My heart leaps in my chest at the brothers being so close. "Do you know which brothers are here?"
Her face fills with excitement. "I don't know. Mother told me not to go near them. However, we should go and see, don't you? I mean, maybe they need a drink of sweet tea or something." Jumping up from the chaise, she grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.
I follow her into the house and into the dining room. She leans against the doorjamb and sighs. I look inside and find the backs of two men facing us, stretching up with a piece of wood between them. The way the jeans hug their bodies gives me butterflies. They have work boots on their feet. My eyes travel upward as I lean against the opposite doorjamb. Galen wears a bottle green T-shirt, while his twin, Ridge, wears a white one. I can tell them apart because Ridge has a tattoo of coordinates on his neck. Their muscles bulge as they lift the piece of wood higher to fit it into the frame they have already attached to the wall. They're beautiful. The men that is.
Then they turn and see us drooling. But the view is much better. Galen grins when his eyes catch mine, but I notice he's more interested in Violet. Ridge frowns and moves toward me. Tears come to my eyes as I tilt my head so I can see his face. I hadn't really looked at the man last night. He'd kept his distance. He wasn't now.
"Babe?" he whispers, taking my face in his hands. "What's going on?"
Galen comes closer, looking between Violet and me. Violet says, “Her mom was killed last night."
The brothers start, then curse. Ridge dips his forehead into mine, searching my teary eyes. He curses again and pulls me to him. He's warm, gentle, and safe. I wrap my arms around his waist and let my tears fall. I thought I was okay until I saw the Redd brothers. I cling to Ridge. Soon I feel a hand on my back and then Galen plants a kiss on the side of my head. "I'm so sorry, Bea."
Ridge tightens his arms as if he doesn't want Galen to have me. I sniffle against Ridge's strong chest and gently pull away. He refuses to let me go and wraps his arms around my midsection. His chest is now pressed against my back. Galen hands me a tissue, which I use to clean up. I don't miss the frown he gives his brother.
"I'm sorry," I say, embarrassed.
"I take it you know each other?" Violet asks.
Galen focuses on my friend. "We're friends with Bea. Things could get complicated if her family finds out, though."
Violet snorts. "Trust me. I have no intention of telling anyone. My parents would have a cow."
Finding it strange to be held against Ridge, I turn in his arms and meet his gaze. "Thanks for the shoulder to cry on."
"Anytime, babe." He cups the back of my head with a big hand and plants a kiss on my forehead.
My knees are weak as he walks away. "There's a car outside."
Violet squeals. "Mom!" She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room. We just make it to the chaise lounges when her mom shows up.
"Hello girls. I brought you some food.” She says to me, "Your father called and asked if you could stay here until tonight. I told him it wouldn't be any trouble, so I hope that's okay with you?"
"That's very kind. Thank you." I'm happy to stay anywhere but my house.
"Before I go into town to see your grandmother, remember Violet, no talking to the Redd brothers."
I hide a giggle behind my hand as Violet blushes and replies. "I said I wouldn't. Beatrice and I will go in the house when we're hungry. We'll be fine, Mom."
Her mother smiles before heading away. "I can't breathe without permission," Violet mutters.
I wait for Mrs. Beau to drive off and ask, "Is Galen sweet on you?"
She rolls her eyes. "Galen teases me, but the man is not sweet on me." With a sigh, she adds, "I can't say the same about Ridge and you.”
"There is no Ridge and me. He knew something was wrong. I mean, I burst into tears. He couldn't miss it." I roll onto my side and face Violet. "Can I trust you?"
She frowns and opens her mouth to speak, but snaps it shut. Moments later, she says, "I understand why you ask, and I promise not to breathe a word of what you tell me to anyone. I learned my lesson the first and only time I repeated anything you said.” She holds out her hand.
I take it and clasp our hands. "It was Nico Redd who saved me from drowning last night."
Her eyes widen in surprise. I smile, knowing she hadn't expected that. "He swam me to their boat, and they took me to their house. I met Maggie Redd. You can't tell anyone. The sheriff and Richard think Mr. Gleeson found me after some tourists pulled me out of the water."
"My lips are sealed." She shakes her head. "How did you get so close to Ridge?"
"I don't know. I didn't have much of a conversation with him last night." I rub my brows. "I wish I had stayed in the Hollows, because when I got home bad stuff happened.”
"I'm really sorry, Beatrice. You can stay here as long as you want."