Page 11 of More Than Falling in Love

Mason runs through the grass and turns around when he gets to the truck.“Will you send my dad that picture of me?”

“Sure, kiddo.”Poppy pulls out her phone and after tapping on the screen, hands it to me.“I’ll need your number.”

After opening her door, I enter my info, then hand back the phone.“There you go.”This morning, I barely escaped giving out my number, and look at me now.

A bright smile, one I’m sure will become a problem for me, spreads across her face.“Thanks for showing me around.I didn’t mean to take up your whole morning.If you need to work, I can go do something else.”

“It’s all good.I promised Mason we could do something fun.This is what he wanted to do.He’s probably going to wish that every Wednesday was a school holiday.”

She squeezes my hand as she laughs.“That should totally be a thing.No school on Wednesdays.”

Mason’s eyes widen, and I jump in before his hopes get too high.“We’re joking.Not every Wednesday is a holiday.”

“Bummer.Will I be out of school tomorrow in time for the wedding?”

“Plenty early.”I slide in behind the wheel.

It’s getting easier to talk to her.That’s good.Since Parker is friends with so many ladies—not in a creepy way—I’ll have to get some advice from him.Women like him.He’s nice and easy to talk to.I need to find the way to cement myself in the friend zone with Poppy.

“Tell me about your class at school.Do you like it?”Poppy turns in her seat.

That ponytail is swishing again, but I keep my gaze on the road ahead.Mostly.

“It’s great.Miss Ivy is an awesome teacher.She’s married to Sutton.He used to work on the goat farm, but now Miss Joji lives on the goat farm with Mr.Clint.He married her because he likes to kiss her.”Mason takes a deep breath and continues.“There is a girl in my class who chases me during recess.She tried to kiss me once, but I told her I wasn’t old enough to get married.”

I don’t dare look at Poppy, but I feel her staring at me.

After today, she’ll know all about the ranch and everyone on it.

I park at the edge of the field of wildflowers.“Lots of butterflies today.”

Mason unbuckles and is out of the truck before I am.After opening Poppy’s door, he holds out his hand.She grins at me, then clasps his hand and slides out.

Butterflies flitter above the flowers, alighting on blooms, then fluttering off to a different part of the field.This is one of my favorite places on the ranch, not just because of the wonder painted on my son’s face whenever we come out here, but because it’s peaceful and pretty.The wind whispering through the grass and the swoosh of the river draws me in, calms me.

Poppy spins to face me.“This is amazing.I was about to say it’s like the field is alive, but duh.The butterflies are living things.”

Mason whispers, “Sometimes if I’m really still and quiet, one will land on me.”

That dangerous smile is lighting up her face.“Let’s try that.”She hands him her phone.“If one lands on me, take a picture, okay?”

He nods and puts a finger to his lips.

I wander near the embankment and look down at the river.It’s not much of a drop-off, but here the water is deep, and I typically position myself between Mason and the river.

When he starts giggling, I slide the phone out of my pocket and snap a picture.Butterflies are fluttering all around him.One has even landed on the flower in his hand.

After several minutes of the two of them watching the butterflies, Mason points toward me.“Poppy, go by my dad.I’ll take a picture of you.”

Her gaze snaps to mine, and I give a slight nod.

Mason loves taking pictures, so I don’t feel like this is a setup.Hopefully, I’m not wrong.He did get a bit upset recently on the Friday before Mother’s Day when moms went up to the school for lunch with their kids.Thankfully, Ava, Lilith, and Joji saved the day.Beau’s wife, Lilith, arranged the whole thing.Those three ladies descended on the cafeteria, and Mason didn’t bring up not having a mom after that.Hopefully, he doesn’t ask me for something I can’t give him.

There’s nothing I won’t do for this kid, except that.I won’t get romantically involved with a woman ever again.Every woman in my life who I thought loved me left.My mother.My wife.I’m not trying a third time.

As I’m attempting to round up my stampeding thoughts, Poppy jogs toward me.Panic washes over her face as she falls forward.I barely have time to open my arms and get between her and the water when she crashes into my chest.

My boot slips, and I hug her close, knowing we’re going to land in the river.

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