Say You'll Stay (27 page)

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.”

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.

“I think you need a good ass kicking.”

“You wouldn’t.”

He glances at the boys and smiles. “You’re right. I wouldn’t.”

He stops moving, and my heart settles. Maybe I’m not in trouble.

Before I can say another word, he rushes toward me, catching me completely off guard, grabs my legs, and throws me over his shoulders. “Zach!”

The earth spins beneath me as he twirls me around. I’m going to kill him. “Say you’re sorry.”

“Never!” I yell as I grow dizzy.

“Say it!”

“Put me down, you giant jerk!”

He slaps my ass. “Say you’re sorry and that you wish you were named Wilber.”

Logan and Cayden’s laughter fills my ears as Zach continues to spin. “Fine!” I yell as my vision blurs. “Sorry that your parents named you Wilber!”

“I don’t think so.”

I laugh and hold on to his waist as he goes faster. My light brown hair floats around me, but all I hear are the boys cheering him on. I don’t care if we look ridiculous. For the first time in a very long time, we’re all happy. The boys are laughing, happy, playful, and I’m feeling the same way.

“Say it, Mom!”

I slap Zach’s legs, and he stops. “I’m sorry and I wish I could be as cool as you and have my name be Wilber.”

“Good girl,” Zach says as he puts me back on solid ground. He doesn’t let go as everything around me spins uncontrollably. My feet stumble, but Zachary’s arms are around me in an instant. I hold on to his broad shoulders and fight back the urge to kiss him.

I bite my lip to stop myself, but I see the desire pooled in his eyes. There’s no denying the attraction between us. It’s been weeks of spending the nights together, chasing away the demons.

“I’m going to fall.”

“I won’t let you.”

I look into his blue eyes, searching for anything to tell me different, but I don’t find it. “I—” I start to say, but Zach saves me.

“Now.” His voice echoes. “You ready for me to show you who the ruler really is?”

Logan hoots. “Team Zach!”

“Team Mom,” Cayden’s unenthusiastic voice calls out.

“Cay!” I say with my hands on my hips. This kid. I gave birth to him, the least he can do is pretend to be on my team.

He shrugs. “Sorry, Mom. I want Zach to beat you.”

“Kids,” I say and then head over to grab the horse.

Shortstop is saddled up next to Zach’s horse. I go around, checking my saddle and all, making sure no one is trying to sabotage me. I put nothing past these boys.

Zach brushes his front against my back as I’m bent over checking the horse’s hoofs. “Sorry,” he jests with a grin.

“Keep it up, Cowboy.”

He does it again and the deep timbre of his voice vibrates. “You know how much I like it when you call me that.”

I take a few steps back and peek over at the boys who are immersed in some argument. It also helps having a very large animal blocking their view. I saunter up to him, run my finger down his chest, and enjoy the way he shudders. “I do know this. Maybe tonight I’ll call you it without anyone around.”

Zach’s head falls back, and his hands grip my arms. “You’re going to make me crazy.”

“Not as much as watching you right now is making me.”

I’m so enjoying this. His eyes travel down and rest on my chest. I flex a little, puffing my breasts out. My tight, white tank top leaves little to his imagination, plus his mouth was on them less than twelve hours ago. We’ve been tempting that line for the last week, and I notice he’s growing more desperate. But right now, this isn’t so much sexual as part of my plan.

“Fucking killing me, Pres.”

And it’s working.

“Awww,” I croon. “Is it going to be kind of . . .
hard
. . . to ride?”

His eyes flash to mine. Recognition flashes as he figures out my game. “You play dirty.”

I smirk. “I play to win.” Zach adjusts himself while grumbling under his breath. “Time to race, boys!”

I hop on Shortstop and Zach drops his chin and his lip twitches. “You’re dead.”

“You’re not on your horse yet, Zach.” I cock my head to the side. “What’s wrong?”

“Some things never change,” Zach mutters as he goes around walking funny.

I head over to the starting point as Zach struggles slightly to get on his horse. Well, no reason that the race can’t start now. “Call it, Cayden!”

“Ready.”

“No!” Zach yells.

“Set.”

“Presley! Don’t cheat!” he calls out as he finally gets on the horse.

“I’m not the one starting it.” I smile innocently.

“Go!” Cayden says, and I’m off.

One misstep and Zach will easily catch me. I ride as fast as Shortstop will go toward the tree. Wyatt, Cooper, Zach, and I used to race all the time. Wyatt always beat us. I swear he cheated somehow. There was only one race when I actually came close. But Zach and I were pretty neck and neck. There’s a way to turn and get the most traction, but I can’t remember if it’s left or right.

“Come on, Shortstop.” I spur him on. We fly through the trail without focusing on anything but us. I need to use the time I got. Plus, I want to win.