Page 123 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

Your adventurous sister,

Lexi

“Is this a joke? This reads like the bio that was in the article in the magazine.

“You really don’t know her?” Arya sat on the couch, her lower lip trembling.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve never dated or slept with a Lexi or an Alexa, and I would remember. And I always use condoms so . . .” I looked over at Olivia, who was looking like she’d rather be anywhere than here. “I’m just saying, is all. Condoms are ninety-nine percent effective.”

“I’m so sorry.” Arya jumped up, looking distraught. “I should have known it wasn’t true. Come on, Eloise.”

“You can’t leave like this.” Olivia walked over to her. “You’re upset.”

“I shouldn’t have come. I had a feeling this was wrong.” Arya burst into tears.

“It’s okay.” Tears made me uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to cause this woman any more grief. “You can’t drive if you’re upset. Where are you staying?”

“In my car,” she said softly, looking down.

“What?” I frowned. “Why are you in your car?”

“Lexi took all our money, and I couldn’t pay the rent.” She wiped her eyes. “Sorry, I know this isn’t your problem. I just hoped you were the dad because we really need the help, but it’s fine. I have a job and—”

“You’ll stay here.” I noticed Olivia giving me an approving nod.

“No, we can’t.” Arya shook her head. Eloise was staring up at her aunt, looking sad.

“You can and you will. We have plenty of room here.” I walked over to Eloise and kneeled down on the ground in front of her. “Hi, Eloise, I’m Beau. Would you like to have some milk and cookies?”

“Yes, please.” She nodded eagerly and then looked over at her aunt quickly. “Can I have some please, Auntie Arya?”

“Of course.” She smiled at me. “Thank you, that’s really sweet of you. I don’t even know what to say.”

“All you have to say is that you’ll have some as well.”

“Oh, well, I don’t know.” She looked hesitant. “You really don’t have to be so nice. I know this has been a shock. I don’t even know what to say.”

“Your sister said I was the father. You believed her.”

“I mean, I didn’t completely believe it, to be honest.” She chewed on her lower lip and looked away from me. “She’s lied in the past, but this time I had hope, I guess.”

“What are you going to do?” Olivia asked her, a note of real concern in her voice. She walked over to Arya and rubbed her shoulder. “If you need anyone to talk to, I’m here.”

“Oh, thank you. You’re both so nice.” She wiped her eyes again. “You’re going to make me cry.”

“Now we don’t want that,” I said quickly. I wasn’t equipped to deal with a crying woman right now. “Come on, Eloise, let’s go and get some cookies.”

“I have an idea.” Olivia’s eyes lit up. “Maybe we can make some cookies?”

“Oh, yes, please.” Eloise jumped up eagerly. “I love baking cookies.”

“Well, sure.” I shrugged. “I don’t know that we have everything you need to make them, but hopefully we do.”

“Your mom bakes all the time.” Olivia smiled at me affectionately, and my heart skipped a beat. “I’m sure she has flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, and chocolate chips.”

“We can check.” I headed toward the kitchen, and they all followed behind me. I could hear Sadie and Wyatt giggling about something further away in the house, and I wondered when they would finally figure it out. “Okay, have at it.” I gestured to the cupboards as we all made our way into the kitchen. My phone rang at that moment, and I grabbed it from my pocket. “Hello?”

“Hi, can I speak to Beau Hamilton, please?”

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