Page 86 of Burning Skies
Chuckling, he shakes his head. “I didn’t say it.”
“It’s like she wondered, ‘What’s the most inappropriate thing I could make for a schoolteacher?’”
He grins. “I have a feeling I’m gonna like your aunt.”
“You will. She’s adorable.”
“You’re adorable.”
I’m grinning at him when his co-worker pops around my SUV. “I heard you might need help bringing something in.” It’s that girl Melissa. She smiles at Beau in a way that tells me she’s seen him naked.
I know they used to date or whatever, but it’s clear to me she still wants him. Inside, I’m growling. “Hi, I’m Honey.”
“Hey.” She glances at me, then looks at the food. “Oh my God. Who the hell made these?”
Her voice has such a mean tone, it makes me bristle. “My great-aunt. She’s eighty years old.”
“Well, they look like dicks.” She points to the largest sausage and then nudges Beau. “This one reminds me of you.”
No, she didn’t.
Where is Cynthia when I need her to run over someone with her car?
“Melissa. Back off,” Beau growls, his jaw tight.
“What?” She giggles and squeezes his arm.
I give her a brittle smile. “Enjoy being a dick. I mean, eating a dick.”
Before she can respond, I jump in my SUV and start the engine. I can see the apology in Beau’s eyes when I drive away.
I can’t wait until Beau and I can openly date. I have a feeling Melissa won’t be so excited. It’s a thought that makes me smile.
31
BEAU
“Hand me the bigger pliers.”
Rhett places them in my palm. I use them to tie in the new wire, then pull it taut. I yank off my cowboy hat to wipe the sweat out of my eyes and off my forehead, then study the fence. “This should hold up better.”
We spend the next few hours inspecting the fencing where the cow-calf pairs graze. It helps take my mind off Honey and the look in her eyes when she drove away from the firehouse yesterday. She was pissed. I don’t blame her. If I saw a guy clinging to her the way Melissa did, I’d be livid too.
When I asked Mel why she was acting so territorial, she feigned ignorance. I told her to cut that shit out. That we’re not together so she shouldn’t act like we are. Not sure what’s gotten into her lately. She’s moodier than usual. Meaner. It’s not a good look.
As soon as I could, I called Honey to apologize, but she said she understood. She’s hanging out with her friend this weekend, which means I’m spending today and tomorrow helping my brother before my next shift.
Rhett’s voice cuts into my thoughts. “I feel like we spend half of our lives fixin’ fences.”
“Remember when we were little, and Isaiah said he could jump the fence and bet I couldn’t do it too? ’Course, I had to try it and got tangled up on my way down.”
“You bled everywhere.”
“Good times.” I hold up my hand where you can still see the scar. “Can I ask you something?” This has always bothered me.
“Sure.” He takes a swig of water from his thermos.
“Why did Isaiah leave? I know he and Gus argued”—Isaiah and our father butted heads constantly—“but what’s kept him away after Gus died?”
