“That was good,” she said of the classic Western they’d just watched. “I’ve seen it half a dozen times, and it never disappoints.” What wasn’t to like about horses and range wars and white hats against black hats? It was clear who to cheer for, who were the good guys. If only life was that easy to figure out.
Her body had been in a constant state of high alert since Brooks entered the house. She’d tried hard to tamp down her feelings, to treat him as a guest and not the man who’d turned her inside out. A part of her wanted him to go, so that they could end whatever they had before he tore her life up in shreds. And another part of her wanted him to stay. To keep her company throughout the cold winter night.
She lifted away from Brooks and unfolded her pretzel position to stretch out her legs.
He planted his feet on the floor, bracing his elbows on his knees, and turned to her. “Thanks for the movie. I really liked it. But I think a lot of that had to do with the company.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Welcome. Popcorn was good, too. I can’t remember enjoying an evening like this back home.”
“You don’t go to movies in Chicago?”
He shook his head. “No, not really. I’m usually too busy. It’s not high on my list of priorities.”
“I guess Cool Springs is a totally different experience from what you’re used to.”
“It is, but not in a bad way. Back home, my phone is ringing constantly. My life is full of dinner meetings and weekends of work. I don’t get to play very often.”
“Is that what you’re doing here? Playing?”
“If you knew how hard I tried to find Beau, you wouldn’t even have to ask. I went to great lengths and sometimes, now that I think back, didn’t employ the most honorable means to locate my father. My coming to Look Away is very serious. But I am finding some peace here, and it’s quite surprising.”
“I meant with me, Brooks.”
He reached out to grab her hand, then turned it over in his palm as he contemplated her question. “Not with you, either, Ruby. I don’t make a habit of playing games, period.”
“You probably don’t have to.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, you’re handsome and wealthy and I bet—”
“You’d bet wrong. I’d be the first one to tell you I’ve been obsessed lately with finding the truth of my parentage. I haven’t had a moment for anything else. I haven’t dated in months, and I—”
She pressed her fingers against his lips. “Okay, I believe you.”
He kissed her fingertips. “Good.” He rose then and lifted her to her feet on his way up. “I really should go.”
She waited a beat, debating over whether to have him in her bed tonight, to wake with him in the morning. Picturing it was like a dream, but she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t invite him to stay. The long list of reasons why not infiltrated her mind, making it all very clear.
“I’ll walk you out.” She tugged on his hand and headed to the door, ignoring the regret in his eyes and willing away her own doubts about letting him go. “Thanks for the candy and flowers, Brooks.”
He bent his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. The kiss was over before she knew what was happening. “You’re welcome. I had a nice time tonight,” he said and walked out the door.
He had had no ulterior motive for showing up here tonight.
Her heart warmed at the thought.
Galahad had been true to his word.
* * *
The next morning, Ruby entered the shed attached to the main house. It was nearly as big as the Preston five-car garage. Back in the day, the Preston boys would play in here, pretending to camp out in the dark walled recesses and holding secret meetings. Ruby was never a part of that all-boy thing, but she had her own secrets in this place. The shed was where twelve-year-old Rusty Jenkins had given her her first kiss. It had been an amateur attempt, she realized years later, as the boy’s lips were as soft as a baby’s and he’d kinda slobbered. But it had thrilled her since Rusty was a boy she’d really liked. And every time she walked in here, those old, very sweet memories flooded her mind.
She lifted the first box she found marked Christmas in red lettering and loaded it into her arms. Ever since Tanya had passed on, Beau enlisted Ruby’s help in decorating the entire house, claiming the place needed a woman’s touch. And she was happy to do it. It was serious business getting the house ready for the holidays.
When the shed door opened, letting in cool Texas air, she called, “Beau, I’m back here.”
“We’re coming,” Beau said in a nasal voice.
She turned to find not one but two Prestons approaching. She should’ve known Brooks would be with him. There was no help for it; Beau was anxious to spend as much time as he could with his son.
Immediately Beau took the box out of her arms. “Morning, Ruby.”
“Good morning,” she said to both of them. But her gaze lingered on Brooks, dressed in faded blue jeans and a white T-shirt that hugged his biceps. She looked away instantly—she couldn’t let Beau catch her drooling over his son. Brooks had hunk written all over him, and how well she knew. Every time he entered a room, her blood pulsed wildly. It usually took a few moments to calm down. “Brooks is going to help us decorate the tree, if that’s okay with you.” Beau barely got the words out before he began coughing, and his face turned candy apple red.
“Are you sick, Beau?” she asked.
“Trying to catch a cold is all, Rube.”
But he coughed again and again. Brooks grabbed the box out of his arms.
“Not trying,” she said. “You sound terrible. You’re congested, Beau.”
“I think so, too, but he insisted on helping decorate the tree today,” Brooks said.
Beau pursed his lips. It was the closest the man came to pouting. “Is it so wrong to want to put up a tree with my son for the first time?”
Ruby glanced at Brooks and then gave Beau a sweet smile. “Not at all, but if you’re not feeling well, you should rest. The Look Away Christmas party is happening this weekend, and Graham and his fiancée will be here by then. You want to be healthy for that, Beau. A little rest will do you a world of good. I can manage the tree.”
“I’ll help, Ruby,” Brooks added, nodding. “Why not take a rest and come down later for dinner?”
Beau turned his head away and coughed a blue streak. “Okay,” he managed on a nod. He couldn’t argue after that coughing spell. “I guess you two are right. I can’t be sick when Graham and Eve get here. Not with her being pregnant and all. That’s my first grandbaby.” Pride filled his voice.
“Yeah, and I’m gonna be an uncle.” Brooks’s eyes gleamed, showing Ruby just how much Beau and Brooks looked alike.
“That you are.” Then Beau drew out a sigh as if he wanted to do anything but rest on his laurels this morning. “I’ll go now. See you both later on.”
He walked away, and the