Chapter 53 Beau
BEAU
“Where are you going?” Honey asks as I try to slide out of bed.
“To make us breakfast.”
“Don’t go.”
Fireball hops on the bed and stretches out on top of Honey. I scratch behind her ears. “I think you stole my cat’s heart.”
“It’s only fair after you stole mine.”
“Back at ya, baby.” I stand, pull on some jeans, and stretch. Behind me, she groans.
“It’s not fair that you look like that while I’m black and blue.”
I head to her side of the bed and kiss her forehead. “Which is why you need some breakfast. So we can nurse you back to health.”
She pouts as she runs her hand over my biceps. “How much longer do I need to convalesce? It’s been two days, and the ibuprofen has helped with the soreness.”
It’s been a struggle not to touch her, so I understand.
I brush the hair out of her eyes. “The doctor said the first three days are the acute phase. I think you should take a few days off work because you don’t want to jump back into strenuous activity.
I’ve gotten someone to cover my shift this week, so I’ll be around the ranch the whole time. ”
“But I have so much grading to do.”
“What if I pick up your assignments? That way you don’t fall too far behind.” When she doesn’t say anything, I shrug. “Think on it while I make us something to eat.”
She nods and heads for the bathroom while I start cooking. We have to talk today. It’s a conversation I’m not looking forward to, but I’ve put it off long enough.
When she emerges, she’s wearing one of my Wild Heart Fire Department t-shirts and a pair of shorts. She’s such a beautiful woman. No makeup. Hair up in a bun. My oversized shirt. And she’s fucking gorgeous without even trying.
I plate our food, and we sit on the couch to eat. When we’re done, I broach the subject. “Babe, now that you’re feeling a little better, I need to tell you what happened with Mel last week.”
She stills. “Okay.”
“I went with Mel to her doctor’s appointment.” When she sucks in a breath, I cringe. “I wanted to make sure she was telling me the truth, and the only way I could do that was to talk to the doctor myself.”
Her nostrils flare. “Did you see her vagina?”
“No, I was a gentleman and turned away.” I make a face. “Especially once I saw stirrups. I stood up by her shoulders during the entire exam.”
That makes her laugh. “Okay. Thank you.”
I pull her into my arms. “I didn’t go because I wanted to. I went because I thought I should.”
She nods. “You’re a good man. That’s why I love you. I just hate the idea of sharing you with Melissa.”
“I’d be fucked up too if I had to share you with another man, so I understand.
I want you to know we got the paternity test, and I paid to expedite it.
My brothers pitched in because it cost a fortune since it wasn’t covered by her insurance.
” I twine our fingers together. “When I was at the appointment, I got what you meant about being in the birth room. If… if the baby is mine, I want you to know I don’t have to be in there if you’re not comfortable with it. ”
“Beau.” Shaking her head, she sighs. “If that’s your baby, you should be in there. I’m sorry I said that.”
“I’ve already told the chief I can’t work with Melissa any longer.
” I explain how my phone went missing, which is why I didn’t respond to Honey’s texts.
“You’re not wrong to be concerned about her behavior.
If she’s the mother of my kid, I’m gonna have to get one of those parenting apps where you only communicate about the baby.
Because we need some boundaries. I don’t want her trying to get in our business. ”
“That sounds really unpleasant. I hope it doesn’t come to that. When do you get the paternity results back?”
“In a few days, hopefully.” I pull a light blanket over us because she’s cold. “What about your father? Have you heard from him?”
“He said he wants to talk at the house. But I’m afraid he’s going to try to manipulate me. He’s already bailed on funding the property for the Harvesters. He tried to get me to marry Ian. He let me think we were in debt when we’re not. What kind of father does that?”
Gus was a terrible parent, but at least he never played as dirty as Vernon. “I’m not sure, baby. But I can go with you to talk to him.”
She crawls into my lap and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I guess the important thing here is we’re both alive, right?”
I kiss her temple. “Right.” I’ll never forget thinking Honey might drown in a river. Gratitude swells in my chest that I got to her in time. That I knew what to do. That I get a second chance. “Want to take a Sunday drive? The weather’s nice. We could have a picnic.”
“I’d love that. Let me call my sub first. Because you’re right.
I should take a few days off school this week.
It’s silly to push myself.” Turning, she grazes her lips against mine.
“Can we stop by my parents’ house too? I don’t want to have that hanging over me.
I’ll take you up on that offer to talk to my dad with me, if you don’t mind. ”
“I’d be happy to. We’re a team, remember?”
She grins and kisses me. “How much longer before we can have sex again?”
“After your appointment. If the doctor gives you the go-ahead for light activity.”
She chuckles. “Sex with you isn’t a light activity.”
I shrug. “I just can’t pound you into the mattress.”
“But I like the pounding.”
Judging by my erection, I do too. But Honey’s not ready for that yet. “Patience, princess. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”
Leaning down, she nips my neck. “I’m not feeling patient.”
I squeeze her ass. I’m not either. But the thought of needing to talk to her dad does the trick and gets my mind off sex. “Get dressed. Let’s see what your father has to say.”
I’m thinking she could use a little more backup.
So I text her brothers.
The McAllister ranch looks like a movie set compared to ours. It’s hard not to notice the new trucks parked out front or the immaculately painted red barn out back.
Honey grabs my hand. “Thanks for coming with me.”
The way she looks at me reminds me she doesn’t care about all this shiny new stuff. If she wanted a rich guy, she’d be with one. “No problem. Let’s do this.”
