Page 129 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

“Would I ever complain?” he said.

“Now, now, children.” Sadie giggled. “Keep that kind of talk for the bedroom.”

“Sadie!” Lucy gasped, and everyone burst out laughing, even Ranger and Amelia.

And then I felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickling up. I knew Beau had walked into the room even before I turned around and saw him.

“There you are, Beau.” Ranger stood up and stretched. “Can we go to the study? We need to talk.”

Beau frowned. “Now?”

“Yes, son. Now.” He looked over at Amelia, who nodded. Beau and Ranger left the kitchen and headed to the study.

I wondered what was going on. It looked like Ranger wanted to have a serious conversation with Beau. Was the ranch really in as much trouble as Beau thought? It made me anxious for them. I didn’t know the Hamiltons that well, but I could already tell they were a loving, warm, and welcoming family. I didn’t want for them to lose their ranch. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to them.

I walked over to Amelia and touched her hand gently. “Is everything okay?” I said. I didn’t want to pry, because I didn’t know them very well, but I wanted to help in any way that I could. Granted, I didn’t have any money or agricultural skills, but maybe there was something I could do.

“You’re a very astute girl, aren’t you, Olivia?” She looked at me with kind eyes. “Thank you for asking, but it’s okay. We’ll be okay.” The whistle went off on the kettle. “Will you hand me some cups, please?”

“Of course.” I walked over to the cupboard to pull some cups out.

Amelia grabbed a box of tea bags and started placing them into the cups I put down next to her. I looked around the kitchen at the smiling, happy faces, and I realized that this is what a home really felt like, being with people that you loved, just enjoying little things, like tea, together

I was going to feel lonely when I got back to New York. I was going to miss this group of people, even though I’d known them for such a short amount of time. There was something about Montana that caught in your heart and stayed. Or maybe it was just the Horseshoe Ranch. This place was special, and I suddenly understood why Beau couldn’t walk away and didn’t ever want to give it up.

Chapter Forty-Two

Beau

“So, son, your mother and I are going to Seattle for a couple of weeks.”

I frowned. “Why?”

My dad looked at me with an inscrutable expression; I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “That’s something I need to keep private at this time.”

“What?” It was my turn to look annoyed. “What do you mean? You’re not going to tell me?”

“At this point, I think it’s best that I don’t.”

“Is something wrong? What’s going on?”

“I just need to see about some business with your mother. I’ve spoken to the attorneys, and I’ve drawn up all the official paperwork, so you’re now legally in charge of Horseshoe Ranch, and you can make all the executive decisions while I’m gone.”

“What about everyone else?”

“What do you mean?”

“What about Austin? And Wyatt, and Chet, and Huck, and Knox, and Flint?”

“I’m glad you can remember the names of your brothers, son. That’s a good sign.”

“Very funny, Dad. They’re not going to be happy to know I’m—”

“I haven’t given you the entire business. I’ve just put the business into your name for now so that you can make executive decisions. You’re the oldest, and I trust you. You’re also the most responsible, and I know you will always do what’s right for the family and for the ranch.”

“Well, yeah. But I just don’t understand. I’ve been running the ranch for ages—”

“Son, it’s something I should have done a long time ago. If anything were to happen, it’s better for everything to be in your hands. You may speak to your brothers and get their opinions, of course, but you’re the final decision maker. Didn’t I ever tell you too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth?”

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