Page 7 of Tempting Fate

Charlotte

After our datelast night Beau brought me back to my place. I invited him in, but he refused, claiming he didn’t want to tempt fate. I wasn’t sure what he meant but then he kissed me at my door and my stomach erupted into butterflies. When he finally pulled away, he wrapped me in his arms and held me tight. I shifted slightly to wrap my arms around him, and he groaned. I could feel the evidence of what our kiss had done to him and it made me smile. It was then that I understood what he meant about tempting fate. I wouldn’t have minded tempting it, but it felt good to know that he did.

Most of the guys I grew up with would have gladly accepted an invitation to come in. Him refusing my offer only proves how different he is than everyone else. There have been guys over the years who have asked me out, and I’ve told each and every one of them I wasn’t dating. It never once occurred to me to give Beau the same answer. The moment he walked into my shop I knew there was something different about him. Something I was drawn to in a way I never had been with any other man before. He left once I was in the house with my locks bolted.

Sundays are the only day I get to sleep in. This morning I woke to a text from Beau with a picture of a dog holding a leash in his mouth, asking me to go for a hike with them. Spending time with Beau and his dog sounded like a lot more fun than a few more hours of sleep did.

Pulling up to the state park, Beau and his dog are already outside walking around. When Beau sees me pull in and park, he walks over to my Jeep and opens my door for me, then plants a swift kiss on my lips.

“Good morning Beautiful.”

“Good morning.” I hop out of my Jeep and slide my phone into the pocket of my black leggings and my keys into the other.

Beau looks me over and shakes his head at me with a smile on his handsome face. “Do you always wear black?”

Laughing, I nod. “Didn’t you know? It’s like a hairstylist’s uniform.” Before he can respond, the dog sniffs my legs and jumps up on me, licking my face. “Well hello to you too buddy.” I say laughing and rubbing his head.

“Thor, down.” Beau says in a firm, controlled voice. Thor listens instantly and stands beside his master. “Good boy.”

Is it wrong that turned me on a little?

“Are you ready?” Beau asks.

“Fair warning, I’m not much of a hiker, so don’t leave me behind when I start slowing down.”

“I’m never leaving you.” He says in as serious a tone as he used with Thor.

I bump his shoulder and start walking to the opening of the path. “Let’s go then.” I say over my shoulder.

We’re hiking for about an hour when we hear a dog barking nonstop. After a few seconds Beau, Thor, and I take off running towards the sound. They get there first. By the time I finally make it there, I see Thor sitting to the side watching Beau helping a woman who has a gash to her head. Her dog is wearing a service vest and is sitting very close to her.

“What do you need me to do? Should I call an ambulance?” I ask.

“That’s a good idea. I’m going to see if I can help Megan make it to the parking lot. Could you run ahead to call?”

“You got it.” I say then take off jogging as fast as I can. When I make it back to the parking lot where I have cell reception, I call nine-one-one. I let them know what has happened and where to meet us.

By the time the ambulance is pulling up, Beau is walking out of the clearing with Megan in his arms and the dogs walking on each side of him. Talk about perfect timing.

A police SUV pulls up beside the ambulance and my uncle and one of his deputies get out. What the hell is he doing here?

“Charlotte!” Uncle Nolan yells looking around worriedly.

“I’m right here.” I call and go to him. As soon as I’m standing in front of him, he looks me over then pulls me in for a tight hug.

“I didn’t know what happened. Someone mentioned it was you that had called and I had to make sure you were okay.” He says against the side of my head.

“I’m okay Uncle Nolan. I swear.”

He releases me and looks over at Beau who walks over and stands beside me. He looks between the two of us and I blush. “What happened?” He asks.

“Charlotte and I were on a hike when we heard barking. When I got there, Megan was propped up against a tree with her dog sitting beside her barking. From what Megan could tell me she was on a hike when she suffered a panic attack. She ended up tripping over a branch, twisting her ankle and hitting her head on a rock in the process. Her service dog stayed with her and alerted us that she was in trouble.”

“Hiking?” Uncle Nolan turns and asks me.

I shrug my shoulders. “It sounded like a good idea at the time.”

He shakes his head. “Well it’s a good thing y’all were out here. Who knows what would have happened if you hadn’t gotten to her in time?”

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