Read Online Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) by SJ McCoy - Free Book Online

way his pupils dilated before he smiled.
    “It’s good stuff. I know you like it.”
    She looked down at the glass again. More of the expensive Cab?
    He nodded, seeming to have heard the question she hadn’t asked as she took it from him.
    “Thank you.”
    “Can I take it you two have met before?” asked Shane.
    Corinne wasn’t sure she liked the mischievous gleam in his eye. She simply nodded, unsure how best to answer.
    Beau surprised the hell out of her when he came to stand beside her. “We have.”
    Her traitorous body was loving the closeness of him. Waves of goose bumps chased each other down her spine as he rested his hand on the counter behind her. Why could her brain not take charge and remind her racing heart and butterfly-filled stomach that this man thought Ruby was a monster?
    “Hey, Corinne,” called Cassidy. “You need to come out on the deck and see the view from here.”
    She knew Cassidy was trying to rescue her—from the brother that she thought had his head up his ass! Part of her wanted to stay by his side, but that was crazy! Cassidy was offering her weak-willed self a lifeline, and she needed to grab onto it while she could.
    “If you’ll excuse me?” She didn’t dare look into his eyes; she just hurried over to where Cassidy was waiting by the doors that led out onto the deck. She could feel him watching her with every step she took.
    Once they were out on the deck, Cassidy closed the door behind them and held up her glass in a toast. “You can thank me anytime, though now would good.”
    Corinne laughed and chinked her glass against Cassidy’s. “Thank you.”
    Cassidy raised an eyebrow. “So how do you know Beau?”
    “I don’t know him. We just ran into each other a couple of times already.”
    “Oh, shit! You don’t like him, do you? I didn’t screw up, did I?”
    “No! I appreciate you springing me from what could have been an awkward moment.”
    “Why awkward? And why didn’t you say no?”
    “No to what?”
    “To the question of whether you like him.”
    Corinne blew out a sigh. “Okay. I can answer both questions in one go.” Why not? She may as well admit what was going on. Cassidy was going to be a part of her life, she hoped they would become friends, and friends shared confidences. “Awkward because, yes, I do find him attractive.”
    Cassidy shrugged. “I can see that. He is a good-looking guy.”
    “However, he can’t stand Ruby and,” she had to smile, “I have it on good authority that he has his head up his ass!”
    Cassidy chuckled. “Umm. I’m guessing I may have screwed up and said that when Ruby was around?”
    Corinne nodded. “Just a heads-up, if you don’t want something repeated, make sure she’s not within earshot when you say it.”
    “And try to make sure I don’t use any bad words, right? I’m sorry.”
    Corinne held up a hand. “No, I wasn’t…”
    “It’s okay. You’re too nice to say it, but I should know better. Anyway, where does all that leave you with Beau? Torn, I guess?”
    Corinne shook her head. “No. It has to be cut and dried. How could I like a guy who thinks my daughter is a monster?”
    Cassidy pursed her lips. “I’m sure Beau thinks all kids are monsters. It’s nothing personal.”
    “It is to me!”
    “I know, but…Damn, I can’t believe I’m going to stick up for him, but I guess he and I are the same in this. He’s not used to kids. He doesn’t know how to treat them, and well, more than that even, Beau’s not used to anyone telling him what’s what. From what I’ve seen, Ruby speaks her mind.” She smiled. “You know, I just realized that maybe I’ve struggled with Ruby because she and I are pretty much alike. Strong, smart and not afraid to speak our minds.” She nodded. “She’s a good kid!”
    Corinne had to smile, thankful that Cassidy’s breakthrough regarding Ruby had come so easily. If only the same thing could happen for Beau! “Okay, so you figured out what your problem