Beau: Mavericks of Montana Creek — Book Two

by Hayes, Somer

  I smiled.

  Grace: I’m headed to practice. Have a good night.

  Beau: You too.

  I left Claire to her battle and went to the bathroom to freshen up. I dressed in jeans and a sweater, then pulled a blazer over the top. I fed Claire, then with plenty of time to spare, walked to the theater.

  For the first time since I’d gotten to Great Falls, the theater was bustling and full of life rather than dark and empty as I’d grown accustomed to. Parents and their kids milled about chatting and smiling. Instruments squeaked and squawked. A warmth began to unfurl in my chest. This was a good sign.

  I smiled and greeted people, then made my way to the stage. I’d hoped to meet the conductor before practice began. I found a thin woman with gray hair organizing chairs on the stage.

  “Hi, are you Linda?” I called so I wouldn’t scare her as Beau had me.

  She stood and turned in my direction. “I am.”

  I climbed the stairs and smiled. “I’m Grace Sutherland. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  “Grace, I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”

  “Likewise. I’m so glad you agreed to volunteer with the kids.” Linda was the conductor for the Great Falls Symphony which was a paid position, but there was no room in the budget for the junior symphony. I’m not sure what we would have done if she hadn’t agreed to help out.

  “Of course. We’ve got to instill the love in them at a young age so that they’ll grow up and want to join our symphony.” She gave me a conspiratorial wink.

  “My thoughts exactly. Do you mind if I sit in tonight? I’d love to watch the kids.”

  “Absolutely. You’re welcome any time. Do you play?”

  I nodded. “The cello, but my skills are probably on par with the kids at this point.”

  She laughed. “I know who I’ll call if I ever need a stand-in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better open the doors before we have a riot on our hands.”

  I walked down the aisle with her and took a seat near the back. She opened the doors and bodies began filing in. She welcomed everyone then began calling the kids one at a time, inviting them to join her on stage and showing them where they would be sitting. She was warm but efficient.

  “On your stands are sheets of music. These are the songs we’ll be working on this season. I’d encourage you to take them with you and practice at home. Ready to get started?”

  An excited cheer went up, and I felt Claire stir. I unzipped the pouch so she could poke her head out and watch the action.

  Soon, the sounds of an orchestra filled the air, and though it was rough, and Linda had her work cut out for her, it was wonderful to hear. I couldn’t keep the smile from my face as I watched the little hands work their bows, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. It was like watching my childhood. I stayed and watched for just under an hour, then slipped out the back door. It was obvious Linda had everything under control and wouldn’t be needing me for anything.

  I returned home and got both Claire and myself ready for bed. I set my alarm for four hours instead of two per Beau’s instructions, then climbed between the covers. I checked my phone for good measure, but no more messages from Beau. It was just as well. I knew I needed to get caught up on some sleep, so I snuggled into bed and drifted off to the sounds of the symphony.

  28

  Beau

  I woke up on Friday, and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I didn’t want to go to work. Grace was coming over tonight, and I didn’t know how I’d be able to focus on anything else. I’d already had Nancy mark me as unavailable the last part of the afternoon, so I could go shopping and get everything I’d need to make dinner.

  I stretched, groaned, and decided I might as well get up and start the day. Chip followed me into the bathroom, and when I turned on the stream of water in the walk-in shower, he waddled in and sat down.

  “What are you doing, man? You’re getting all wet.”

  He laid down and began licking the floor.

  “You’re so weird,” I told him and stepped under the spray. He stayed with me for the entire shower, which was uncomfortable, and then followed me when I got out. I dried him with a towel, but he still did a doggy shake and sprayed me and the bathroom with the excess moisture.

  Sometimes I wondered if I ever smelled like anything besides wet dog. I went to the closet, threw on a pair of trusty scrubs, then went to the kitchen to feed Chip and make some coffee. Once he was finished eating, I made myself a thermos, and we started our walk to work. Something had shifted in the air last night, and all remnants of summer were gone. It was a true autumn morning in Montana. I began preparing a mental list of the things I wanted to get for that evening when I felt the leash tug.

