Chapter 4
Beau
I couldn’t tell if Kat was still pissed at Devon or me, and you would think with two older sisters, I would know a little something about women. Nope. All I knew was that she hadn’t said a word since we got into my truck. That was a pretty good indicator that she had to still be pissed off.
She could also be upset because I asked about Vic watching out for her, but taking care of my people was something my parents ingrained in us as kids. Never let it be said that any of the Wynters treated anyone like crap. How many times had my father told me it didn’t matter how much money you had? You weren’t a man worth respect unless you respected others, and you took care of those that depended on you and could care for themselves. I knew Kat wasn’t dependent on me for anything but for the time being, she was my “fiancée”. I wouldn’t let anyone treat an acquaintance the way Devon treated her, let alone my girl. No way in hell. If that annoyed her, then so be it. The best I could do was explain. Especially because I really needed this to work.
I turned right onto the same street as the restaurant. If I was going to fix this, then I needed to do something now.
“I...I’m...” I took a long breath. Stuttering wouldn’t help.
The problem was that I couldn’t apologize for trying to protect her, and I wasn’t sure anything else was going to smooth things over.
“I think Daphne and Danielle are coming down tomorrow,” I said as I turned into the parking lot. Perhaps she would have more fun hanging out with my sister and one of her friends as opposed to Victor and his girlfriend.
“Okay.” She had her head turned toward the window.
“If you would rather hang out with them, I’m sure that would work, too.”
As far as I knew, Kat wasn’t friends with either of my sisters or their little pack of friends. The sassy six was what most people called them around Bliss Haven. The whole set was made up of my two sisters, Danielle and her best friend Ginger, Blair Cummings, who worked with Kat, and Sunny, although I think her real name was Sunday, who owned the local bookstore along with her husband. The group of them liked to get together and at the bookstore or whatever restaurant had the best happy hour drinks and gossip, if you asked me. If you asked them, they were solving the town’s problems.
Ginger had recently decided to move to Colorado, so there was a new opening if Kat wanted in, but they didn’t really seem her type. Maybe Sunday or Blair, but as far back as I could remember, Kat had always sort of kept to herself.
“What makes you think I need to hang out with anyone?” She turned toward me. “And for the record, this is only a pretend relationship. I don’t need you acting like there is something between us.”
I parked the car and faced her. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because no one is going to believe we are together if neither of us acts like there is something between us,” I pointed out.
She shook her head. “I still don’t get why this is so important to you. Doesn’t your family sponsor all your rides?”
I shifted in my seat. My head dropped back onto the headrest behind me.
“I love my family. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them, and I know they feel the same.” I was extremely lucky, and the last thing I wanted to come off as was some entitled spoiled rich kid.
“But...” I took another breath. “Did you know my mother bought all the furniture in my apartment? The whole reason I moved into the apartment above the barn was to get some space. I went away for three days to compete, and when I came back, she had furnished the whole thing and moved all my clothes. Daphne and Hailey came over with groceries as soon as I got back and proceeded to stock the fridge while asking about my trip and unpacking my luggage. Dad stops in every morning before going into the office to run down my day. As if I can’t figure out what needs to get done around the ranch without the two of us comparing to-do list.”
“No matter what I do, I will always be the baby to them,” I told her. “I don’t even know if they are sponsoring me because they really believe I have talent or because I’m the youngest. I can’t tell you how many times my father has mentioned riding as if it’s just a ‘phase’ I’m going through. Like puberty or pimples. Mom’s no better, and don’t get me started on Hailey. God, she acts like Daphne, and I are making the biggest mistake in the world not working at the creamery. Like they would have the farm fresh ingredients, they need to make everything without either of us supervising the ranch.”
I turned to face Kat. Her eyes were locked on me, and for the first time, I felt really vulnerable around a woman, but this was Kathleen Depner. Without saying a word, she reached over and put her hand over mine. That one small move took all the vulnerability away.
“I get this sponsorship, and it tells the world that I’m good. It lets everyone know that someone believes in me other than my family.”
“It tells the world, or it tells you?” Her soft voice floated across the car toward me.
“Both.”
A half smile lifted the side of her lips. “You don’t need a sponsorship to tell you that.” She squeezed my hand. “My boss doesn’t send me out to cover your rides just because your last name is Wynters, and you don’t win because your family owns Bliss Creamery. All of it is because you’re good, Beau.”
“Do you remember in sixth grade when the class took a field trip to your ranch?” I nodded. “You were awesome way back then. I remember the way your father put everyone on the horses to trot around. He didn’t have to touch you. You hopped up on the horse and rode that thing like you were a star. Riding is a part of you. You don’t need your family or anyone else’s approval for that to be true. You just have to get in the saddle, and everyone knows it.”
“Yeah?” I couldn’t believe how deeply her words touched me.
“Yeah.”
“Then maybe I need the sponsorship for the money,” I joked. I could feel the connection building between us inside the cab. This was supposed to be a fake relationship, right? If I wasn’t careful feelings I buried long ago would come rushing back.
“That I’d believe.” She laughed. The sound was just as soft and lovely as her touch. “You rich kids always want more.”
“Is that why you always give me shit? Cause you see me as some greedy rich kid?” Her answer felt like the most important thing in the world at that moment.
“Maybe.” She pulled her hand, but I held tight.
