Page 10 of More Than Falling in Love

“Yeah.He found one of those.That’s where caterpillars turn into butterflies.”He hooks his thumbs together and flaps his hands.“But they didn’t come out while we were watching.”

Poppy glances at me, then turns back to face Mason.“When I was a kid, my mom bought me a little net house and some chrysalides, that’s the word for more than one chrysalis.Some people say chrysalises.”

“You’re smart like my dad.”

This kid has completely flipped my world.Finding out you have a kid when he’s about to start kindergarten is shocking.And getting sole custody seemed overwhelming at first.But it’s easily the best thing that’s ever happened to me.After a lifetime of existing in shattered families, this is my chance to do something right.

Poppy rubs my arm.“Now I know why he’s such an awesome kid.”

I don’t react when she touches me, at least not outwardly.Inside, fireworks ignite just under the skin.But she is the same way with Parker and a couple of the other ranch hands, touching them, hugging them.That’s just how she is.She’s not flirting with me, which is good because hurting this woman would be reprehensible, like tearing the wings off a butterfly.I just have to figure out how to get used to the feel of her hand on my arm and not act like it’s a big deal.

Then she leans close to me.“Later, I want to ask you something.”

“Okay.”I pray that whatever conversation she has in mind involves butterflies.Please let it only be about butterflies and chrysalides.

Mason points out the window, and Poppy twists, sending her ponytail swishing.

Tearing my gaze away from her, I avoid hitting the fence post as I approach the pasture.After parking near the gate, I walk around to the passenger side of the truck.

She opens her door as I grab the handle.“Oh, sorry.I didn’t realize that you were going to open that.I mean, wow.Next time, I’ll totally let you do that.”She inches up on her toes and whispers, “It’s so cool that you are setting such a chivalrous example for your son.”

“Yeah.”I reach around her and yank open the back door.“Need help, bud?”

“Nope.I unbuckled.”He slides out of the truck and grabs Poppy’s hand.“These cows are nice.You can touch them.”

She looks over her shoulder and scrunches up her face.

Her expression makes me laugh.“You don’t have to pet the cows if you don’t want to.”

“I might just look at them from outside the fence.”

Mason continues toward the gate.“Have you ever seen a cow up close?Be careful where you step because they poop all over the place.”He motions for me to open the gate.

I look to Poppy for an answer.“Are we going in?”

“Sure.I’ll get a selfie with a cow and show all my friends in New York.That’ll get a laugh.”

As soon as the gate swings open, he tugs her toward Bessie, a large Hereford.“Take a picture with this one.”

Poppy snaps a picture of herself beside the cow.Then Mason jumps in, and she takes one with both of them next to Bessie.When he runs off to search for rocks, she stays near me.“I want you to know that I won’t post any photos of him without your permission.If you’d rather I delete that photo off my phone, I can.I should’ve asked before taking it.I’m sorry.”

Maybe my lack of words has given Poppy the wrong impression.“I appreciate you not posting his picture on social media.But I don’t mind you having his photo.”I suck in a breath.“Mason has really taken to your dad.And you too.”

“It’s sweet to see how he is with my dad.I’m glad he…” Her lips pinch, and she shrugs.

My mouth is moving before my brain shuts down the talking.“Mason doesn’t have any grandparents.So I’m extra appreciative of everyone on the ranch, but especially Ava and your dad.Clint and Beau are awesome with Mason, but it’s different with your dad.”I’ve said way more than I intended.“I haven’t told him that.Mason only met him a few days ago.”

Torment grips me when her eyes mist.

She blinks, and a smile replaces the tears.“I think Mason is good for my dad too.In fact, I think this whole ranch is good for Dad.He’s been lonely, but that’s not something a daughter can fix.”

The word lonely jumps out at me.I understand loneliness.It’s not something I have much time to think about anymore, but it’s still there.I’ve resigned myself to living with that ache.Her words make Mad Dog’s marriage to Ava even sweeter.

Before I can say anything, Mason runs up.“I found three cool rocks.”He holds out his hand to show off his new treasures.“Now let’s go to the butterfly field.”

“Need any more selfies before we head out?”It takes effort to string together long sentences around Poppy, but I don’t want her thinking I don’t like her.The opposite is true.I like her too much.

She bumps against my arm, laughing.“I have all the cow selfies I need.”

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