Say You'll Stay (21 page)

“He’s something all right.” We both laugh. “He’s been my friend since I was a baby. Did you know that?”

Cayden’s eyes widen. “He knew you when you were young?”

“Hey,” I chide. “I’m still young.”

“Whatever you say, Mom.”

I tickle his sides, and he giggles without restraint. That’s a sound I miss. Even now when they laugh, it seems like it takes them effort. “I’m twenty-nine. Say it,” I continue.

“No, you’re not.”

“Say it or suffer the wrath of my tickles.”

Cayden squirms and laughs as he refuses to say it. Finally, he gives in. “Fine! You’re twenty-nine.”

I lie back as though I’m exhausted, letting out a huff. “You’re so sweet to say such nice things.”

“In your dreams, Mom.”

“Turd.”

We both laugh a little and then settle down.

This right here feels normal. It’s like having my life back. Being silly, laughing, and being in the moment. We need more of this. I need more of this. I’ll never be able to go back to who I was, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy. These boys, they’re my happiness.

“Mom?” Cayden says after a lull of silence.

“Hmm?”

It takes him a second before he responds again. “Can I ride today?”

I lean on my side. “Your horse?”

“Yeah, do you think we could ride together?”

It’s the first time he’s asked me to have any part of his horseback riding. He usually asks Cooper, Daddy, or Wyatt. I figured he needed some male bonding, and they’re all “real cowboys.”

“I would really love that.”

“Wyatt said you used to be a really good rider.”

“Used to be?”

“He said now you suck.”

I have to hold back scolding him because this is probably the most this kid has spoken to me in months. He’s been so distant, so closed off, and refused to let me in. The last thing I want is for him to shut down again.

“I won a lot of rodeos.”

He gasps. “You rode a bull?”

“No,” I say on a chuckle. “I did barrel racing.”

We spend the next half hour talking about what it was like when I was a kid here. I tell him about the creek and some of my favorite things to do. We talk a little about Wyatt, Zach, and Trent. He asks a lot of questions, and I enjoy answering them. I’ve been close to both boys, but Cayden has always been a tough nut to crack. I pray this is a turning point for him—and me.

“Presley,” my mother calls from the kitchen. “Can you run into town and pick up some things I need?”

Despite not wanting to, I could never say no. “Of course.”

I grab her list and my keys. The boys are off with Wyatt and Cooper mending fences or something. I love how much the men in my life are stepping up and taking my boys under their wings. Trent took them for a ride in the police car the other day, now all I hear from Logan is how he’s going to be a sheriff. God help me.

I arrive at my first stop where I’m enthusiastically greeted by Mrs. Rooney. “Presley!” she rushes toward me. “Your mama said you were coming, and I’m just tickled to see you.”

“I saw you the other night.”

“Yes.” Her lips turn up in a smile. “But so much has changed.”

I have no idea what changed in two nights, but this is Bell Buckle. I have two choices, play into the insanity of small town gossip, or get what I need and leave. I go with option two. “I need to get some flour and chocolate.”

“Are you baking a cake?”

“My mother must be.”

I look at the rest of the list and realize she needs the oddest things. “I hear Zach is quite the hero,” she says offhandedly.

Here we go. I knew it wasn’t going to last long, but the last time I saw Zach was two days ago, and I haven’t heard a word since. It’s not like I expected to, but at the same time he sounded so sure. Maybe he and Felicia are more than he let on. Either way, I don’t want the entire town thinking we’re getting back together.

“He did find Cayden, but you already knew that.” I smile as she nods. “Do you have the chocolate back by you?” I look around, but there’s so much stuff, I can’t find anything.

“It’s right here, dear.” She walks around and reaches for the bag. “Have you been able to thank Zach since then?”

If I hadn’t known this woman my entire life, I might have told her to mind her business. However, my mother would tan my hide if I ever did—thirty-five or not. “I really should get going.”

“Of course.” She gives me a knowing smile and takes her time at the register, talking about her kids and the new items she’s getting at the store. I listen and pray I can get out of here before the sun goes down.

After a few minutes and a lot of questions, I’m all checked out. “Thanks, Mrs. Rooney. I’ll see you soon.”

“You make sure of it. Also, be sure to give Zach a call. I hear he’d love to see Cayden. Careful getting home now.”

I let out a short breath. “I will.” She can interpret that answer however she’d like.

I get what Mama needs from the other two stores and get in my car. Once there, I take a moment to bang my head against the steering wheel. “Stupid Zach,” I say, repeatedly working out my frustration—on my face. I stop once I feel a little better. It’s the same questions with each person. “How’s Zach? It’s so great to see you two together again. Have y’all thought about getting back together? You two were always destined for each other.”

They’re all killing me slowly.

I put the car in reverse but stop when I see that damn truck parked across the street.

Well, I’m not going to cower over here. He can see my car. I back out and see him looking at me in my rearview mirror. My heart stammers as I look back, but instead of giving into the nerves, I wave as I drive off. I don’t understand how he could say all of that and not even attempt to talk to me, it makes no sense. I literally threw myself at him. My stomach clenches when I think about the things he said. In my heart, I want all of it to come true. But I’m not the one who made a ton of promises. It’s time for Zach to decide if he’s willing to chase me.

Working at the ranch is by far not my dream job. I would love nothing more than to open a cupcake store in town, but it would last a whole day before I had twenty women bringing their batches of homemade goods to sell. But today, I get to leave the office for a change.