“Really?” It bothered me that she might see me that way.
Kat blew out a breath. “I don’t think that you are a greedy rich kid, but seriously Beau? How do you expect me to react when you walk around calling me Kitty Kat or Kitten? Every time I see you, it feels like you are the one giving me crap. With all the flirting that we both know you don’t mean. We both know it’s all a big joke to you. Then you up and come up with a scam like this. It would be easier if you just left me alone.”
She thought I flirted with her as a joke? Nothing could be further from the truth. I was just too chicken-shit to admit it.
“Let’s just get through this dinner and the next couple of days, and for the love of everything holy, will you just let me do my job without all the teasing?”
The sincerity in her eyes touched and broke my heart at the same time.
“Did it ever occur to you I’m not joking?”
She rolled her eyes. “Please, Beau. We’ve known each other since first grade. Maybe even from diapers. I’ve seen the girls you go out with, and I’m not anywhere near their level of beauty.” That was a lie. “I’m still the simple, nerdy girl from school. The only difference is now I wear contacts some days instead of my glasses.”
She honestly believed every word she was saying. Did she not have any idea how beautiful she really was? Glasses or not, she had always been adorably gorgeous.
“Fine.” I agreed with my fingers crossed behind my back.
“Thank you.” Her smile was back. “We should go inside.”
“Yeah, we should.” I lifted her hand to my lips and pressed a quick kiss before getting out and going around to open her door.
I held her hand as she got down and immediately put my arm around her. She may think I am joking or this whole thing is fake, but it was suddenly very real to me. By the time this little facade was over, I was determined that Kat would know just how serious I was and then she would really be mine.
RANDALL AND LEONARD were sitting at the bar when Kat and I walked in.
“Sorry we kept you guys waiting.” I held out my hand to shake theirs. “Slight problem leaving the arena.”
“Everything alright?” Randall asked.
“Of course.” I nodded. “Why don’t we get a table?” I really didn’t want to get into explaining Devon to them. Hopefully this dinner could be the start of a partnership between us. Dad always said you keep the drama out of business unless it is your business.
“Sure thing.” They both stood and followed Kat and me over to the hostess.
“Table for four.” I smiled.
“Just one se...” She looked up and paused. “Oh, my god. You’re Beau Wynters.” She clasped her hand over her mouth. “You’re Beau Wynters.” She repeated.
“Yes, ma’am.” My smile might have turned a little more at the edge.
Brexley loved their sports. I wasn’t sure which one was more popular. I went to school with one of the guys on the Grey Glider hockey team and he was always talking about how he couldn’t go anywhere without someone recognizing him, but there were also the players on the Midnight Dragons football team. They were having a hell of a season. Now that they were in the playoffs I couldn’t imagine they weren’t being fanned over just as much, if not more, than the hockey players. There were times it still boggled my mind that people cared about rodeo the way they did. I would think if anything I would think people might get more excited about me being part of Bliss Ice Cream than riding a horse.
“I saw you last year at the Summer Classic, and wow...just wow.” She blushed.
“Thank you, darling.” The endearment was out before I thought twice about it. Kat’s elbow jerked into my side, and I immediately knew I had messed up. Fuck. Old habits die hard, I guess. I tried correcting my mistake by pulling Kat closer, letting go of her hand, and running my hand up and down her arm.
“Can we get a table for my girl and these nice gentlemen?” Calling her my girl sounded so high school to me, but gossip ran like a river between Brexley and Bliss Haven. Neither of us needed our family to hear a rumor and coming down here to learn the truth.
The hostess looked Kat up and down as if sizing her up. My smile dropped faster than a bull out the gate. I didn’t appreciate the look on her face. As if she thought there was something wrong with Kathleen Depner. I brought my other hand over to Kat’s and lifted it to my lips, making a point.
“Right this way.” She didn’t look happy as she picked up the menus. I dropped my hand to entwine with Kat’s and lead the way to the table.
We weren’t at the back of the restaurant, but I had been hoping for one of the tables that overlooked the back patio.
“Can we possibly sit over there?” I pointed to the two empty tables by the window. “My associates are visiting, and I have been bragging about the view of Heartland Point from here.” As if you couldn’t see the mountain from just about anywhere in the Brexley area, and they didn’t live in the city.
She pulled in a long breath and then gave me a flirty smile. “Sure, but only for you.” Her hand brushed down my arm.
“Baby, you know I get cold next to the window.” Apparently, Kat was done with the hostess flirting with me, and I held back my smile at the thought. I liked the idea that she might be really jealous and not just playing the part.
I leaned in so my lips were right next to her ear. “Don’t worry, Kitten. I’ll keep you warm.” I let my mouth drag across her cheek as I backed up. A small shiver went down her spine and I smiled to myself. Good to know I could have an effect on her.
The hostess huffed and walked off toward the table I pointed to. I heard a snicker behind me and turned to see Randall shaking his head.
“Guess you two are engaged.” He wiggled his eyebrows and walked forward. Leonard still didn’t look convinced but followed his business partner.
“Watch it.” Kat hissed at me.
“Just making it look real, baby.” I put my arm back around her to let her go before me. “It’s not my fault you got jealous,” I teased. I hoped I could get her to admit it.
She scoffed. “You wish.”
“You have no idea.”
I followed behind, not even attempting to hide the fact I was staring at her ass the whole way to the table.