  Chip had laid down. “Seriously? We’re not even halfway there yet.” He rolled over in full surrender mode and batted one paw at me. “You can do it. Come on.” I tugged on his harness. He made no reaction, and I knew I was fighting a losing battle. I let out a sound of frustration but bent to pick him up. I carried him the rest of the way to work, and when I came in the back door, Nancy was waiting with one judgmental eyebrow raised.

  “You know he’s never going to lose the weight if you keep hauling him around like that.”

  “What do you want me to do, drag him down the sidewalk?”

  I sat him down, and he sped off toward the treat cabinet.

  “It seems to me he’s perfectly capable of getting around on his own.”

  “You know, I keep meaning to fire you.”

  “I know.” She pulled the calendar she printed for me each morning and handed it to me. “Pretty light day for a Friday.”

  I scanned the page and agreed. Good. I should be able to get out of there on time. I went to my office, checked my email, then put on my coat and went to check on my first appointment of the day. Despite not being too busy and thinking about Grace every other minute, the day moved quickly, and soon it was time to head out.

  “Have a good weekend, guys,” I called to the staff, then Chip and I walked home. He made it the entire way without any drama, so when we got inside the house, I gave him a treat. I then let him out into the backyard to hang out while I took another shower as was my habit after work, then got dressed in jeans, boots, and a flannel. I ran my fingers through my hair and called it good. Then I went back downstairs, checked on Chip who had found a sunny patch of grass to take a nap in, then went to the garage. It was also my habit to get in the truck, but something about today called me to the sporty BMW parked on the end that rarely got any use. I walked to it, got in, and put the top down. I backed out of the garage and cruised down the road. The smooth handling made me wonder why I didn’t take it more often than I did.

  I went to my usual grocery store and found a spot to park. I went inside, grabbed a basket and began filling it with the items on my mental checklist. It wouldn’t be a fancy dinner, but it would be good, I hoped. When I went to the checkout, I recognized the boy behind the counter as having come to the clinic recently with his new puppy for a checkup.

  “Hi, Dr. Maverick,” he said.

  “Hey, Pete,” I replied after I’d read his nametag. “How’s Superman?” I’d always been better at remembering the names of pets than their owners.

  “He’s awesome. Getting way bigger than I’d thought he would.”

  Superman is a Rottweiler. I wondered if Pete knew what he was getting when he’d picked him out. “Yep, you’re going to have a big boy on your hands.”

  “And he’s SO slobbery.”

  “Ha, yes. They tend to do that.”

  We finished our niceties, and I paid for the groceries and then stopped for a bottle of wine. Grace was due to come over in just under two hours. The thought produced an unusual feeling of nervous anticipation. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been excited to spend time with another human. I hoped she was feeling the same thing, at least to some degree.

  29

  Grace

 
I checked the clock for the millionth time today. I had tried to spend time in the office catching up on email and paperwork, but it had mostly been a waste. I was too anxious about my evening with Beau to focus on anything else.

  Finally, I’d given up pretending like I was going to get any work done and had gone home. I’d taken my time in the shower, shaving and moisturizing and overgrooming in general, and then came the crisis of deciding what to wear. My closet was a sea of black, gray, and navy. And what did one wear on a date at someone else’s house, anyway? I wanted to look casual, but cute. I’d finally decided on a pair of jeans and found a red sweater I’d forgotten I owned. I stepped into a pair of black boots and checked the clock again.

  Still had an hour to kill. Ugh, I was pathetic. I paced the house, picked up a magazine, flipped through it, dropped it back on the coffee table. I turned the TV on, channel surfed, turned it back off, and paced some more. I checked on Claire who was asleep and oblivious to my distress. Finally, I picked up the phone and called my grandmother.

