Brides on the Run (Books 1-4): Small-Town Romance Series

by Jami Albright

  “Beau.”

  Without a backward glance, he turned and walked back to his truck, leaving her in the middle of the prison she’d made for herself.

  Chapter 33

  Beau slammed the butt of his hand into the steering wheel as he drove through Zachsville. He was on his way to the slut hut to pick up his things and move back to Jack and Luanne’s. No way was he living behind Hailey’s house. She didn’t want him? Fine. But he couldn’t see her every day.

  There were lots of women who would come running the minute he snapped his fingers. Always had been. They appreciated him, and didn’t blame him for shit that wasn’t his fault. This was why a relationship and family were impossible for someone like him. He’d forgotten that for a while, but now he remembered. He grabbed his phone from the cup holder in his truck and punched a button.

  “What’s up, Beau?”

  “Hey, Buddy, why don’t you, me, and Tom go out tonight and celebrate?”

  “Sounds good. I’ll set it up and call Tom. I’ll call you back in a bit with the details.”

  “Awesome, man. Thanks.” He disconnected the call, tossed his phone aside, and tried to work up some excitement for the night ahead.

  He swung into Hailey’s driveway and pulled to a stop. It shouldn’t take him long to pack. What he couldn’t carry, he’d send someone to load up for him. He climbed out of the truck, and his boots skidded to a stop when he saw Lottie, May, and Derek on the back porch.

  Derek was standing with his hands on his hips and the ever-present scowl on his face. “Lottie, get the hell in the car. I don’t have all day.”

  Lottie clung to May’s waist. “I don’t want to go, Daddy.”

  “Derek, we’ll just send Piper’s gift with you. Lottie missed school today and has make-up work to finish. She also had a bad asthma attack last night, so she should probably rest.” May’s reasonable tone wavered a bit.

  “No. Piper invited her to the party to be nice, and she’s going.” He grabbed Lottie’s arm rougher than Beau thought he should and pulled her away from May.

  Oh, hell no. Beau was in Derek’s face before the jackass knew what was happening. “Let go of her.”

  Derek stumbled back a step and Lottie wiggled out of his hold. “Get the fuck out of my face.”

  Beau never took his eyes off Derek. “May, take Lottie inside.”

  “You got it. Come on, darlin’.”

  He didn’t turn around to make sure they complied, but when the door closed he struck…literally.

  The weasel dropped to one knee and covered his left eye. “Are you crazy?” He scrambled to his feet. “I’m calling the law. Let’s see how the press likes that.”

  “Call ’em.” Beau pulled his phone from his pocket. “In fact, I’ll call Hank right now. How do you think he’ll react to you manhandling Lottie?”

  Derek’s tan skin turned the color of weak beer. He knew what Hank would do. “Call him. I’m her father.”

  Beau shrugged. “Fine.” He began punching numbers.

  “Alright. I’ll go.” He took two steps back and pointed his finger at the house. “But you can tell Hailey I’m not coming back.”

  “Tell her yourself. I’m not doing your dirty work for you.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell her.”

  Beau shook his head. “I don’t get you. You’re so lucky to have a great kid like Lottie, and you don’t even care. All she needs from you is a little kindness and she’d worship you, but you can’t pull your head out of your ass long enough to see that.”

  Both Derek’s hands plowed through his hair. “You think you can do it better than me?” He flung his hand toward the house. “Then be my guest.” The guy stormed off holding his eye.

  He could’ve done a whole hell of a lot better than Derek. But now he wouldn’t have the chance. His battered and cracked heart shattered into a dusty pile of rubble. He was a fool to think he could talk himself out of the fact that Hailey and Lottie were his family and that a life with them was what he wanted more than he wanted anything, including all the attention and accolades getting up on stage brought.

  He punched a button on his phone. “Buddy—”

  “Hey, man, I was just about to call you. I’ve set it all up. You, me, Tom and some other people are heading to Sixth Street in Austin. Be ready at nine.”

  The dry grass made a crunching sound as he scraped the toe of his boot back and forth. “Yeah, that’s what I’m calling about. Something’s come up, and I’m not going to be able to make it.”

