Page 29 of Backed By You (Montgomery Brothers of Montana #3)

Callie

The reception is in full swing by the time the speeches conclude. The dance floor is crowded with guests moving to the live band’s upbeat cover of a country song, the overhead string lights cast a warm glow over the celebration.

I sit at our table, while Beau chats with a cousin near the bar. Even from across the tent, I can see the relaxed set of his shoulders, the easy smile that appears more frequently now than when we first met. He looks at home here.

“He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night, you know.

” Julie, Beau’s mom, slides into the chair beside me.

She’s elegantly dressed in a navy jumpsuit with flowy sleeves, her silver-blonde hair swept into a stylish updo.

“Even when he’s talking to someone else, he checks to make sure you’re okay. He’s quite fond of you.”

Warmth rises to my cheeks. “He’s protective.”

“It’s more than that, dear.” She pats my hand, her eyes kind but knowing. “He’s always been the serious one, the careful one. Even before the army.”

I nod, recognizing the description of the man I first met—guarded, watchful, keeping the world at arm’s length.

“But the way he looks at you?” Julie continues. “That’s new. That’s a man who’s found his place.”

The band transitions to a slower song, and as if summoned by our conversation, Beau appears before us, hand extended toward me. “Dance with me?” he asks deeply, merely sparing his mother a sweeping glance.

I place my hand in his and tell Hulk to stay. He sits beside Julie watching on with a satisfied smile, as Beau leads me to the dance floor. His arm circles my waist, drawing me close as we begin to sway to the music.

“Having fun?” he asks, his voice low near my ear.

“Yes,” I answer honestly. “Your family is wonderful.”

“She likes you,” he says, glancing at our table.

I roll my eyes. “What, did she tell you that?”

“She did.” His smirk is slow, easy. “They all did.”

His hand is warm against the small of my back, one I’ve come to rely on. We move together easily, finding our rhythm among the other couples on the dance floor. Duke and Maci glide past us, lost in their own world. Nearby, Butch twirls Cassidy in a move that fumbles but makes her laugh.

“Do you ever think about it?” I ask, the question slipping out before I can reconsider.

“About what?”

I nod subtly to the newlyweds. “Marriage.”

Beau tightens his hold on my waist. Fingers flexing in thought. “After everything…it didn’t seem like it was in the cards for me.”

I peer at him. My hopeful heart in my throat when I ask, “And now?”

His gaze finds mine, deep and serious. “I think about a lot of things I didn’t before.”

My heart beats faster. We haven’t been together long—a few months—but there’s a certainty to what we’ve built. I can’t see myself with anyone else. “Like what?” I press gently.

A smile curves his lips. “Like putting an addition on your cabin or making the new one bigger. Adding a matching porch swing to the back porch so we can watch the sunset every night. Or how I wake up early just to see the sunrise reflect in your eyes when you first wake up.”

My breath catches. “Those are very specific thoughts.”

“I’m a specific kind of man.” His hand tightens on mine. “I don’t do anything these days without thinking of you, sweetheart.”

The implication hangs between us. Heartfelt and so much more. Before I can respond, the song ends, and the band announces it’s time for the cake cutting. Beau leads me off the dance floor, my hand firmly in his.

As the couples take turns feeding each other cake—with Butch predictably smearing frosting on Cassidy’s nose to the delight of the crowd—Beau’s arm slips around my waist again.

“For the record,” he murmurs against my hair, my back pressed to his front, “when I do ask you, it’ll be because I can’t go another day without knowing you’re mine completely.”

The simple when , not if , sends a shiver through me. I lean into him, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions. “You have me now,” I say softly, peering at him.

He hums as he tilts my chin. He kisses me sweetly. “I do.”

The evening progresses with more dancing, more champagne, more laughter.

I find myself drawn into conversations with various Montgomery relatives, each with their own stories about Beau growing up.