When we get inside, her brothers join us in the kitchen.
“Honey! Is that you?” her father yells from down the hall.
She rolls her eyes. “Sorry about that. He’s used to snapping his fingers and making my poor mom jump at his every whim. I’m glad she went on vacation. I wouldn’t want to be here either.”
After she hugs her brothers and they give me somewhat welcoming head nods, we head down a dark hall and into her father’s study. He’s sitting behind a huge mahogany desk. “About time you got here. I was just about—” He stops when he sees me. “Who invited you?”
“Nice to see you again, sir.” Not really, but Rhett taught me to have manners.
“What’s the meaning of this, Honey? I thought you were going to reconsider Ian.”
She shakes her head. “I was nearly killed in a car accident, and that’s all you care about? Getting your hands on Ian’s ranch? Did you miss the part where Beau risked his life to save mine? He could’ve been chopped in half if that truck had come loose while he was pulling me out.”
Cash crosses his arms. “That’s true. Trig and I were there. She’s not exaggerating. Beau saved her life.”
Her father leans back in his chair, his shrewd eyes narrowed on me. “Thank you for saving my daughter, but this is a family meeting, and you’re not family.”
Honey takes my hand. “He’s my family whether you like it or not.
If Beau goes, I go. So say what you want to say.
I already know Ian was lying about us owing him money, and you let me think that to get your way.
You reneged on sponsoring my club and got vendors to bail on the Walkers.
Where’s the man I looked up to when I was young? ”
Vernon reaches into his desk and pulls out a bottle of whiskey and pours himself a shot.
“How do you think we’ve become one of the largest ranches in the state, Honey?
By playing nice? By playing by the rules?
I’ve had to get my hands dirty so you three could have an easier life.
Fat lot of good that did. Never thought you’d be this ungrateful.
” He shakes his head. “Let’s see how well you do without your trust fund.
Beau here can take care of you in that ramshackle shed he calls a cabin. ”
My face heats, but Honey doesn’t back down.
“I don’t need Beau to take care of me. I can take care of myself.
You’d know this if you paid attention. And his cabin is lovely.
” That might be a stretch, but I appreciate her defending it.
“You know what? Keep the trust fund. Give it to my brothers. They work their asses off here. Do you ever take the time to tell them how much you appreciate their help?”
Trig moves along her other side and drapes his arm over her shoulders. “I do work my ass off. Thanks for saying so, sister.”
“Shut up, Trig.” His father rolls his eyes. “Are you really gonna let your sister run off with a Walker?”
Trig gives me a once-over and shrugs. “This guy has balls. You should’ve seen him jump off the side of a bridge to pull Honey out of a truck that was practically upside down. Kinda think he can keep her outta trouble.”
“Thanks, man.” I nod and grin down at Honey, my fierce little firecracker.
Vernon steeples his fingers. “What about that baby he’s having with that other girl?” When I turn to look at him, he nods. “That’s right. I know all about your other woman. Does my daughter?”
“Sir, with all due respect, I didn’t cheat. I know you might be confused about this because you have no qualms cheating, but it’s not something I’d ever do.”
“You piece of shit.”
I cross my arms. “How exactly do you know about my ex being pregnant? That’s not exactly public knowledge.”
Honey looks at her brothers. “Did you tell him?”
They both shake their heads. Cash shoves his hands in his back pockets. “Thought I’d keep my head down for this.”
Vernon sips his drink. “People tell me things.”
“Did these random people tell you we got a paternity test last week?” I rub my chin. “I don’t think I got Melissa pregnant, but we’ll know soon enough.”
Trig makes a choking sound. “Melissa Zimmer? That hot firefighter you work with?”
“I work with Mel, yes.” Honey’s hotter, but that seems disrespectful to say in front of her father.
“She’s the one you knocked up? Back in the summer?” His eyes go a little wild.
Vernon smacks his hand on his desk. “Son, shut up!”
I look back and forth between father and son before it dawns on me. I turn to Trig. “You’re the one Mel’s been seeing.”
“She was fucking you too?” He closes his eyes. It makes sense now why he came to the car wash.
Cash whistles. “Hopefully not at the same time.”
I clear my throat as I think of how to tactfully say this. “The last time I saw Mel for a social engagement was late August.”
Trig’s nostrils flare. “Me too.”
Damn. I break out my phone to figure out the dates.
He started sleeping with her the day after I broke things off.
There’s a chance he’s the father.
And that I’m not.
I fucking smile. I’ll take those odds.
I nudge Honey. “Let’s get out of here. That picnic is calling your name.”
She hugs Trig. “I’m sorry you’re getting the news like this.”
I slap his shoulder. “What she said.”
“Fuck off,” he grumbles, but without any heat.
Then Honey turns to her father. “You’ve broken my heart, Dad. I don’t know that I’ll ever forgive you for this.”
His steely demeanor falters for a brief moment, but then he reaches for that bottle. “You’ll come to your senses when your boyfriend’s cabin is falling down around your ears.”
She sniffles. “I’ll always love you. I just can’t stand the man you’ve become.” With that, she turns on her heel. I follow her out.
When we make it out to my truck, I pull her into my arms. “Love you, princess. That was a brave thing to do.”
Cuddling close, she sighs. “I’m not going to let him pull my strings anymore. If he doesn’t want to give me that trust fund, so be it.” Turning her head up, she smiles. “Are you okay dating a broke English teacher?”
“Yup.” I kiss her.
Kinda hoping I’m gonna marry this broke English teacher.