"We'll be here," I promise him.
After he leaves, the clinic falls silent except for gentle animal murmurs from the back rooms.
Colt is staring at me like I just grew a second head.
"What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious.
"You just went toe-to-toe with Beau Blackwell and won."
I shrug, trying to play it off even though my hands are shaking. "He was being unreasonable."
"He's always unreasonable when it comes to me." Colt's expression is thoughtful. "But he listened to you."
"Maybe he just needed someone to point out he was being an ass."
Colt barks out a laugh, and it completely transforms his face. "Jesus Christ, Shortie, you've got more balls than half the cowboys in this county."
The compliment makes my cheeks warm, but something about Beau's visit is nagging at me. The way he looked when I mentioned Dusty almost dying, the careful control in his voice when he asked about the dog's condition.
Whatever happened between him and Colt, Beau Blackwell isn't the cold bastard he pretends to be.
"I'll be right back," I tell Colt, heading for the door.
"Lucy, where the hell are you—"
But I'm already bolting outside, chasing after Beau's retreating form.
He's almost to his monster black truck when I catch up, slightly breathless. "Mr. Blackwell, wait up!"
He spins around, genuine surprise cracking his carefully controlled mask. "Miss Reid?"
"I just..." I catch my breath, trying to find the right words. "I wanted to apologize. For being harsh in there. I know you're worried about Dusty."
Something fractures in his expression, the granite mask developing hairline cracks. "You don't understand the situation."
"Maybe not. But I understand loving something so desperately that the thought of losing it makes you want to burn down the whole damn world."
I drift closer, pulled by the raw pain I can see bleeding through his armor. "Dusty's going to be fine. Colt really is taking incredible care of him."
"I know he is. Colt's the best damn vet in three counties," Beau says quietly, and there's something broken in his voice.
"Then what's this really about?" He searches my face for an eternity, like he's trying to decide whether I'm worth the risk of honesty.
"It's complicated as hell."
There's something about this man. Something in the way he carries himself like he's shouldering invisible weights, that calls to me. Maybe because I recognize the same kind of fear I've carried.
Before I can lose my nerve, I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist in a quick hug.
He goes rigid with surprise, his hands hovering uncertainly over my back, like he's forgotten how human contact works. But after a moment, his arms come around me, and I feel some of the granite tension melt from his frame.
"Thank you," he murmurs against my hair, his voice rough as gravel.
"For giving a damn about him. For... this."
I pull back just enough to meet his eyes, and they're softer now.
"He's going to be okay. And maybe...... maybe you and Colt will be okay too, someday."
