Page 54 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

“Really?”

“I mean, I soon realized that it wasn’t.”

“Why did you think that?”

“Because you didn’t even know the address,” he laughed. “I don’t think an actress who was being paid by would have been in a bar asking for the address to get to the ranch.”

“So you just thought I was some random girl showing up at your house?”

“I knew there had to be a story behind it, and I was pretty sure it involved my mom because, well, my mom has been going on about us getting married for years. And she’s the sort of mom that likes to take action.”

“Your mom’s amazing, though.”

“Yeah, she is. I love her very much. But that doesn’t mean she’s not a little bit of a busybody.”

“But the best kind of busybody.”

“Yeah, she really is,” he admitted. “If I were to have kids, they’d be lucky to have a grandma like that.”

“Yeah,” I said wistfully. “I’d love my kids to have a grandma like that.”

“So are you planning on having kids with Beau, and does he know?” Austin said in a slightly changed tone.

“That’s not what I’m saying. I just …” I sighed. “You took that the wrong way. I didn’t mean that I’m going to have kids with Beau and that we’re going to get married. I was just saying that your mom is pretty awesome and that anyone would be lucky and happy to have her in their lives. Any kids would be blessed to have her as a grandma.”

“Okay. Okay. No need to get so defensive.”

“I’m not being defensive.”

“Let’s change the subject. Do you like to watch movies?”

“I love movies. What about you?”

“Yeah, I love them too. What are some of your favorites?”

“Well, I really like psychological thrillers. I loved The Usual Suspects, Seven, Shutter Island.”

“Oh my God. I love Shutter Island!” His voice was suddenly eager. “Like, was Leonardo DiCaprio out of his mind, or was he just really in tune and playing everyone?”

“I know!” I agreed. “I have no idea. I’ve watched that movie so many times and I still can’t tell.”

“Me either. It’s like with Inception,” he grinned, “when they’re spinning the little wheel at the end.”

“I know. That movie was a mindfuck.”

“Yeah, it was. Have you seen Gone Girl?”

“Yeah, that was really cool. I was surprised that Ben Affleck could do that role so well.”

“Me too.” He was silent for a moment. “I guess we enjoy the same sort of movies.”

“I guess we do.”

“What about music?” he asked me. “Who do you listen to?”

“This is going to sound really ironic and I swear I’m not lying, but I love country music.”

“You love country music, really?”

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