was in a twist.
She shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Cute, Ruby.”
“Hey, I’m impressed you caught up.”
“Because you let me.”
“Okay, I let you. But I couldn’t endanger Beau’s long-lost son.”
“One of his sons. I’ve got a twin brother.”
“Oh, no. There are two of you?” She smiled at him. This morning Beau had briefed her on all the sad events of his early life. He’d lost the woman he loved and his twins when she ran away from her abusive father. It was something Ruby had heard rumored, but it was never really spoken about in the Preston household.
“Yeah, I’m afraid so.”
She tilted her head. “Can the world handle it?”
“The world likes the Newport brothers for the most part. But the question is, can you handle it?”
“I already told you, I’m good with you being here.”
“I might be staying quite a while.”
It was time to set him straight, and she hoped to heaven she could heed her own warning. “You’re a city guy who’s out of place in the country. You run a big company, and I’m at home in a barn. You’re also the son of my best friend and mentor. The man is almost a father to me. You’d better believe I can handle it. There’s no other option, Brooks.”
He gave her a nod, his mouth turning down. “You’re right. But when I look at you and remember...”
“Don’t look at me.”
“You’re hard to miss, honey.”
Honey again? “It’s time to head back.” She didn’t wait for his reply. She turned Storm Cloud around. “Let’s go, Cloud.” With a slight nudge of the stirrup, the horse took off in a canter.
“I didn’t peg you for a runner,” Brooks called out.
But that’s exactly what she was.
This time.
With this man.
She wasn’t lying. She had no other choice.
“You’re cooking?” Brooks asked Ruby as he walked into his father’s kitchen later that day.
Ruby glanced at him from her spot at the stove. She wore a black dress that landed just above her knees, fitting every curve on her body like a glove. A pink polka-dotted apron tied at the neck and waist didn’t detract from the look. Brooks was beginning to think Ruby looked sexy in everything she wore.
“I’m cooking. Beau wanted me to make you a special dinner for your first night here.”
“Do you cook every night?”
“No, that’s Lupe’s job. She’s the best cook in the county, but this recipe comes from my father’s family, and it’s something Beau likes me to cook on occasion.”
Brooks walked over to the stove. “I’m the occasion?”
She smiled. “You’re the occasion.”
He lifted the top off the enamel pot. Steam drifted up, and the scents of Mexico filled the room.
“Be careful. It’s hot,” she said, shoving a pot holder into his hand.
“What is it?”
“It’s called receta de costillas de res en salsa verde. It’s braised short ribs in tomatillo sauce.”
“Smells delicious.”
“It’s not too spicy for a gringo.” Her mouth twisted.
“You’re all the spice I can manage in his house.”
Ruby whipped her head around to the kitchen door. “Dios! Don’t say things like that,” she whispered. “I don’t like lying to Beau.”
“How did you lie?”
“It was a lie of omission. I didn’t tell him I’ve already met you.”
She’d met him and slept with him. And Brooks was having a hard time forgetting it. “He won’t hear it from me, Ruby.” He wasn’t a kiss-and-tell kind of man. “I’m starving. Can I have a taste?” he asked.
“I suppose.”
She grabbed a fork and dipped it into the stew. The meat she pierced fell easily away, and she lifted the steamy forkful up to his mouth. “Here. Tell me if it needs anything.”
Brooks looked into her dark brown eyes as she fed him a morsel. The heat on the stove didn’t compare to how he was heating up just being close to Ruby again. And then he began to chew. The seasoned meat blasted his palate with savory goodness. “Mmm. The lady can toss a man over her shoulder, ride a horse like nobody’s business and cook.”
“So, you like it?”
He nodded and stepped inches closer to her. “Is there anything you don’t do well?” She didn’t back away, and he didn’t bother pretending he wasn’t talking about her prowess in the bedroom.
She nibbled on her lower lip. “Brooks.”
He ignored her warning tone, sensing she was as caught up as he was. He leaned forward and focused on her tempting mouth.
“Well, I see you’ve met Ruby already, Brooks.”
The booming voice startled him, and he quickly stepped away. Ruby turned back to the stove, and Brooks answered his father. “Yes, I’ve met Ruby. She was kind enough to give me a taste of her stew.”
Beau nodded. “It’s a favorite of mine. I figured you might like it, too.”
He bypassed Brooks to give Ruby a gentle kiss on the cheek. “Ruby’s like a daughter to me.” He gazed warmly into her eyes, and Ruby gave him a sweet, affectionate smile. “She’s been with us since she was a tot. Her daddy was foreman around here, and Ruby grew up at the Look Away for all intents and purposes. I don’t think there’s a better horse wrangler in all of Texas, and everybody knows it.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Actually, Ruby and I went for a ride this afternoon,” Brooks said, to add something to the conversation.
“Good, good.” Beau beamed with pride. “I want you to feel comfortable on Look Away. Did Ruby teach you a few things?”
Brooks met her eyes. “More than a few things.”
The
