Page 20 of Lasso Lovebirds (Rainbow Ranch #4)

beau

Sunday morning rolled around before we knew it. And the good news was that despite the storm that had blown through overnight, the skies were bright blue and clear today. Puffy clouds drifted above, casting shadows down on the ranch as they passed by.

Our tents were up, our tables were set, blankets rolled out, activities ready to go. Pretty soon, every queer person in Oklahoma would be heading to our doorstep.

This was one of my favorite events of the year. And this year in particular, it felt special because we had Sky here with us.

Their first Pride. I loved that we got to share it with them.

Nothing could've prepared me for how quickly my life was changing.

For the better, too. I could see a future with Priscilla and Sky, one that was bright and full of possibilities. The idea of having two people who I could love forever had taken root, and I was doing my best to show them that I could be a good partner.

I knew I was good at being a boss.

Or at least, I tried.

I tried to do good by the people around me, always putting them first. It was something that my parents had taught me young, I was the oldest, and therefore I had all the responsibilities on my shoulders. And while I wasn’t a lone cowboy, there were certainly some days where I felt like it.

But then Boone, Billie, and Benny reminded me I wasn’t alone. We had each other, we had our friends, who were more like family anyhow.

Even knowing that , I still felt worried that I wasn’t made to be a good partner.

I was often up well before the crack of dawn, staying up late, always working.

I would need to learn how to set aside time for those I loved, right?

I wasn't sure how I was going to balance that quite yet, but I would do everything in my power to do it well.

The sound of boot steps behind me had me turning as my twin walked up. Boone raised his head to the sky, holding onto his hat as he tipped his head back.

“Perfect day for a picnic.”

I slung my arm around his shoulders and smiled. “It is,” I agreed.

He let out a hum in agreement, but I knew that hum. I raised a brow as I looked at him.

“Alright. Out with it,” I said. “You’re cooking up something in that head of yours.”

“Oh you know,” he chuckled. “Just wondering how everything is making you feel. I’m still caught up in the whirlwind of Wylie. I love him so much.”

“I know you do,” I said, leaning my head against his. “It’s made me really damn happy to see the two of you together.”

“I know. And it’s made me happy to see you, Sky, and Pris together. The three of you seem like the perfect partners for each other.”

I blew out a slow breath. “We haven’t exactly labeled our relationship quite yet. I think . . .”

“Worried about Sky leaving?”

I nodded.

Of course he’d be able to read my mind. Our entire lives, we’d always known that the other was thinking. It was part of being brothers, being twins.

Boone knew me better than anyone.

“I worry I’m not good enough,” I whispered.

Boone shook his head. “You gotta get that out of your mind, Beau. You deserve love. You deserve to feel the kind of happiness that makes you feel like you’re floating in the clouds. It’s special, what the three of you got.”

I untangled myself from him and reached around, plucking my mask from my back pocket. I usually wore it for picnics and any official Rainbow Ranch event. It was something I picked up years ago and had stuck. I liked it, it made me feel like I was putting on a cape.

When the mask was on, I was Super Beau—able to handle anything and everyone around me.

“See,” Boone said, nodding toward the tent. “Look at your partners working together. Sky belongs here.”

“They aren't officially my partners yet,” I grumbled.

“Sure,” he said with a smirk. “It’ll just be a matter of time, I'm sure. I should make a bet with Billie and Benny.”

“You will do no such thing, Boone.”

He chuckled and pecked my cheek. “I’m gonna go make sure all the food is being put out where I want it. Should I send Abilene to get Dennis?”

“Yes, please,” I said.

It wouldn’t be a Rainbow Ranch picnic without our unofficial mascot. Hopefully he behaved himself today.

Boone left my side to join everyone else under the tent. I turned and scouted the ranch, looking for anything that might be out of place. Rainbow flags whipped in the wind, the crops wavering as a breeze rolled through. Sunshine warmed me through my pastel plaid button-down and jeans.

My attention turned back to Pris and Sky. The two of them were setting up a couple more tables underneath one of the tents. Boone had joined Wylie and Winnie in getting the rest of the food and refreshments set out.

We were ready.

It was about time to grab my truck and head up to the front of the property to help direct people. While we had signs that we'd put up yesterday to guide people to the ranch, it never hurt to have someone at the front to welcome them in.

I rolled my shoulders and stretched my neck. I finally left my post and headed toward the tent, slowing as I approached. Everyone was working so well together. It was like watching magic happen right in front of me.

“I’m gonna head to the front,” I said. “I’m gonna welcome people in.”

“Sounds good,” Boone said. “Why don't you take someone with you?”

I heard the knowing smirk in his voice.

“Don't you need the extra hands here?” I asked.

“You can take Sky,” Pris said.

Sky shook their head. “How about you go?”

