Sam checked the dozen or so photos he’d just taken during their slow morning ride before he glanced over at Evie. She handed Bam Bam’s reins to Chris, one of the stable hands, then pulled off her riding helmet. He couldn’t ignore the way she lightly touched the well-healed scar on the side of her head. He watched as his brother stepped closer and gently wrapped an arm around her waist.

“You good, Buck?” Zach said before he pressed a light kiss to her neck. His brother had looked at Evie with that same love in his eyes since they were kids. Sam was happy for them, so glad they’d finally come back together and worked things out, even though Evie would always bear the gnarly scar that forced them to confront their drama. Not that they were even officially dating, but he was glad the drama between him and Amanda had been more of a low-key, cautious misunderstanding and nothing that involved a traumatic brain injury.

“Oh yeah. I’m fine.” Evie leaned into Zach and kissed him on the mouth.

“Okay if I post some of these?” Sam handed Evie his phone and waited while she scrolled through the recent images in his camera roll.

“Yeah. Those are great. I’d love to take pictures while we ride, but Bam Bam and I aren’t quite there yet,” Evie said.

“Yeah. It’s a good idea for you to keep your eyes on the trail and both hands on the reigns for now,” Zach added. Evie was a more than competent rider, but Zach always put her safety first. Sam didn’t blame him.

He took his phone back and just as he went to open Instagram, his phone vibrated in his hand with a text from Amanda.

I can see the barn from here.

A picture popped up and from the looks of things she was about fifty yards away. What kind of gentleman would he be if he didn’t go around to meet her?

“Hey. Be right back. Amanda’s here.”

“Awwww shit,” Zach drawled out until Evie slapped his arm.

“Leave him alone. We got Majesty. Go ahead.”

“Thanks.” He gave his mare a soft pat, then headed around to the front of the stables. Their ride down the trails the whole morning had been exactly what he needed. Peace, relaxation. Some quality time and good laughs with his brother and sister-in-law-to-be, and his horse. He was able to clear his head and just enjoy himself. None of that, the levity or the joy, changed the fact that he’d secretly been waiting for a text from Amanda.