  “But this was your idea.”

  “I know.” He was an idiot to think he could party his feeling for Hailey away that easily. “I’m sorry. Y’all have a drink for me.”

  “Alright, man. Talk to you later.”

  The phone went dead before he could answer. He couldn’t bring himself to care that Buddy was pissed at him. He just didn’t have the energy.

  “Beau!” Lottie flew out the back door and threw herself into his arms.

  He caught her easily. “Hey, Lil’ Bit. How are you?”

  “Better now that you’re here.” She put her lips to his ear. “Thank you.”

  That just about broke his damn broken heart all over again. He set her down and gave May a pleading look.

  “Lottie, why don’t you go bag up some of those cookies we made for Beau?”

  “Okay!” She ran full steam into the house and slammed the door.

  He slipped his fingers into the back pocket of his jeans. “Thanks.”

  May crossed her arms over her chest. “No problem. I take it by the hound dog look on your face that you went to see Hailey, and Hailey being Hailey, she shut you out.”

  All he could do was nod. The ache in his chest wouldn’t allow any words to form.

  “I had a feeling that was what she’d do. The girl is as stubborn as Spud Lawler’s mule. I once saw that donkey dig his heels in three feet from his feeding trough because Spud put a lead on him. Stupid animal refused to eat for two days until Spud took the lead off.” She shook her head. “Hailey’s a lot like that mule. Cuttin’ off her nose to spite her face.”

  Another nod. What the hell was there to say? “I’ve come to get my stuff, then I’m going to stay at Jack and Luanne’s. Do you think you could keep Lottie occupied until I get out of here? I have no idea what to say to her until I’ve had a little time…” Just the thought of saying goodbye to Lottie hurt like fire.

  May came down the porch steps and wrapped him in a hug. “Aw, darlin’, I’m so sorry.”

  Well, hell, now the burn migrated to his eye sockets. “Thanks,” he managed to squeeze between the misery constricting his vocal cords.

  The older woman’s strong hands grabbed his shoulders and her dark soulful eyes roamed his face. “Maybe she’ll change her mind.”

  “Even if she does, I don’t know if I can get over the fact that she’s blamed me for the bar, and for her not being here. I don’t deserve that, and I don’t know if she’ll be able to accept someone loving her. Shit, I didn’t mean for that to come out.”

  May’s white teeth flashed at him from her cat’s grin. “Don’t be embarrassed, Beau. I’ve known for a long time. I’m pretty sure she feels the same way, but she’s just so damn scared. Also, unless you’ve lived here for the last ten years you can’t understand the kind of hell she’s been through.” She patted his cheek. “Still, that’s no excuse for blaming you for something that wasn’t your fault. But I know you. Your heart’s big enough to forgive her.”

  The back door slammed. “Beau! I got ’em. I gave you extra, and here’s a dog treat for Walter.”

  He cleared the emotion from his throat. “Thanks Lil’ Bit. That’s very sweet.”

  “Wanna go get Walter and go to the park?” Lottie used the toe of her right shoe to scratch her left calf. “I’m sure he’s missed me.”

  “Oh…um…”

  “Lottie, girl. You’ve got school work that we need to get busy on, or your mama will skin us alive.”
<
br />   “Buuuuuuut…” The kid turned the one-syllable word into six.

  May raised a dark brow and pointed to the back door. “Go, before I get your goat.”

  Lottie tried hard for a mulish scowl, but her lips twitched, and then her giggles took over. “May, I don’t have a goat.”

  The adoration on May’s face was clear. “Yes, you do, and I’m going to get it if I don’t see you at that kitchen table working on your make-up homework. Tell Beau bye and then get goin’.”

  “Bye, Beau. See ya later.” Like the oblivious child she was, she waved and skipped up the steps and into the house.

  “Thank you.” He placed his hands on May’s face and kissed her forehead. “Take care of ’em.”

  She gripped his wrist in a surprisingly strong grip. “Take care of you, and don’t give up.”

  He nodded and made his way to his apartment. Hailey was the one who’d given up and wanted nothing to do with him, and like every other time, he couldn’t deny her what she wanted.

