Page 18 of Eighteen Bowties and Counting

She looked at her fully, drowning in the woman’s beauty. “Yes,” she managed to scrape out of her throat.

“The new Stable Manager,” she said. “We’re excited to have you. Pete owns Courage Reins, and you’ll probably work with him a lot.”

“Sure,” Charlotte said. “I met Pete this morning. Is he your husband?”

“Yes, he is.” She stroked her hand down the hair of a younger boy—obviously her son. “I’m Chelsea. Squire’s sister. Pete’s wife. This one’s mom.” She grinned at her son. “Come on. No one stands on the sidelines here.”

Charlotte went with Chelsea and her son, and she felt and saw the eyes of everyone else on the ranch. She hated being the new person in a crowd, but she told herself she’d only be new today. Then she’d know everyone, and they’d know her, and there’d be someone else new soon enough for everyone to gawk at.

“Squire, this is—” Chelsea started to say, but Beau practically jumped to her side.

“Charlotte,” he called over her. “Our new Stable Manager.” He threw a glance at Squire. “Charlotte, this is the owner of the ranch, Squire Ackerman. He’s also the veterinarian here.” He nodded to the woman standing next to him. “His wife, Kelly. She made your curtains and picked out your bedding.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte said. “It’s all amazing.”

“My mother made the curtains, to be fair,” Kelly said with a smile. Her dirty blonde hair had been pulled up and out of the way, and her blue eyes had the sharpness of a bird of prey. She smiled, though, so she didn’t seem as predatory. In fact, she seemed kind and accepting. “Welcome to Three Rivers, Charlotte. You’ve met Chelsea.”

“And her husband Pete,” Charlotte said. “He owns Courage Reins.” She flashed a smile over to the brunette.

“And I met your son this morning,” Charlotte said. “Finn.”

Kelly practically glowed at the mention of her son, and she nodded. “Yes, he’s great. Goes to Baylor, and he’s just here for the summer.” She glanced around. “I’m not sure where he is right now.”

“Edith came out to the ranch,” Squire said, but Charlotte didn’t know who Edith was.

“There are a lot of us here,” Beau said, gently putting his hand on her lower back. Her skin fizzed beneath her tee, and she looked at him. His perfectly trimmed beard. The perched just-so cowboy hat. The dazzling glimmer in his eye. “Come meet a couple of my good friends.”

“Okay,” she said.

“We’re eating in five,” Kelly said.

“Got it,” Beau said. “Ben.” He joined the group of cowboys only a few feet away. They opened up for her and Beau, and he hugged his best friend quickly. “Ben and Ellie are getting married tomorrow.”

He indicated the strawberry blonde next to Ben. “An afternoon wedding, right here on the ranch, since they both work here.”

“We met back at the cabin,” Ben said.

“Great to meet you,” Ellie said.

“Will you guys live out here once you’re married?” she asked, scanning the other men in the group.

“No,” Ben said, exchanging a glance with Beau. “Ellie’s got a house in town, and I’m moving in with her.”

“This is Stu,” Beau said. “He does a lot of herd work. Next to him is Douglas. He works on the agriculture crew.”

“Great to meet you,” she said, shaking their hands. It seemed every cowboy had the same hat, wore a beard, some form of plaid, and blue jeans.

“Time to eat,” Kelly called. “Squire, call ‘em in.”

“Beau?”

Charlotte’s attention bounced from Kelly, to Squire, to Beau, who let loose a shrill, shockingly loud whistle. She automatically shied away from it, her pulse shooting up and then falling too fast.

She could feel herself crashing, and she immediately grabbed onto Beau’s arm just in case she passed out. She breathed in deeply, then pushed the air out. Another breath, and while her vision fuzzed a little bit, Charlotte didn’t think she’d pass out.

Around her, people moved closer and chatter slowed and stopped. She focused on the very solid muscles in Beau’s arm, the only anchor she had right now. He turned into her, his body heat sinking into hers in a very comforting and enjoyable way.

His hand slid along her waist, and his voice hummed through her whole body as he asked, “Are you okay?”

---