by SJ McCoy
He laughed, pleased that she’d made the effort to wear something sexy for him, and even more pleased that she was happy to admit it. “I’d offer to stick around and help you get warm, but that may not be the best idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea!”
He laughed again. “So do I, but I think it will be even better if we take our time and get there the right way.” He looked into her eyes. “I want you, Summer. I can’t lie. But you only get one first time. I want to make it right.”
She nodded. “So do I.”
All of a sudden he felt as though he’d said too much. He bent down to put his socks on and then hopped around to get into his boots. “I have to go. I’ll call you later.” He made for the front door, but stopped when he reached it. She’d followed him with a worried look on her face. He smiled. “I’m running out on my embarrassment, not on you.”
Her face relaxed as she smiled back. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Carter.”
“I know, and I’ll be damned if that doesn’t make me feel even more embarrassed. So let me make my undignified exit, huh?”
She gave a little laugh and put a hand on his shoulder. “Okay. As long as you promise you’ll call me later.”
He laughed at that. As if he could forget! “You have my word.”
“Thank you.” She stood on tiptoe and pecked his cheek.
It was all he could do to stop himself from pulling her to him. Instead he cupped her face between his hands and planted a gentle peck on her forehead. “See you.”
~ ~ ~
Summer sighed as she watched his truck disappear. She shouldn’t be disappointed that he had to go to work. He had a business to run, a life to live. But she was disappointed nevertheless. She shouldn’t be disappointed that she hadn’t been able to persuade him into her bed—last night or this morning. He was a gentleman and he wanted to take his time. But she was disappointed nevertheless. He was so damned sexy! He did funny things to her insides. She wanted him. She didn’t want to wait! But part of her was glad that they hadn’t gone to bed together. There was no need to rush. He was right; they should take their time. She went back to the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. As she took it through to the living room, she couldn’t help but think that they shouldn’t take too much time. Not if they were only going to have three months together. She sat down in the big armchair beside the window where she could admire the view. They couldn’t have anything more than that. Could they?
Sitting there sipping her coffee and staring out at the beautiful mountains, she had to wonder. Last night, talking with Cassidy, she’d realized that she would have to decide for herself what she wanted her future to hold. If that was the case, then she really ought to start thinking about what mattered most to her. She sighed. How could she do that just yet? Carter was a big part of why she was even considering staying here in the valley. And how could she make a decision based on him and her feelings for him? They hadn’t even been out on a date yet. She smiled through pursed lips—hadn’t even slept together yet. Surely she needed to take more time? Ugh. This was like a vicious circle. She needed to make up her mind because they had so little time. She couldn’t make up her mind because they’d had so little time. What was a girl supposed to do? She shrugged and took her mug back through to the kitchen. This girl was going to do what she always did. She was going to take a shower, make herself presentable, and then figure it out!
An hour later she was showered, dressed, and had her makeup on. She looked like Summer Breese, the country music artist. Which meant she felt like shit! She wandered around the house. The beauty of this place was that she didn’t have to do anything. She was here to rest, but today she didn’t feel like resting. She wanted to do something. She was antsy. She should head up to town. She needed to shop for groceries, but she was a little nervous about going out in public by herself. The people of the valley had been great last time she was here and they’d left her in peace. Many of them had seemed to recognize her when she’d been up to town, but no one had made a fuss. Some had smiled and waved. Others had nodded in recognition, but no one had come up to her and harassed her. She’d been grateful for that. The article that had run in the local paper had her worried now. She knew it was just that Angie, and hoped it was a one-off.
She picked up her phone. She’d check with Cassidy first; she’d either set her at ease or tell her to stay home. There’d be no mincing of words from her old friend and she was grateful for that.
She dialed the number and waited.
“Hey, chica! What did you get up to last night?”
“What do you mean?” Summer was surprised that she was automatically on the defensive.
Cassidy laughed. “I didn’t mean anything, but now you’ve got me curious. Carter hadn’t showed up at my place before I left this morning. Did you keep him out late?”
Summer smiled to herself as she wondered what to say.
“Come on! Your silence speaks volumes!”
She laughed. “No. That’s just your imagination talking!”
“So put me out of my misery! What happened?”
