Beau sighs and rubs his hand over his face. “You don’t know what we’ve been through with her. She’s the baby, and she’s been hurt as much as the rest of us.”
“She’s an adult, Beau. Hurt comes with the title.” But my stomach clenches at the thought of anyone ever hurting her. “She’s not a child.”
“No, she has a child.”
“I’ve met him,” I reply steadily. “He’s awesome.”
“And he’ll get attached to you. Have you thought of that? He already hero-worships you. So, you make them both fall for you, and then you leave?”
“Is this the what are your intentions with my daughter conversation?” I ask soberly, not moving. Beau is pacing the floor, agitation in every line of his body.
“I’m the closest thing she has to a father!”
“You’re her brother.” I shake my head. “And yes, you should protect her. But Jesus, man, you just spoke to her like she was sixteen. And you’re lucky I didn’t deck you for the ‘fucking the guest’ comment.”
He frowns and paces away, then back again. “If you want to play games, she’s not the one to play them with.”
“Who said anything about playing games? She’s amazing. And the fact that you’d think that a man would be with her simply because she’s hot is a shot against you, and no one else.” Now I am getting pissed.
“Are you saying you love her?”
I pause. “I’m learning her,” I begin thoughtfully. “She just…devastates me. I’m saying I am going to keep learning her, making her laugh, making her happy.”
“And Sam?”
“Sam’s part of the package, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I reply evenly. “I’m assuming you know where his sperm donor is?” I refuse to call the man his father.
“I do.” Beau’s eyes narrow again. “Why?”
“Because I’d like to beat the shit out of him.”
Beau grins now. “Eli and I did that a long time ago.”
“Good, but I’d like my own crack at him.” I shift my head from side to side. “Just for fun.”
“He’s far away, thank God.” Beau firms his lips and watches me for a long minute. “If you fuck with her, I’ll fuck with you, and it will hurt.”
“Back at you.”
Chapter Seven
~Gabby~
I would typically sit on the porch and enjoy being mad, but I’m so worked up, I need to walk. So I set off for the gardens, wandering through them. The flowers are full and heavy with bees flitting from bloom to bloom. Birds are singing in the trees above.
And I’m more pissed than I’ve been in a very, very long time.
“Gabby.”
I ignore my stupid, pig-headed brother and continue walking.
“Gabby, I’m sorry.”
“You should be!” I whirl on him and shove him in the chest, hard, but he doesn’t even flinch or move.
Damn huge brothers.
“I’m not a baby, Beau.”
“You’re the baby, Gabs.” He crosses his arms over his chest, looking all tall and steady.
“But I’m not a baby. I’m a grown woman, who runs a business and single parents her child. You don’t have to protect me from anything.”
He frowns and looks ready to argue. “Look, I’m sorry I made you mad—”
“You humiliated me,” I reply passionately. “You embarrassed me in front of a man that I happen to like. And do you have any idea how long it’s been since I liked anyone, Beau? Since Colby.”
“No way,” he replies with shock.
“Way. I’ve done nothing but what I’m supposed to. I am a damn good mom, and I’m damn good at running this inn, and damn it, if I want to kiss a man, I’ll damn well do it!” I’m pacing back and forth now, punctuating each damn with a finger in the air, pointed at my idiot brother.
“Okay.”
“I mean, it’s not like Rhys is a damn serial killer, for crying out loud! He’s practically Kate’s brother. He’s a good guy. And for some incredible reason, he likes me.”
“I know.”
“And I would never do anything to hurt Sam, so don’t stand there and look at me like I’m whoring around in front of my son.”
“I would never think that, and I’m sorry if I implied it.”
Finally, I come to a stop and stare at Beau. “You’re agreeing with me.”
“I am.” He nods and offers me that smile that makes it so I can’t be mad at him for long.
“Why?”
He shrugs and pulls me into a hug. “I don’t like making you mad, or upsetting you. I never could stand to see you off-kilter, even as a baby.”
“I’m not a damn baby.” My voice is calmer now, resigned. “Why are you agreeing with me?”
“Rhys put me in my place.” He chuckles and backs away from me. “I think he might be good for you.”
“Meaning?”
“Just that.” He tugs on a strand of my hair, and I realize that he’s not in work attire.
“Why are you home? It’s Monday.”
“I took a personal day.”
I blink and frown. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“A personal day, Gabby. As in, a day off that isn’t a weekend.”
More blinking and frowning. “I don’t even know who you are right now.”
“I’m your idiot brother who should have turned around and backed away when he found some guy sucking my sister’s face into his mouth.” He shudders dramatically, making me laugh.