Read Online Carter (Remington Ranch Book 3) by SJ McCoy - Free Book Online

face. “Problem?”
    “No, no problem. When do you need me?”
    Mason made a face. “For the weekend, if you can?”
    Carter nodded again. “Okay.”
    Mason laughed. “You can say no, you know.”
    Carter shook his head. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to. He wouldn’t let his brother down when he needed his help. “It’s fine. I’ll be there.”
    “Thanks.” Mason looked puzzled. “Are you sure? Is everything okay?”
    “Everything’s just fine.” Carter grinned at his brother. “But if you’re done. I need to get back to work. I want to get this place finished up once and for all.”
    “Sure,” said Mason. “I’ll leave you to it.”
    Carter watched him drive away. He’d still be able to see Summer. Who said she’d want to spend the whole weekend with him anyway? He walked back around the house. He needed to get the last of the aspens planted, then put the final touches on the patio and his work here would be done. He might even get finished up early enough that he could hit the gym. He’d like to fit in a workout before he saw Summer tonight. He should call her. He didn’t know if she wanted to go out to dinner, or if she’d rather keep a low profile. Part of him hoped she did want to go out. That’d make it easier to stick with his plan of taking it slow. He wasn’t sure he could make it through another night of making out on the sofa with her without taking it further. He shook his head. He really needed to get to the gym and work off the frustration building up in his body!
    Just as he got started back on the aspens, his phone rang in his back pocket. He pulled it out.
    “Hey, Beau. Is everything all right?”
    Beau laughed. “Yes, dammit! Have I ever called you because it’s not?”
    Carter shrugged. He needed to find another way to answer his phone, but he did worry. “Sorry. What is it?”
    “Nothing. I mean. I just wanted to check in with you.”
    Carter frowned. That wasn’t like Beau. He might not call because something was wrong, but he sure as hell never called just to shoot the shit either. “About what?”
    “Okay. You got me. I ran into Summer in town.”
    “And?”
    “And as much as you all think I’m an asshole, I care about you, okay? What are you thinking? What’s happening with the two of you?”
    Carter had to laugh. Mason was the one who, as the eldest, normally looked out for his brothers. Beau was generally oblivious to what was going on in the others’ lives. Today it seemed the roles were reversed.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Nothing. It just tickles me to know you care. Thanks, Beau. Don’t worry though. It’s all good.”
    “I hope so.”
    “Why? What makes you think it wouldn’t be?”
    “Nothing. I like Summer. She seems like a decent person. It’s just you. This is the first time I’ve seen you interested in anyone since Trisha, and it’s not exactly a straightforward situation is it?”
    Carter sighed. Beau was right, of course. It wasn’t. “I know, but what can I do? It’s just my luck that the only woman who’s caught my eye happens to be a country music superstar who’s only going to be in my life for three months before she leaves and breaks my heart!”
    Beau was quiet for a long moment.
    “Hey, come on. It is what it is. I’m not as stupid as I make out. I know the score. I was going to try to stay away from her, but that’s really not an option. So, I’m choosing to make the most of the time that she’s here. It’s better to have loved and lost and all that, right?”
    “Are you sure?” asked Beau. “I remember you saying you’d rather never have loved at all after Trisha.”
    Carter sighed. He remembered saying that, too. “I know. But that was different. I thought me and Trisha were forever. I was totally blindsided by what she did. It’s not like that with Summer, is it?”
    “I guess not. If the two of you don’t work out it will be because of circumstances, because of life.”
    “Yep, and I’m old enough and