He’s right. They are good boys. “I want to be sure it’s serious.”

Wyatt laughs so hard he slaps his leg. “Oh, that’s a good one.”

“I don’t know why you’re laughing,” I deadpan.

“You and I both know it’s every bit as serious as it ever was.”

All I know is that I’m hesitant. Not because of Todd or the boys. But because of Zach. If I give my heart to him, will he be able to endure the road ahead? Can he muddle through the parts of me that are so deeply broken that I don’t know where the crack begins? The losses I’ve endured have changed me, left tread marks on my heart, and altered the course of my life.

Then I think about the past.

The mistakes I’ve made along the way. I’ve hurt myself in so many ways. Things I thought were going to bring me happiness that only turned into regret.

I was young, foolish, and thought I knew what I was doing. I was desperate to forget about him, to stop hurting. I wanted to tell him everything I was feeling, but instead . . . I ran.

My gaze latches back on Wyatt’s. “I hope it can be. I just don’t know if I should trust his promises again.”

He comes close and crouches down. “Why are you so sure that he’s going to hurt you?”

“Because the only two men I’ve ever loved left me. Both of them willingly.”

Wyatt’s eyes flash, and I wait for the follow-up question.

I implore him to ask me. If he does, I won’t lie.

He closes his eyes, releasing a breath from his nose, and looks back at me. “One day you’re going to realize how wrong you are, Cowgirl.”

Wyatt doesn’t say another word. He kisses my hand and walks out the door. I really hope that one day comes really soon because I’m pretty damn tired.

I go back to work, thinking that this conversation is done, when a knock comes a minute later. “Dammit, Wyatt.”

“Well,” a voice that is not Wyatt’s says from the door. “I’m not that Hennington, but some say I’m the better looking one.”

I lean back with a grin. “I would agree with them.”

Zach walks forward with a bouquet of flowers. “These are for you.”

I walk around my desk with a big smile. “You’re so charming.” Without a thought, I give him a sweet kiss. “Thank you.”

He nods. “I’m here to meet Cayden and Logan.”

“Oh?”

I didn’t know they were meeting. Usually the boys are anxious to tell me. Zach has been coming a few days a week to show them how to train the horses. He’s been amazing with them, and secretly it’s meant everything to me.

“Why don’t you ride with us?”

I look out the window and gnaw on my lip. I don’t know. It’s all of us together.

“Presley,” Zach says with affection.

My heart accelerates at the thought of the four of us spending time together. “I . . . think . . . ugh!” I say exasperated. “Okay. One condition.”

“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.”