Denim & Diamonds Read online

  He winked at her, “Of course I’m right. You ready to head back?”

  She nodded once. Her cheeks were flushed, either with embarrassment or excitement. Whatever the case, she kept her lips pressed in a tight line as he mounted Digger.

  He urged his horse forward and Dingo followed. The older horse plodded along, just as Beau hoped he would. Shep fell in beside them. He sighed and shook his head. Though he had lots of ideas about what his new boss would be like, this was certainly not a scenario he had pictured.

  He glanced at Beth. The fall had scared her, that was obvious, but she got back on. When he first saw her, right after the wreck, she seemed like a damsel in distress, but this woman was tougher than she looked. The old man would’ve been proud of her. Tough and beautiful. A killer combination. Just what he’d always thought he was looking for in a girl. He pulled back a touch on the reins and dropped back until they rode two abreast.

  He said, “You’re doing great.”

  She nodded her thanks, but her eyes swept the path in front of them.

  But what could he offer a woman like Beth? She was used to life in the city, the finer things in life. He was a cowboy, who barely made it from paycheck to paycheck and who was thankful room and board was part of the deal at the Diamond J. She wore glittering diamonds, he wore faded denim.

  They rode in silence, their legs touching occasionally, the two horses only inches apart.

  Beau frowned, reminding himself that the biggest problem was that the woman he rescued was his boss, and stood between him and this ranch. This place was home and the thought of someone else

  running the place made his heart hurt. He and the old man had been close. The old man had taken him in and treated him like a son –

  Beth groaned, pulling Beau back to reality and he drew back on the reins. She groaned again, and pressed a hand to her stomach. “I can’t believe I fell off.”

  “Yup,” Beau answered with a smile, “You did.”

  “The saddle horn caught me in the stomach,” Beth explained, her eyes wide. The freckles on her cheeks stood out on her pale skin. “It really hurts. And it happened so fast. The horse reared up … then the horn—”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Beau broke in. He looked towards the cluster of buildings across the valley, so he wouldn’t have to look at those incredible green eyes. “You feel up to riding the rest of the way?”

  “Sure,” she said, gathering the reins in one shaky hand and grasping the saddle horn with the other. Digger snorted and nodded his head. Beth sucked in a deep breath and pulled herself up straight in the saddle, but their legs continued to touch lightly.

  After they went a few steps, Beau asked, “You feel OK now?”

  She nodded, her pale lips pressed together in a thin line. She caught her lower lip with her teeth. A nervous habit, just like her father.

  Ian wore that same expression in one of the photos on the desk in the library. Resolute, determined and flat out stubborn. John Jameson had never really gotten over losing his only son in Afghanistan - but Beau had filled that hole, not taking Ian’s place, but making the loss hurt a little less. The old man had treated him like a partner in running the ranch.

  “What?” she asked.

  He shrugged, “Nothing.”

  “What is it?” she pressed.

  “You looked like your brother just then.” He motioned behind them. “When I asked how you were.”

  She nodded once. “Did you know him?”

  He shook his head, “No. Just seen pictures.”

  “Too bad he’s not here instead of me.” She looked at him, “That’s what you’re thinking, right?”

  “No!” The word came out harsher than he intended. “I mean, your daddy obviously wanted to keep the ranch in the family.”

  “What about you?”

  Beau watched a hawk float on a wind current and weighed his words. “Your daddy loved this ranch, but you never showed any interest in it. The Diamond J is more than a piece of ground. It’s home.”

  When John had talked about his daughter, it was as if he didn’t understand her and didn’t particularly want to understand her. He described his daughter as being “driven” and “obstinate”.

  “I think I understand what you mean, but all this … ” she indicated the pastures with a sweep of her arm. “This is my father’s life, not mine. He chose not to share it with me.”

  Beau stole a quick glance at her and agreed with John’s assessment. To hear him talk, this wisp of a woman had fought him tooth and nail when he had insisted that she follow in his footsteps and attend his alma mater, the University of Missouri-Columbia. She had wanted to go to a small, private college, but since he was paying for it, he got his way.

