Carter (Remington Ranch Book 3) (10 page)

Carter emptied his bowl and put it on the coffee table. When Summer finished, he took both bowls to the kitchen. When he came back and sat down again Summer couldn’t resist. She snuggled into his side. He smiled down at her and wrapped his big arm around her shoulders. The way he gave her a squeeze was more of a friendly gesture than anything else, but it still set her heart racing.

She rested her head against his chest and lay her arm across his stomach with a smile. She let out a big sigh when he began to stroke her hair. Did it get any better than this? He smoothed her hair away from her forehead and peered down at her.

“You okay down there?”

“More than okay. I’m happy.”

His slow smile spread across his face. “Me too.” He leaned back against the sofa and continued to play with her hair.

Summer smiled to herself as she stared at the TV. She couldn’t claim to be watching, she was too busy enjoying just being. Enjoying the feel of Carter. She couldn’t remember ever feeling like this before. She was relaxed, happy, and comfortable. And it was all down to this big, beautiful man.

The next thing she knew, she was opening her eyes as Carter slid out from under her. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at him. “Where are you going?”

“I have to pee! Sorry I disturbed you, but I waited as long as I could. I have to pee and then I’d better get going.”

“No!”

He chuckled. “We can argue about it in a minute.”

Summer sat up and watched him disappear into the guest bathroom. Poor guy. She didn’t know how long she’d been sleeping, but the movie was over and it was fully dark outside.

He came back and sat down beside her. “I really don’t want to argue about it. You know part of me wants to stay, but it’s best if I go.”

“But…”

He held up a hand. “I want to check on the kittens. I need to get my stuff together to go out to the ranch tomorrow.” He smiled. “And I don’t want to rush.”

Summer sighed. “I’d hardly call it rushing anymore. Don’t you think you’ve made me wait long enough already?”

He chuckled. “Maybe, but I couldn’t relax if I stayed anyway. I really do need to check on the cats.”

“I could come with you?” she asked hopefully.

He shook his head. “You need to rest. Go to bed. Get some sleep. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”

Summer stood up and reached her arms up around his neck. “Okay. You win. But will you come tuck me in before you go?”

His arms tightened around her, pulling her against him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She pressed her hips against his, hoping to persuade him otherwise. “Please?”

He dropped a gentle peck on her lips before taking a step back. “Tomorrow.”

Summer knew she was grinning like an idiot. “Tomorrow? You mean…” She didn’t know what words to use, how to ask if he really meant that tomorrow he was finally going to give in and sleep with her!

He smiled at her through pursed lips. “I mean tomorrow I’ll tuck you in.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Before you leave?”

He shrugged and turned to make his way to the front door. “Maybe.” 

Chapter Ten

Carter reined in the mare he’d been putting through her paces. She was a sweetheart. She’d done everything he’d asked of her, and hadn’t flinched at any of Mason’s props. He dismounted and led her over to where Summer was perched on the fence to watch.

“She certainly looks like she’s ready to me!”

Carter grinned. “She is. She did great.”

Mason rode out into the arena on the next horse. He tipped his hat at them. “I can finish up here if you two want to get going.”

Carter didn’t want to leave his brother to work by himself, but he didn’t want to leave Summer sitting around watching all day either. She’d been a great sport, but he was worried she might be getting bored. It was midafternoon now and she’d been hanging around since nine this morning. He gave her a questioning look.

She shook her head vigorously. “I don’t want to leave. I’m loving watching.”

He wasn’t sure how true that was, but he was grateful that she seemed to understand him, and to understand his motivation. “You’re sure?”

“I am.” She smiled at Mason. “If you don’t mind me hanging around?”

Mason grinned back. “Not at all.”

Carter took the mare back into the barn and saddled up the next. Mason had done a great job of bombproofing them. He doubted there’d be any problems with them at all, but he understood the need to put them all through their paces one more time, just to be sure. He led the mare out into the sunlight and swung himself up into the saddle. If he was honest, he was enjoying himself. It’d been far too long since he’d ridden at all, let alone helped Mason out. The fact that Summer was perched on the fence, watching with an admiring smile on her face, made this all the more enjoyable.

He walked the mare over to the first obstacle Mason had set up—a row of poles with flags waving from them, and she didn’t bat an eyelid. Next, he trotted her up to the row of tree trunks and urged her to step over them; again, she happily obliged.

He looked over at Summer. She had company now. The couple from yesterday and the little girl were standing chatting with her. He frowned. He didn’t want them intruding. He trotted over to join them with a grim smile on his face. When he reached them, Summer let him know with her eyes that it was okay. He gave her the slightest nod before he spoke.

“Afternoon.”

“Hi,” said the woman “Sorry. We didn’t mean to get in the way. We’re just waiting for Beau.”

That puzzled him. What might Beau want with them? And where was he? It wasn’t like him to keep people waiting.

“He’s taking us to view a couple of properties,” explained the guy.

“Uncle James and Auntie Carla want to buy a house here,” explained Ruby. Hers was the only name Carter had remembered. She grinned at Summer. “And when they do. I can come see Summer Breese whenever I like.”

“Ruby!”

Summer laughed. “That’s okay. I might see you sometimes.”

“You live here, too, don’t you?”

Summer met Carter’s gaze. “Not exactly.”

Carter’s heart sank. No, she didn’t exactly live here, did she? She was just visiting. And soon enough she’d be gone. He looked up to watch Beau’s truck approach. “Here’s your ride,” he said. He turned the mare and headed back to the course. He didn’t understand it, but his smile had evaporated. He just wanted to get away from the people who had just reminded him that he shouldn’t be feeling so damned happy. He might be enjoying Summer’s company, but he needed to remember that it was just a short lived fantasy. It might be great while it lasted, but he was going to have to pay dearly with his heart when she left.

