“Zayne?” Beyond him, she saw a virtual tower of colorful mums on either side of the maze entrance. The path into the maze was cut short and neat, without a weed in sight. Just beautiful grass and tall corn. “You didn’t have to do this. We weren’t going to have a maze...”

“You weren’t going to have a maze,” Vickie said behind her. “But Zayne told us the maze was on.” Vickie gave Andrea a not-so-subtle push toward the steps. “And we decided to go with Zayne’s plan. You should, too.”

Andrea walked down the steps. Zayne held out his hand for her, and she took it, smiling in spite of herself as soon as their fingers touched.

“This was all your idea?”

He shrugged. “Well, doing the maze was my idea. Then I mentioned needing help, and you know how this town is. People came out of the woodwork.”

She was staring up at him in wonder. “I thought you weren’t a people person.”

His mouth slid into a slanted grin. “I’m an Andrea person. And if this is what it takes to put that smile on your face, then I can handle it.” She looked around the yard.

“But the flowers—I’ve never seen this place look so pretty.”

“You said it needed a woman’s touch. Lucy Cooper helped.”

She had no idea what to say.

“Why?”

Zayne laughed. The sound was warm and deep and made her feel lighter.

“Because when I care, I care one hundred percent, remember?”

A spark of hope blossomed inside her. This was about more than just a maze. “I remember.”

“Well, I care about you. I love you.” He cupped her face with his hands. “I’ll give you all of my heart, Andrea. Right now. In front of...” He looked up at the bus behind her, where everyone had their faces plastered to the open windows. “In front of a crowd of people that are apparently my friends now.” There was a small cheer of agreement from the bus. “They don’t give a damn about my name or my past or any of the things I was getting so hung up on. And they promised to help me not give a damn—” he dipped his head to give her a quick kiss “—about anything other than loving you. Do you think you could help me with that, too?”

“I can do that, but, Zayne...”

“Nuh-uh.” He kissed her again, lingering longer this time, melting her fears like butter. “No buts in love. Just promise to love me, and we can get through anything together.”

She took a deep breath, then held it while she stared into his ocean-blue eyes. Eyes that were full of love. She let out the breath and reached up to touch his cheek with her fingers.

“I can love you through anything.”