Page 1 of Tempted By the Broken Cowboy
1
QUINN
“He did what?!” I screech as the solid glass paperweight drops from my hand and rolls to the corner of the room.
I stare at my big brother, Rhett, wondering if he’s teasing me to get a rise out of me or if he’s serious about the bomb he just dropped on me.
“Rhett, I’m going to need you to repeat what you just said,” I demand in a stern tone, getting to my feet.
“Dad just scrapped the free school lunch program. I thought you should hear it from me first. I’m so sorry, Quinn. I know this was a passion project of yours. Maybe you—“
I hold up my hand to stop him from saying anything else. “Where is the old man?”
He sighs, looking hesitant to tell me, but realizes that either way, I will find him, so he chokes out our father’s location. “In his study.”
Without another word, I brush past him as I leave my office, taking the stairs two at a time. I don’t bother knocking as I barge in—I am a woman on a mission.
The man in question is seated behind the mahogany desk that I’ve always thought was too big for this office, glasses perched on his nose, reading a newspaper with a steaming coffee mug next to him.
He doesn’t even look up from whatever he is reading, as if he were expecting me.
“Daddy, how could you?!” I ask in an accusing tone.
Painfully slow, he sets the newspaper down. His glasses come off next as he picks up the coffee mug, the same pair of blue eyes I have lifting to meet mine. He gives me a pointed look, refusing to say anything. I quickly realize my mistake, so I correct myself.
“Mr. Mayor,” I grit out sarcastically before proceeding. “I’ve been informed that the free school lunch program has been scrapped, and I’d like an explanation.”
“Simple. Not enough money in the budget.” He answers too calmly for my liking.
“But yesterday, you approved the budget for a new golf course,” I exclaim.
“It’s for the community,” he insists.
I can’t help the scoff that makes its way past my lips. “Oh, please. This is Texas—we play football and have rodeo in our blood. We don’t need a damn golf course. But the free school lunch program is essential. It’s been feeding hundreds of schoolchildren.”
The Wrangler Creek free school lunch program for all public schools is something I fought for months to get approved, and now, after just a year, it’s been scrapped?! Not on my watch.
His face turns grim, and I realize he’s done with me. “Miss Atwood, do I need to remind you who the Mayor is between us?”
He always throws that at me when I call him out on his bullshit.
“You are,” I sigh, wishing he’d step down already so I can run for mayor and bring actual change to this town.
“Exactly, so my word is final.”
“But—“
“If you want me to approve your proposal, you know what you need to do. Which is?” he questions.
My head bows in defeat. “Raise half the amount myself,” I mumble.
“Exactly. Now please tell me how much of the fifty million dollars you’ve managed to raise?” he asks, even though he already knows the answer.
“None, but I’m working on it,” I defend.
Six months ago, I wrote a detailed proposal for a development project I have in mind for Wrangler Creek and brought it before my father, the mayor. He was averse to it at first, but after I talked him into it, he agreed to fund it as long as I was able to raise half the amount.
“Then keep working on it.” He waves me off dismissively. “This matter is closed. Let’s discuss the rest when you have the discussed amount.” He picks up his newspaper once again, indicating this conversation is over.
