Landry stands across the hall, tall and broad-shouldered in a crisp black shirt that hugs his rider’s build, his Stetson tipped low. The moment our eyes lock, the noise of the crowd fades to a distant hum. Heat sparks between us, that undeniable pull that's been building for months—the kind that makes my knees weak and my breath catch. His blue eyes darken with something deeper than pride, something that says he sees only me in this sea of people.
He tilts his head toward the side door, a subtle motion only I would catch.Come with me.
My pulse races as I slip through the crowd. He meets me in the shadowed pantry just off the kitchen, the door clickingshut behind us, muffling the celebration. The air thickens instantly, charged with everything we’d left unsaid. He steps closer, his calloused hand brushing mine, sending sparks up my arm.
“Quinn,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough like gravel under boots.
Tension dances between us as we stand face to face, my heart racing.
He shakes his head, his gorgeous blue eyes even more ethereal in the low light. “That was incredible. And… emotional. I had no idea they’d moved the rodeo because of me. How everyone felt about me. You just… You have no idea what that film did for me.”
That makes me happy. So happy that tears sting my eyes. “I’m glad.”
Talk of the film crashes at our feet and he steps even closer, nothing but an inch between us. “I can’t wait another damn minute. I need you to know the truth.”
I search his face, the tension I’d carried for weeks easing just a fraction at the sincerity in his eyes. “Landry, what?—”
“Jenna,” he says, cupping my cheek with one warm palm. “All those calls. I know how it looked, and I hated not explaining, but I couldn’t ruin the surprise. Jenna’s dad—Burt—is the jeweler here in Sable Sky. I’ve been working with him on something special. For you.” He shakes his head. “That day, she was dropping something off, the time was limited. When you went out… it was the only chance.”
My breath hitches. Before I can respond, he glances toward the cracked window overlooking the patio and raises a hand. “Burt! C’mere a second.”
The older man appears from the crowd, silver hair glinting under the dim pantry lights, a knowing grin on hisface. He claps Landry on the shoulder. “How’d it go?” He searches my fingers. “Oh hell.”
“No, it’s okay.” Landry turns back to me, his thumb tracing my jaw. “I was calling Burt through Jenna’s number because that's the jewelry shop number, it's not her cell phone. And she came by that day to drop off the sizer for the final touches.”
“Sizer?” I don’t follow, but when I look at Bert, happiness dusts his cheeks and curves his mouth. I look back to Landry.
“I’ve been callingBurtoff and on all week because I've been designing a custom ring. For you. One that represents what we built together since you've been here, one that represents our love, not the one we vowed to at the courthouse. Quinn… I should have just told you but… it's been a long time since I've been so in love. I'm not good at this. I wanted to surprise you tonight, but I should have ruined the surprise and come clean. I’m… bad at this.”
“What?” tears litter my cheeks as I process what was really going on, and the way I reacted.
Burt chuckles softly. “He’s been driving me crazy with the details—engravings, the perfect fit, all of it. Swore me to secrecy. Never seen a man so gone on a woman.”
Joy blooms so fiercely behind my ribs that it steals my words. Jenna pops her head in, looking for her dad, but pauses when she sees the three of us. She glances at my ring finger, empty but for the original ring, and winces. Landry motions her in. "I was just telling Quinn that your dad has been working on her ring."
Jenna's eyes come to mine. "I've seen it, hon. Start working out or else that thing is gonna weigh your arm down." She flashes a smile that makes me think I've misinterpreted everything out of jealousy, but before I can think too much on it, Jenna ducks out, telling her dad to meet her by the truck. Bertpats Landry's shoulder, then shakes my hand. "Incredible film. Congratulations, both of you."
Landry pulls me closer, his forehead resting against mine, the chemistry between us crackling like summer lightning. "Marry me. For real."
My heart is racing a million miles a minute, and I can't believe I ever thought Landry would betray me. I feel so silly.
“Say something, baby,” he whispers, a partial, hopeful smile tugging at his lips. “Before I lose my nerve and just kiss you senseless right here.”
I laugh through the happy tears, my hands fisting in his shirt. “Yes. Landry, yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.”
His mouth claims mine in a kiss that promises forever—fierce and tender. In that quiet little pantry where the door is covered in peck marks by Mr. McCharger, with the distant cheers of our town celebrating his story, I know this is it. The moment our forever really begins.
We break apart, one last worry on my mind. "Landry… I don't… You shouldn't spend your winnings on me at all. I got a bonus for this film and…"
He shakes his head, still subtly stroking his thumb along my cheek as his eyes sink into mine. “I’m not gonna pay for it. Burt made me a deal, and I’m gonna train Jenna’s boyfriend for a year in exchange for the ring.” He pulls me closer. “I should have told you. I should have just told you what I was up to but… you’ve done so much for me. So much for Sadie. Hell, Quinn, you’ve changed Sable Sky. And I only wanted to show you in some small way just how much you mean to me, and putting a diamond on your finger, while you hold my last name, well, it seemed like the best way.”
I search his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.” I shake my head. “I should have, I really should have.”
His lips dust my neck and nibble the end of my earlobe. “Ijust… wanted so badly to give you a big moment, the way you’ve given us so many. But… It’s behind us now, and I promise to never be a damn fool ever again.”
I giggle as he nips at my jaw and lips, but freeze when his blue eyes settle on mine, evident that there’s something else he wants to say.
“I heard Mabel’s introduction before the film started.” He licks his lips and his eyes grow misty. “I’m so honored to have you make a film about me, and I’m so incredibly proud that my wife’s film is nominated for the Indie Film Awards. I’m so goddamn proud of you, baby. I love you, and I’m honored that you love me, too.”
