Page 142 of Tate
And lifted his hand to the world.
The applause thundered down over him, a wave of respect and acceptance, and he couldn’t breathe. Reuben’s words in the kitchen the night before he got married pressed into his mind.When you show up with nothing and discover that you’re loved because of who you are—that’s when you realize what it means to be a son of God… It’s pretty breathtaking…
The words washed through him, hot and bold.
A son of God.
That’s when you discover that you’ve inherited more than you could possibly imagine.
Yes. And as he stood there, put down his hand, he simply let the applause wash over him. Let it sink into his pores, his bones, his cells.
I’m proud of you, son.
Maybe his father’s voice, maybe something more, but his throat tightened.
Thank you, Father.
Glo tugged his hand and turned him back to the wings.
His brothers stood there. So much alike—tall, wide-shouldered, dark haired. Strong, brave, wise—true cowboys.
And he’d spent his entire life wanting to be like them. Proving that he fit into the family.
Out of all his boys, you were too much like him. Stubborn and tough and didn’t know when to quit.
So maybe he was more like his dad than he’d ever realized. Huh.
Tate entered the wings to the high fives and one-armed hugs of his brothers. His mother parted them and pulled him into a hug. “It’s about time. Your father would be so proud. He always told me that you’d blow my socks off, if we could just keep you alive.”
Tate swallowed the heat burning his throat. He leaned away from her, met her blue eyes. His blue eyes. But he had his father’s grit.
And his Father’s name. And that made all the difference.
“Thanks for putting up with me, Ma.”
“Oh, Tate. You were the most fun.” She winked and kissed his cheek.
Reba had returned to the mic, winding up her speech as Glo dragged him away into the shadows.
“Surprised?”
“Glo, I?—”
“Love me. I know. Me too. I just wish I had a medal to give you.”
Then she stood up on her toes and kissed him, her arms around his neck.
And he was the guy who got all the luck, got the girl of his dreams, got the happy ending.
In fact, maybe he was even the hero of the story.
Glo leaned back, her eyes shiny. “Now hang on to your hat, cowboy. Because it’s time to get this party started.”
Then, as her mother waved her arms to the crowd’s applause, Glo grabbed her band and headed to the stage.
And Tate stood on the sidelines, keeping his eye out for trouble.
Night hung over the skyline of San Diego, the breeze fragrant with ocean and the sultry smells of early summer.
