Beau woke a few hours later to the chirp of his phone running out of power. Dammit I didn’t plug it in. He dragged himself out of bed and across the room to where he’d dropped his jeans. Good thing he’d turned the volume back up to high after the poacher hunting, otherwise he might not have heard it beep and wouldn’t have a cell all day. Hard to handle emergencies when no one could contact him. He could always hang with Alyssa and get texts with her. A fun idea, but not really practical to have the two medically trained people in one place.

He plugged the damn phone in to charge and crawled back in bed, but now he was awake and thinking about Alyssa—and what he wanted to tell her. He didn’t know what to say because he was totally fascinated by the woman. He wanted to bury himself deep inside her for about a year or two and take her every way he could possibly dream up. But the fact of the matter was, they had separate lives in different states. So, they had no future beyond this season, and the season was a damn busy one, so they didn’t really have time for a romance—or even a roll in the hay, because he was certain one time would never be enough. No, it was probably best to forget his infatuation with her, but it might just be the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. Like cutting off a limb. The attraction he felt for her was off the charts of any previous relationship he’d ever had. What a damn mess, but it was probably best to resist her.

With that crappy decision, he managed to drift off to sleep again. But this time his dreams were all about what his life could be like if he let himself be with Alyssa. And those dreams were hot. So hot, that when his alarm went off he wanted to smash it to bits, and go back to sleep so he could enjoy Alyssa in ways he never could in reality.

But real life was calling, and it took precedence. Sometimes he wished he had a looser work ethic, but he didn’t. He needed to get his ass out of bed and in the shower. He was going to have a full day working the ranch, and talking to Alyssa, and who knew what else. Adam had mentioned last night that he and some of the hands would go out and collect the traps, so that was one thing he didn’t have to worry about.

There was a knock on his door, so he went to answer it. Speak of the devil. Adam was standing at his door. He pushed in and didn’t even seem to notice Beau wasn’t dressed. Adam paced the room and ran his hands through his hair making it stick up funny.

He stopped and turned. “I probably shouldn’t say anything. You’re both adults, but what in the hell are you thinking? She’s nearly a decade younger than you. You’re supposed to be mentoring her, not hitting on her. Dammit, Beau.”

Beau had no idea where Adam had gotten his information so he didn’t know what to say. “What are you talking about?”

“Last night, you looking at her like a lovesick puppy and calling her sweet darling. I hope to hell no one else noticed you acting like a dumb ass.”

“I did? Are you sure? We were both pretty lit.”

“Alyssa turned bright red.” Adam frowned and folded his arms.

“Fuck.”

“Are you sleeping with her?”

Beau’s head snapped up. “What? No. We kissed. Once. I’m going to talk to her today.”

“It better be to break it off, because you have no business hitting on that child.”

Now he was pissed. “She’s not a child. She’s twenty-two and I’ll hit on her if I want. Mind your own damn business, Adam. I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you? You’re seven years older than she is. She’s a cutie, I don’t deny it, but—well, I hope to hell you do know what you’re doing. I’m not sure I believe it.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, big brother.”

“Shit, I’m going out to round up those traps. Try not to be a dumb ass.”

Adam stormed out of Beau’s room and slammed the door.

That went well. Not.

* * *

Alyssa was in the kitchen having a nice hot cup of coffee when Adam stormed through the door. He stopped and looked at her, then shook his head and continued out of the room. Grandpa K, was still in the kitchen from getting a late start due to the activities last night, was having his bowl of Rice Krispies. Alyssa had decided it was his breakfast dessert, because he had bacon and eggs or biscuits and gravy or something more substantial and then finished up with his favorite cereal, every day.

Grandpa K looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “What’s up with him?”

“I have no idea.”

“Maybe it’s just a hangover.”

“Maybe.” But she wondered if there was more to it. He might have noticed Beau acting different toward her last night—when he was high and not under strict control.

“I better get a move on. Daylight’s burning. Have a good day, little girl.”

Alyssa kissed his cheek. “You too, Grandpa K.”

She wondered if her day would be good or bad. She hadn’t been able to sleep much last night, wondering what Beau was going to say when he was sober. She got a bagel and popped it into the toaster—she didn’t know if her stomach could handle anything heavier than that. She’d always tended to carry her stress in her stomach. But going out for a full day’s work on just coffee wasn’t a good idea, either. She could also carry a granola bar for later. That was a good plan—then, if she threw up after talking to Beau she would have some sustenance to carry her over to lunch. Okay, enough of the melodrama. It wasn’t like she was in love with the man or anything. Yes, she respected him and yes, she thought he was hot and yes, he made her toes curl when he kissed her. But love? Nope, not her. Dear God, she hoped not anyway.