Page 11 of The CEO and the Mountain Man

Oh …no.

I looked down and … Yep. I’d just stepped into a large pile of horseshit. Fresh, too.

I just keep winning.

River chuckled, then pinned his lips together, like he didn’t want to be caught actually laughing.

“Shit,” I said, trying to figure out how to wipe it off. I stepped off the path to rub it in a clump of grass but only made it worse.

“I can’t believe you wore those shoes on a ranch.”

“So?” I said, somehow making a bigger mess. “Look at what you’re wearing.”

“Yeah, I’ve got on combat boots. You can hose them off. Yours get ruined if you step in a puddle.”

I didn’t even want to talk about how much I paid for these stupid shoes.

“I think there’s a store in town,” I said as a couple of real cowboys rode by behind us. Pretty sure they were laughing at me.

“Beau would probably know where to go,” River said with a weird expression on his face.

I didn’t even bother asking what that was about. “He still in the barn, you think?”

“I dunno,” said River. “Go check.”

“How is wiping off this shit causing more shit to get on my shoe?” I finally asked, frustrated.

“I’m pretty sure you’re trying to wipe your shoe in another pile of horseshit.”

Mother …fucker.

I stopped and fake-sobbed. “This smellsso bad.”

“Yep.”

“Oh, shut up. Do you want to go into town with me or not?”

“I’d rather not. I’ve peopled enough today.”

I was disappointed but reminded myself that I was the one who’d dragged my son out here. “Do you have a copy of the key to the cabin? Can you handle dinner for yourself?”

“Yeah, Dad. You brought, like, half the grocery store with us.”

I ignored his attitude and sent him a wave as I turned back toward the barn.Nothing like a cherry of humiliation on top of an embarrassment sundae.

Chapter 4

Beau

Ishould have known better than to go back to the barn.

“You in love with him yet?” Jake asked, taking Betty back to her stall.

“Would you shut up?” I snapped with a little more vinegar than I’d intended.

Jake’s eyes widened as he pulled off the saddle. “Sounds like I hit a nerve.”

“Sorry.” I shook out my hands. “That kid? River?”