“What is that?”

“No innuendoes.”

Zach chuckles. “I would never.”

“Liar.”

“Okay, maybe one or two, but I’ll behave.”

I give him a look that says he’s full of shit. He doesn’t know how to behave. None of them do. “We’ll see.”

“Do I get a reward if I’m good?” he asks with a mischievous grin on his lips.

How can I even second guess what I feel when he’s like this? I don’t smile half as much when he’s not around. It’s like Zach takes on the weight of the world so I don’t have to. Or maybe this is what happiness is. Freeing.

“Maybe you’ll have to wait until tonight.” I wink and saunter out the door.

He groans from behind me, and I can’t help but smile.

We head to the corral where the boys are already working with their horses. It’s crazy how in a few months they’ve become so comfortable here. Cayden had a hard time with his horse after getting lost, but Wyatt and Cooper were instrumental in getting him back on. I really am lucky to have the men in my life.

“Mom!” Logan waves as he trots forward. “You going to ride?”

“I am!” I smile, and his smile grows.

“Your mom used to kick my ass in racing,” Zach says with his arm resting on the rail. God he looks hot like that.

His tight jeans, hat, and the way he owns the world. Everything around him seems brighter. It’s as if he’s the sun, bringing warmth and beauty to things that used to feel dark and cold.

“Well.” I try to control my raging hormones as I speak. “You always were slow.”

“I let you win.”

I scoff. “The hell you did.”

“I think you know that boys are better, Mom.” Logan laughs as he says the words.

I look over with my brows raised. “Is that so, little boy?”

“Oh, God,” Cayden grumbles. “Now you’ve done it.”

“What does that mean?” I ask, knowing full well what he’s talking about.

I love competition. Maybe it is the racer deep inside, but even when the boys were little, I loved watching them get into whatever it was and trying hard. We would have contests for everything. I would typically win, but if Todd beat me, it was a full-on party in the house.

Cayden throws his hands up. “It means now you’re in Mom-is-the-best mode. You’re going to be all crazy and do your dance when you win.”

“I think you should imitate her again.” This from Logan, who’s trying his hardest not to laugh.

I look at Cayden and give him the stink eye. “Don’t even think about it.”

He looks at Zach and grins. Cayden hops down with purpose and waves his hands around and shakes his butt. I laugh, he laughs, and Zach bursts out a long puff of air while gripping his stomach.

“So funny, boys.”

“Zach.” Cayden keeps going. “Then she does this.” He totally makes up dance moves I’ve never seen.

Zach claps him on the back. “You should’ve seen when she was younger and she would win a race.”

They all start pretending to be me, each impression less flattering than the last. I stand there with my arms crossed as if this bothers me. But it doesn’t. Not in the least. Right now my kids are bonding with him. They’ve already been spending a lot of time together when he finishes at his ranch. He’s been showing them how to be “ranchers.”

But this is something else. Zach is showing them how to be friends. He’s building something with Logan and Cayden without even knowing it. I watch with so much warmth in my soul that I could burst. There’s nothing fake about this. He’s not doing it because he has to or to win my heart. He’s doing it because he cares about them.

It’s clear now that, no matter how much I resisted my feelings, I never had a chance. My love for Zach never died.

“W HAT DO YOU SAY, DARLIN’? You up for an ass whoopin’?” Zach asks as the boys grin.

First, he called me “darlin’.” Second he cursed in front of the kids. However, they’re boys, and they’ve said and heard worse, so I let it go. Neither of them seem fazed by the term of endearment, but this is the South and everyone is someone’s “darlin’”.

I look Zach up and down, tapping my chin with my finger. “Well,” I say dismissively. “I’m not sure you’re a worthy opponent.”

Cayden laughs. “I think he could take you, Mom.”

“You do, huh?” I ask. “Did you know I happen to be Bell Buckle’s most prized barrel racer?”

Logan snorts. “The whole ten people who live here? Half of which are our family.”

“Watch it, twerp,” I say, half joking. I think it’s great they’re enjoying this, but let’s not go too far. “My title is no joke here.”

“Were you homecoming queen too, Mom?” Cayden nudges Logan as they sit watching me. They know how to push my buttons. Todd used to make fun of my social status all the time. Like being pretty is a sin.

Zach walks over, throwing his arms around the boys. “She sure was. I’m surprised she doesn’t sleep with her tiara.”

“You wanna play too?” I ask with a shrug. “I seem to recall someone here with his own crown.”

“I was a stud,” Zach says with no pause. “Women loved me. Of course I was the king.”

I clutch my hand over my heart with extra flare. “Oh, King Zach, however will your royal subjects compare to you?”

Logan bursts out laughing. “You guys are stupid.”

“You’re going to find yourself grounded,” I say, smirking.

“You’re going to lose to Zach. I bet five dollars.” Logan throws his arm around Zach’s shoulder.

“Yup,” Zach agrees. “Me and Logan know the deal.”

“Cay?” I ask as he deliberates. “You both can’t abandon me for him!”

No way both of my boys are going to the dark side. Where’s the loyalty? I won’t lie to myself, though, the fact that they’re bonding with him makes me smile. Zach was always good with kids, and he and Cayden have really grown close after the night in the woods. Yet, there seems to be something holding him and Logan back from connecting on that level.

Cayden grumbles before relenting. “I guess I’ll pick you.”

I giggle. “Turd.”

“Okay.” Zach claps his hands. “Here are the rules. We ride from here to the old barn and back. First one who makes it back here—wins. You remember the way, don’t you, Presley Mae?”

I tilt my head and pop my hip. “I remember just fine, Zachary Wilber.”

“Wilber!” Logan yells. “Your middle name is Wilber?” He laughs uncontrollably.

Zach steps closer, and I know I’m in trouble. “Now, Zach,” I say, retreating. “You used my middle name. It’s only fair.”

“Wilber is a family name.”

“Yes,” I agree with my hands raised, “and a fine one at that.” I look over at the twins who are giggling conspiratorially. “One I would try to denounce, but that’s neither here nor there,” I say as he gets closer.