“Nothing. He stayed the night at my place.”
Summer held the phone away from her ear as Cassidy squealed. “What? Make up your mind. Nothing happened or he stayed the night?”
“Both!”
“Let me get this straight. He stayed, but nothing happened?”
“Well, something happened.”
“I knew it!”
“Not that! What happened was that we finally talked to each other about how we feel…”
“And?”
She had to laugh. “And I’m about to tell you if you give me chance!”
“Oh. Sorry. Go on.”
“We decided that we’re going to start seeing each other…”
“Yay!”
“Will you stop interrupting?”
“Shit. Yes. I’ll have to. I’ve got customers. Can I call you back?”
“I’ll tell you what, how about I come up to town. I can come into the gallery to see you. And if you have time we can go for lunch.”
“Do you have a car yet?”
“Yes. The rental guys must have dropped it off while we were at your place last night.”
“Great. Get your little ass on up here then. Drive safely. I’ll see you soon.”
“On my way.”
Half an hour later, Summer could only manage to find a parking spot quite a way down Main Street from the gallery. She locked the car and started walking.
“Summer!”
She froze at the sound of her name being called by a man’s voice she didn’t think she recognized. She cautiously turned around, wishing she hadn’t stopped at all. A rush of relief swept through her when she saw Beau Remington hurrying toward her.
“Sorry,” he said when he reached her, “I shouldn’t go around shouting your name like that, should I?”
She smiled. “That’s okay.”
He shook his head. “No, it isn’t. I won’t do it again. Where are you going anyway? Should you be out by yourself like this?”
“I’m going to the gallery to see Cassidy. This is as close as I could park.”
“I’ll walk with you, if you like. I’m heading that way.”
“Thanks.”
He fell in step beside her. “Is everything okay at the house?”
“It’s great, thank you. I do love that place.”
“Enough to buy it?”
She looked up at him. He was smiling, but it was a serious question.
“I don’t know yet. Are you in a hurry to get it sold?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. Just curious if you’re really interested.”
“I might be. I just don’t know yet.”
“That’s okay. You’ve got first refusal if you want it. I’m happy to rent it to you for as long as you like.”
“Thanks, Beau. I appreciate it.”
He nodded.
She
wondered what else to say to him. She’d met all the Remington brothers and found the other three to be very easy company. She wasn’t so sure about Beau, and she wondered if that was fair. Was she simply basing that on what she’d heard others say about him? He’d been nothing but pleasant to her. Well, he had been the one who’d brought Angie to Cassidy’s house that night, but what Angie had done was hardly his fault.
They walked on in silence a little ways before he turned to her with a smile. Just like his brothers, he was a very handsome guy.
“Do you mind if I say something?”
She smiled back. “Well, I won’t know until you say it, will I? So you’d probably best just go ahead.”
He nodded. “I’m not one to interfere in other people’s lives. That’s not my intention here at all…”
As he searched for his next words, Summer thought she knew what was coming. She was right.
“Carter. I think you know his history?”
She nodded. “I do.”
Beau looked uncomfortable. “I don’t think you’d ever hurt him on purpose, but please be careful.”
She nodded again. “I will. I am. I wouldn’t.”
She stared up at him and they both started to laugh.
“So, you do know what I mean, then. I wasn’t sure if I should say anything.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you did. We’re going to take it slowly and just see what happens.”
Beau’s expression told her he was surprised. It made her wonder whether she shouldn’t have said anything at all, but it was too late now.
He nodded. “I’m glad. I was worried he might just go to ground and avoid you now you’re back.”
She smiled. “So was I.”
They arrived in front of the gallery and stopped. “I guess I’ll see you around,” said Beau.
Summer nodded. She hoped so. She liked Beau. She wondered what Shane meant when he’d said he worried about him. “I’m thinking about having everyone over to dinner once I get settled back in. I hope you’ll come?”
“Thank you.” He looked so different when he smiled. “I’d like that. And don’t worry. I’ll come alone. I feel really bad about what Angie did.”
“Please don’t. It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known.”
He shrugged. “I shouldn’t have brought her. I just didn’t want to come by myself.”
