Page 24 of Tempted By the Broken Cowboy
“I admire that can-do spirit,” Zane chimes in.
“Thank you.”
I finish the sandwich, excuse myself, and go off in search of the man himself. Now that I’m not busy toiling my back off, I take my time savoring the beauty that is Iron Stallion ranch. No wonder the Morgans are the richest family in the state—this is impressive.
“Where the hell is he?” I mutter under my breath, spinning in a tight circle as I scan the ranch, looking for signs of Beck.
The sun is dipping low, casting long shadows across the paddocks, but there’s no sign of Beck. I check the tack room, the corral, even the workshop where I’m informed he goes to perfect those impossible horse maneuvers.
There’s not a hint of him anywhere I look. My patience is gone, replaced by a white-hot irritation.
I hit the main house, barging in on the family in the kitchen. “Have you seen him?” I demand, voice tighter than I intend.
They look up at me with concern. “He’s not in the corral?” Jace asks.
“No, I’ve looked everywhere.”
“I think I saw him drive off earlier,” Zane says, making my ears perk up.
He could have said that earlier and saved me all the wandering around.
“Any idea where he was going?”
“Not a clue.”
A sigh of frustration escapes my lips. It’s not their fault that they have a rowdy brother who is hard to keep in check.
And yet, even as irritation blooms, a stubborn determination coils inside me. I refuse to let him vanish on me. I’ve worked too hard today, planned too meticulously, to have him have the last word.
If his siblings have no idea where he is, that leaves one other person. I grab my phone and dial Landon. He better answer, or I swear…
The line clicks, then his calm, teasing voice answers. “There’s my favorite sister.”
“Hey, Landon. Where is he?” My voice is sharp, and he picks up on it.
“Calm down, Quinn.”
“Where is he?” I snap, trying to keep my voice from shaking with equal parts frustration and worry. “I’m not playing around, so you better tell me, or I’m posting the video I took of you peeing all over Mom’s rose bush last Christmas on the family group chat,” I threaten.
“You promised you would never bring that up. I was drunk, for crying out loud.”
“Desperate times. Now. Where. Is. He?”
There’s a pause on the other end, then he sighs. “Alright, alright. Calm down, tornado. He’s… not exactly where you think.”
I grit my teeth. “Not where I think? Landon, this isn’t a game. I need him, now.”
“You want a hint or the full truth?” His tone is half-laughing, half-exasperated.
“Full truth,” I growl.
“He’s… at the usual spot. You’ll see. Try not to throw a fit when you do.”
I hang up, my heart thudding. “Usual spot?” That could mean a dozen different places, but there’s only one place Landon would smirk about like that. My stomach twists in a mix of dread and disbelief.
“Found him?” Ella asks.
“Yes, I’ll be going out for a bit,” I excuse myself.
