A Texan For Christmas

Beau didn’t realize he’d wanted that until they all stood here together. But there was no denying his wishes now. Whether he stayed on the ranch or not, he wanted to be part of his father’s legacy with his brothers.

Colt’s brows shot up, but before he could refuse, Beau went on. “I’m part of this family whether you like it or not and Dad’s wish was to see this through. Now, I know you plan to open in just a few months and a good bit of the hard work is done, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t use me.”

Hayes shrugged. “Wouldn’t be a bad idea to have him do some marketing. He’d have some great connections.”

Colt’s gaze darted to Hayes. “Are you serious?”

“Hayes is right,” Nolan added. “I know none of us needs the extra income, but we want Dad’s dream to be a success.”

Colt took off his hat, raked a hand over his hair and settled the hat back in place. “Well, hell. Whatever. We’ll use you until you take off again, because we all know you won’t stick.”

Beau didn’t say a word. What could he say? He knew full well he likely wasn’t staying here long-term. He’d returned because of a deathbed promise and to figure out where to take his daughter. Pebblebrook was likely a stepping stone...nothing more. Just like Hayes had said.

Four (#u182ef6d3-ad4e-5b4b-b96b-81d89717f4d5)

Scarlett swiped another stroke of Cherry Cherry Bang Bang on her toes. Beau had taken Madelyn to dinner at his brother’s house and told her she didn’t need to come.

So she’d finished unpacking—getting all of her panties put away properly. Then she’d caught up on social media, and now she was giving herself an overdue pedicure with her new polish. She wasn’t a red type of girl, but she figured with the new move coming and another chapter in her life starting, why not go all in and have some fun? Now that she was admiring it against her dark skin, she actually loved the festive shade.

And that’s about as wild as she got. Red polish.

Could she be any more boring?

She never dreamed she’d be in this position at nearly thirty-five years of age: no husband, no children and a changing career.

She was fine without the husband—she could get by on her own, thank you very much. But the lack of children would always be a tender spot and the career change hurt just as much. Not that her career or lack of a family of her own defined her, but there were still dreams she’d had, dreams she’d had to let go of. These days she tried to focus on finding a new goal, but she still scrambled for something obtainable.