Page 8 of Hanging Horseshoes

“The best thing to ever happen to me.” I smile at my baby girl. The silence is awkward, but I don’t know what to say. I want to ask Beau a million questions about his new life. How long has he been here? Is this his new family? Did he miss me when he left… but the only thing I can get out is: “Are you happy?”

Beau turns to me with a sad smile and can tell he’s trying to think of the best way to answer that question.

“I’m content.” He says finally. Well, dang, that gives me nothing to go by. I decide to let it go for now. I didn't come here to dig into his life or cause him guilt or pain. I just came to drop my daughter off where I know she’ll be safe. I may have missed the last few years of Beaus' life, but I know he’s still a good person. He was always a good person, right down to his big heart. His whole life was dedicated to helping, protecting, and surviving with me. He may have taken me out of the equation, but I know he will care for Mable, no matter what.

‘so uhh.. Are y'all sure ya'll want me intruding right now? Seems like a family matter. I can just head back to my ranch…” Beau cuts him off.

“Your ranch? Are you leaving town?” Beau asks Trip. I notice the man's nervousness. It's so thick I can almost cut it. Hmmm.. that's interesting.

“Uh, actually, I just moved to town.” Trip mentions rubbing the back of his neck.

“You moved here?” Beau asks, stopping in the middle of the driveway, his eyebrows high into his hair.

“Yeah, I actually bought the old Stone Ranch that backs up to ya’lls property.” Trip gives a nervous smile before looking back at his truck.

I take a closer look at Beau, and seeing the look on his face makes me smile. I know that look. He used to look at me that way, and I thought I noticed it at the gate. He’s looking at Trip with interest, which stops me in my tracks. Realizing exactly why my life turned out this way, exactly why Beau had to leave. It had nothing to do with me not being enough for Beau…

It had to do with the fact that I wasn't what Beau needed or wanted. Trip’s what Beau wants, or someone like him, at least. As tears flood my eyes, I suck them back. I loved Beau as a boy. Now he’s a man, and someone else will get to love him like he deserves. Hopefully, they will love Mable with a fearsomeness that could rival my own. Looking at Trip and knowing how he has been with me and my baby girl, I know I have nothing to worry about.

With Trip I can rest easy knowing both my loves are cared for. I can leave them in peace. That brings a smile to my face and strengthens my resolve to get as far away from here as possible. Mable will grow up with two amazing parents. They will teach her to love and to live.

My family's hatred and beliefs won't stop the love that shines through their eyes.

That's all I can ask.

Chapter Seven

Trip

What in the world have I stepped into? Did I really move states over for a guy just to realize A. He has a daughter he didn't know about, and he might be straight, and I just uprooted my life for no reason at all. I guess I really didn't think this through before jumping in the deep end. I felt a connection the first time I met Beau, as Ophelia calls him. Pretty sure his friends called him Rodeo, though. Not the point. The point is I couldn’t possibly be in a more embarrassing and sad situation. These people are taking pity on me and letting me eat dinner, but after that, I’ll head home to an empty house that needs countless repairs and no one to share it with. Fuck, I messed up. Andrew would probably roll on the ground laughing his ass off at my current situation, but all I feel is… defeat.

What am I supposed to do now? I mean, I knew there was a chance he wouldn't even want to date me, but the feeling of being closer to him was just too strong to ignore, so I jumped. Now add in the confusion and emotions I feel for his woman and their child, and I feel like I can't breathe. I feel overly protective of both of them and the attraction I have to Ophelia, yeah those can't be ignored mainly because it’s feelings I’ve never experienced before.

I feel like my head and my heart are both about to explode, and I know I need to get out of here before I overthink everything and have a fucking panic attack. Before I can, though, Ophelia turns my way. Still not meeting my eyes, we continue walking toward the door.

‘so, Trip, tell us about yourself.” She gives Beau a side glance, and I notice a small smile on her face. Her smile and question have me relaxing just a bit. Enough to answer her question.

“Not really much to tell. Just your typical rancher. Grew up in Texas on my parents' ranch. I’ll probably be nothing more than a rancher, and I’m okay with that.” I smile at the ground as we reach the building. Then I feel a soft touch on my arm. When I look down, it’s Ophelia’s hand holding onto me.

“I might not have known you for long, but even I can see you’re selling yourself short. There are not many nice people in the world these days, and you just showed you are one of them.” She tells me. I smile at her, chuckling when she blushe’s and ducks her head again.

“Twice,” Beau says.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“You’ve shown us twice. Once with Fee Fee and then another time with the girls. Paisley and Rae could have been taken by anyone. You will never understand the debt this club owes to you.” He says, staring straight into my soul. I look at the two of them, and the looks of awe on their faces make me stammer. Luckily, I’m cut off before I have to respond.

“You throuple coming? I’m fucking starving here.” The one I think they called Grease says, leaning out of the building door. A little boy leans out the door beneath him.

“Uncle Rodeo is in a throuple? Hell yes! Things just got exciting around here.” He grins.

“Oh dear Jesus, please save me,” Beau mutters as I try to decide if I want to laugh or die of embarrassment. Fuck, I’ve never been in this situation before, and I guess there’s really only one way to handle it. I bust out laughing. Ophelia has turned an alarming shade of red, and Rodeo is looking to the heavens for help. They both turn to me as I nearly laugh myself into a comma. My laughter must be contagious because we are all three laughing before long. Still in Beau's arms, Mable is smiling as well, but holding onto her dad for dear life.

“Rome, repeat it, and I’ll tell your mom what really happened to the shed out back,” Beau says, composing himself.

“Oh, shit,” Rome says before ducking back inside.

‘sorry about that. Let’s go eat.” Beau guides us into the building and I stand there in shock. I look around and notice Beau is smirking at me.

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