Page 64 of Tempted By the Broken Cowboy
I wrap my arm around Quinn, pulling her close as the applause slowly fades. My chest feels lighter than it has in years. Thedarkness that used to cloud everything—it’s still there, but it doesn’t own me anymore.
I glance down at her. “Thank you,” I murmur, voice low so only she can hear.
She tilts her head, brows knitting. “For what?”
“For not giving up on me. For fighting when I didn’t think I was worth fighting for.” I swallow hard, my throat thick. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to make up for the past, but I promise you this—whatever comes next, I’m going to make sure it’s worthy of you. Of us.”
Her eyes soften, shining in the fading light, and she doesn’t need to say anything for me to know she believes me. That’s enough.
I draw her closer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. For the first time in a long damn time, I feel like I’m standing on solid ground.
I’ve got my family. I’ve got her. And I’ve got a future that doesn’t scare me half to death.
For a man like me, that’s more than redemption. That’s freedom.
25
QUINN
The smell of hickory smoke clings to the late afternoon air, mixing with the sweetness of corn roasting on open flames and the tang of barbecue sauce simmering on the grill. Iron Stallion feels alive in a way I’ve never seen before. The Morgans really went all out—they threw their gates wide open, and half the county seemed to have shown up in response.
I stand off to the side, soaking it in. It’s surreal. People who used to cross the street when they saw Beck are now shaking his hand, clapping him on the back, as if the last few years of shame and whispers have been washed away in a tide of brisket and goodwill. He’s out there, tall and steady, grinning in a way I never thought I’d see. Not forced. Not haunted. Just… happy.
My chest tightens at the sight. Two months ago, I wasn’t sure he’d ever get here. Now I’m watching him laugh with kids who idolize him, neighbors who’ve forgiven him, and friends who trust him again. All I can think is that I’ve never been prouder in my life.
“Miss Atwood.” Hank Morgan’s voice rumbles behind me, warm and approving. “This whole thing’s something else, isn’t it?”
I turn and smile at Beck’s father. “It really is,” I agree softly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Beck so at ease.”
Hank nods, his gaze drifting toward his son. “That’s because of you.”
He looks at me the way a man looks at someone who’s brought his son back from the edge. He lingers a bit longer before being swept away by his guests.
Beck glances over, finds me, and lifts his chin in that subtle way that’s just for me. My stomach flips, and suddenly the noise around me fades.
For the first time in weeks, I let myself breathe. This feeling is happiness.
I don’t have long to savor the quiet pride bubbling in my chest before I hear familiar voices cutting through the music and laughter.
“Quinn!”
I turn, and my heart immediately lifts. Landon and Louis are weaving through the crowd, both tall, broad-shouldered, and impossible to miss. My grin comes easily.
“You made it!” I hurry toward them, throwing my arms around Louis first. He lifts me halfway off the ground, his laugh booming in my ear.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he says, setting me down. “Besides, someone has to keep you out of trouble.”
“And someone has to keep him out of trouble,” Landon adds with a smirk, jerking his chin toward the corral where Beck had been standing earlier.
I glance back instinctively, and sure enough, Beck’s already on his way over. His stride is easy and confident.
“Landon,” Beck calls, his mouth curving into a grin. “You made it.”
“Of course I made it,” Landon shoots back, clapping him into a quick, brotherly hug. “You think I’d let you take all the glory tonight without me around to knock you down a peg?”
Beck laughs, and for once, there’s no edge of defensiveness behind it. “You’ve been knocking me down since we were teenagers. Some things never change.”
“Some things do,” Louis cuts in, giving Beck a once-over before offering his hand. “And for the record, I like this version of you. Quinn’s done you some good.”
