Page 51 of Cowboy Heat

That shifting settles.

I turn around to find Beau has given me space again.

He’s just there.

Standing tall.

I eat that space up in a second flat. Hugging him isn’t the same as hugging on Micah, but boy, is it what I need.

The second Beau’s arms wrap right on back around me, I’m a goner.

He holds me as I finally cry.

Micah istwelve and bright as can be. He’s a boy who likes fiddling with things and figuring out how they work, but he also never says no to a book. When we’re inside Big House an hour later, he brings me his bookbag, and I see he’s tucked in a few of his favorites. I know them well, since I’m the one who gifted them to him.

“A Wrinkle in Time,” Beau reads out as he picks up one of the books that’s slipped out onto the table. He flips through it.

Micah’s real proud. He nods, arms crossing over his chest.

He’s always trying to look defiant, but all I see is a little boy. This time, one who just scarfed down two grilled cheese sandwiches and is in desperate need of a good night’s sleep.

“That whole series is about science and quantum mechanics and space,” Micah says. “A lot of adults get messed up reading it and have to look up stuff about it online.”

I’m sitting across the table from him, though my grilled cheese is only partially eaten. Beau, the chef, polished off two just like Micah. So far, the conversation has been nice but not exactly informative. At least, not to Beau. We still don’t know why Micah is here, and as far as I know, Beau doesn’t understand who Micah is to me. Right now, he’s being a trooper, acting like the entire situation isn’t absolutely strange.

“Hey, I’m not knocking the book.” Beau holds his hands up in defense. “I’m just surprised someone your age likes to read this much. Especially in the time of smartphones.”

Micah takes that as a compliment. He nods, serious. “Kissy and I have a book club and we read the smart stuff,” he says proud. “I’m ahead of everyone else at school in reading.”

This time, I’m proud. “It’s true. I even have the reading ribbon on my fridge,” I say. “Red and gold.”

“That sounds pretty impressive,” Beau says. “I probably could learn a thing or two from you.”

Micah looks pleased.

He also looks tired.

He yawns, and I know it’s time to talk finally.

I sit up, ready. “Hey, Micah. I’m really glad to see you, but I need to know how you got here.Whyyou got here.” Micah side-eyes Beau quick. I lean forward and keep my voice light but stern. “Bothof us need to know. We owe Beau that.”

Beau takes my cue and sits down at the open seat at the head of the small table. His chair squeaks as he settles.

Micah still seems uncertain, but he trusts me, so he answers. “I walked.”

“You walked? FromLa Lumiere?”

He nods. “May said she’d give me a ride, but I didn’t want her to get into trouble.”

“May?” Beau asks.

I nod.

“May Harding is a teenager who lives out atLa Lumierewith her dad,” I explain. “He’s a trucker, so not always around. Usually she stays with her aunt Clara.”

“She’s nice,” Micah adds on. There’s a touch of defense in it too. His cheeks are turning red. Micah has been crushing on May since he could just about walk.

“So you told May you were coming out here?” I ask to get us back on track.