Beau talked to himself all the way to the mud room. He couldn’t turn down his brother’s request for help, but it was the worst possible time to leave Alyssa. He needed to explain what he meant. He didn’t want her to think she wasn’t desirable. She was the most fascinating and wonderful woman he’d ever known, but she had commitments and family and so did he.

As Beau pulled on his boots and coat, Drew filled him in on what he knew. “Don and Jim Johnson were headed out to do some fishing at the river late this afternoon. They parked in the old campground and saw another truck already there. They were surprised to see anyone else parking there, since it’s closed, but figured maybe others were going fishing too. When they got close to the river they saw some guys near the beaver dams in the northeast pasture. When the other guys looked up Don waived, like you do. But then the other guys just left, in a hurry, heading back toward the campground.

“The Johnsons didn’t think much of it and went about fishing until they heard a snap and a beaver started screaming. They went into the pasture, toward the sound, and found a trapped beaver near where the other guys had been. They managed to set it free and it didn’t seem to be too damaged, so they called the station and we went out to investigate. We found a couple of other traps near the beaver ponds.

“Jim was pretty observant and had plenty of information about the truck and the guys. The description jogged an officer’s memory who had seen a similar truck coming onto our land up north off and on, the last few weeks. He’d thought maybe it was a hired hand he didn’t know.”

“But it’s not one of our guys, is it.” Beau grabbed a couple of flashlights off the shelf, checked to make sure they worked—as in, had fresh batteries.

“Nope, so I got to thinking maybe they are camping on our land. Since we’re busy with calving season, it would be pretty easy to lay low in one of the northern pastures. Adam and some other officers are going to meet us where the truck’s been seen, and we can spread out from there. We don’t have enough officers to double up, which is why we’re taking you and Adam, and a couple of the hired hands from town. Since we think it’s our land they’re on, it’s logical to use people familiar with the territory. That way, we can have an officer and a civilian per team.”

“Makes sense.” Beau took a small first aid kit, just in case. He knew the officers were armed so he didn’t bring a rifle. He didn’t want to spook the guys and start a shootout; rifles were pretty obvious and could be seen as threatening.

They got into Drew’s patrol vehicle and headed out to see if they could catch the poachers.

* * *

Alyssa watched the guys drive off to find the illegal trappers. She knew he had to go, but couldn’t it have waited five minutes? That kiss had been spectacular—off the charts—and then he’d pulled back and said it wasn’t meant to be. What wasn’t meant to be? The kiss? A relationship? A fling? Certainly not forever—there were too many obstacles to forever. Maybe that’s all he’d meant and while her head might agree with that assessment, her heart was not on board. Her heart, it seemed, wanted Beau and didn’t care about logistics. Her body was right there with her heart, ready and willing to take on the challenges.

She didn’t have a lot of experience with sex, but she knew enough to know that the feelings she had experienced with Beau were exceptional. He’d set her whole body on fire with just his lips and tongue. His hands hadn’t moved one inch. But every bit of her was still tingling—even now. The man could kiss. She wanted more of those kisses. If truth be told she wanted to strip him naked and revel in all that warm male flesh. But was that a good idea?

Probably not. Why did her brain have to go all logical on her? Yes, they lived in different states. Yes, she had another year of school left. Yes, her father wanted her back working for him once she got her master’s degree. He had ideas for increasing production; the town had grown a lot in the last few years and the demand for beef had risen to the point that they were having trouble keeping up. Of course, people could order beef from the Safeway in Chelan, but her father, and his father before him, had always kept their little town supplied. It was probably more a point of pride than anything else, but her dad wanted to explore some options, and he hoped her specialized study would help him decide the best way to go. He’d probably read a million articles on the subject and she didn’t know what else she would be able to contribute, but she would give it a try. She was excited that he wanted her opinion—maybe he didn’t still think of her as an eight-year-old.

Alyssa sighed. Yes, she certainly had lots of reasons why this thing with Beau would never work out. But her heart and body vehemently disagreed. They wanted Beau any way they could get him. All she had to do was figure out whether to try to get him, or avoid him—to keep her heart from getting more involved with the man. He was a good guy and her heart was already sold on him.

She realized she was still standing in front of the window staring sightlessly down the driveway. She turned and went to the rocking chair in the room. But what was she supposed to do now? Maybe text her best friend Rachel, she was always a good sounding board. She looked at the time and subtracted the hour time difference. Plenty early.

Alyssa: Hey Rachel, got time to chat?

Rachel: You bet, how’s it going?

Alyssa: Great actually. Been busy. Learning a lot.

Rachel: How’s Mr. Cranky Pants treating you?

Alyssa: Beau was having a bad day I guess. He’s been great since.

Rachel: Really? Well good I’m glad he got over himself.

Alyssa: Yeah, he’s been great to work with, compliments and everything.

Rachel: How could he not, you’re awesome!

Alyssa: Thanks BFF. So, about the man in question.

Rachel: Yeeeessss?

Alyssa: I may have kissed him.

Rachel: What? Calling right now.

Alyssa answered her phone before it rang.

Rachel squealed in her ear. “What do you mean you may have kissed him? Isn’t he like ten years older than you? And mean to boot?”

