“That’s . . .” I struggle to find the right thing to call it. “Understandable, I guess?”

Wyatt shrugs with his irresistible grin still in place. “I think it’s good.”

I fight against asking the next logical question, but I don’t want to know. “How are your parents?”

He laughs as if he knows what I’m avoiding. “Good. They’re traveling a lot since they retired.”

“That’s good. And Trent?”

“Trent’s the sheriff now.”

“Sheriff?” I ask in disbelief. “They let him be in charge of people?”

“Who would’ve thought, right? He’s still an idiot, though.”

“Oh, I’m sure that’s true.” We both chuckle. “Still, to give the kid who stole a cop car when we were kids a gun and a badge . . . is crazy.”

Wyatt shakes his head. “I figure he liked pretending he was a cop so much that he decided to do it for real.”

“Sounds like Trent.”

“Yup.” He rocks on his heels. “And Zachary is—”

“Glad everyone’s doing well.” I cut him off. Right now my heart can’t handle hearing his name. When I think about Zach, I think about college. When I think about college, I think about Todd piecing me back together after I was shattered. Then I think about how Todd went and shattered me himself. It’s better to not think.

“Right,” he draws out the word. “You lost your accent.”

“Well, seventeen years in the North will do that to you.” I smile. “God, it’s so good to see you.”

Wyatt’s eyes go from my head to my toes and he smiles. “You look good too, Pres. You doin’ all right up there in the big city?”

He doesn’t know? “I’m . . . well . . . I’m sorta back here for a while.”

I shouldn’t be surprised that he doesn’t know. Wyatt was always the guy who ignored the town gossip. He’s the youngest of the Hennington brothers and was always into trouble. He and Trent were always creating some kind of town uproar while—the other brother—was on the field. And I was in the bleachers.

“I feel like I’m missing something.” His light brown eyes study me as if he were trying to solve a puzzle.

“I honestly can’t believe no one told you.” My mother isn’t one to blab anyone’s business, but she and my father leaving town for a week would’ve been big news. Especially if they were heading to the city.

His brow furrows. “Heard what?”

I might as well get it out now. “Four months ago, my husband passed away.”

He steps forward and places his hands on my shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Pres.” Wyatt’s voice is filled with compassion. “I’d heard something, but you know how it is here. I figured it was bullshit.”

I wish that were the case. I shrug him off and let out a heavy sigh. “It’s true. He died, and it turns out we were struggling financially. So, I’m here. Back where I swore I’d never be again.”

“You know you love it here.” His grin tells me he knows I’d rather be homeless.

“Oh, yeah.” I roll my eyes. “It’s paradise.”

He laughs and then raises his brow. “Well, it’s something. You should probably get dressed before some of the handlers get here. They’re not used to this view.”

“Huh?” I look at my tiny shorts and tank top—with no bra. Immediately my hands cross over my chest. “I’m off to a great start.”

“I’ll see you around, Presley Townsend. Homecoming queen. Thank you for returning and reminding us of your beauty.” He clutches his heart and laughs as he walks away.

“Jerk!”

Mama’s standing at the door with a blank expression. It’s way too early for this. I can feel her eyes studying me. “Wyatt’s grown to be a good man.” My mother always wished it were Wyatt I loved. Our parents practically tried an arranged marriage.

“Mama,” I warn. “Don’t.”

She smiles with her hands in the air. “I’m not sayin’ a thing.”

It’s what she’s not saying that has me worried. She doesn’t believe in a woman being without a man. She met my daddy when they were eleven and told him they were going to be together forever. He laughed and walked away. The next day some boy threw a rock at her, he punched him, and they’ve been together since. Daddy tells it different, but my mother says a woman knows. I can remember feeling the same way at twelve. Seeing him and knowing we’d be married someday. Then he left me. Just like Todd. I’ll never do this again.

“It hasn’t even been six months since Todd died. I’m in no way ready. I have to battle to get to sleep and I have to pry myself out of bed every morning.”

Her hand rests on my forearm. “I’m just sayin’ it would be good to have a friend. I feel like there are demons you’re battling, sugar. You need to have a shoulder to cry on.”

I don’t want friends here. I don’t want to be here. This town will slowly close in on me again. There’s no way I’m residing here long enough to warrant trying to be nice to anyone. I have to keep my vision clear. Make some money, get out of the immense debt, and get back to my life.

“I’m not the most popular person here, Mama. And I don’t need any friends. I have enough back home.”

“This is your home.” The hurt in her voice is clear.

I sigh. “I didn’t mean . . .”

“Presley, I’ve been understanding that you’re not happy about this. But it’ll be better if you make peace with your life now. I’m not happy that Todd dying and you havin’ no money is what brought you back to Bell Buckle, but I’d be lyin’ if I said I wasn’t glad to have you back. I’ll let you keep your secrets because every woman has them.” She looks away. “Just know I’m here.”

“It’s not that simple.”

My mother’s eyes close as she lets out a breath. “I wish you would talk to me. You give me half answers. Your father and I want to help you. Cooper too.”

Right.

“Like I said, Mama. I’m here to get on my feet.”

“It makes no sense that you lost everything, Presley. Didn’t y’all save?”