Page 11 of Beau

Beau chuckled. “Six-five.”

Luke laughed in response. “You just love throwing that extra inch in there, don’t you?”

“Hell, it’s probably not the only place I have an inch more than you,” Beau joked, earning another laugh from Luke.

“You wish,” Luke retorted playfully.

“Does the truth hurt?” Beau teased back.

Luke stood up, pretending to be offended. “I don’t need to take this abuse. I’ll be at my desk. Are you heading to Mom and Dad’s Sunday for dinner?”

“Yeah. Do you think I want to deal with Mom if I don’t? I was just there yesterday, and she was already telling me to be there Sunday.”

“I hear ya. I’ll talk to you later.” With a nod, Luke made his way back to his own desk to start working.

As the day wore on, Beau found himself making little progress on the case. Frustrated and in need of a break, he pushed his office chair back and stood up, stretching his arms and arching his back. The office was slowly emptying out as coworkers left for the day, but Beau was determined to keep working until he found some lead on the missing horse.

A few days later, he was no closer to finding out anything about the missing horse. He pushed his chair back, took his hat and coat from the coatrack, and walked out of the office. As he pulled on his coat and placed his hat on his head, he waited for the elevator. It was lunch time, and he was starving.

As he walked toward the diner, his thoughts went to Brenna, making him smile. He wanted to call her but didn’t want to bother her while she was at work. He wasn’t sure what time she would have lunch at school.

Removing his phone from his inside coat pocket, he sent her a text message.

Dinner Saturday night at the Hartland? He sent the message, then continued to the diner.

Entering, he saw it was packed, but found an empty stool at the counter and took a seat.

“Hi, Beau. What can I get you?” a very pregnant Rissa Maddox asked.

“Hey, Rissa. My usual is fine. How are you?”

“I’m pregnant,” she said with a grin.

“Seriously? I never would have guessed.” He grinned when she laughed as she poured him a cup of coffee.

“I’ll be right back in a little bit with your order.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

His phone vibrated, and he removed it to see a message from Brenna and opened it.

I’d love to.

Beau grinned, then sent a text back.

I’ll see if I can get us in, if not, I’ll call Grant. Six thirty?

Yes.

I’ll let you know if it’s a problem. If not, I’ll pick you up at six.

Okay. See you then.

After calling the restaurant, he sighed as he called Grant Hunter, the owner of the restaurant and a good friend.

“Beau? What’s up?” Grant asked when he answered.

“I need a reservation for Saturday night at six-thirty for two.” Beau grinned when silence met him.

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