“Shhh, not so loud. I’m watching Tony and you’re going to wake him with all that shouting. Even if I am in the next room.”

“Fine. I’ll lower my voice, but what did you expect from me? You kissed your boss or teacher or whatever he is. Have you lost your mind? Did he kiss you back? Was it wonderful or awful? I need more information here.”

Alyssa laughed. “Do you want those answered in order?”

“Hell no. Start with the end and work backwards.”

“It was amazingly wonderful. Yes, he kissed me back. It is quite possible I have lost my mind. Or at least my heart. But then, he pulled back and said it wasn’t meant to be.” It made her sad again even to say the words out loud.

“WTF. What wasn’t meant to be? The kiss? A relationship?” Rachel demanded.

“I have no idea. His brother came screaming down the hall wanting Beau to go help him hunt some illegal trappers.”

“And he just left you high and dry?” she squeaked.

Alyssa defended him. “He didn’t have a choice.”

“Sure, he did. He could tell his brother no.”

“Not really. A cow Beau raised from birth got caught in one of their traps a few weeks ago, so Beau has a vested interest and it’s a lot of land to search,” Alyssa explained even though she kind of agreed with Rachel.

“Well, damn. So, that’s why you called me? To take your mind off it or talk it out?”

“I didn’t call. I texted. You called.”

Rachel giggled. “Well, of course I did. You can’t text someone about a hot kiss and not expect a phone call to get the deets.”

Alyssa laughed. “I suppose you’re right. I just needed my best friend.”

“Aw, I love you, too. Now, what are we going to do about Mr. Kiss-and-Run?”

Alyssa laughed again; she really did need Rachel. “No clue.”

“I guess the real question is what do you want to do? Kiss him again? Have sex with him? Get married and have his babies? Just where are you on the spectrum of boy-meets-girl?”

“I haven’t quite figured that out, yet.” She sighed. “I mean, more kisses would be good. My body would be happy to have sex with him. But my mind keeps telling me all the reasons this is a bad idea.”

“Like what?” Rachel asked.

“Well, he’s seven years older than me.”

“That’s just a number. Who cares?”

“He lives in Colorado and I live in Washington.”

“That’s just geography, you’ve been in Colorado for four years now and are planning at least one more.”

Alyssa got up and walked to the window. “Yeah, but what happens after that? What if my heart picks him to be my one and only?”

“Hmm. Well, you could stay in Colorado and make me and your whole family miss you. Or, he could move to Washington.”

She shook her head even though Rachel couldn’t see it. “And make his whole family miss him? Plus, he’s needed here. They’ve got too big of a herd to not have a vet on staff. At least half of the year, anyway.”

“Well, hell. That is a conundrum. But you don’t have to decide all that today. Do you? Maybe he sucks in bed—you should sleep with him and find out.” Rachel said firmly.

Alyssa groaned. “Now there is a ridiculous idea. Sleep with him in the hopes that he sucks in bed and then I wouldn’t have to worry about the future.”

Rachel laughed. “Or maybe he would be so good you would forget all about us and follow him anywhere, so to speak.”

“God, I’ve missed talking to you.”

“Back at you. You could call me once in a while.” Rachel huffed.

“Yeah, I’ve just been working hard and studying the birthing records at night—so I will be ready for anything.”

“Of course, you have been, Little Miss Over Achiever. But you could take fifteen minutes and call your best friend. At least a couple times a week.”

“You’re right, and I will.” Alyssa decided.

“Especially after you implement your plan with Mr. Hottie.”

Alyssa laughed. “First, I have to figure out the plan. Then, it’s a promise. Love you.”

“Love you back.”

Alyssa was happy Rachel had called. She didn’t know what she wanted to do about Beau, but talking to Rachel had given her some insights into her own heart and mind that she needed. When the knob to the door turned, her breath caught before she realized it couldn’t be Beau back so soon.

Emma walked in and smiled. “I heard in town that they had some clues about the poachers, so I came back. I’d already found the glitch and fixed it, so it was easy to leave. I’ll need to go back and finish up the records in a day or two, but they are good to go, for now. How was Tony?”

“He was great. We played Chutes and Ladders and then read him two books. He didn’t quite make it through the second one.”

“Two books?” Emma’s eyebrows shot up.

“Yeah one from me and one from Beau.”

“Oh, so he played you rookies.” Motherly amusement showed on her face.

“I had a feeling he was doing that, but we were happy to indulge him.”

“Yeah, occasionally doesn’t hurt.”

Alyssa asked, “So, you know Beau went with Drew, out to see if they can find the trappers?”

“I figured he would. He’s not one to sit idle when they found clues, and someone said they were needing some help to search our land. So, it makes sense.”

“I hope they’re careful,” Alyssa said.

“No worries about that—they know the land and will be smart about it. If they do find the guys.”

“Good. Well, I think I’ll go study up on the next round of births.”

“Thanks for watching Tony, and don’t worry about the guys.”

As Alyssa walked down the hall toward her room, she decided she wasn’t worried about the guys getting hurt—but she was worried about one guy in particular. And what she wanted to do with him.