Page 42 of Surly Sheriff
He shook his head, sitting his ass on the stool she indicated. “Not hungry. Where’s Oliver?”
“In his office, putting in some final edits.”
Disappointed, despite not intending to come here, he pushed himself upright. He knew better than to disturb the man while polishing up his latest manuscript. “Then I’ll go.”
“Sit, Beau. I can see you’re troubled. Oliver will have my hide if I let you leave in this state.”
He wavered, but Sunny’s compassionate stare tipped his mind. “Thanks.”
She nodded. “Coffee? Beer? Something stronger?”
“Beer will do.”
Sunny crossed the kitchen to the fridge and returned with a bottle, grabbing an opener on her way. She set both items on the counter. “Your visit got something to do with your ex being in town?”
Small towns and grapevines. He huffed a breath. “Except she’s not my ex. We’re still married,” he admitted.
Her brows disappeared beneath the heavy fringe of blonde hair. “Really?”
“Yep.” He took a long pull from the bottle. “Never filed for divorce.”
Sunny sat opposite him and tilted her head. “Why?”
Just thinking about that day when he found Raegan’s note brought a lump to his throat. “Wanted to look her in the eye and ask why? Guess I can do that now.”
“Bella’s never told me your story, and me being me, I’ve never asked.”
“Oliver knows.”
Sunny’s lips curled into a small smile. “My husband is even more of a vault than your sister. He’ll never break confidence.”
Beau dropped his head and ran a finger over the sweating bottle, catching his nail on the edge of the label. “She has a child with her. A boy. Claims he’s mine.”
Except for a sharp gasp, Sunny remained silent.
“But I don’t believe a word coming out of her lying mouth,” he continued.
“There are ways to prove he’s yours.”
“DNA results can be falsified.”
“Wow, Beau. That’s harsh. Even for you.”
“Rae’s good with computers. With hacking. She lied from the beginning. About everything,” he said, the bitterness of her deceit resuscitating his anger. “Her past. Her identity. Loving me. Lying about the boy is probable.”
“Tell me your story.” She leaned across the counter and placed her hand on his forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m impartial, having never met her. Maybe together we can figure something out.”
“Why’re you helping me, Sunny?” Beau met and held Sunny’s compassionate stare. “I was a complete bastard to you.”
“Because I can see you’re hurting,” she whispered. “You were only looking out for your friend back then, and now I’m returning the favor.” A small smile pulled on her lips. “Besides, you know my darkest secret. It’s only fair I know yours.”
“I met her the day I found Kismet. She captivated me from the first moment, and within days, I knew she was the one.”
10
Under his skin
Six years ago …