  “Hello, dear.”

  “Hi, Grandma.”

  “How are you?”

  “In general, really good. Things are going great at work. I’m feeling more organized, we’ve got money coming in, and the junior symphony had their first practice last night.”

  “That’s wonderful news.”

  “I have a date tonight,” I blurted.

  She was silent for a beat. “With a man?”

  “Yes, Grandma. A real, live man.”

  “Would I approve?”

  I thought about that. “He’s very smart and funny even if he’s not trying to be. He’s a hard worker and super involved in the community.” I hesitated. “He comes from a good and very wealthy family.”

  I found I didn’t like saying that out loud. I genuinely liked Beau, and I didn’t want to let the fact that he came from money influence my feelings toward him.

  “Hmm.”

  “What?”

  “Does he treat you well?”

  “You remember when I first got here, and that one board member kept giving me a hard time?”

  “That awful cowboy-type person?”

  I cringed. Perhaps I should have been a little more diplomatic in my description. “Yes. It’s, uh, it’s him.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  “I know. But once I got to know him a little better, I decided he wasn’t so bad.”

  “Is he just not so bad, or is he actually good?”

  I thought about that. “I think he’s actually good.”

  “Then I approve.”

  I smiled. “That means a lot.”

  “But I wouldn’t mention this to your father,” she warned.

  “Why do you think I called you? He’d lose his ever-loving mind if he thought I was dating some rugged, mountain-man type.” My dad was an odd mixture of aloof and overprotective. He’d raised me with the help of my grandmother after losing my mom in a car accident when I was just a baby. He’d been entirely unprepared for single parenthood and veered widely from immersed in his own life and career to overly interested in mine. Grandma had always been our family’s compass.

  “Don’t worry about him. I’ll handle it if the need arises. You go and enjoy yourself tonight.”

  I smiled into the phone. “Thanks, love you.”

  “I love you, too, dear.”

  I hung up the phone and checked the clock again. I’d spent enough time talking to Grandma that if I drug my feet, I could leave now and not get there too early. I tucked Claire into her pouch, strapped her to me, then went to my car. I’d considered walking but didn’t want to worry about wild animals eating me on my way home if it was dark out. I took the long way to Beau’s house, meandering through the city streets, discovering new places and interesting architecture. Great Falls really was a pretty town.

  I pulled in front of Beau’s house at exactly six o’clock. Way to play it cool, Grace. I got out of the car and opened one of the back doors and picked up the bottle of wine and cinnamon rolls I’d brought along, then I went to the front door and rang the bell.

  “Coming,” I heard Beau call, then heard his footsteps coming down the hall, my heartbeat seeming to accelerate to match his pace. He opened the door wide and smiled down at me. “Yep,” he said.

  “Yep, what?” I asked.

  “Red is your color.” I grinned and blushed.

  “You look nice, too.” It was so unfair that he could look as gorgeous as he did in a simple flannel and jeans.

  “Come on in. I’ve just about got everything ready.” He put his hand on the small of my back and led me down the long hallway toward the kitchen. The closer we got, the better it began to smell.

  “Smells good,” I told him.

  “I retained very little of what my mom tried to teach me in the kitchen, but I have a couple of go-to recipes. Do you like pasta?”

  “Love it.”

  “Good, because that’s what we’re having, and I’d hate to make you sit here and watch me eat it all by myself.”

  I laughed. “Sorry, I’m afraid you’re going to have to share tonight.”

  “I’ll make you a plate. Where would you like to eat?”

  I looked around his spacious home. “What are my options?”

  “We can eat in here at the island, or over there in the breakfast nook, or in the formal dining room, or we can sit outside. I started a fire earlier.”

  “Let’s sit outside. It’s a beautiful night.”

  “Yay, that was my first choice, too.” He pulled two plates from a cupboard and began filling them.

  “Where is your bottle opener?” I asked. “I’ll pour us some wine.” I held up the bottle I’d brought.