  Beau smiled at the memory of the night the old man had asked him to the library for a toast with his finest Scotch. The occasion had been Beth making partner in the law firm.

  “It’s not funny,” she hissed, pulling her horse away just far enough that their legs no longer touched.

  The smile dissolved from his face. “I’m not laughing.”

  She nodded once, a quick acknowledgement of his comment, but she kept her eyes straight ahead.

  Yes, John had been proud of his daughter. But that didn’t give him the right to leave Diamond J Ranch to her.

  Beau caught himself.

  Actually, it did. The old man’s blood ran in her veins. Beau was a hired hand and friend, he reminded himself. Wealthy people don’t leave piles of money and valuable property to their friends. They keep it in the family.

  Beau knew what the Will said, though. At least he had a chance.

  “I can make it,” Beth insisted. She kicked lightly and Dingo picked up the pace. Beau still had to keep Digger on a tight rein to keep him from leaving the older horse behind. Shep ran ahead, then turned and waited for them to catch up.

  She glanced at him. “I’m sorry I ruined the ride.”

  “You didn’t, but you were pale as a ghost and your eyes were as big as saucers! ” Beau suppressed a laugh, then glanced at her, “I’m sorry. Don’t mean to laugh.”

  A reluctant smile lit her face and he felt a flutter in his chest. She seemed nice enough. True, she made a mistake that morning, but people who don’t grow up in the country probably have no idea about closing gates. Maybe he was being too tough on her and expecting too much of her. After all, she’d just gotten here. And she hadn’t thrown her weight around too much.

  Yet, a little voice in his head reminded him.

  The two continued towards the barn in silence, listening to the soft clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the path and the creak of the saddle leather. A hawk traced lazy circles across the sky, birds chirped in the trees, and a dog barked in the distance. Shep answered with a soft woof.

  They reached the buildings and followed the curve of the path. Beth sucked in a sharp breath. He looked at her. She was staring straight ahead, eyes wide. He followed her gaze and saw a boxy, black Mercedes sedan parked next to his white Silverado.

  Beau turned back to Beth, his eyebrows raised. “Friend of yours?”

  “Not exactly,” she replied, her eyes narrowed under a furrowed brow. The determined look had returned.

  Beau squeezed his legs together and urged his horse towards the barn. Dingo followed. They stopped at the old-fashioned hitching post just outside the barn. Beth waited until Beau dismounted, watching his every move. He could feel her eyes on him.

  He tossed his reins over the post, pushed his hat back and looked up at her. “Hold onto the saddle horn and swing your right leg over the back of the saddle.”

  She swung her leg over then hesitated.

  “You’re doing fine,” he encouraged. “Now slip your left foot out of the stirrup and slide down.”

  She landed beside him with a thump. She blinked a couple of times, then looked up at him and smiled. “I did it!”

  He grinned back at her. “Yes, you did! How’d you like your first ride?”
/>   She shrugged, then rubbed her rear end. “Liked it, but there’s not enough padding on that saddle.”

  “Maybe we’ll get you a saddle of your own if you stick around.” He took off his hat and wiped his brow with his forearm, then settled the hat back on his head.

  She turned back to him and frowned, “What do you mean, IF I stick around?”

  “Hey! Beth!” Katie jogged across the yard, “There’s a man here to see you!”

  Beth swallowed hard, then chewed her bottom lip. She nodded and started towards the house, but paused and looked over her shoulder. “Um, what about the saddle?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” Beau answered, as he loosened the girth and tugged the saddle from his horse. He mumbled under his breath. Just like a city girl. Worried about the expensive leather saddle, but no thought for the horse.

  Or him.

  He slung the heavy saddle over the top rail of the hitching post, then watched Beth march towards the house. Her pace slowed and he wondered about the visitor in the Mercedes.

  “So, you guys went for a ride.” Katie pursed her lips and frowned.

  “Yup,” Beau answered, taking the halter Katie offered him and slipping it over Digger’s neck.

  “What’s she like?” Katie asked as she rubbed Digger’s nose.

