Page 50 of Beau

After they were both ready to go, Beau led the way out of the barn and Brenna followed closely behind. She couldn’t help but admire his horse, a magnificent American Quarter horse with a shiny black coat and strong, muscular build.

“He’s beautiful,” she remarked.

“I think so too. Bought him the minute I saw him,” Beau replied.

“What’s his name?”

“Blackjack.”

“It suits him perfectly. You don’t ride an Appaloosa?”

“Yes, I have one of my own, but Blackjack loves riding in the snow.”

As they rode through the fields, the wind picked up and Brenna pulled her coat tighter around her. Beau seemed unaffected by the weather, his rugged features looking right at home in the elements.

She gazed around at their surroundings. The snow-covered pine trees along the fence line, created a picturesque winter scene. Suddenly, she thought she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She stopped her horse, her eyes scanning the area intently. Was it a wolf? They didn’t hibernate, so that could be what she saw. She really hoped not.

“Brenna?” Beau called out to her from up ahead, breaking her concentration.

“I thought I saw something. A wolf, maybe,” she explained as he rode back toward her.

“We should head back then. I don’t want to run into a hungry pack,” Beau said with concern.

“Would they attack us?” Brenna shivered at the thought.

“If they’re hungry enough. They’d probably go after the horses first.”

“First? Okay, can we head back?”

“Yes, ma’am. I think it’s getting colder too.”

“Well, we can warm each other up when we get back.” Brenna grinned.

“Now, that sounds like a good way to spend the afternoon. Let’s go.” He turned his horse around and she did the same, then they rode back to the barn.

Chapter Seven

Beau and Brenna sat close together on the sofa in the living room, enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon. The flickering fire in the hearth cast a cozy light over them. Beau took in her sweet scent, feeling deeply satisfied and tranquil in her arms.

Suddenly, he remembered something important. “I didn’t tell you, but I made an arrest in the theft of your dad’s horse—”

Brenna sat up. “Really? That’s great news. Who was it?”

“Three teenagers,” Beau replied with a hint of disappointment in his voice. “It seems to be the new craze now. After Joey Callaway and his buddies were arrested for stealing horses from the Palmer ranch and had to do community service, they all think they can get away with it and not face serious consequences.” He shook his head in frustration. “They don’t realize that they could end up in juvenile detention or even prison.”

“Did you recover the horse?”

Beau sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Not yet. It’s one reason I haven’t told your dad yet. Two of the boys told me that their ringleader took the horse somewhere, but he won’t confess to where. He’s currently in juvie.”

“I hope he realizes how serious this is,” Brenna said, a hint of anger lacing her voice.

Beau nodded grimly. “I hope so too. When I told him that Joey only got to work off his fine because Eli wanted to help him out, the boy didn’t seem fazed at all.”

He grew more frustrated as he continued, “The worst part is, his father is a lawyer and even he told him he had to take responsibility for his actions, and he was really pissed when I told him since Donnie used his truck, it would be confiscated.”

Brenna let out a sigh of exasperation. “What is it with kids these days? Why do they feel the need to follow along and make bad choices?”

“Exactly,” Beau agreed. “And who knows how many more thefts will be committed by kids who think they’ll just get a slap on the wrist?”

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