His brother, Levi, shows me photos of teenage Beau with a retainer and an unfortunate haircut, while Uncle Jim recounts how Beau once built an entire treehouse by himself at age twelve.

“It was a simple platform,” he tells me, “but he was so damn proud of himself.” I hang on every word, every detail about Beau I can. And love each one.

The band shifts to slower, mellower songs, and the energy of the reception transforms into something more intimate. Beau and I share another dance as guests begin to leave. I yawn a few times and we decide to call it a night.

“I need to grab my purse from the table quick,” I tell him when the song ends.

“I’ll get it,” he offers. “Meet you by the entrance?”

I nod, patting my leg for Hulk to follow. The night air is cool after the warmth of the crowded reception, and I take a moment to appreciate the stars visible above the mountain peaks.

Movement near the side entrance of the main lodge catches my eye. An employee or utility entrance, I think? A woman emerges, adjusting her dress as she glances around. Even in the dim lighting, I recognize Lily, Beau’s sister. Her hair mussed, lipstick smudged at one corner.

She doesn’t notice me standing in the shadows a mere ten feet away as she quickly smooths her hair and heads back toward the reception. I fight back a rude giggle. Secret public sex at your brother’s wedding? I didn’t peg Lily for that kind of thing.

Completely unable to stop my curiosity from killing me, I remain where I am, wondering who is on the other side of that door. I don’t have to wait long. The same door opens again, and a tall figure steps out, tucking his shirt back into his pants.

I slap a hand over my mouth to contain my shock. Garrett Clark.

Holy—

He hasn’t seen me yet, his attention focused on straightening his tie and checking his reflection in a darkened window. I step deeper into the shadows, tugging Hulk back with me a step. I don’t know why I’m hiding, though it’s probably instinct telling me I just saw something I wasn’t meant to see.

They’d been seated at different tables, showing no particular interest in each other all night. At least, none that I’d noticed. Clearly, there was more happening than wedding small talk.

Beau calls my name, approaching with my purse in hand, his face curious at finding me lurking in the darkness. “Everything okay?” he asks.

I glance to where Garrett was standing, but he’s gone. “Yeah,” I say, taking my purse. “Just…enjoying the view.”

Beau’s gaze searches mine. “Bullshit.”

I snort-laugh. “I’ll tell you later. Promise.”

He nods, accepting my answer while offering me his arm as we walk to the truck.

Hulk is curled up in the backseat, exhausted from a day of being fawned over by wedding guests.

The drive is peaceful, the Montana night sky stretching endlessly above us, stars brilliant and bright.

I roll down my window, letting the cool mountain air wash over me.

Six months ago, I fled to this place in hopes of finding solitude and safety. A means to an end. Instead, I found a grumpy landlord who became so much more.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks as we turn onto the familiar road leading to the cabin. “You’ve got that look.”

“What look?”

“The one where you’re turning something over and over in your mind.” He glances at me before returning his focus to the road.

I smile at how well he knows me already. “Just thinking about us.”

He reaches across the console to take my hand, his thumb brushing across my knuckles like a silent declaration. I squeeze his hand in response. I love you, too .

When we arrive at the cabin, he unlocks the door, holding it open for Hulk and me. I step into the space that has become more home to me than any place I’ve ever lived. Beau moves behind me, his hands settling on my shoulders to massage away the tension from hours of mingling and dancing.

His arms encircle me, holding me close as his lips find my temple. “Being here with you,” he murmurs, “it’s more than I ever thought I’d have. More than I thought I deserved.”

I turn in his arms, gazing at the face I’ve come to crave the sight of every morning. I smile softly. “And what do you think you deserve now?”

His gaze holds mine with an intense certainty I can’t explain.

The love I feel from this man is…

“Everything,” he says. “With you.”

The word echoes between us. Everything . I rise on tiptoes to kiss him, knowing I want the same thing.

Everything. With him.

For the first time in years, I’m not hiding from my future.

I’m living for it.

And it feels like finally coming home.