  “OK, I guess. But we need to keep an eye on her. Don’t know whether to trust her or not,” Beau answered as he unbuckled the bridle and slipped the bit out of the horse’s mouth. He pulled the halter up and fastened it in one fluid motion. Katie frowned, then turned to the horse Beth had ridden.

  “Hey, why’s there dried sweat all over Dingo’s neck?” She scratched the old horse’s neck and got a lip curl from him in response.

  “Rattlesnake spooked ‘im.”

  Katie turned to look at Beau, her right hand perched on her hip. She peeked around Beau’s horse and watched Beth walk across the driveway, then looked back at Beau. “While she was riding him?”

  “Yep, she took a saddle horn in the gut.” He ignored her raised eyebrows and turned his attention to Dingo, quickly removing the dusty saddle and tossing it over the top rail.

  “Did she fall off?”

  “Yes.”

  “You caught her then?”

  Beau nodded, but kept his attention on his horse. He could see Katie out of the corner of his eye as she watched him, waiting for more details. She finally shrugged and led Dingo into the barn. He watched her go, then shook himself as he realized he was admiring the girl. She was just a kid, for Pete’s sake. Then he glanced over his shoulder. The redhead was gone.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Beth marched towards the side of the house, knowing that Beau and Katie were watching her. She desperately hoped that car in the driveway did not belong to who she thought it did. Surely it couldn’t be him.

  At the side door to the kitchen, Beth kicked her boots off and slipped inside, trying to be as quiet as possible.

  “Miss Beth? Is that you? How was the ride?” Charlotte pushed herself up from her seat at the big table and waddled towards Beth.

  “It was fine,” Beth said. Beau would probably tell the whole table later that she had fainted.

  Charlotte’s eyebrows crept up, wrinkling her forehead. She tilted to her head slightly and flicked her eyes towards the front room. It was nice of the woman to try to warn her.

  “Hello, Beth.” She froze when she heard that voice. That cultured, controlled, smooth voice.

  “What are you doing here, Quinn?” Beth asked, looking past Charlotte to face the dark haired man standing in the hallway.

  As soon as she saw him, she flashed back to the morning she broke off their engagement. There had been laughter coming from the break room, which usually signaled a birthday party. She popped in with a smile on her face. It faded when her eyes settled on the flat screen television used for watching depositions. A grainy video played of Quinn and the firm’s receptionist on the polished mahogany conference room table. In the sudden quiet, the lustful grunts coming from the television seemed amplified, and the room closed in on her.

  She shook her head to clear the image. That was behind her, part of the life she left behind. Yet here was Quinn, at the Diamond J.

  He stepped into the kitchen and opened his arms. “Is that any way to greet your fiancé?” His smile was dazzling, as always, perfect and white. His dark chocolate eyes were hopeful, his eyebrows raised in a question.

  Charlotte hesitated, her head swiveling from one to the other, looking like she didn’t know whether to offer tea and cookies or retreat. Beth figured she’d probably stay, to make sure there wasn’t any blood spilled.

  “You are not my fiancé. It’s over,” Beth declared. She turned to Charlotte, “Please see Mr. Worthington out. He is not welcome here.”

  “I will see myself out.” He took a step towards her and pleaded, “But, please, just give me a few minutes. I love you. I miss you. Can we just talk? Please?”

  Beth seethed. He sounded so sincere, but how could he possibly think there was any love left? She took a deep breath and said with all the self-confidence she could muster, “Fine. But not here, not now. I will meet you in town at the café at 8:00 tonight.”

  Charlotte cleared her throat and whispered, “The café closes at 8.”

  Beth bit her lower lip, squeezed her eyes shut and counted to ten before responding, “Meet me there at 7. We can discuss whatever we need to discuss in an hour.” With that, she stepped around Charlotte and Quinn and headed for the sanctuary of her room. She couldn’t take another moment of looking at him.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Beau cursed when he saw Beth look up just as he drove past. He hoped she hadn’t seen him. When Charlotte suggested he follow Beth to make sure she was okay, he balked at the idea of sneaking around and spying on the boss lady and her fiancé. But when Charlotte told him how attractive and polite that man had seemed, he couldn’t not go. Charlotte described him as a handsome devil.

