“You have to promise me things. You have to let me in. I need a man who’s going to give me his whole heart. I need you to love me and not just because we were separated. If we do this again, I can’t have you half in.”

“I’ll do whatever you want.”

My hands touch the stubble on his face, and I study his dark blue eyes. “It’s not just about what I want. I need to know you want this, too. I want to get married. I want a baby if we can. I want a life. I want it all. I can’t do this alone, and I don’t want to do it with anyone but you. What do you want?”

“I only want you. All of you—always,” Trent says before his mouth is on mine.

His arms tighten, and I lose it. Our lips move together in perfect harmony. His tongue seeks entrance, and I gladly give it over. Every part of my body is humming when he presses against me. I kiss him with everything I have. All the weeks I went without his touch were agonizing. The hours I spent crying for him. The way we could’ve kissed when he told me he loved me. All the emotions I’ve held on to . . . I let go.

Trent moves us backward until we fall onto the couch and then braces himself over me without breaking the connection. Our hands roam each other’s bodies, my fingers tracing each ridge and valley on his perfect body. The last time he kissed me, we were yelling at each other, it was passion and anger, this time it’s coming together. He’s the other half of my heart, and right now, I’m beating in perfect sync with him.

Trent pulls back. “I love you,” he says before finding my mouth again.

I break the kiss and look him in the eyes. “Show me how much.”

His grin spreads and he adjusts me so I’m on top of him. “I’m going to do much more than that, sweetheart.” The mirth dances in his eyes. “However, I’m on shift for another hour, so if I get a call, I can’t say I was busy makin’ love to my girl.” He kisses my nose. “So, you stay right here, and I’ll be back to make good on that promise.”

I know what that means. Fun time for Grace.

It takes Trent another twenty minutes to actually get out the door, and as soon as he leaves, I start to get excited about when he’ll return. I’m sure the next half hour is going to go by extremely slowly for both of us. With nothing to do but pace Trent’s house and drive myself nuts while I wait, I grab my phone and text Presley.

Me: You home?

Presley: Yes! Please tell me you’re stopping over!

Me: I’ll be there in five.

I leave a note on the table for Trent in case he comes back early and head to her house.

“Grace!” she says, standing from her seat on her front porch and rushing toward me. “I’ve missed you!”

“I’ve missed you, too,” I say as I embrace her. Even though we saw each other a few days ago, it was hardly time for us to catch up.

“Come sit. I have coffee or wine. Zach’s at the hospital finally visiting with his dad.”

We head back to the big couches that sit out on the porch. She and Zach built this house, and it’s truly amazing. It’s brand new yet feels like it’s always been here. The inside is modern rustic and the way they positioned the house they have a front row view to one of the ponds on the property.

“Where are the boys?” I look around and wait for the noise, but it’s quiet. Her twin boys are always running around and then there’s her man-child . . .

“They’re out camping with my brother and father. Since Rhett is still in the hospital, my parents figured they could take them so we’re freed up a little.”

“That’s really nice of them.” I smile.

She laughs and shakes her head slightly. “I think Daddy was a little ambitious and realized two teenage boys are a handful and called Cooper in for reinforcements.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

“Cayden is such a prankster, though. I can’t even imagine what they have planned for this trip.”

I fold my legs under me and listen as she fills me in on the boys. They’re such great kids, and it’s been wonderful seeing them with Zach. He loves them as if they were his own. Logan is the quieter of the two, but he’s blossomed being on the farm. Between Cooper, Wyatt, Zach, and Trent, he’s surrounded by strong and outspoken men, they’ve all been influential. From the conversations that Presley’s had about their father, he wasn’t that way. Todd was soft-spoken and much more reserved.

You won’t find much of that around here.

It’s a death match for who can be louder and more outrageous. At least that’s how it was when we were growing up, and most of the aforementioned have yet to become adults.

“How’s Zach handling everything with Rhett?” I ask as we sip our coffee.

“You know Zach.” Presley purses her lips as she leans her head back against the couch tilting it in my direction. “He’s close with his dad and this is killin’ him. I think he feels responsible in some way. As if he should’ve known. How’s Trent handling it?” She gives a sly grin. “I saw you two at the hospital.”

I shake my head and let my smile stretch over my lips. “Can I ask you somethin’?”

“Of course.”

“Do you ever wish things had turned out differently?” I’ve wondered how she truly felt after her life settled. She always knew Zach was the one for her, but that dream wasn’t set in Bell Buckle. She spent our childhood talking about seeing the world and with Zach playing baseball, it meant a life outside of here.

Presley looks out at the water. “I think life works in mysterious ways. I believe I was meant to leave here, find Todd, have the boys, and then come back. It sounds nuts, but I truly believe my life is exactly how it should be. The boys love it here, I’m with the man I love, and I’m happy. Do I wish the boys had their father? Absolutely.” She gives a small, sad smile. “Todd loved them, but now they get to know a different kind of dad. Zach is active and crazy. Todd was structured and academic.” She shrugs. “But back to your question. No, I don’t ever wish things had turned out differently.”

I don’t know why, but I feel like crying. She gives me hope that I can have it all. I look away and fight back the tears.

I love that Presley’s happy. She’s been through hell and then found her heaven.