  “Opener is in that drawer,” he pointed. “And the glasses are in the cabinet above.” I found everything he’d directed me to and poured two glasses a little fuller than I typically would. I took a sip and hoped the rich liquid would help calm my nerves.

  “Would you mind getting the door?” he asked.

  I went to the glass doors he’d gestured to, opened one, and stepped into paradise. His backyard was as beautiful as the rest of his home. A high brick fence cordoned off the space making it feel private and intimate. Along the far wall was a rectangular-shaped pond with a fountain spraying softly and between the pond and the paved patio where I stood were beautiful gardens and limestone pathways. To my right was a gazebo. To my left, an outdoor kitchen, dining area, seating area, and a massive fireplace with a roaring fire inside.

  Beau went to the dining table and set our plates down. “Grab a seat,” he told me. “I’ll get the wine.”

  I moved to the table and ran my hand along the beautifully restored wood before taking a seat. Everything outdoors was done as tastefully as the interior had been. I again marveled that one person could own so much beauty and had to admit that I felt out of place. Beau returned and took the seat at the head of the table, directly to my right. Gaslight lamps dotted the yard and lent their glow to the fire which played off the strong planes of Beau’s features. The whole effect felt magical.

  “You think you’ll need anything else? Salt or more cheese or whatever?” he asked.

  I looked at the plate in front of me for the first time. It was filled with buttery noodles, warm bread, and grilled vegetables. I picked up my fork and tested a noodle. It held hints of lemon and red pepper. I shook my head. “No, this is delicious.”

  “I know it’s simple, but it’s my go-to comfort food.”

  “Mine is usually soup. My grandma makes a mean clam chowder.”

  Beau took a sip of his wine. “You haven’t mentioned much about your family. Fill me in.”

  As we ate and drank, I told him about my grandma and dad, about growing up in a symphony set in the Northeast, about my college years, and how I’d jumped at the chance to fill the position of executive director at my home symphony. By the time we’d finished our meal, he pretty much knew everything there was to know about me. I looked do
wn and flushed.

  “I’m sorry. I feel like I’ve been talking nonstop since I got here.” I took another drink of wine.

  “Not at all. I’m glad to learn some more about you, though it’s hard to picture you in that world.”

  “Really? Why?”

  He gave an easy shrug. “I guess because I’ve only known you in this context.”

  That made sense. If I’d met him anywhere else in the world, I could never have placed him in this house or this beautiful setting. “It’s funny. I don’t feel much different than when I’m back home in New Hampshire, and yet, I feel entirely different, too. There is something so wild and free about this place.”

  He was watching me with those deep-set blue eyes again. “Montana can have that effect, no doubt. Would you like any more to eat?”

  “I’m stuffed but thank you.”

  “Okay. Leave your dishes there. Let’s move to the fire. Can I get you a refill?” He held up his empty glass.

  “Sure, thanks.”

  He carried our glasses back into the house, and I moved to the living area where the fireplace was. I stood in front of it, the mantle hovering a full foot above my head. The furniture was also oversized, done in deep mahogany with cream and navy accents. I chose the couch and sat down, self-consciously tucking a foot under me.

  Beau returned with two full glasses and sat next to me, sparing no space between us. I found that having him near me helped me feel more at ease, which made no sense, but I decided not to analyze that one and instead let myself lean into his side. He stretched one arm along the back of the couch behind my head. We sat quietly for several moments, just sipping wine and breathing in each other and the night.

  “This is so nice,” I told him.

  “You’re not bored? I maybe should have offered to take you out on the town.”

  “No, not at all. I much prefer this.”

  “Me, too,” he said.

  His dog, Chip, came wandering up from somewhere in the yard, yawning and smacking his lips. He walked over to Beau who scratched his head and murmured something about being too lazy, then he came over to me and hopped up, placing his front paws on my knees. He stared at me and breathed heavily.