went on to explain that in the summer months, Ruby gave lessons to children three mornings a week, teaching them how to respect and care for the animals. “It’s a sight to see. All those kids swarming around her, asking her questions. Anyone who knows Ruby knows she’s not the most patient kind. She likes things to get done, the faster the better, as long as they’re done right. But Ruby, with those kids...well, it’s my favorite time of year, watching her school those young kids.”
Ruby with kids? Now that was an image that entered Brooks’s head and lingered.
They rode out a ways, Beau showing him all the stables and corrals and training areas. There were outbuildings and supply sheds and feed shacks on the property. They rode along the bank of a small lake and then over flatlands that bordered the property. Beau’s voice filled with pride when he spoke of his land and the improvements he’d made on the horse farm through the years.
“Enough about me, son. I want to hear all about you and your brothers. And your life in Chicago.”
“Where do I start?”
“From the beginning...as you remember it.”
“Well, let’s see. Going back to my earliest years, Mom was always there for us. We lived with Mom’s best friend, an older widow named Gerty, as you know. She was Grandma Gerty to us, and there wasn’t a day that went by that my brothers and I didn’t feel loved. As adults, we found out what a truly generous woman she was. She put a roof over our heads, raised us while Mom was working and helped all three of us get through college.”
Brooks sighed, relieved. “That’s good to hear, son.”
“We had a good life, but all throughout growing up, Mom always told us we were better off that our father wasn’t in our lives. I guess that was Mom’s way of protecting us. And you, as well. I’m guessing she feared her fake identity would be discovered. Gosh, her father must’ve really done a number on her.”
Beau’s brows pushed together, and his scowl said it all. “You don’t want to know.”
Brooks nodded. Maybe he didn’t.
He went on. “While she was pregnant, she worked for Sutton Winchester as his personal secretary. They fell in love, and she must’ve shared her secret with him about her life and the true father of her twins. I think he protected her secret all those years, and then things went bad between them. His ex was making all kinds of trouble, and Mom walked away, but by then, she was pregnant with Carson.”
“It’s quite a story.”
“I know, but all through it, Mom was our constant. I miss her so much. But I will admit to being angry with her, with you, with Winchester. I became obsessed with learning the truth.”
“Good thing, or we would’ve never found each other, son.”
“That much is true. But I’m pretty relentless when I go after something.”
“You saying you have regrets?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. But not about coming here and being with you, Dad.”
Sitting tall in the saddle, riding the range with his father and learning about Look Away all seemed sort of right to him. Though he had a full life in Chicago, a successful business to run and family he could count on, being in Texas right now gave him a sense of belonging that he’d not had for a long time.
“I think we all have regrets,” Beau said. “I shouldn’t have stopped until I found Mary Jo. Gosh, son, you have to know how much losing her ate me up inside. After a time, I really thought she was dead. And I blamed her old man for it. He’s a shell of what he once was, but I never knew a meaner man.”
“He must’ve been for my mom to run from you and her hometown, the only place she’d ever lived. Only goes to show how strong my mother was.”
“And brave, Brooks. I don’t know too many women who would be able to assume a new identity, get a job, raise her boys and give them a life filled with love. Mary Jo was something.”
“Yeah, Mom was that.”
As they continued their ride, Brooks scanned the grounds, looking for signs of Ruby. She hadn’t joined them for breakfast, which was a disappointment. He’d been looking forward to seeing those big brown eyes and the pretty smile this morning. He knew enough to stay away from her, but he had an uncanny, unholy need to see her again.
Now, as they headed back to the stables, he kept his eyes peeled.
“Ruby’s got a date this afternoon,” his dad said, practically reading his mind. Was Brooks that obvious about what he’d been searching for? He had no right to feel any emotion, yet the one barreling through his belly at hearing Ruby was on a date was undeniable jealousy. “Or she’d be on the ranch today. I’ve asked her to show you a little about her horse training program. Looks like it’s gonna have to wait until tomorrow, if that’s okay with you, son?”
“Of course. I’m on Ruby’s schedule. She’s not on mine. If she’s seeing someone, that takes precedence.” Damn, if those words weren’t hard to force out.
His dad chuckled. “No, it’s not like that. Gosh, I’m sure glad that ship has sailed.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, the man she was seeing a while back didn’t sit straight with me. I’m glad he’s out of the picture now.”
“Didn’t like him much, huh?” Brooks shouldn’t have been prying, but he couldn’t help but want to know more. Ruby fascinated him in every way.
“No. Trace Evans wasn’t the man for her. Hurt her real bad, too, and she’s moved on. She’s having lunch with a girlfriend, and you know how that goes. She could be gone for hours. I told her not to worry and to take all the time she needs. Man, it sure is different raising a girl, that’s for sure.”
Too much relief to be healthy settled in his gut. “I wouldn’t know, having two brothers.”
“Yeah, I hear ya. When Ruby came into the family, my boys had to clean up their act. Not a one of them ever disrespected her, and that’s what I want for her. Whoever takes her heart better damn well treat it with tender care. I owe it to her and her daddy.”
The more he was around Beau, the more respect Brooks had for him. He liked that Beau was watching out for Ruby, and again it underscored his need to keep their relationship platonic. If only he could think of Ruby as a half sister.
Instead of the sexy, hot woman who’d heated up his sheets two nights ago.
Ruby bit into a pulled pork slider, and barbeque sauce dripped down her chin. She dabbed at it with her napkin. “Yum, I feel better already.”
Serena Bartolomo chuckled as she lifted her slider to her mouth and took a big bite, too. When it came to settling nerves, there wasn’t anything better than the Cool Springs Café’s food, and the combination of being with Serena and downing pulled pork made Ruby’s hysteria from yesterday seem like a thing of the past.
