“Like my daddy?”

“Yeah, dude. I don’t think he wanted to hurt you.”

He looks away and draws in a deep breath. “But it still hurts.”

“I’m sure it does.”

“Yeah.” He looks back at me.

“How about we get these horses brushed and then we can do something nice for your mom?”

Logan’s face lights up, and I feel better. He’s a good kid with a big heart.

After twenty minutes we get everything squared away. I take Logan to the field where we grab flowers for Presley. Both of us take handfuls of whatever we can reach. We walk back as he tells me all about some game he plays with his friends from Philadelphia. We talk some more about nothing, but it’s all about small steps.

“Where were you boys?” Presley asks from the top of the stairs.

Logan shows the flowers that were behind his back. “Zach and I got you these.”

She smiles the smile I remember. The one that is just for me. Her eyes fill with tears, but they’re not tears of sadness. “Thank you,” she whispers.

Presley comes down the steps, kisses Logan on the cheek, and then heads toward me. I don’t know if we’re doing the whole affection in front of the boys thing. I let her take the lead and do what she’s comfortable with.

She throws her arms around me, burying her face in my neck. I feel her tears against my skin, and I hold her close.

Her head lifts and she leans in, pressing her lips to mine. She tilts her head back after our brief kiss. “I’ll be thanking you properly later.”

I laugh and spin her around. I’m a lucky man. And I plan to make sure it stays that way.

Presley

Eighteen Months Later

“A RE YOU READY YET?” GRACE calls from downstairs. I’ve never seen the town so freaking excited over a parade. I honestly don’t even know what this one is for.

“I would be if you weren’t making me dig through boxes!” I yell back down.

Zach and I started construction on the house we’re building by the pond six months ago. The boys fell in love with the land and immediately asked when we were moving there. Thankfully we only have two more weeks of this. I can’t wait to be out of my parents’ house. They’ve been fantastic, and since living here, I’ve paid off a good chunk of my debt and gotten to a manageable place. Since I don’t have to pay rent or really any expenses, it’s been a little easier to make extra payments.

Angie is back in town visiting, she was excited to come see the house since the boys are constantly sending her videos and pictures.

“Hurry up!” Angie yells.

I roll my eyes and fix my dress. I got suckered into riding on Grace’s float. Her father is the fire chief, and he demands they have a float since the sheriff does. As if Trent and Grace need any more tension these days.

I head down the stairs, searching for the box where my boots are. “You look cute!” Grace smiles.

“It’s all I could find.” I laugh. I grabbed a dress since no matching was required.

“Well, it works.” Angie shrugs.

“Where are the boys?” I look around.

If they got dirty outside, I’m going to lose it. I told them to stay clean because they’re riding on the float with Trent. He’s decided they’re his deputies.

“They went with your parents,” Grace explains.

“Yeah, and we need to go.”

As we approach the center of town, I already see people lining the streets. I love the way the town shuts down for these events. It reminds me this isn’t just a community—it’s a family.

Angie groans each time someone stops us to say hello, which means she’s been groaning nonstop. Finally, we make it to the staging area for the floats.

“This town needs a Xanax.”

I giggle. “You need one.”

“Hi, Angel,” Wyatt wraps his arm around her from behind.

She peels him off before turning and pointing her finger in his face. “So help me God. I don’t know what is wrong with you, but we are not—ever—going there again.”

“Again?” I nearly shout. “When did you the first time?”

“Irrelevant,” she says and turns back to him. “Run along.”

I stand there with a smirk on my face. Angie turns and gives me a challenging look.

“Presley!” Grace yells from the float area. “We have to go.”

“Yes, Presley.” Angie raises her brows. “You have somewhere to be. I wouldn’t want to keep you.”

I point my finger at her. “We’re so talking about this.”

“Y’all are killing me,” Grace grumbles as she pulls me to the float.

Once Grace fusses for a few minutes and gets us all situated, I glance at the boys. They’re on Trent’s float, standing with their chests puffed out and hands in fists on their hips. I don’t know if they think they’re superheroes or if they’re imitating Trent.

“Hi, boys!” I wave.

They both give me a salute. “Officer Benson and Officer Benson at your service.”

I bust out laughing. They’re so cute. They’ve both adjusted really well to living here. Some days are harder than others. I field a lot of questions about their father, but the family support they receive has made the transition easier than I could’ve imagined.

“Where’s Zach?” I ask them.

They both shrug. “I think he was talking to Coach Keeland,” Logan says.

It’s a very real possibility. Logan mentioned to Zach that he wanted to play baseball, which prompted Zach to leap from the dinner table, grab his glove, and practically haul Logan outside to throw the ball. Turns out that Logan is actually really good. He made the school team and Zach has become his cheerleader. I’m surprised he doesn’t paint his face for games. It’s hysterical to watch.

Cayden and I have been riding a lot. He finds a lot of comfort around the horses. It’s great being able to bond over that.

“Grace?” I interrupt her scowling at Trent who is talking to some girl. I swear that boy has his head up his ass.

She looks over with sad eyes. “Why did you have to get the good brother?”

“I called dibs early.”

“You suck,” she quips.

Mrs. Rooney comes around the corner. “It’s time to start! Make sure you keep your timing.” Yes, we wouldn’t want to mess up the order. “That means you, Trent Hennington. Don’t make me get your mama over here.”