Page 65 of Eighteen Bowties and Counting

Beau grinned and stumbled under the weight of Ben’s arm. “I know, right? I can barely believe it.”

“Charlotte’s amazing,” Ben said. “I really like her, Beau.”

“And the best part is, she won’t have to move after we get married.” He grinned at Ben, who shook his head as he chuckled.

“Oh, she’ll be movin’, brother,” Ben said. “I mean, she’s not gonna live across the hall from you once you guys say ‘I do.’” He raised his eyebrows. “Right?”

Beau had not allowed himself to think about walking into a bedroom he shared with Charlotte. But now he did. “Yeah,” he said quietly.

“Marriage is the best,” Ben said.

“Yeah?” Beau asked. “Are you and Ellie gonna have kids right away?” They’d already been married for a few months now, but Beau hadn’t gotten any announcements.

Ben’s face fell. “I’m not sure about that,” he said. “Ellie’s been having some health issues.” He flashed a smile at Beau that held more pain than happiness. “She might not be able to carry a baby. She’s been goin’ to the doctor for only a month or so. We don’t know much yet.”

Beau’s whole body turned to lead. “I’m sorry, Ben.”

“We don’t know much yet,” he repeated. He tried on another smile. “I’m trying to stay positive, and Ellie doesn’t want anyone to know quite yet.”

“Of course,” Beau said. “I won’t say anything to anyone.”

They piled into his truck, and Beau started the drive to town. He and Ben were so close and had been through so much, that he didn’t expect Ben to wallow in silence and sorrow, and he didn’t.

They started talking about the upcoming holiday festivities on the ranch, and Ben said, “I hope Squire and Kelly have another multi-ranch party. That ugly sweater contest was a hoot.” He laughed, and Beau joined in.

“Sure was,” he said. But he hadn’t heard head nor tail of a Christmas party, though Kelly could definitely put together a meal and a get-together faster than the weather changed in Texas. “I’m headed to Preacher’s for a Friendsgiving next month,” he said. “Me and Charlotte. They want to meet her.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they do.”

“Why don’t you and Ellie come with?” He glanced over to Ben. “I know her sister lives here, but it’s a Friendsgiving. We’ll go to Charlotte’s for Thanksgiving Day, but this is the Saturday following.”

Ben’s face lit up. “Do you think I’m invited?”

“Yes,” Beau said without missing a beat. “You’ve met the Glovers, right? They won’t care at all. I’ll call Preacher right now.”

“Don’t do that,” Ben said. “Just ask him later. But I think Ellie would like that. She was saying that all we do is drive out here, work, drive home, and collapse in bed.”

Beau laughed. “It’s just busy right now,” he said. “Fall always is.”

“Sure is.” Ben sighed as he leaned his seat back. “I’m gonna take a nap, so maybe I can stay up past eight o’clock tonight.”

Beau grinned over to him, and he let Bennett have his nap. They enjoyed lunch, and then Beau found himself opening the door of the jeweler where he hoped to find a ring for Charlotte. They’d talked a little bit more about a wedding and marriage, but Beau hadn’t come right out and asked her what kind of ring she’d like.

Charlotte didn’t wear any jewelry that Beau had seen—maybe a small pair of earrings on his birthday. But no rings, bracelets, or necklaces. A lot of cowgirls didn’t, so he smiled at the woman who approached him and Ben and said, “I need a ring for a woman who works with horses and probably won’t wear it much.”

The woman didn’t miss a beat and her smile didn’t slip a centimeter as she said, “We have sets where she can wear one when possible, like to church or when she’s not working, and when she can’t, it can be worn on a chain around her neck.”

Beau wasn’t sure Charlotte would even do that. He didn’t care. The diamond ring wasn’t the thing that made her his. The way she relaxed around him did that. The way she kissed him and gave herself to him—mind and body and soul—did that.

“All right,” he said, and he went with her to look at rings. Within only a few minutes, he got overwhelmed with settings and cuts and gold versus white gold. Thankfully, Ben was there to ask questions, and after a half-hour, he looked at Beau.

“Which one do you like?”

“Is it about me?”

“Yeah, which one do you like for Charlotte?”

“Beau?”

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