goes.”
    Beau couldn’t believe that, but it was sweet of her to say it. “Anyway. It’s good to see you. I’m just on my way out to get to Troy.”
    “Okay. Have fun.”
    “Thanks.” He made his way down the aisle of stalls, headed for the back door. He’d almost reached it when Summer called after him.
    “Oh, and Beau. Dinner’s at our place this week. Wednesday. Can you make it?”
    “I’ll be there. Thanks, Summer.” He went out through the door with a smile on his face. At least that was something to look forward. He enjoyed the family dinners they’d been taking turns to host. He was feeling closer to his brothers than he had in years. He’d even hosted himself one week. Of course all the girls had helped. It had been fun.
    He spotted Troy grazing down by the creek. He whistled and smiled as Troy’s head came up and he looked around. When he saw Beau he gave a loud neigh and came cantering over. That made Beau smile. Troy hadn’t forgotten him, though he had every right to. He came and butted his shoulder, then snuffled around his pocket. Beau hadn’t forgotten either. He pulled out one of Troy’s favorite mints. “There you go, old fella.”
    Troy crunched the mint then lifted his head and peeled his lips back looking for all the world as if he was laughing. Beau laughed with him. He had to laugh. What else could he do? He’d just blown his chances with Beautiful, from now on to be known as Corinne, mother of the monster. He may as well laugh, saddle up his old buddy and get out into the back country for a few hours.
    ~ ~ ~
    Corinne walked down to the arena with a heavy lump of disappointment lodged in her stomach. What could she expect? Her tall, dark stranger was heavy on the good-looking. And good-looking guys never seemed to like kids. Why would they? They could have their pick of all the young, pretty girls who came with no strings and no complications. She shook her head. It wasn’t even that. Yes, she found him attractive, but he was a no-go anyway. It was his obvious dislike for Ruby that hurt her. Ruby was a good kid. Okay, so she was strong-willed. That was a