Page 45 of His Christmas Star
“I don’t know what that is.”
“I know that holding the reins requires you to grip them at the splits in your palms, which is hard on the nerves. If you’re going to be on the horse for a long time or driving the sleigh, these will help. Before you put the mitts on, open the Velcro and hook the reins through each loop. Then once you have the mitts on, the reins are under your control at all times. Yes, you still have to grip them, but you’ll never drop or lose them, which is important to keep control of the horse.”
“That’s so true,” I agreed, nodding as I stared at the mitts. “That happens to me all the time, and then I have to fumble around to get them before I lose control.”
“And you never do, Miss Tobi, but the risk is there, and I don’t like those kinds of risks on a ranch like this.”
“This will take a lot of worry off my mind when I’m out riding. Seriously, thank you, Beau.”
“Sheriff Nash’s mind too. He worries about you getting hurt.”
I smiled shyly but couldn’t make eye contact with the man. “I suppose that’s because he loves me.”
“You suppose?” he asked with his brow in the air. We hadn’t told anyone, and if I told Beau, it would run through the ranches like wildfire, but I didn’t figure it was much of a secret with Joe’s truck parked here nearly every night.
“Well, he does love me, according to him.”
He fell back on his butt and put his hand to his chest. “You mean y’all finally decided to admit what everyone else can see?”
His dramatics were not funny. Okay, they were, but still.
“If you’re asking if we finally admitted we love each other, then the answer is yes. Just keep a lid on it, okay?”
“Sorry, but that’s information everyone is going to want. If you wanted to keep a lid on it, Joe probably shouldn’t have parked his truck in front of your cabin every night.”
I pursed my lips and nodded. “Point taken.” I had a thought, and a sly grin lifted my lips. “You know what? Go ahead and tell the ladies for me. Then you can listen to their squealing, and they’ll have it out of their system before they get to me!”
“Oh, I have no intention of spilling the beans, Miss Tobi. I just plan to waltz on over and tell the ladies you need to see them for an important announcement.”
“Beau Hanson-McAwley! What am I going to do with you?”
He was laughing so hard he couldn’t answer until he got himself under control again. “I’m kidding with you, Miss Tobi. I’m real happy for you and Joe. It’s about time you both found some happiness, and it’s better together. Trust me. I know that firsthand.”
I patted his shoulder and smiled. “I know you do. My life has always been complicated, and unfortunately, that wore off on Joe.”
“Obviously, it wasn’t the only thing that wore off on him. He only has eyes for one woman, and that’s you. I’m happy for you both. I don’t think Heavenly Lane is going to be too happy to lose you, but we’d understand.”
I cocked my head. “Lose me? Where would I go?”
“To live with Joe on his ranch, of course.”
“Maybe, but that’s a long way away,” I said, motioning into the future with my arm. “Besides, his ranch isn’t a working ranch anymore. You can’t get rid of me that easily. What we’re about to open here at Heavenly Lane is so important to me, Beau. There’s no way I’m walking away from it, and there is no way Joe would want me to, okay? Regardless of where I sleep, Heavenly Lane is my home.”
He nodded once. “I’m glad to hear that. And I know the school is important to you, so I’m glad you’re not going anywhere. Before that school can open, you need new feet.”
I sighed. “I know. The adjustments you made to the one I have helped, so I’m certain I can get through the holidays with it. The blister is just about healed, so I’ll keep protecting it until the new ones are made.”
He held up his finger. “What if I told you I had a new pair?”
“I would listen.”
“The ones you ha—have are,” he said. “I—I ma—might know how to—to—”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “Beau, take your time. I’m listening and open to what you have to say. Don’t hurry.”
Beau’s stutter was difficult for him to overcome as a child, and he still stuttered when he was nervous, anxious, or trying to talk too quickly.
He nodded, and I noticed him shift his jaw a bit in a different direction before he spoke again. “I was trying to say that I made you something. I’ll show you. That’s easier.”
