Page 34 of The CEO and the Mountain Man

Reality started crowding back in.

“Um, yeah…” I gestured to River’s room. “I’m gonna make sure he’s okay for the night. And we might—probably—cut our trip short.”

That couldn’t be disappointment in his eyes, but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it was.

“Of course. Do what’s best. Though if being around other kids his age would help, we’ve got some really nice activities for the rest of the week.” Beau ran his hand over his mouth. “I can also come up with a few one-on-one options, if he would rather do something a little less people-y.”

“Of course. That’s incredibly kind of you,” I said, squeezing his arm.

Beau really was a very large man.

“I’ll tell him, and we’ll come find you when we decide either way.”

“Sounds good.”

Beau hesitated, then opened his arms, and I let myself be pulled into one last hug.

Huh, indeed.

“Goodnight, Clark. Tell River I hope he feels better.”

“Thanks, Beau. I will.”

Chapter 10

Beau

“Oh, look who showed up for breakfast,” Jake said with a thin-lipped grin.

I looked over my shoulder so quickly it almost gave me whiplash. We had a lot more people joining us for breakfast this morning, but I spotted Clark and River right away. I smiled so big I almost split my face in half.

I dropped my dopey grin when I realized that River was standing like a deer who’d just heard a branch snap. Jake, for some reason, was still talking to me.

“Pathetic,” Jake said, shaking his head.

I dragged my eyes from the father-son duo and gave my good friend a baleful glare.

“Grumpy bastard,” I muttered under my breath.

I ignored his response and his judgy eyes and waved them over with a careful gesture.

“How’re y’all doin’ this morning?” I asked, gentle in my tone.

River, dressed head to toe in black, collar flipped up—I assumed to hide his hickeys—shoved his hands into his pockets. He lifted a shoulder. The universal affect of the unconcerned.

I didn’t buy it.

Clark watched this micro-exchange between us with a look I couldn’t quite read. Fragile hope, maybe.

“Better, I think,” Clark said. “We’re gonna stay for a few more days and see where we’re at then.”

River gave the smallest nod humanly possible, but Clark saw it. His fingers twitched, like he wanted to reach out and grab that tinyyesand preserve it as something precious.

“Sounds like a plan.” I smiled, but not too big. Like, maybe too much enthusiasm would break this sugar-glass moment. “Y’all ready for some group work on the horses?”

“Yay,” River said, his voice flat.

Snark is good, I thought. Maybe enough for some light ribbing, so I took a chance.