Page 79 of Love on the Run

“Beau!” Laughter spilled out of her as she clung to him. Nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck, the giggles died away, leaving a warmth that spread over her skin.

Lifting her head, she asked, “So, am I too heavy to throw?”

Beau huffed. “You weigh next to nothing. I could throw you ten yards.”

She laughed again and tightened her hold around his shoulders.

“But I don’t want to,” he whispered softly as he continued carrying her toward their room.

When they reached the door, he rested her feeton the floor. The excitement of dinner and the proposal had her mind zipping in a thousand different directions. Despite the late hour, she wasn’t ready to settle down.

Beau walked straight to his bag and grabbed some clothes. “If you’re all good here, I’m going to check out the gym.”

“Go right ahead. I have plenty of work to catch up on.”

He stopped just before the bathroom door. “Don’t work too hard. You’re still on vacation.”

She couldn’t resist the urge to roll her eyes. “Says the man who literally lives at work.”

Beau shrugged. “Everyone needs time off.”

He was right, but they’d both grown up hearing that hard work was the only way to keep your head above water. Beau and Olivia started farm chores when they were young, and Anna’s parents had been training her at the law firm since she was old enough to read.

Anna grabbed her laptop and settled on the bed with her back propped against the headboard. She’d respond to emails until she got tired.

A minute later, Beau stepped out of the bathroom wearing a white T-shirt and black gym shorts. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Take your time. I’ll be busy here for the next few hours.”

Beau stopped in his tracks. “I’m serious. Don’t overwork yourself.”

The genuine care in his voice was more than she could comprehend at the moment. Her mouth went dry, and she cleared her throat. “I won’t.”

He gave her a small nod but didn’t move to leave. “That was fun.”

So he had enjoyed their little game of pretend. “Really? What part?”

His voice was deep and sure as he leveled her with his intense gaze. “Pretending you were mine.”

Chapter 24

Anna

The breath in Anna’s lungs stilled as she watched Beau walk out the door. He hadfunpretending they were together.

Alone in the room, the force of Beau’s words struck her in the chest. It had been more than fun for her. She’d loved it—basked in his adoration and attention, took advantage of the opportunity to touch him, and finally said the things she’d been dying to say for days.

Her breaths came quicker as the realization took root. She was falling for Beau—fast.

She’d always been one to jump into love. It had always been easy to find the good parts of people and magnify them, but with Beau, everything was good. He put God first, he’d come on this trip with her, he’d taken care of her and protectedher, he’d listened, he’d worked hard and helped others. What was not to love?

Anna grabbed her phone and called her lifeline—the one person who knew how to bring her back to earth when she got lost floating in the clouds.

“Hey!” A dog barked in the background as Olivia answered.

“I have a problem.” Best to get right into it.

“What do you need? I’ll be right there,” Olivia said amidst rustling on her end of the call.

---