Chapter 13 Beau
BEAU
“You heading home?” Coop asks as I walk into the locker room after a quick shower.
“Need to run an errand first, but then I’m planning to crash for the next twenty-four hours straight.
” We’ve had one of the toughest shifts I can remember.
The fire at the high school, two car crashes, a hunting accident, and kids playing with fireworks—we’ve been running around Wild Heart nonstop nearly the entire time.
“Jesus, me too. What the hell is up with all the crazy shit in this town? I swear they save it up until we’re at work.”
“Everything always goes haywire around Halloween,” I say as I tug on a fresh t-shirt. “See you next week.”
As I head to Honey’s place, my heart beats harder the closer I get. I’ve been dying to talk to her since I saw her barefoot in her backyard, hosing stray embers. I smile at the memory of the fierce expression on her face.
I park a few houses away in case her brothers swing by, though I can’t remember the last time I saw the three of them together. Probably at the ranch rodeo last spring.
When she doesn’t answer the door, I return to my truck. Maybe I’ll wait a little while to see if she comes home. I lean back and close my eyes.
Images of Honey immediately fill my mind.
Hot damn, she was gorgeous that day at the rodeo with her cowboy hat, tight Wranglers, and fierce scowl.
She kicked ass in the team penning event, moving and cutting around the cattle like a pro.
While I applaud her going after teaching because that’s a noble profession, she’d make a damn good rancher.
As I sit in my dark truck, I let my imagination run with that image. Me and Honey working my ranch together. Riding horses, having picnics, maybe skinny-dipping in the river.
When my dick swells in my jeans, I know I’m getting ahead of myself. I look up at Honey’s house. All of her lights are still off.
I decide to track her down tomorrow after I’ve showered and napped because I’m fucking exhausted.
As I make my way through town, I stop at a light and take in all of the shops and restaurants, which are decorated for Halloween.
Goblins in one storefront window, spiders and cobwebs in another.
I’m looking forward to taking Gabe, Austin, and Ella trick-or-treating next week.
As I wait for the light, I see a flash of blonde hair. Honey. She’s standing next to her white SUV.
I smile, ready to pull over and explain why I haven’t been by to see her and maybe ask if she’d like to get dinner with me sometime.
Except she’s with some guy in a suit.
He comes around the driver’s side to open her door. I can’t make out his expression because it’s too dark. But he’s hugging her, and she’s letting him.
Son of a bitch. That’s probably the asshole her father wants her to marry.
I grip the steering wheel as the light changes. I’ve been making myself crazy all goddamn week, and she’s on a damn date.
When the light changes, I speed by.
Let her have her fucking suit.