Page 7 of Hanging Horseshoes

I don't know my own little girl's name. Fuck.

“Mable,” Ophelia says quietly to the group, looking at us.

“Mable.” I have a daughter. I’ve had a daughter this whole time… and I’m bound and fucking determined to find out who kept them both from me. I start to turn and walk back into the compound, my girls with me, but I catch movement off to the left.

And standing there, in all his male glory, is the other person I haven't been able to get out of my head.

Trip, and he brought my girls to me… fuck me.

Chapter Six

Ophelia

“How about we take this inside?” A beautiful woman with blonde hair and a kind smile says to the group. Then her eyebrows scrunch. “Wow, it's like déjà vu.”

“I’d tell you to question it, but dayum Rodeo, that baby girl could be your twin.” Another woman says in surprise.

“I swear I’m not lying. She really is yours.” I try to keep my voice strong, but I know it comes out as a plea for him to believe me.

“Honeybee, look at me,” Beau says, lifting my chin with his index finger. I feel the tears gathering in my eyes, and I know there is no stopping them. When my eyes finally meet his, he gives me that boyish smirk I fell in love with when we were kids.

“There was never a doubt in my mind, baby. How about we go get my girls something to eat? Are you hungry, my little Bumble Bee?” I swear a sob almost breaks past my lips at his nickname for her.

He always called me Honeybee. From the time we were five and Leroy and Matthew Quinn, twin brothers in our community, told me my papa wanted fresh honey from the hive that had been in our field for as long as I could remember. Beau had been gone, which was the only reason they started messing with me, but I was too afraid of getting in trouble with papa if I came home empty-handed.

I climbed that tree, and just as I was sticking my hand in, Beau came running up, yelling at me to get out of the tree and away from the hive. I had already made it that far, so I didn't listen. I got a honeycomb from the hive and brought it down. Leroy and Matthew were impressed that I actually did it, but Beau beat them up so badly they stayed away for a whole year. Beau was so mad, but once he got over the worry, he grinned at me, told me I should be a bee charmer, and called me his Honeybee. We spent every summer collecting honey and selling it by the roadside.

‘she doesn't speak. Not much, anyway. I could count on one hand how many words she said her whole life.” I tell him, rubbing Mable’s back. She is playing with Beau's hair, leaning her head on his shoulder and soaking as much in as possible.

“I’ll let you all get to it. Ophelia, it was an honor to meet you.” Trip says from behind me and I swing my panicked gaze to his, shaking my head frantically. Even though I just met him, he makes me feel safe.

“Don't go,” I whisper. He gives me a soft look.

“It’s probably best if I leave and let you two catch up.” He gives Beau a sad and somewhat tortured look I don't understand before turning back to me with the same sad look.

“Come on, Cowboy. You’ve shown up here twice now on your white horse for us. Let us at least feed you.” A beautiful, curvy African American woman says from the arms of some big, huge dude.

“Jade’s right. We didn't get to repay you last time. At least let us pay you back now. I’m Sunny, by the way.”

“Whatareyou doing here again? I thought you said you lived in Texas or something?”

“Halle, be nice. I’m Piper, by the way. Sorry, I didn't introduce myself.” Piper holds her hand out to me.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, keeping my eyes down but still shaking her hand.

“We can get the introductions out of the way when we have food in us. Come on.” Beau says turning and starting back through the gates.

“I really should probably just head out. This seems like a private matter.” Trip says again, rubbing the back of his neck while looking down at the ground.

“Join us. Please.” Beau says, turning to him.

“You promised you wouldn't leave me,” I whisper. This time, I try with all my might to look him in the eyes, knowing he won't strike me like my father would. He has shown me nothing but gentleness and kindness so far. He looks into my eyes for a moment longer before giving me a soft smile and nod and then walking my way.

“Is it alright to leave my truck out here?” He asks, pointing behind him.

“You can if you want, but you can pull it up the driveway too and park in front of the compound,” Beau tells him. Trip leaves it, and we start the walk up the driveway, me in between Beau and Trip, Mable holding onto her daddy for dear life. We walk in silence only for a moment before Beau speaks softly.

‘she’s gorgeous, Honeybee, absolutely perfect.” I smile because she truly is.

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