“I would really love that.”

“Wyatt said you used to be a really good rider.”

“Used to be?”

“He said now you suck.”

I have to hold back scolding him because this is probably the most this kid has spoken to me in months. He’s been so distant, so closed off, and refused to let me in. The last thing I want is for him to shut down again.

“I won a lot of rodeos.”

He gasps. “You rode a bull?”

“No,” I say on a chuckle. “I did barrel racing.”

We spend the next half hour talking about what it was like when I was a kid here. I tell him about the creek and some of my favorite things to do. We talk a little about Wyatt, Zach, and Trent. He asks a lot of questions, and I enjoy answering them. I’ve been close to both boys, but Cayden has always been a tough nut to crack. I pray this is a turning point for him—and me.

“Presley,” my mother calls from the kitchen. “Can you run into town and pick up some things I need?”

Despite not wanting to, I could never say no. “Of course.”

I grab her list and my keys. The boys are off with Wyatt and Cooper mending fences or something. I love how much the men in my life are stepping up and taking my boys under their wings. Trent took them for a ride in the police car the other day, now all I hear from Logan is how he’s going to be a sheriff. God help me.

I arrive at my first stop where I’m enthusiastically greeted by Mrs. Rooney. “Presley!” she rushes toward me. “Your mama said you were coming, and I’m just tickled to see you.”

“I saw you the other night.”

“Yes.” Her lips turn up in a smile. “But so much has changed.”

I have no idea what changed in two nights, but this is Bell Buckle. I have two choices, play into the insanity of small town gossip, or get what I need and leave. I go with option two. “I need to get some flour and chocolate.”

“Are you baking a cake?”

“My mother must be.”

I look at the rest of the list and realize she needs the oddest things. “I hear Zach is quite the hero,” she says offhandedly.

Here we go. I knew it wasn’t going to last long, but the last time I saw Zach was two days ago, and I haven’t heard a word since. It’s not like I expected to, but at the same time he sounded so sure. Maybe he and Felicia are more than he let on. Either way, I don’t want the entire town thinking we’re getting back together.

“He did find Cayden, but you already knew that.” I smile as she nods. “Do you have the chocolate back by you?” I look around, but there’s so much stuff, I can’t find anything.

“It’s right here, dear.” She walks around and reaches for the bag. “Have you been able to thank Zach since then?”

If I hadn’t known this woman my entire life, I might have told her to mind her business. However, my mother would tan my hide if I ever did—thirty-five or not. “I really should get going.”

“Of course.” She gives me a knowing smile and takes her time at the register, talking about her kids and the new items she’s getting at the store. I listen and pray I can get out of here before the sun goes down.

After a few minutes and a lot of questions, I’m all checked out. “Thanks, Mrs. Rooney. I’ll see you soon.”

“You make sure of it. Also, be sure to give Zach a call. I hear he’d love to see Cayden. Careful getting home now.”

I let out a short breath. “I will.” She can interpret that answer however she’d like.

I get what Mama needs from the other two stores and get in my car. Once there, I take a moment to bang my head against the steering wheel. “Stupid Zach,” I say, repeatedly working out my frustration—on my face. I stop once I feel a little better. It’s the same questions with each person. “How’s Zach? It’s so great to see you two together again. Have y’all thought about getting back together? You two were always destined for each other.”

They’re all killing me slowly.

I put the car in reverse but stop when I see that damn truck parked across the street.

Well, I’m not going to cower over here. He can see my car. I back out and see him looking at me in my rearview mirror. My heart stammers as I look back, but instead of giving into the nerves, I wave as I drive off. I don’t understand how he could say all of that and not even attempt to talk to me, it makes no sense. I literally threw myself at him. My stomach clenches when I think about the things he said. In my heart, I want all of it to come true. But I’m not the one who made a ton of promises. It’s time for Zach to decide if he’s willing to chase me.

Working at the ranch is by far not my dream job. I would love nothing more than to open a cupcake store in town, but it would last a whole day before I had twenty women bringing their batches of homemade goods to sell. But today, I get to leave the office for a change.

“Your chariot awaits, Ms. Townsend.” Wyatt bows dramatically.

“I still haven’t quite figured out why I talk to you.”

“Face it, Pres. I’m the yin to your yang.”

“You’re the shit on my shoes.”

“I’m the bread to your butter,” he counters.

“You’re the pain in my ass.”

He slaps my ass. “Now I am.”

I flick his hat off his head and climb onto the horse. “Don’t mess with me, Cowboy.”

Some emotion flashes across his face before he quickly recovers. “You know what field we’re moving them to?” he asks, getting down to business.

“Yup.” I pet the side of Shortstop’s neck. This horse and I have a deep connection. I truly believe he protected Cayden that night. The horse easily could’ve thrown him or gone God only knows where in those woods. But he allowed Cayden to guide him. “Who else is going with me?”

I get to lead the group that’s going to move the cattle from one end of the land to the other. I loved doing this as a kid. Our whole family would go out and round them up, move them, and spend the day together. Cooper is bringing the boys on the four-wheeler to the ending point.

“You’ve got a Vance, one of the ranch hands, me, and Zach.”

My eyes snap over to his. “What?”

“You know, tall, dumb, blue eyes, really bad haircut.”

I shake my head with my lips parted. If he had broken up with Felicia, like he said, I would’ve heard by now. Clearly, what he said to me wasn’t what he meant. It hurts because I trusted his word. There are still feelings lingering between us, which scares me. I don’t want to get my heart trampled, and right now that’s what it feels like.

“Don’t worry.” He shakes his head. “He’s not riding doubles with you.”

I want to throw something at him.

“Whatever. It’s a big field.” There’s no reason for me to have to see him. He can lead the cows and I’ll wrangle any stragglers. Plan made.

My family owns a lot of land, and Daddy has always believed that the cattle have to sometimes take a longer ride. Before the days of cell phones, and all the things we have now . . . we would spend days on a long move. It was our version of a family vacation. That is not happening this time. I’m not camping with Zach. Not on his life.