29. Beau
Beau
D ays without Anna were incredibly boring.
The guys had kept the shop running smoothly while Beau was away. No one had called him with business-breaking news, and the first thing he thought of in the morning was Anna.
He’d worked all morning doing the same things he’d done every other day of his adult life, but everything was lackluster. He measured every minute against the ones she’d claimed. Was he even living if she wasn’t there—reminding him to find the color in a world of gray?
He’d gotten up, read his Bible alone, and forgotten to eat breakfast, all after a night of tossing and turning. He couldn’t get Anna out of his head.
Then, Gage had asked about the trip, and Beau had never been so tempted to spill his guts. Luckily, Beau maintained a shred of self-control because he would have to hand over his man card if he ever engaged in girl talk with any of the guys.
Olivia walked in carrying a greasy brown bag with a burger logo on the front. “Lunch is here!”
Beau checked his watch. How was it lunchtime already? He’d barely accomplished anything.
The guys disappeared from the garage following the smell of the warm burgers, and Beau kept working on the Ford F-150. For some reason, the silent garage didn’t help his focus.
A few minutes later, Olivia showed up beside him, propping her elbow on the truck. “How’s it going?”
“Fine.”
“What are you doing?”
Beau shot a warning glare at his sister. “Working. Can I help you?”
“No. Last I checked, our relationship is kinda one-sided on the help front. I’m always helping you, but the brother benefits are seriously lacking.”
“You never tell me you need help. How am I supposed to know if you don’t say something?”
“Relax, Rocky. I don’t need help.”
“Liv, I’m really busy. Get to the point.”
“I’m just waiting around for appreciation. I accept thanks in the form of cash or chicks, remember?”
Beau braced his hands on the frame of the truck. “So you did set us up. ”
Liv shrugged. “It wasn’t my direct intention, but I did think the two of you could be good for each other.”
“Don’t meddle in my life.”
“I’m not meddling. You two started things up on your own.”
Beau pulled the rag from his back pocket and wiped his hands. “I’m not thanking you yet. I don’t even know if this is going to work out.”
“Oh, it will.”
“I appreciate your eternal optimism, but I don’t need your false hope.”
Olivia leaned closer to him with a stone stare that would have impressed him if he didn’t know she used the same stare on her chickens when they pestered the goats. “I know it’ll work out because I can tell you want it to. Ask me about the only other time I’ve seen you this determined.”
“How do you know how determined I am?”
“It was when you were starting the business. Dad wanted you to stay and work the farm, but you had your heart set on owning your own business doing what you love.”
Beau rubbed his grease-stained hand down his face. “You make it sound as tough as climbing Mount Everest.”
“But I’m seeing a change in you, and I like it. Now, tell me how you feel about her. I want details. ”
Beau shook his head and turned back to the truck. “I’m not talking about Anna with you.”
Olivia chuckled. “You are so adorable.”
Good grief. The sides of his neck were itching. His blood pressure was probably through the roof. “I’m not adorable. I’m big and ugly and gross. Tell your friends.”
“You’re in love, and it’s so sweet!” Olivia said, high-pitched and giddy.
“I don’t feel sweet. I feel like I’m going to puke.”
She squealed again, clapping her hands.
Beau turned to her, making eye contact as he whispered, “Will you keep your voice down. Someone might hear you.”
“Oh, they’ll all know soon.”
“Liv! You told Anna you wouldn’t tell anyone.”
She held her hands up in the air. “And I won’t, but I have a feeling the two of you aren’t going to be able to resist telling the world.”
“I’m not telling the world about my relationships. Do you know me at all?”
“Everyone hates Dean, but everyone wants Anna to be happy. We all swallowed our tongues for months because we wanted to believe she really was as happy as she claimed. But I know my best friend,” Olivia said, pointing at her chest.
“And I think you know me too. I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t talk about my feelings. ”
Olivia pointed a finger at him. “I knew it! You do have feelings!”
“Please shut up. I’m begging you.”
Her arms wrapped around him, squeezing him as hard as she could. “I’m just so happy.”
“Don’t be happy. Just tell your little brain not to care.”
“Sorry, but you’re not raining on my parade today.” She released him and brushed a hand over her scrubs. “Actually, I’m hoping you’ll give her the courage to stand up to her mother.” Olivia shivered and grimaced.
“Okay, what’s up with her mom? I’ve heard some horror stories.” Anna’s reaction to her mother’s phone calls on the trip was all he needed to see.
“She’s awful,” Olivia whispered.
“Now you decide to lower your voice. I need more details.”
“This isn’t girl talk?” Olivia asked. “It won’t hurt your devil-may-care reputation if someone sees us being very secretive after you just took a week off work to run away into the Rocky Mountains with a beautiful woman?”
“Liv, focus. Mom details.” Good grief, his sister could narrate her trip to the grocery store and make it into a soap opera screenplay.
“Be very careful. She’s super strict, and she’s mean to Anna. She’s controlling and unreasonable.”
“And you’re not exaggerating?” Beau asked .
Olivia crossed her arms over her chest and straightened her posture. “Rude.”
“As if it wasn’t a valid question.”
“Fine. No, I’m not exaggerating. She doesn’t like that Anna is a Christian, and she’s very vocal about it. I’d call it blasphemous.”
“How does Anna take that?” Beau asked.
“It’s the one thing Anna will stand up about. She lets her mom walk all over her in every other part of her life except that one.”
Hmm. Until now, Beau would have bet he couldn’t be any prouder of Anna. Knowing she wouldn’t bow to anyone when it came to worshiping the one true God had heat rising in his chest.
Oh no. It was heartwarming. Anna had softened his rough edges in a mere week. At this rate, he’d be watching those made-for-TV Christmas movies before the end of the month.
Beau rubbed the back of his neck. Dean was out of the picture, but her mom was still a threat to Anna’s happiness. He’d never had an enemy before, but anyone who bothered Anna was going to get bothered by him.
“Tell me everything you know about Catherine Harris.”