He watched from under the brim of his hat as Beau joined the little group by the fence. He shouldn’t feel that way, but he resented those people. He resented that they were going to be moving here, when Summer wasn’t.

~ ~ ~

Summer watched Carter ride the mare into the water. Why had he just ridden away like that? It wasn’t like him to be rude to people. She had to wonder what had upset him.

“Hey folks.” Beau grinned as he came to join them. He really was a good-looking guy when he smiled like that.

“Hi, Beau.”

He looked surprised to see her. “Summer! I see you’ve met Carly and James.”

She nodded.

“I hope you’re telling them that I’m a great property manager?”

She laughed. “I wasn’t, but you are.” She looked at Carly. “Is that important to you?”

“It might be,” Carly replied. “If James gets his way. I want to buy a vacation home that’s just for us. My husband is interested in renting it out when we’re not here.”

“Ah.” Summer was with Carly on that one. She would hate the idea of people staying in her home when she wasn’t there. She smiled at Beau. “Well, if you do end up renting it out, I can certainly vouch for Beau as a property manager.”

Beau smiled. “Thank you. I may ask you to make that a written recommendation before you leave.”

Ruby looked up at Summer with big sad eyes. “You’re leaving? I don’t want you to leave! This is my favorite place in the whole wide world, and that’s because you’re here!”

Summer touched the little girl’s shoulder. “I’m not leaving just yet. I’m sure I’ll be here longer than you are.”

Beau looked at Carly and James and jerked his head toward his truck. “Do you guys want to get going?”

“Noooo!” wailed Ruby. “I want to stay here with Summer Breese!”

Beau ran a hand through his hair and gave Summer an exasperated look. “But don’t you want to come see some nice houses?” he asked Ruby.

Ruby made a face at him. “No!”

Summer had to feel sorry for him. He obviously wasn’t used to dealing with kids and Ruby appeared headstrong to say the least. “I’m sure you’ll have fun with Beau. He’s my friend.”

Ruby eyed him suspiciously. “You are?”

Beau nodded.

“What’s your favorite song then?”

Beau stared at the kid nonplussed.

She scowled. “If Summer Breese is your friend you must like her songs, which one is your favorite?”

“Ruby! Don’t be rude,” said James. He shot Beau an apologetic look. “Come on. Mr. Remington is going to show us some houses.” He took hold of Ruby’s hand but she pulled away from him and ran to Summer, wrapping her arms around Summer’s legs.

“I don’t want to!” she cried.

Summer crouched down beside her. “It’s okay, Ruby. I have to leave soon anyway. You can’t stay with me. But you can go with my friend, Beau.” She grinned up at him. “He really is my friend. He knows all my songs, he just doesn’t want to upset me by only picking one as his favorite.”

Ruby’s lips were pressed into a tight little line, her brows knit together as she looked at Summer. “He’s really your friend?”

Summer nodded.

She looked up at Beau and her face relaxed. She cupped her hand over Summer’s ear and whispered. “He’s very handsome!”

Summer chuckled to herself and nodded again. “He is! So you go with him and your auntie and uncle, and maybe I’ll see you again before you leave.”

“Okay.” Ruby wrapped both arms around Summer’s neck and squeezed her tight. Then she went over to Beau and took hold of his hand.

Beau looked at Summer and then down at Ruby. The poor guy was completely thrown by the looks of him.

“Let’s go then!” said Ruby.

Summer had to laugh as she watched the four of them get into Beau’s truck. Ruby was quite a character. Beau turned the truck around. He raised his hand and rolled his eyes at Summer before he pulled away.

Summer turned her attention back to Carter and Mason who were almost done completing the obstacle course. She had to wonder what either of them would have been like with Ruby. Beau had done pretty well, considering. She had to wonder, too, why Carter’s mood seemed to have changed so rapidly. She didn’t think that she’d just imagined the change in him. She thought she knew, but she didn’t want to assume. When she’d told Ruby that she didn’t exactly live here, it had hit her in the gut as it reminded her that she was supposed to leave in a few months—and that would mean leaving Carter. That was when his smile had disappeared. Was he really as sad as she was at the thought of her going back to Nashville? She didn’t want to assume, but she didn’t feel that she should ask him either.

His smile was back as he completed the course and rode over to her. “They left you in peace then, finally?” he asked.

“Yeah. They’re not so bad. I think Ruby is the one in charge.”

Carter grinned. “No doubt about it. Beau won’t take any crap from her, though.”

“I don’t know about that. I had to convince her that Beau was my friend before she’d even go with him.”

“I can’t imagine Beau being bossed around by a five year old!”

Summer laughed. “I don’t think he could either. I’m guessing none of you have any experience with little kids?”

Carter didn’t quite meet her gaze as he shook his head.

She had to wonder what that was all about, but she didn’t get chance to wonder too long.

“Carter! Mason!”

Summer looked up at the sound of a woman’s voice. It was Mrs. Remington calling her boys as she strode down from the big house.

Carter glanced over at his mom and then at Summer. “I don’t know what’s coming, but knowing her, it’ll be something. I’ll make our excuses and get us out of here as quick as I can, okay?”

Summer smiled. She was in no hurry to leave.

Mason had dismounted and led his horse over to join them at the fence as Monique arrived.

“Do you all have plans for dinner?” she asked. “I just got off the phone with Cassidy and she and Shane are coming.” She grinned at Mason. “I talked to Gina, too. She’s heading straight up to the big house when she gets done in the park.” Mason rolled his eyes at Carter as Monique turned to Summer. “I’d love it if you would join us?”

Carter shot her an apologetic look.