“Nothing, they just—what is their deal?! Seriously. We can’t justtake a wife.”
“You think I don’t know that? They are just a notch above Uncle Gerald with this archaic bullshit. I’d say they want grandchildren, but that’s not it.”
“This is why—” Zach stopped himself.
“Why what?”
“Nothing. I—” He picked up his Stetson and hung it on the hook beside his bed. “Dad thought he was so cute trying to push me and Evie together, but that’s basically the reason Nana Buck told me to stay away from her.”
“And she didn’t want you to accidentally get her pregnant.”
Zach sighed in confirmation. He’d never forget the afternoon Nana pulled him aside in the barn and read him the riot act. He wasn’t gonna fuck up Evie’s life. Didn’t matter how badly her granddaughter had it for him. He thought she was just being protective, keeping them from making teenage mistakes, but the warnings didn’t stop.
Finally Nana straight-up told Zach’s parents she didn’t want the two of them together. She had plans for Evie outside of their small town. His parents thought Nana was overreacting, but the words had sunk in, and Zach feared and respected the old woman too much to cross her. He’d buried his feelings deep and done his best to convince Evie to do the same by putting her deep in the friend zone. And it had worked, for over ten fucking years.
“I know, but shit, man. She just started speaking to me again and she doesn’t even remember me. Can we wait five minutes before I ask her if she wants to be a rancher’s wife?”
“Is that what you want?” Jesse asked. Zach could tell his brother was holding back from giving him another lecture about playing games with Evie’s heart, but it was a valid question.
“Can I take the Fifth for now?” Yeah, they were both old enough to make their own decisions, but there were plenty of reasons for them not to rush.
Jesse shrugged, giving in. “Sure.”
“Were you gonna ask me something? Why were you waiting in the driveway?”
“I didn’t know if Evie texted you, but she got her hair cut and she’s really nervous about it.”
“How’s it look?”
“Fine. I mean, you’ve seen Evie. She’d look good in a clown wig. I just figure since you two are, I don’t know, a thing, I’d give you a little brotherly advice.”
“And what’s that?”
“When you see her, don’t fuck with her. No sarcasm, no jokes.”
Before, Zach would have been annoyed. Now, though, he knew his brother was coming from a good place. He was looking out for him and Evie both, trying to help them protect this thing they were trying to find between them.
“Thanks, man. I hear you. Let me get ready.”
Jesse and his dog left him to it. When he was wedding-ready, Zach took a quick detour over to Miss Leona’s. He was running crazy late now, but he wanted to see Evie before he went back to work. For once he found her alone in the kitchen, whipping up something that smelled absolutely amazing.
“There’s so much cream and cheese in this recipe, I can see why she had it listed on her blog as a main dish.” She did a double take when she saw him. “Oh, hi. I thought you were Vega. I’m making macaroni and cheese.” She watched him as he crossed the terracotta floor. Evie set down the wooden spoon in her hand and turned to face him. Her delicate fingers touched the side of her head. “What do you think?”
Zach twirled his hand, motioning for her to turn around. She spun slowly, showing off her fresh fade. He appreciated Jesse’s warning. She looked amazing, but Zach wasn’t expecting the scar on the side of her head to be so big. God, that must have been one hell of a fall. She faced him again, a hopeful smile touching her lips. “Well?”
Zach closed the distance between them and pulled Evie into his arms. He couldn’t help but smile at the adorable way she pushed her glasses up her nose.
“What is it?” she asked.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Be serious for a moment, Zach. How does it look? Really.”
“I am being serious. It looks perfect. When we were in high school you begged Nana to let you cut your hair this short, like Halle Berry, but she wouldn’t let you. I think it looks dope as fuck.”
“Thank you. I’m still getting used to it.”
“What did the doctor have to say?”