Page 31 of Cowboy Heat
Damien doesn’t waste any time. He hauls it back to his pickup.
I watch him start it, but the person who’s come outside is now next to me.
Beau watches Damien leave too.
There’s a million things I could say, I’m sure.
The top of what I’m thinking comes out first. “You must be good at reading body language from your last job, right?”
“Most times, yes.”
Damien’s truck kicks up gravel as he speeds off. He has a lead foot tonight.
“Did you see us talking any?”
Beau nods. “I did.”
“Enough to tell me your impressions on his body language?”
Beau crosses his arms over his chest. We watch Damien’s disappearing taillights. “He’s mad—that’s why I came out.”
I make a mental note to think of Beau coming to my defense, but I’m stuck on something. “But that’s not all?”
“No. He seems worried. Nervous more than anything. He couldn’t stand still.”
I sigh. “That’s what I thought.” I turn to face Beau. “I know I invited you for a drink, but I think I need to take a raincheck for the rest of the night. Sorry, I’m not always this dramatic.”
Beau isn’t as accommodating as before. “What’s going on? What does Everett Guidry’s brother want with you?”
So June filled him in while I was gone.
A part of me wishes she hadn’t.
I’ve wanted the Guidry brothers to disappear from my life for years. Now they’ve expanded their reach into someone else’s head.
Next thing I know,La Lumierewill be there too.
I don’t want that for Beau.
I don’t want that for me. “He’s just looking for Everett and wondered if I’d heard anything about him. Damien isn’t the most social of creatures, but I’ve known him a while, so it’s easier to talk to me than most, I think.”
Beau has more questions.
I’m not going to answer them.
Maybe he’s reading my body language too. He doesn’t try to get to the bottom of this. “I can give you a ride, then.” He pulls his keys from his pocket. “I’ve already closed my tab.”
I shake my head firmly. “I appreciate it, but June can do it.” Bless that beautiful mess of a friend, June comes out of the bar like she knew I’d summoned her. She has her purse on. I give Beau my best smile. “I’ll text you, okay? Sorry again for leaving early. I had fun, though.”
Beau opens his mouth like he’s going to say something, but June is faster. She hasn’t heard a word we’ve said, but she understands the assignment. Beau’s not the only one who can read body language. “It was nice to meet you, Beau Montgomery,” June says. “We’ll have to do this again real soon. Ready, Kissy?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
June is off, and I’m left lingering on Beau.
Before my mind can detach, I find it going to one thought. I sure wish Beau had come to Robin’s Tree sooner.
Before the flood, before my parents died, before Micah Clayborn and I were stuck in that car. Before Guidry saved us.
