Free Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) by SJ McCoy

Summer shot him as she asked the question. “How’s she settling in?”
    Corinne nodded. “So far, so good. She’s looking forward to starting Pre-K. And Susie’s going to be picking her up and dropping her off.”
    “I’m glad that worked out,” said Shane.
    “Me too. Thanks so much for suggesting it.”
    “Sure thing. I knew she was looking after her grandkids, and I figured it might help you both out. Plus it gives Ruby some built-in friends before she starts school.”
    “Is she with Susie tonight?” asked Beau. He’d wondered where she was, but hadn’t liked to ask.
    “She is.” Corinne checked her watch. “And I should probably get going. I don’t want to leave them too long on their first night together.
    Damn! Beau hadn’t intended to scare her off.
    “Don’t go yet!” said Shane. “It’s early! Susie will think you don’t trust her if you go back now!”
    Corinne shook her head. “I’m sure she’ll understand a nervous momma.”
    Summer nodded. “You go if you want to. There’ll be plenty of other times you can come for the whole evening.”
    Corinne gave her a grateful smile. Beau had to wonder how it must feel to be her. He had no clue.
    He went with the others as they all gathered in the hallway to say good-bye to her. He hung back as hugs and kisses were exchanged. He came to his senses when he watched her hug Carter. No way was he about to miss out on that. He stepped forward and held his arms open to her. “It was good to see you again.”
    She froze as she stared up into his eyes. She looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights. He wasn’t going to let her escape though. He stepped forward. He felt a tremor run through her as she leaned in to hug him. It passed through her and made him shiver too. Whatever this current was that was running between them, it had him letting her go far more quickly than he’d planned—but only so that he didn’t make a fool of himself by giving in to the desire to kiss her—right there in front of everyone and to hell with it!
    She looked stunned as she stepped back awkwardly. She backed into Mason and dropped her purse, sending its contents spilling all over the floor. She managed to push everything back inside, well, almost everything, Beau saw something she’d missed. She gave them all an embarrassed smile. “Well, now I really am going. Thanks for tonight this was great guys.”
    As he watched the girls walk her down the steps and to her car, he wondered if he should go after her. He shook his head. He knew he should, but he’d wait a little while first. As the guys made their way back to the living room, he bent down and picked up her cell phone from where it had slid under the bench in the hallway. He wouldn’t leave it too long, he needed to follow her with it. He hated the thought of her driving alone with no phone if she needed it. He waited until she’d pulled away and the girls were making their way back up the steps.
    He went out onto the front deck and held up the phone. “Look what she lost when she dropped her purse!”
    “Oh, no!” Summer turned around to check but Corinne had already disappeared down the long driveway.
    “We can drop it off to her on our way home,” said Gina.
    Beau shook his head. “What if she has a problem on the way home? I’ll go take it to her.”
    “Thanks, Beau!” Summer looked genuinely relieved.
    “Are you coming back?” Cassidy looked skeptical.
    He shook his head. “I was about ready to head home anyway.”
    “Yeah, right!” Cassidy laughed. “Good luck. And you know, I’ve been with you on the whole Ruby thing, but if you think about her being just like you, only smaller. It gives you a whole different perspective.”
    Beau stared at her. He didn’t know what to say. How did Cassidy even know that Ruby was a problem for him? Had Corinne told her? And if so, why?
    She grinned at him. “Go give it a shot cowboy, we’re not stupid. We can see what’s going on, just think on