That surprised Summer. Beau seemed so confident, she wouldn’t have thought he’d care about going to a dinner party alone, or what anyone would think of him not having a date. “Well, you bring someone if you want to, or you’re more than welcome to come by yourself. Either way is fine. I just hope you’ll come.”
“Thanks. I will. And if there’s anything you need—anything with the house—don’t hesitate to call me.”
“Thanks.”
She turned at the sound of the gallery door opening. Cassidy poked her head out. “Why don’t you both come on in?”
Beau shook his head. “I have to get going. I just didn’t like Summer walking here by herself.” He smiled at Cassidy, then at Summer. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“I’ll call you,” said Summer.
“Yeah, see ya,” said Cassidy.
Once he’d gone Summer followed Cassidy inside. “What was that about?”
“What was what?”
Cassidy grinned. “I thought you and Carter were just getting started. What’s with you calling Beau?”
Summer laughed. “About having everyone over for dinner, silly!”
“You want to invite him again after what happened last time?”
“That wasn’t his fault! He’s a nice guy. I feel a bit sorry for him; it seems like he’s the outcast of the family.”
Cassidy frowned. “I wouldn’t go that far. He’s not exactly an outcast, he’s just not as close as the other three are. But it strikes me that that’s by his choice, not anyone else’s.”
Summer shrugged. “Maybe, but I don’t think he’s as bad as everyone makes him out to be.”
Cassidy laughed. “There goes my little bleeding heart, Summer. You’re too soft. Anyway, enough about Beau. It’s Carter I want to hear about. What happened last night? Come on through to the back and you can tell me all about it.”
Chapter Six
Carter looked up at the sound of a truck approaching. Mason. What was he doing here? He walked around the house to meet his brother as he pulled up.
“How’s it going?” asked Mason as he got out of the truck.
Carter nodded. “It’s going well. We’re just getting finished up here. Should have everything finished by the end of the week. I’m sure Cassidy will be glad to have us out of her hair finally.”
Mason looked around. “You’ve done a great job on the place.”
Carter nodded. “I can’t take much credit for this one. Old Mr. Allen had already drawn up what he wanted to do with the place before he sold it to Cassidy. She liked what he’d come up with and added a few touches of her own. I just did the grunt work.”
Mason smiled and shook his head. “Nah, sorry, Carter. I’m not buying it. Mr. Allen drew up his plans under your guidance and Cassidy sought your advice on everything she wanted. You can say what you like, but I can tell, this place is one of your designs. It’s got your name written all over it.”
Carter dropped his gaze and toed the gravel.
“Don’t be so modest.” Mason grasped his shoulder. “Own your genius.”
Carter had to laugh at that. “I’d hardly call it genius. I’m just good at knowing what to plant where. It’s not exactly rocket science.”
Mason gave his shoulder a gentle shake. “There are different kinds of smart, you know. I could never do what you do. Hell, I bet there aren’t any rocket scientists who could.”
Carter had to laugh at that. “Thanks, Mase. But I’m fine with who I am. You don’t need to build me up every time we talk.”
Mason let go of his shoulder and punched his arm. “Who says I’m trying to build you up? If you must know, I was trying to sweeten you up, since I have a favor to ask.”
“Well, you don’t need to sweeten me up for that. Of course I’ll help. What do you need?”
Mason laughed. “Don’t you think you should find out what I need before you say you’ll help? You don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for. You might hate the idea.”
Carter shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Whatever it is, I want to help.” It was true. Helping his brother and taking care of his family was more important than any inconvenience it might cause to himself.
“I wondered if you could give me a hand this weekend. I’ve been training some horses for the McLellan Ranch. They said they didn’t need them out there until the end of the month, but now they need them back next weekend. They’re pretty much ready to go, but I want to put them through a final bombproofing this weekend. Make sure none of them have any spook left in ’em.”
Carter nodded slowly. He’d helped Mason out with the horses many a time in the past. He enjoyed riding them through scenarios that might frighten them. Mason trained them to cross water, pass fire, pass waving flags, all kinds of things. He liked to bombproof them, as he called it, before the ranches trusted them to take visitors out on the trails. The only problem was Carter had been planning on spending as much time as he could with Summer this weekend.
Mason studied his 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 t
o 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?”