“Your chariot awaits, Ms. Townsend.” Wyatt bows dramatically.

“I still haven’t quite figured out why I talk to you.”

“Face it, Pres. I’m the yin to your yang.”

“You’re the shit on my shoes.”

“I’m the bread to your butter,” he counters.

“You’re the pain in my ass.”

He slaps my ass. “Now I am.”

I flick his hat off his head and climb onto the horse. “Don’t mess with me, Cowboy.”

Some emotion flashes across his face before he quickly recovers. “You know what field we’re moving them to?” he asks, getting down to business.

“Yup.” I pet the side of Shortstop’s neck. This horse and I have a deep connection. I truly believe he protected Cayden that night. The horse easily could’ve thrown him or gone God only knows where in those woods. But he allowed Cayden to guide him. “Who else is going with me?”

I get to lead the group that’s going to move the cattle from one end of the land to the other. I loved doing this as a kid. Our whole family would go out and round them up, move them, and spend the day together. Cooper is bringing the boys on the four-wheeler to the ending point.

“You’ve got a Vance, one of the ranch hands, me, and Zach.”

My eyes snap over to his. “What?”

“You know, tall, dumb, blue eyes, really bad haircut.”

I shake my head with my lips parted. If he had broken up with Felicia, like he said, I would’ve heard by now. Clearly, what he said to me wasn’t what he meant. It hurts because I trusted his word. There are still feelings lingering between us, which scares me. I don’t want to get my heart trampled, and right now that’s what it feels like.

“Don’t worry.” He shakes his head. “He’s not riding doubles with you.”

I want to throw something at him.

“Whatever. It’s a big field.” There’s no reason for me to have to see him. He can lead the cows and I’ll wrangle any stragglers. Plan made.

My family owns a lot of land, and Daddy has always believed that the cattle have to sometimes take a longer ride. Before the days of cell phones, and all the things we have now . . . we would spend days on a long move. It was our version of a family vacation. That is
not
happening this time. I’m not camping with Zach. Not on his life.

Wyatt laughs. “Oh, Cowgirl, one day you’re going to wake up from the dream you’re living in.”

I just glare.

I take the horse to the trailer and get him settled. It’s about a fifteen-mile ride out to where the cattle are. There’s no way the horses could handle going there and back in one day. Regardless, I refuse to set up a tent with any of the Hennington clan. I’ll find a way back home one way or another.

Our two-horse trailer is only half full. I have a pretty good idea who Wyatt is planning to load in the other spot, and who will be driving.

“Good morning, Presley.” Zach’s deep voice causes me to jump as he pops up at my window.

“Jesus!”

He smirks. “Ready for our day?”

“Wasn’t aware we were having one.”

“I figured you’ve avoided me enough. It’s nice to get out of the office.” Zach slaps the window of the truck and goes around to the driver’s side.

This is so not going to be good.

He hops in as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. I’m ready to lose it. How can he be so oblivious? How does he not think we should talk about what happened? I cross my arms and breathe out of my nose. Fine. I can play along.

“What’s wrong?” he asks as he pulls out of the long driveway.

I look over as if he’s gone crazy. “For real?”

“You seem like you’re not happy to see me.”

“How’s Felicia?” I ask with acid in my tone. I said I would play it cool, but thinking of her makes me stabby. She’s a vile bitch and even if Zach and I never ended up back together, I wouldn’t want her anywhere near him. Her soul is as black as her hair.

Zach fixes his hat and grins. “If you’d returned my call you would know.”

“You called yesterday, and I was busy.” The truth is I didn’t want to call him back—I was angry he hadn’t tried to call sooner.

“I figured you’d call back.”

“Why didn’t you come by?” I inquire. “It’s not as if you don’t know where I am.”

He looks over with his eyes blazing. In that glance, he melts me. “I know exactly where you are, Presley.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

Zach pulls the truck over and turns to face me. “Felicia and I aren’t together anymore. I spent the last few days moving her out and finding her a place to live.” He pauses for a second. “You see, I meant every word I said. But I had to be fair to her, and my coming over to your house after ending a five-year relationship wouldn’t have been. So, you’re in the batter’s box.” He leans back and throws the car in drive.

I let the information seep in.

Zach is no longer with Felicia.

I’m single.

He drives as I mull over all the insecurities I have and whether I can even think about this. We have no shortage of sexual attraction—we never have. I know we’re compatible. I know we have the ability to love one another, and I realize I’ve always loved him. And if I’m truly honest, I know he loves me. He wouldn’t have left her if he didn’t. He wouldn’t look at me like he does. And he wouldn’t be here right now. Zach has hurt me though.

But we’re both adults now. Things have changed.

Hell, I’ve changed tremendously. It’s unfair to think Zach is the same. It’s a lot to consider. My stomach clenches and my heart races.

He arrives at the gate where we need to enter to ride out to the cattle. As he opens the truck door, I grab his arm. “What’s the count?” I ask, using his analogy. Zach communicates better in baseball terms.

He smiles as he tips his head. “Darlin’.” his Southern drawl becomes apparent. “There’s no strikes, no outs, and we’re only in the first inning.”

I cover my laugh with a cough. “You need to work on your game, Zachary Hennington. I’m not even sure I’m going to take a swing.”