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“Wow. Where did you go to school?” I asked.
“Texas A&M.”
“Have you ever worked on the oil rigs in the water?”
He chuckled. “Yes. My grandfather made sure I worked almost every job there is that has to do with oil. I was ten years old and sitting in his office, listening to him in meetings. All I wanted to do was be like him when I grew up.” He frowned. “Now I’d give anything to be anyone else.”
A strange ache filled my chest as I looked at Beck’s sad face. “Why do you say that?”
He shrugged. “My grandfather lives, eats, and breathes anything related to oil or gas. He has more money than he knows what to do with…and he’s one of the unhappiest people I’ve ever known. I don’t want to end up like that. I enjoy being on the family ranch more, working with the horses and cattle. It feels like home when I’m there.”
“You must get that from your father.”
Beck looked at me and smiled. “I think so. My grandfather hates it when I’m there, though. We make a good amount of money off that cattle ranch, and I’ve offered to run it, but he wants me at the office, where the real money is, or so he says.”
“Well, I can promise you there is no oil or gas on the Shaw ranch. At least, I don’t think there is. You’ll get a reprieve while you’re in Montana. How long do you, um, do you plan on staying?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. I figured a couple of weeks, depending on how things go. They might not want to have anything to do with me.”
“Oh, trust me, they will love you instantly.”
A soft smile played across his face. “I brought a few of the letters if they wanted proof. That’s the best I can do for now, unless I do a blood test or something. I don’t want anything from them. I want to make that clear. I guess I was more curious than anything.”
I nodded and fought to keep from staring at him. “Trust me, one look at you and they won’t need any proof.”
Glancing at me, he laughed. “Do I look like I have Montana blood running through me?”
Biting on my lower lip, I nodded. “Indeed, you do.”
Chapter Two
BECK
The moment Avery stepped onto the plane, I noticed her. It was hard not to notice. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and her eyes—Christ, she had the most beautiful sapphire eyes. I’d never seen eyes like that. The conversation flowed easily between us…or that could have been all the alcohol.
“So? Will you have dinner with us?” Avery asked, pulling her eyes away from my mouth.
Shrugging, I replied, “Yes, I’ll have dinner with your family. After all, I came here to meet mine, and if you know them, all the better.”
She beamed, and it made my body tighten with a desire I hadn’t felt in a very long time.
She’s too young for you, Beck. Nine years younger, so stop picturing her naked.
“Did you have transportation planned for when we’ve landed?” Avery asked.
“Yeah, I rented an SUV. Do you need a ride to Hamilton?”
She looked like she was thinking over her answer. “My brother is picking me up. Thank you, though. I would love for you to meet him. If you’re not in a hurry, maybe we can grab a drink. Well…maybe you should have water.”
I laughed. “I’d like that.”
Smiling once again, she said, “Thank you for sharing your story with me. I hope that I can help you in this part of your journey.”
“I do as well, Avery. It’s a crazy small world. I can’t believe you know the Shaw family.”
The only thing she did was smile and look away. “Hopefully it’s a smooth flight.” She leaned her head back against the headrest, and within minutes, she was sleeping.
I stared at Avery for longer than was appropriate before I reached into the seat pouch and pulled out the book I’d brought along to read. But the alcohol was kicking in, and I soon found myself fast asleep just like the sleeping beauty next to me.
“How many suitcases do you have, Avery?” I asked as I took off the fourth one from the belt.
“I was in France for a long time, and some of those are designer clothes that I was not about to give up. Oh…there’s a brown bag! Is that one yours?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I quickly turned and reached for the suitcase.
“Is that it? Just one small case?”
I smiled. “I travel light.”
“I texted my brother when we got the first suitcase, so he’s probably driving around waiting for me. Do you mind helping me with these?”
“Not at all,” I replied as I turned two cases around and held them by the handles.
“I’ll show you where the rental car company is as we’re walking out.”
