Cowboy Mine (3B Ranch Series) Book 1

4

**** Beau pulled Kitt, his huge white stallion up short and watched as none other than Drina Skylard stepped out of the large SUV. She was the artist who sang the one song that spoke to him deep down. A line from that song called, 'Soldier of Light' popped into his head.

"With every step he takes, he's a soldier of light. Braving the darkness, he's a beacon in the night."

Rowdy, as usual pulled up beside Beau and Kitt to greet the new vacationers, interrupting his thoughts. When Rowdy's cellphone buzzed, he looked at the screen and grimaced. "Mmm, somethin's goin' on at the arena... Ava's needin' help. She askin' for Topper and I to get over there."

Beau, eyebrows raised, nodded, "Okay, but I would prefer that Topper stay here. Let me know if you need back up." Rowdy nodded, winked and grinned at the pink faced girl and loped off toward the ranch and the large arena. Beau turned back and watched Miss Skylard and three of the cutest kids he had ever seen followed her and jumped out of the vehicle. All three looked to be about ten or eleven years old. The boys jumped out and immediately began looking around, huge smiles on their faces. The girl, slid out of the truck with an enthusiasm that was much more controlled. She looked excited, yet more than a bit nervous and was all eyes; big, dark, beautiful eyes. A look of comprehension accompanied a small smile as she watched Rowdy ride away.

She pulled on Drina's arm, "That's one of the cowboys that rode beside us." she whispered, as she watched the red haired cowboy ride away.

Beau watched a big silver Dodge Ram pull up behind them, hauling an impressive four horse trailer.

"Not a bad lookin' rig." he admired aloud to himself.

As the boss, Beau preferred to meet and greet new first time guests himself when possible. He felt it was up to him and/or Rowdy to get a feel of the personalities as they came, and to help get them settled into their cabins. The ranch offered riding lessons for beginners which were usually run by his sister Eve as she was sometimes called, and their helicopter pilot, Topper. In special cases however, Beau or Rowdy stepped in personally. They liked to see for themselves how everyone, particularly kids reacted around the horses.

* * *

Kaylee grabbed her big sister's hand with a loud gasp of shock. She had just realized who the cowboy riding their way was. Drina looked down and noticed that Kaylee, Kyle and Eli were all staring down the long drive. She looked up and saw the biggest, toughest, sexiest man she had ever seen cantering their way. Her jaw nearly dropped when it hit her just who the man was. She knew he was a part owner of the 3B, but it hadn't occured to her that he would actually take part in it. Then it struck her; he had shown up because of her popularity. He wanted to make a good impression on her in particular.

'Great,' she thought, she came here for a break away from her fame and it was going to slap her in the face as soon as they got here.

* * *

Beau pulled Kitt to a stop and tipped his hat. "Howdy, folks." he drawled while dismounting.

'Oh, geez, seriously?' Drina thought as she rolled her eyes. 'Howdy?'

"Welcome to the 3B Ranch, where y'all come in as Greenhorns and leave as genu-ine Cowpokes. My name is...."

He never had a chance to finish when Eli and the twins all squeaked out his name, huge grins on their faces. "Beau Blanton!" They cried excitedly. The boys yelled, "Let's giddy up and GO!"

Beau chuckled, pleased at their recognition and exuberance, gave them all a smile and shook their hands formally. "Well." He said. "I see I don't have to introduce myself. And who might you all be?" He asked and stood with thumbs in his belt loops.