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“I’ve always said that your wife’s a smart woman,” Eric said. “Kat and I connected on every level from the moment we met, and even so, this is all so new to me that I was a goddamn nervous wreck this morning. I was worried that she’d changed her mind. That she’d look at my history with women and decide I wasn’t worth the risk.”

Hugh slung an arm over his shoulder. “Dude, you’re an amazing man. You must know that. Any woman would be lucky to be with you.”

“This isn’t about being lucky to be with me. I know my downfalls. You and I both know that I’ve never been a settling-down type of guy, but ever since I began thinking about the future, I’ve felt different. And Kat…Holy hell, Hugh. Kat? She’s the most intense, passionate, intelligent woman I’ve ever met. I finally understand how you fell for Brianna so quickly.”

“And Layla, man. I fell for them both. I love Layla like she’s my own flesh and blood.” Hugh gazed lovingly at his family a few feet away and took a few steps in their direction.

“I know you do. I have to tell you, I meant what I said this morning. I’m thinking more and more about settling down andhaving a family. And Kat just might be the oil in my gears. I was thrilled when she didn’t shy away from me during breakfast.” Kat looked up, and their eyes caught. His heart skipped in his chest, and the ability to walk and talk at the same time suddenly eluded him. He stood stock-still and said, “I’m the lucky one, man. If she’ll have me, I’ll make sure she never regrets it.”

Before taking the few final steps to Kat, he said, “I think your father was spot-on about the heart leading this cart. I could no sooner walk away from Kat than I could walk away from racing.”

CHAPTER 12

ERIC HELD UP a burlap sack,smiling at Kat and ignoring the smirk Hugh was giving them while he and Layla stepped into their own potato sack. Rex and Brianna and about a dozen other couples were also preparing for the big race, while Jade, who was too pregnant to take part, stood off to the side with Christian, cheering them on.

“Wanna jump in the sack with me?” Eric asked Kat.

“Heck yeah, I do.” Kat held on to his arm, loving the feel of his hard muscles and the heated glint in his eyes. She lowered her voice and said, “Bragging rights. I can say I got the head of the foundation in the sack.”

His head tipped back with a hearty laugh. “Darlin’, you can have all the bragging rights you want where I’m concerned.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, and she nearly melted on the spot.

She’d spent the entire day in awe of the way he handled himself. The man hobnobbed with wealthy donors and heads of corporations with the same zeal as he scooped babies into his arms and tossed a ball with teenagers. He gave his full attention to the adults and children in equal measure, which endeared him to Kat even more. Eric’s presence was as stable and commanding as a towering tree. Kat imagined that he’dhave been just as debonair in a dark suit and tie as he was in his jeans. And now, as he draped an arm around her, grinning like a fool, he also looked like an eager kid ready to win a race—and the whole combination of hot, sexy, and playful made her swoon a little more.

The race started with a roaring cheer from the crowd, and Kat promptly tripped on a lump of grass and lost her footing. Eric caught her before she face-planted into the dirt and pulled her against him.

“You okay, graceful girl?”

She laughed. “Nice. Let’s win this race!”

With his strong arm around her waist, they found their groove, quickly catching up to Rex and Brianna. Rex reached out and grabbed ahold of their potato sack.

“Going somewhere?” His Stetson was perched high on his head, and the challenge in his dark eyes made Kat burst out laughing and nearly tumble to the ground again.

Eric’s grip on her waist saved her. He shot Rex a competitive stare, and Rex was now laughing, too. “We’re only going one place, my friend. Ahead of you.” He glanced at Hugh and Layla and said to Kat, “Let’s let Layla beat us.”

She fell a little harder for him that very second and knew she was steps away from tumbling head over heels from not only the ground but for Eric, too.

Eric kept an eye on Layla, holding them back until she crossed the finish line. Layla was so excited, she jumped into Hugh’s arms, squealing with delight. Then she ran to Eric and Kat and hugged them both.

“You guys were so good. I’m sorry you didn’t beat us, but you still did really well!” She turned to Rex and Brianna and threw her arms around Bree’s neck. “We beat you, Mom! Dad and I beat you!”

Kat swore she saw longing in Eric’s eyes as he watched the scene unfold.

“You sure did,” Brianna said to her exuberant daughter. “You were amazing!”

“Yeah, but you were still great!” Layla hugged her again before racing back to Hugh and hugging him again.

Brianna’s gaze caught on Kat’s, and the dampness in her eyes nearly pulled tears from Kat’s. She knew how much it meant to Brianna for Layla to adore Hugh the way she did. She felt Eric’s arm circle her shoulder, and she leaned in to him.

“God, I love that little girl,” she said wistfully.

“I have a feeling you’ll have your own little girl who is just as wonderful one day.” Eric hugged her close, and when she gave him a quizzical look, he said, “What? You’re a woman who wants children. I’m just sayin’…”

She didn’t know what surprised her more—the fact that the man she’d pegged as a player was holding her in front of so many important people and talking to her about a future, or the fact that she could actually imagine a future with him after knowing him for just forty-eight hours.

CHAPTER 13

ERIC WAS STILL riding highfrom the afternoon when he and Kat left the ranch for their date later that evening. They’d been inseparable after the potato sack race, and by the time they’d returned to the ranch after the picnic, they’d felt like a couple. He hadn’t hesitated to keep Kat in his arms as they visited with Hope, even though Hal was there chatting up the old mare—and thankfully, not only had Kat been receptive, but she’d reciprocated his affections in earnest.