River''s words hinted that Zachary had been the same as a child—always ying


    the big brother role, leading the pack and keeping them all in line.


    To this day, they still deeply respected and slightly feared their eldest brother.


    River figured that came from how they were raised.


    And honestly, he didn''t think that fear was a bad thing. At the very least, it kept


    them from doing anything reckless. If they did mess up, Zachary would step in,


    correct them, and guide them through it.


    They always felt safe knowing their big brother was around—like standing under a


    big tree for shade. Zachary carried the weight of the family so that they, the


    younger brothers, could chase their own goals.


    Zachary caught the subtext in River''sment and smiled. "I didn''t have nearly


    as many tricks as Baby when I was a kid. He''s outsmarted the master."


    That was the best oue a father could ask for—that his child would outshine


    him.


    River asked, "Brother, have you eaten?"


    Zachary replied, "I''m still at work. When would I have time to eat?"


    Riverughed, "Then I won''t keep you. Go eat before you get too hungry. If your


    stomach gets upset, Sister-inw will have to take care of it when you get home."


    "I''m off to eat too—Romina''s about to set me up on a blind date."


    Zachary already knew about River''s blind date ns. Serenity had filled him in.


    So he didn''t say much—just gave a hum of acknowledgment and ended the call.


    Just as he put down the phone, Josh—sitting across from him—asked, "So,


    River''s found someone?"


    Zachary nodded. "Yeah. It''s his business rival. After all these years of fighting,


    they''ve fallen for each other."


    He didn''t hide anything from Josh. Their families were so close, and Josh was


    practically family. There were no secrets between them.


    They''d been friends for more than twenty years. Zachary trusted himpletely.


    Josh said, "It''s about time he settled down. He''s already thirty-one. If he doesn''t


    get married this year, he''ll be thirty-two. None of your brothers waited that long."


    Zachary and Serenity had tied the knot at thirty. The rest of his cousins had all


    married before hitting that milestone.


    River was the oldest to reach marriage age among the York brothers and still be


    unmarried.


    Josh added with a grin, "If Grandma York hadn''t gotten involved, your brothers


    might still be single."


    Zachary fired back, "Like you married that early? You were already thirty


    yourself."


    Josh went silent for a moment.


    Fair enough—he''d been ate bloomer, too.


    Mostly because he hadn''t realized how special Jasmine was untilter. If he had,


    they would''ve married much sooner.


    Josh asked, "So, when is Serenitying back?"


    Zachary raised a brow. "Why do you care when my wife''sing back?"


    Joshughed. "Because when shees back, she''ll be back at work. And when


    she''s at work, Jasmine gets a break."


    Zachary teased, "Why? nning for a second kid? Gonna start prepping once


    Jasmine gets a little downtime?" Josh grinned. "Not a chance. Jasmine says if the


    second one''s a boy, she''ll lose her mind. Milo already drives her crazy."


    "You always say I''m calm and steady—but the son I raised is a total troublemaker.


    If I don''t scold him for three days, he''s climbing roofs and pulling shingles off."