Page 47 of Buck ’Em Cowgirl

Beau started laughing, the hearty noise filling the room as he set the coffee and brown paper bag on the table.

“I was never able to see you naked in daylight, and baby, I am not mad about this.” His lips curved into a smug grin. “You can greet me like this anytime, but maybe with less theatrics.” He winked.

“What are you doing in my house?” I snapped, spinning around so I could tuck the towel securely around me. “You can’t just barge in here.”

“I came to check on you,” he said, completely unbothered. “I rang the bell. Didn’t hear anything, and I thought maybe you’d choked on your own puke or something, so I came in. Used the key.” He held up a shiny key, dangling it between his fingers.

I marched over and snatched it out of his hand. “Thank you. That is mine.”

He chuckled again, watching me as I stepped back, clutching the key and my towel like they were my last defense.

Okay, maybe it was kind of nice that he was worried. He didn’t have to barge in, but still . . . it was nice. Annoying, but nice.

“For real, what are you doing here?”

“I brought you coffee.” He grabbed the coffee, and I reached for it, but before I could take it, his free hand shot out, capturing mine in his. His grip firmly held my hand hostage between us.

My breath hitched as I glared up at him. “Let me go, Beau.”

His thumbs brushed lightly against the raw skin on my hand, and suddenly, the coffee was the last thing on my mind.

“What is this? Are you okay?”

I tried to pull away, but his grip didn’t loosen. He wasn’t hurting me, but he wasn’t letting go either.

My shame grew stronger with every second he held me, heat rising in my cheeks as I avoided him. I felt like he could see straight through me, down to every messy thought and fear I’d tried to scrub away.

“Beau, let me go,” I mumbled.

He didn’t move, his hands steady as his eyes searched mine. “Talk to me,” he said quietly, the concern in his voice impossible to ignore.

How could I tell him about the accident? About Mike? About all of it? It wasn’t just a conversation—it was a floodgate. It would feel like dumping everything I’d kept locked away, and I wasn’t even sure I understood it all myself. Half the time, I couldn’t process it, let alone explain it to someone else.

The shame twisted tighter in my chest, threatening to choke me. He wouldn’t get it. How could he?

I shook my head, the movement jerky and final. “No.”

Beau’s eyes searched mine, his voice soft as he asked again, “You okay?”

I tugged my hand free from his, the sting of his concern almost worse than if he’d just dropped it. Snatching the coffee from his hand, I forced a laugh that sounded hollow even to me.

“Just need some lotion,” I muttered, not daring to meet his gaze again.

I turned and headed for the bedroom, my back stiff, my heart pounding. I could feel his eyes on me, but I kept walking. Once I made it around the corner, I let out a shaky breath.

I didn’t need his concern. I couldn’t handle it. Not when I was barely holding myself together. I walked into the bedroom and shut the door, setting the coffee on the nightstand.

“I thought I could show you around the ranch this mornin’. Kline’s gone on an event, and you mentioned having to work,” Beau shouted from the other side of the door.

Mhmm. Perfect.

It was infuriating how he showed up unannounced. Why was he always around? The more he lingered, the harder it would be to keep my secrets under wraps. I had plenty of them, all carefully tucked away where no one—especially not Beau—could get to them.

I sighed, dragging myself toward the dresser, yanking out a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. I didn’t even think about showering. I tossed on my old college sweatshirt over the top. If he was going to barge in like he owned the place—my place—then he could deal with me looking like this. I pulled my hair into a messy bun and left a few pieces out to frame my features.

“Alright,” I grumbled to myself, taking one last look in the mirror.

I grabbed the coffee and took a tentative sip, expecting it to be average, but it wasn’t. It was good—really good. Rich, smooth, with just the right balance of boldness and sweetness. My eyes widened as I took another sip, savoring it.