Page 12 of The CEO and the Mountain Man

“Dark cloud, teenage angst, hates everyone?”

“Yes.” I shook my head. “Turns out he and his mom got into a car accident last year. Day before Christmas. She didn’t survive.”

Jake recoiled. He wasn’t good with emotions.

“That’s some bad luck,” he said.

Understatement.

“And … they’re both trying really hard,” I said, emotion creeping into my voice.

I was about to go into more detail when a familiar voice called out at the entrance of the barn.

“Beau?”

Jake sent me a look, and I turned around. Clark stood there, looking sheepish.

“Clark? Did you leave something behind?” I asked, hoping he hadn’t overheard me talking about his son.

“No …” He stood on one foot and held up the underside of the other. “I was really careful, but … I seem to have stepped in some horseshit. Twice.”

I palmed my forehead, trying to hide my laughter. Iknewthis would happen.

“I’m starting to think that maybe I didn’t pack right for this trip.” He wrinkled his nose. “At the very least, I should’ve packed better shoes.”

“Those the only ones you packed?” I asked, stepping up to him.

I liked the way he had to tilt his head back to look me in the eye.

Jake chuckled in the background.Bastard.

Clark looked a little embarrassed. “Well, I brought water shoes and flip-flops and some nicer shoes in case we decided to go to dinner, but …”

For a moment there, I thought he was talking about me and him going to dinner, then quickly realized he was talking about him and his son.

Focus, dumbass.

Oh, right. Shoes.Horse. Shit.

“The Mercantile in town’ll have what you need.”

I gave him another once over, because I wanted to make sure I was giving good advice. Not because I liked the way the sun had already caramelized his skin.

“I might also suggest better clothing. Something that was meant to be ridden in? Assuming that you are going on the trail ride with us.”

“Yes,” he said, nodding several times. He then let his head fall back, not unlike his son. “I promised River I would go on the trail ride. So, I’m going on the trail ride.”

I chucked his shoulder. “You sound thrilled by the prospect.”

“Sothrilled.Superthrilled,” he said, blowing raspberries. “River is hiding out in the cabin this afternoon, so I thought I’d head into town and take care of my shoe-slash-wardrobe situation.”

“Hey, Beau. Didn’t you need a new set of pliers?” Jake asked, coming out of the stall.

Shit-eating grin planted firmly on his stupid face.

The fact is, I had mentioned needing pliers.

Jackass.