Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4) by SJ McCoy Page A

overdressed—she hoped.
    She turned at the sound of a knock on the door. It seemed that door might wear through with all the callers she’d had since she’d moved in. At least this wasn’t a surprise.
    “Hi, Susie,” she greeted the woman standing there with a smile. “Come on in.”
    Ruby came flying out of her room with a big smile on her face. She wrapped her arms around Susie’s legs and smiled up at her. “Can we do letters?”
    Susie smiled back. “Maybe in a little while. I need to talk to your momma first.”
    Ruby looked at Corinne. “You look pretty.”
    “Thank you.” Corinne hadn’t been sure about this arrangement at first. Susie worked at the lodge and Shane had suggested that Corinne talk to her about watching Ruby when she needed help. That had turned into what sounded like an ideal arrangement for both of them. Susie worked from eight to two everyday so she could get her grandkids to school and pick them up. Now she was going to take Ruby, too. And she was happy to watch her whenever Corinne needed. Her first meeting with Ruby had been a great success and Corinne was hopeful that this would all work. She wasn’t holding her breath on it, though. She looked at Susie. “I shouldn’t be too late back.”
    Susie gave her a reassuring smile. “You just go and have yourself a good time. That’s what we’ll be doing.”
    “Yes,” said Ruby. “We’re going to do letters.”
    Ruby had spent a couple of hours at Susie’s yesterday afternoon. Apparently she’d had a grand time, made fast friends with the grandchildren and was now eager to get started at Pre-K with them.
    “You’ll do as Miss Susie tells you, okay?”
    Ruby nodded.
    “Honestly, you don’t need to worry about a thing. I’ve had lots of practice at this and I have your number in case we need anything.”
    “Okay. Thank you.” Corinne was nervous, but it wasn’t only about leaving Ruby. She was confident in Susie and her ability to handle anything that came up. If she was honest, she was more nervous about the evening ahead. She shouldn’t be. Summer and Cassidy were great. Shane may be her new boss, but he was a great guy. Carter was an absolute sweetheart, even if he didn’t say much. Mason had been so kind to her and to Ruby, and his fiancée, Gina, had been pleasant on the few brief occasions they’d met. No she wasn’t nervous about any of them, or about spending an evening with them. It was Beau.
    “Are you okay?” asked Susie, making her realize that she’d been standing there staring while she thought about it.
    “Yes. Sorry. I’ll just get my purse and be on my way.” She stopped at the front door and hugged Ruby to her. So what if Beau thought she was a monster? What did he know? “You be a good girl.”
    “I will. You have a nice time.”
    Corinne kissed her cheek. “Thank you, sweetie.”
    Susie held the door open for her.
    “Call me for any reason, okay?”
    Susie smiled. “Stop worrying. But yes, I promise I’ll call you if we need you.”
    “Thanks.” As the door closed behind her, Corinne wanted to run back inside. She felt as though she was being pushed out into her new world, her new life, and she wasn’t ready for it yet. She took a deep breath and made herself get a grip. That was ridiculous. Of course she was ready. She was going to get this new life off to a great start. Screw Beau Remington! She chuckled as she walked down the path to her car. No! That was one thing she was not going to do.
    It was just a short drive up East River Road from the ranch to Summer and Carter’s place. Mason and Gina had offered to pick her up on their way there, but she’d declined. She didn’t want to seem rude or standoffish, but she did want to be able to make her escape whenever she was ready. She needn’t have worried. Gina had given her an understanding smile and had stopped Mason from trying to insist. Corinne had a feeling that she and Gina might become friends given the chance.
    She didn’t