  Thirty minutes later he swung into Jack and Luanne’s driveway. The walk to the porch took twice as long due to the heaviness weighing down his legs. He pushed through the front door and nearly jumped out of his skin.

  “Congratulations!” Jack, Luanne, Scarlett, and Gavin yelled. “Congratulations,” Aiden repeated several moments later. Baby Molly squawked from Gavin’s hip, where he held the redheaded beauty. Walter got into the spirit of the celebration and barked his approval too.

  Fucking emotion clogged his throat again. He swallowed once, twice. “Thanks, guys.”

  Luanne waddled up to him and threw her arms around him. “Beau Callen, I’m so happy for you I could just…cry.” She hiccupped a sob.

  He chuckled and smoothed his hand down her head. “Thanks, Lou.”

  She pulled back and wiped her face. “Sorry, it’s just that I know how proud Clyde would be of you.”

  “It’s okay, Lulu.” Jack slid his arm around Luanne. “Yesterday, she cried at a toilet paper commercial.”

  “That mama bear just loves her baby bear so much.”

  Everyone laughed, including Luanne.

  Jack released Luanne and grabbed Beau in a hug that stole his breath. For a second he stood frozen, then he hugged his cousin and friend back so tight that the other man groaned. Jack was his family, and right about now he needed family more than anything.

  His cousin pulled back with concern on his face. “Hey, you alright?”

  He sucked his lips between his teeth, glanced out the window, and shook his head.

  “Hailey?” Luanne’s blue eyes searched his.

  “There was a fire at Boon’s last night.”

  Scarlett’s hand went to her chest. “Oh, no. Was it destroyed?”

  Beau shucked off his jacket and swung it over the back of a chair. “No, but it might as well have been. She’d let her insurance lapse, so…”

  Luanne dropped onto the sofa. “How?”

  His conscience pricked at telling her business, but it’d be around town by the end of the day anyway. “She forgot to make the payment before we left to go to Nashville.” He sat next to Luanne. “She blames me because I took them away, and she wasn’t here when it happened.”

  Scarlett took a fussy Molly from Gavin. “What? That’s ridiculous.”

  “Not to her way of thinking, and she’s made up her mind. We’re done.” He shrugged. “So, I was wondering, could I stay here until I move to Nashville?”

  “Of course,” Jack said. “Are you sure about that? Moving, I mean?”

  Beau rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands between his legs. “Yeah, you guys are right. I need to be there. This week’s proven that.”

  “If you’re sure, I can start setting that up.” Jack sat on the other end of the sofa.

  Was he sure? He sure as hell couldn’t live in Zachsville, seeing Hailey and Lottie and not being a part of their lives. “Do it.”

  Luanne shoved at his leg. “Don’t just sit there, help me get up from this sofa.”

  Beau laughed. “Sure thing, mama. How far along are you now?” He placed his hand on her back and pushed.

  She made it to her feet a little unsteadily. “Thirty-seven weeks. I’m about to give these kids an eviction notice.”

  “Um, Luanne? Baby?” Jack’s voice sounded weird.

  “Yeah?”

  Jack placed his hands on his wife’s shoulders. “Do you need to go to the bathroom?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Luanne’s dark brows slanted over her blue eyes. “Yes, Jack. I’m a grown woman, and I think I know when I need to go to the bathroom.” She searched his face, which appeared to have lost all color. “Why?”

  He pointed to a wet spot where she’d been sitting. Beau jumped back like the spot might spontaneously grow and consume him.

  “Oh,” was all Luanne could say. Just then, a dark stain began to spread down the legs of her pants.

  “Your water broke!” Scarlett squealed.

  “What?” Jack dropped into a chair.

  A huge smile split Luanne’s face. “My water broke, Jack.”

  “No. No. No. It’s too soon.” Jack sat stiff as a board, with a shell-shocked expression on his face.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Jack. Dr. Shelton said they could come early.” Luanne waddled to the bedroom. “Scarlett, will you help me with my bag?” She glanced at Jack still murmuring in the chair and shook her head. “Beau, can you drive us?”

  “Absolutely.” He was as flustered as Jack, but he had less skin in the game.

