I nodded taking in the information, “Guy ask anything else?”
He shook his head, “Not much, just that he had something to talk to Cassidy Mae about and was looking for her.” He stopped talking and looked me right in the eye. “Beau, you’re gonna keep my little girl safe at that big ol’ farm of yours?”
“Yes sir, between myself, my boys, and my sister there’s no way someone’s gonna get to her. She’s safe as can be. We tried talking her into talking to the sheriff but she refused. Can’t make that girl do anything she don’t want to.”
He chuckled and nodded his head. “That’s the damn truth.”
“Jett, can I have your promise not to tell Cassidy Mae what’s going on? I wanna see if this jerk talked to anyone else in town before I tell her what’s going on. She’s already nervous anytime people bring him up. So, I’d rather not scare her off if I don’t have to do so.”
“Lips are sealed, son. Let me know what you find out. Need to make sure my little girl’s safe.” He stood up and shook my hand as I did the same.
“Hey, Beau?” My eyes found Cassidy’s mothers.
“Ma’am?”
“Cassidy Mae needs a good man like you. You keep her safe and show her that love isn’t supposed to be cruel.”
“Yes, ma’am. I intend to do just that.” With a smile and a head nod, I turned to leave, placing my empty glass on the coffee table coaster. “Thank ya for the cold tea. It’s much appreciated.”
As I stepped out the front door, that same SUV we’d just been discussin’ was drivin’ by. It slowed just enough to know that whoever was inside was checking us out and then sped off again. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I didn’t know why they were here or what their plans were but there was no way anyone was getting close to my woman. As much as I wanted to speed off and chase down this guy, I needed to remain calm and stick to my plan. Stop in town and ask around.
As I parked my black Ford in one of the empty spots along the road, I noticed all the red, white, and blue decorations. They’d been planning for the fourth of July for a while now. It always made me laugh. Everybody had been outside putting up flags and it had been a full day of activities. Our town took group decoratin’ to a whole new level.
Our town florist was attempting to hang some sort of banner outside her shop window when I approached. “Howdy, Orly. How’re things going in town today?” A surprised look quickly turned into a friendly smile.
She set down the banner she was fixin’ to hang. “Oh, not much Beau. Just getting ready for the festivities later this week. Heard things at the stables been busy. What brings you out today?”
“Well, I was meanin’ to ask if anybody been asking around town ‘bout Miss Cassidy Mae?”
Orly looked up at the sky like she’d truly been thinking about it before she replied, “Now that you mention it. Was a fella here a couple of days ago asking ‘bout her being back in town. Didn’t tell him nothing though. He had a funny way about him that put me off. Figured he was bad news six ways from Sunday.”
“He drivin’ a black SUV around?”
She nodded as she leaned down to pick up the banner she’d set down earlier. “Sure is. Stopped by here and stopped by Carl’s too. Don’t think he said nothing about her either. You know how we take care of our own here, Beau.”
“I appreciate that, Orly. You needin’ some help with that banner?”
“I’d sure like a hand if you don’t mind.” I grabbed the other side of the banner, realizing that it was indeed another fourth of July banner. I chuckled to myself as we tacked it into the side of the building and stood admiring from afar.
“Well, that’s right about perfect. Thank ya kindly.”
Just as we’d finished checking it out a raindrop covered my cheek. Looking upwards I’d noticed the sky had turned a dark, luminous color. Summer storms were never a good thing. “I best be getting back to the farm now. You have a good evening.”
I sat and stared out the window, watching the rain come down outside. My mind was spinning in circles over everything that had passed between Beau and I the last couple of times we’d talked. I still couldn’t believe I’d shared all of that heartache about losing the baby. He’d held me so close and made sure I knew he was there for me in all of it.
A strong hand on my lower back.
A caress of my cheek.
A kiss on my forehead.
I’d known Beau Montgomery would sweep me off my feet but this was a whole other level of swoon. You only read about this type of man in romance novels and here I was witnessing it in real life.
The rain outside was a downpour and I felt the effects in my soul. It was dark and heavy with emotion. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling. Scared? Heck yes. I knew I wanted to be with Beau but for some reason, I couldn’t get over the nagging in the back of my mind that said something bad was coming. I didn’t want to think about it.
I’d come to the determination that I couldn’t sit in this room any longer and let my thoughts cloud my brain. I pulled open the door and retreated to the living room. The TV was already on and Reagan was planted in front of it on the couch. I took a moment to look over the living room.
I hadn’t taken much notice of everything. It had a rustic cowboy theme. Red leather couches made up the center of the