  And so, Beau pulled up to the curb in front of the hardware store, hoping that Beth hadn’t noticed him. He flipped off the radio, cutting off Miranda Lambert in mid-song. Didn’t really fit his mood anyway.

  Beau walked along the sidewalk, trying to look casual, until he reached the café. He peeked in the front window just as Beth approached a table where a dark haired man was seated. The guy had a five o’clock shadow and his thick dark hair fell over his ears. Black-rimmed glasses framed his eyes and his dark pink dress shirt was perfectly pressed. Beau suppressed a laugh. Wearing a dress shirt in the Wilder café was pretty much a dead giveaway that you didn’t belong, and wearing a pink shirt - well, he wouldn’t be caught dead wearing pink.

  Beau frowned when the man stood up and pulled Beth’s chair out for her. He was short, just a few inches taller than Beth. Beth smiled politely. She was absolutely stunning, all dressed up like that. A little bit of slinky red fabric peeked out from under her black blouse, drawing his eye towards her cleavage, and then she turned away. Her jeans clung to the curve of her hips and the back pockets cupped her tightly. She sat and nodded her thanks.

  With one hand, she pulled her red hair back over her shoulders. It looked even more brilliant than usual contrasted against the black of her shirt. Her back was to the front window, but Beau could see her companion just fine. He fought the urge to go in and join them.

  That probably wasn’t what Charlotte intended. And that probably wouldn’t win him any brownie points with the boss lady, either.

  Beau continued to watch, leaning against the building and trying to look nonchalant. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his chest pocket and tapped it against his hand. He was trying to stop, but he was twitchy with nervous energy. Finally, he lit a cigarette and took a long drag on it as the waitress took the orders. The man spoke and motioned towards Beth as he continued to speak. Mighty confident, ordering for her like that.

  Jack Brooks pushed out of the cafe door and stutter-stepped when he saw Beau. “Hey,
there, Beau! What are you doing out here?”

  Beau pulled the cigarette from his mouth and blew out a slow column of smoke. “Just waiting for somebody.”

  “Heard that John’s daughter is in town.”

  “Yup.”

  “And that she wrecked her car. One of those luxury models.” Jack reached in his breast pocket and pulled out a tiny leather suitcase.

  “Yup.” Beau peered over the man’s shoulder.

  Jack flicked a card out and held it between two fingers like a cigarette. “Why don’t you bring her by the dealership sometime?”

  Beau shrugged. “Not sure if she’ll be sticking around or not.”

  Jack’s bushy eyebrows pinched together. “That’s too bad. Would be nice to see the ranch stay in the family.”

  Beau dropped his cigarette and ground it with his boot, then accepted the card. “Yeah, that’s what everybody wants.”

  Another couple pushed through the door and Beau stepped back to let them pass. He bobbed to the side and dipped his head, just in case Beth was looking towards the door.

  Dave Carson skirted the couple and hooked the door, then caught Beau’s eye. “Hey there! Been meaning to give you a call about the crop of yearlings you got this spring.”

  Beau stepped back and rested his back against the brick wall. “Got several really nice fillies.”

  Dave shook his head, still holding the door open. Sounds drifted out: people talking, silver clanking against china, pans clattering. “I’d prefer a colt. Mares got too much attitude.”

  Beau thought he caught Beth’s voice in the cacophony of conversation. “Got a couple of colts that’re showing a lot of promise.” He stretched his neck to get a glimpse of her.

  Dave swiveled his head to follow Beau’s gaze. He looked back at Beau and grinned, “That filly in there have a little attitude, too?”

  Beau frowned, but ignored the comment. “Come by and check out the colts sometime.”

  “Will do.” Dave tugged the door open and walked into the cafe. The door swung shut behind him, cutting off the voices.

  Beau narrowed his eyes as he focused on their table through the plate glass window. Beth wasn’t eating. What really bugged Beau was that Beth kept leaning in close. That intimate crap made his blood boil. He tried to tell himself that he was irritated that the boss lady would be stupid enough to stay involved with someone who treated her like dirt.