  “The keys are on the hook in the kitchen. We should take our vehicle. And Gavin?”

  “Yeah?”

  She cocked her head toward Jack. “Do something with him.”

  Gavin chuckled. “I’ll try.”

  Beau grabbed the keys and pulled his phone from his pocket to call Hailey, then remembered everything that’d happened. Strange that in such a short time she’d become his person. The one he wanted to tell all the good news and the bad news. With a heaviness that he was pretty sure would be around for a while, he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

  Jack hadn’t moved, and Gavin was squatting in front of him. “Come on, man. This is exciting.”

  “It’s too soon. What if they’re not ready to be born?” Jack sounded like he’d been huffing helium.

  Beau stifled a chuckle. His cousin was losing it.

  “Jack, these are your kids. They’re too arrogant to be anything but healthy.” Gavin slapped him on the knee. “Now come on. Luanne needs you.”

  Green eyes so much like his own studied Gavin’s face, then Jack nodded and stood. “Okay. Okay. Okay.”

  Luanne and Scarlett came back into the room with Aiden and Molly in tow.

  Jack was pacing around the living area, still mumbling, “Okay. Okay. Okay.” He stopped and glanced around the room with his hands in front of him like he was about to lead the choir at church. “Alright, everyone just calm the hell down.”

  The other four adults in the room exchanged looks and all tried to stifle a laugh. Even Aiden looked at Jack like he was a few bales short of a load.

  “Luanne, have you called Dr. Shelton?”

  “Yes, Jack. She’s going to meet us at the hospital.”

  Still with his hands in the air, he nodded.

  Luanne handed Beau her bag. “Take this to the car. I’ll get him.” She went to Jack and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Hey, Daddy. You ready to go meet your babies?”

  That seemed to jar Jack from his stupor. He glanced down at his wife with a look so fierce and loving that it sucked the air from the room.

  Beau turned his head. It physically hurt to look at the two of them. He jangled the keys. “Ready?”

  Jack slapped him on the back. “Born ready.”

  Beau grinned. “Hell yeah you were.”

  Chapter 34

  Hailey spent the evening making a list for the repairs and writing
down the contractors she needed to contact for quotes. She quickly came to realize that even with the money she’d set aside for the nonprofit, she was still thousands short. A hot lava rock burned in her belly. With every phone call, the news became more and more grim.

  Thankfully her father had taken pity on her and invited Lottie to spend the night. She loved her daughter, but she couldn’t take her hero worship of Beau tonight. Hailey was holding on by a thread as it was. The last thing she needed was Lottie going on and on about how amazing Beau was.

  Her phone rang and she dug through piles of papers to find it. Shit. “Hello, Derek.”

  “Hailey, um… I wanted to let you know that…”

  She heard Ariel in the background say something to Derek. The absolute lack of emotion she had at hearing her former friend’s voice was a relief. She’d fought hard to move past that betrayal. “Do you need to call me back, Derek? It sounds like you’re busy.”

  “No. I’m calling to tell you that I’m moving.”

  Ariel said something else she couldn’t make out.

  “I mean, we…we’re moving.”

  “To another house or another city?”

  “Another city and another house.” His chuckle was like him, totally inappropriate.

  “Where?”

  “Atlanta.”

  “Georgia?”

  “Yes, Atlanta, Georgia. That’s where Ariel’s family is from.” His clipped, defensive tone told her that he knew what he was doing wasn’t right.

  “When?”

  “Four weeks.”

  That meant this had been in the works for some time. “What about Lottie?”

  “I was going to tell her today, after Piper’s party, but she refused to come with me. So…I was thinking you could tell her.”

  Her meditation breathing was barely taking the edge off her anger. “You’re a chicken shit, Derek.”

  “Oh, like you’re any better.”

  “I am better than you.” The truth of her words rang through her mind. Her life might be falling apart, but even on her worst day she was better than him.

  “No—”

  “Thanks for calling. I’ll take care of your mess, just like I always have.” He was yelling when she hung up. She didn’t care. It was shitty of him to leave it to her to tell their daughter, but honestly, he’d probably screw it up, so she’d happily do it if it saved Lottie more heartache.