Page 34 of Sudden Summer

“He’s such a shit,” Beau groaned. He still had his hand on my back, the warmth scorching through my dress hotter than the sun. We were close enough that I could smell a bit of his sweat, which probably shouldn’t make my entire body flush, but it did.

“Birdie? You okay?” he asked, backing up a step to look me over, head to toe.

“Yep,” I squeaked. Jesus. What was wrong with me? “Just didn’t realize how warm of a day it was today. Plus, Juniper’s like her own little furnace. I think we just better be getting back to the house.”

“Denver!” Beau called over his shoulder as the ranch hand trotted towards us on his horse. He hadn’t come from the bunk house, so I guess that answered my question about who was riding in with them earlier. “I gotta get my girls back to the house. You good to get the horses taken care of?”

“Yeah, boss, no problem. Hey, Birdie!”

I waved at Denver as Beau reached into the baby carrier and scooped Juniper out.

“Hey, berry girl. Were you out here having adventures? I bet you had lots of fun, but let’s get you girls back home.” He picked her up and sniffed her belly. “Oh, stinky girl! I think it might be time for a bath, too.”

“She’s not stinky.” I laughed. “Tell Daddy you’re not a stinky girl.”

“She’s definitely a stinky girl, but Dad will fix that.”

I didn’t think my ovaries could handle much more, and that was proven completely right when Beau plucked the sling carrier from around my neck, situated it on himself, and set Juniper inside. His one arm came up to pat her bottom, the other hand settling once more on my back.

“Come on.” He smiled. “So, what did my girls get up to today?”

“Oh, you know. The usual trouble—” I was about to tease him that we’d painted the house pink and put giant cow-print bows everywhere when my foot found a hole in the ground. All I could think as my face was hurtling towards the ground was how thankful I was that Beau had a hold of Juniper.

Just as my eyes shut, a strong arm banded around my waist, halting my tumble towards the earth.

“Whoa. You okay?” Beau set me back on the ground, his bright, worry-filled eyes searching my face.

“Fine.” My hand slammed up to my heart, as if resting over it could stop the adrenaline from coursing through my body. “Wow,” I laughed, “I definitely thought I was about to eat a dirt sandwich. Thanks for the save.”

“Any time.”

“Is Juniper okay?” I asked, looking down at the carrier. Her head was resting against his chest, and as soon as she caught my eye, the sweetest smile erupted over her face.

“She’s absolutely fine. I think all kids love clumsy people. I’m surprised that didn’t get a giggle from her.”

“I think those come later,” I replied, smoothing my hands down my dress. “How was your day? Were there any new calves?”

He chuckled. “You love the babies, don’t you?”

“One particular baby is higher up for me than all the rest, but if you ever try to tell someone that, I’ll tickle you to death.”

His eyes went wide. “I am not ticklish.”

“Oh, sure. Then you won’t mind if I just—” My fingers reached for the spot about halfway down his neck that I knew would have him hollering.

He jumped back, his hand on Juniper. “I can’t believe you would do that to me while I’m holding Juniper!”

“Why? She loves to be tickled. That spot is ticklish on her, too.”

“Hmm. Well, it seems there’s only one person here who needs to be tickled, for scientific purposes, of course.”

I felt my brows pull together, and not just from squinting under the sun. “Scientific purposes?”

Beau slipped his hand around mine, squeezing once before leaning in to whisper, “You know where my ticklish spot is, but I have no clue where yours is. Seems unfair, don’t ya think? I’d love to try and find it…maybe once we talk about why you’ve been avoiding me for days after that kiss.”

I held my breath as he pressed his lips to the skin just below my ear.

“Beau…I⁠—”