I saw mischief and their sweet brown eyes, and they winked at me before grabbing a cooler full of water. Pris smoothed her hands down her hips, and then shrugged her shoulders.

“Sure,” she said. “I’ll come with you.”

She walked up to me and as she got close, the urge to pull her in and kiss her came over me.

I couldn’t resist it.

Pris squeaked as I dragged her close to me. I swooped in, pressing my lips to hers before the whole ranch. Boone let out a low whistle and there were a couple of claps, because of course everyone was gonna be dramatic about it.

I let her go and half expected her to be scowling at me, but she was grinning ear to ear. My heart melted in my chest.

“Let’s go welcome people in,” I murmured.

She nodded and glanced back at Sky. “We’ll be back for you in a bit, little storm. Can’t miss your first Pride.”

Sky’s cheeks turned pink and they smirked. “Have fun.”

A couple hours later, the Y’all Pride Picnic was in full swing, and I felt like I was on top of the world. I sat on a spread-out blanket next to Pris and Sky, the sun shining on the three of us as we chatted with some of the guests as they passed by or stopped to say hello.

I bit into a sandwich as I looked around. Everyone was having a good time as usual. Music floated on the breeze, the clouds drifting above us.

It was the perfect day on Rainbow Ranch.

Pris and I had worked the front gate for a little bit only to be relieved by Billie and Benny. We were taking a short break to eat and relax before getting back to helping out with all the other activities that were going on.

In about an hour, we would have an amazing drag performance, followed by Dennis making his famed appearance.

Sky leaned against me, resting their head on my shoulder.

“This is amazing,” they sighed. “I didn't expect so many people to show up.”

I smiled. Everyone here was comfortably themselves, and that type of vibe radiated warmth and happiness.

“It’s one of my favorite events,” I said. “I always feel good about what we do here.”

“You should,” Pris chimed. “Rainbow Ranch is a safe place in a state that isn’t always safe—and that’s important.”

“It’s a sanctuary,” Sky said. “I’m happy to be here.”

Will you stay? The question almost tumbled out, but I bit my bottom lip. Pris glanced over at me, and I wondered if she’d almost said the same thing.

The three of us were dancing around the tension. After the picnic, I wondered if we’d finally get to test the waters of being together.

Falling for two people certainly hadn’t been on my plan for this year, but here I was.

My heart told me I loved them both, even if it was too fast. But Sky was like a tornado that had torn through our lives, leaving in its wake a desire for something more.

“We need to get you your own hat,” Pris said to Sky. “Especially after all that riding you did yesterday.”

My eyes widened. “Did you ride one of the horses yesterday? Did I miss that?”

They both burst out laughing.

“Not that kind of riding, Beau,” Pris said, giving my thigh a squeeze.

“ Oh .”

I blushed, and then smirked, looking down at Sky.

I did the only thing I could think of. I grabbed my cowboy hat, lifted it off my head, and placed it on theirs.

A couple whistles followed, because of course there was some significance in giving someone a hat.

In a way, I was marking them as mine.

Sky blushed, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

And then Priscilla shocked us both by lifting her hat, leaning over, and placing it on my head.

Now it is my turn to blush, and I grinned from ear to ear, my cheeks turning red beneath my mask.

“There,” she said. “You look damn good in my hat, Beau Adams.”

“Well, you'll look good in my—” I cut myself off before I said something inappropriate in front of the entire world.

“No, no,” she giggled. “Go ahead and finish that sentence.”

“I don't think I will,” I said, my ears now burning.

Sky and Priscilla burst into another fit of giggles, the two of them teasing me.

But it felt really damn good to be teased like this. It felt even better to be with them.

Now Sky was wearing my hat, I was wearing Priscilla's, and everything in the world felt right.

But then there was the tension between us. It was driving me just a little crazy. Last night, I’d even dreamed about them.

Even out in the open, there was this boiling heat between us that was eating me alive. All I could think about was what it would be like for the three of us to finally get to explore our dynamics together.

I needed to confirm what I knew to be true.

We belonged together.

What would it be like?

Priscilla leaned against me and left a kiss on my cheek before getting up. She smoothed her hands down her jeans and adjusted her button-down shirt. When she turned, I noticed a stitched heart on a leather patch.

“I love those jeans,” I said.

She tossed a smile over her shoulder and patted her ass. “I bet you do. I'm gonna go help out your family. Break time is over.”

I nodded, letting out a long sigh. “It's time for me to get up too, I need to wrangle Dennis.”

“I’m going to hand out more food,” Sky said.

“But,” Priscilla said. “After the picnic . . .”

I swallowed hard. “After the picnic, I think that we should meet at my door.”

Both of them nodded in agreement.

“Sounds like a date,” Pris said.

“It sure does,” Sky agreed.