Page 111 of Live for Me

“Good idea,” Beau muttered darkly, holding out his hand.

Once we were both on our feet, he bound his arm around my waist, holding me to him as the other cupped my face. The rest of the room faded as he stroked my cheek, brushing the tears away. “Did I hurt you?” he asked. I could tell he was trying to keep his anger in check, but his body was tense. He was ready to explode.

I shook my head. “You could never hurt me, cowboy,” I promised, putting my hand over his heart. I pressed my lips together for a moment.

If Beau was able to keep his emotions in check, I should be able to do the same.

“I’m sorry for breaking this,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry for letting you break it,” he returned, his voice thick.

The breeze was gentle as Valerie moved the swing we sat on, pushing off the porch with her foot. Harmony was sitting on the porch railing, one knee to her chest, watching me closely. Mylegs were curled up, my arms keeping them close to my chest while Valerie had a foot tucked underneath her.

The three of us had been out here for the last half hour.

After my breakdown, I gave the cowboys the descriptions of the men again, and they immediately dove into planning. They were going to hunt them down—for me and Beau. Ten minutes in, the conversation took a dark yet unsurprising turn, and Harmony read me like a book. She and Valerie brought me to the porch, gave me a blanket, and we all sat in silence for a long time.

“I would’ve done the same thing.”

My head snapped up, finding Valerie’s eyes. “What?” I breathed.

“In a heartbeat,” Harmony added.

My eyes bounced back and forth between the two women. My next question came out on a broken rasp. “You would’ve?”

Harmony nodded, looking down to her lap, twisting her fingers. “Mason saved my life, in more ways than I can count,” she confessed. “He made me feel alive again after so many years.” She inhaled a deep breath, and her eyes met mine. “I was dead inside, Abbie. I didn’t have the will to live, and then here comes this cocky, dangerous bull rider.”

Valerie’s chest moved, inhaling a deep breath as she picked at a loose string on her blanket. Her eyes weren’t on me or Harmony, and I knew she was lost in her own memories.

“He crashed into my life and showed me what it was like to be loved,” Harmony continued. “So yes, Abbie, I would’ve done exactly what you did. In. A.Heartbeat.”

“My mom used to always tell me to live,” Valerie added softly. “I’d spent so many years fighting for her, taking care of her, and somewhere along the way, I stopped living for myself.” She looked at me. “When I met Denver, I’d never seen anyone—anything—more beautiful.”

I swallowed the painful lump in my throat, understanding both of them completely.

“He was a force of nature sent to remind me to live,” Valerie said, giving me a sad smile. “When I told my mom about him, told her he wanted me to stay, you want to know what she said?” A single tear fell onto her cheek. “She told me to live.”

Harmony sniffled. She was crying too.

Valerie closed her eyes, grief hitting her. “I would’ve done whatever it took to keep Denver and Caleb safe.”

“And we need to thank you for protecting Beau,” Harmony whispered. “If you hadn’t left him…” She trailed off, looking out into the night.

Valerie looked at her sister-in-law, finishing the sentence for her. “Hallow Ranch wouldn’t be here.”

“You don’t—”

“You said they were professionals,” Harmony cut in, wiping her tears again. “Professionals know how to make things look like an accident. They would have done it, Abbie. You need to understand that. I’ve been around men like that. Their threats aren’t tactics for fear. Theyarepromises.”

A chill slithered down my back.

“None of us would be here, Abbie,” Valerie murmured, reaching over to grab my hand.

“So thank you,” Harmony rasped, hopping down from the railing.

“Thank you so much for protecting Hallow Ranch,” Valerie cried, breaking and lunging for me. Her arms were around me, followed by Harmony’s.

The validation seeped into my heart and soon, the three of us were in a heap on the porch, holding each other and crying.

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