Page 106 of Live for Me

His wife blurted, “I was just trying to paint a picture for her.”

I bite my bottom lip and looked at the floor, trying my best not to laugh. While I appreciated their experiences, I didn’t intend on sharing mine with Beau. We still had so much to figure out, and I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I needed to get my stalker taken care of, and I didn’t know what the Hallow Ranch cowboys were going to do to the men who forced me out of town, out of Beau’s life.

Mason looked to the ceiling, and Denver pinched the bridge of his nose, grumbling, “Sis, that’s not a picture I want to see.”

“Okay, then leave the room,” Valerie countered as I looked back up.

Denver’s eyes landed on his wife, and I turned my head, clearing my throat. Harmony gave me a knowing look.

“Yeah, they can get intense,” she whispered, turning to face the massive dining room table covered in food, every sage-colored place mat set with delicate white china, the ends dipped in gold. I eyed the silverware, recognizing it instantly, the puzzle pieces coming together in my head.

This was Jane Langston’s silverware and china.

Harmony called my name softly, pointing to the two spots on the far end, by the window. “You and Beau can sit there.” I watched as her eyes lit up, a thought popping up in her pretty head, and she turned back to look at her bull rider. “Mase, I think we need to invest in a bigger dining room table.”

“Pardon?” he asked, raising a brow, closing the distance between them.

“You know, for when the rest of the cowboys finally fall in love.”

Mason’s eyes flicked up from his face, finding mine. “Love, huh?”

I pressed my lips together, Mason’s words from my first morning here echoing in my head.

Had Beau told them about us?

Did Mason still hate me?

Did Denver still want to me to let Beau go?

My gut twisted, the knife sinking deeper by the second, and when the bull rider pulled his eyes from mine, I felt like I could breathe again. He murmured something to Harmony, and I took that as my sign to head to my seat, scrunching my nose at little NJ on the way. She waved her hands and babbled, sending my heart into overdrive.

Six years ago, I wanted children more than anything else in the world, but when I lost Beau, that desire faded away. It wasn’t until last Christmas at Harris’ place that I’d finally came to terms that children weren’t in the cards for me. Even if I had met someone else, I wouldn’t—Beau was the only man I wanted children with.

That would never change.

At that moment, the man himself walked into the dining room, his father behind him. Beau’s blues were on me, pinning me in place, and I reached out for the back of my chair for support, my knees turning into jelly. His jaw was tight, his brow furrowed,his beautiful mouth set into a firm line that made my core clench. He held my eyes until he was in front of NJ’s highchair. Then, he turned his attention to the little girl, that firm line transforming into a miraculous smile that had my ovaries crying out shamelessly. I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry as he got down on his haunches, getting eye level with the child and poking her gently on her button nose.

Yeah, I still wanted children with Beau.

This was a different kind of torture entirely.

All thoughts of babies and happy-ever-afters with my cowboy vanished as Denver cleared his throat, his gray eyes finding mine. “Let’s take a seat everyone. We have a lot to discuss.”

Everyone took their seats, Mags coming into the room last, taking the seat directly across from me. I was grateful to Jigs for suggesting we eat first.

“I don’t know about anyone else at this damn table, but I’m due for a hot meal,” the old cowboy noted, ending the awkward silence.

All too soon, the meal was done, everyone’s plates empty, and while the conversations had been warm, everyone could feel the cold darkness lingering in the room—because of me.

“Abbie.”

Twisting my neck, I found Beau staring at me, the blue flame within his eyes bright, ready to burn it all to the ground. “Yes?” I whispered.

He slipped his hand into mine underneath the table, our fingers weaving together tightly. “It’s time,” he told me, not saying anything else.

Our silence led to me noticing the silence across the entire table, and suddenly, I could feel all their eyes on me. I looked out to each to them. Mags was sitting back in his chair, his arms folded over his thick, faded black work shirt, his long dark hair stopping just past his shoulders, making him look like a wildman. The short beard only added to his wildness, but it did nothing to hide the pain painted all over him. His dark eyes were on me and with a simple nod, I took that as permission to look at Lawson, who sat beside him. Lawson was different than his twin, and not everyone would be able to tell—at least, not at first. Lawson was rough around the edges. His brother, Lance, had his own set of demons, but there was a darkness in Lawson that made him stand out next to his brother.

On the other side of him was Valerie, whose green eyes were filled with patience and kindness. At the end of the table was Denver, who was leaning back in his seat, one elbow resting on the armrest as he stroked his dark beard, waiting. Across from Valerie was Mason, who wasn’t looking at me, but at my cowboy. Harmony was beside him, and she gave me a small warm smile before mouthing, “It’s okay.”

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