Page 12 of More Than Falling in Love

Everything in me hopes this woman knows how to swim.

Cool water engulfs us, and I shove her toward the surface.She flails until she finds my hand, then tugs me upward.

When I get my head above water, Poppy is coughing and sputtering.Knowing she’s breathing, I scan for Mason and shout, “Bud, stay away from the water!”

“Are you okay?”My poor kid looks stressed.“I can reach in and pull you out.”

“Listen to your dad, okay?”Poppy waves at him, then turns her attention to me.“You okay?”

“Just soaking wet.Swim that way.We should be able to get out over there.”If I don’t get out of this water soon, my boots are going to be at the bottom.They aren’t designed for swimming.

She glides through the water and climbs up the embankment.When I make my way up, her lip is quivering.“I’m so sorry.There was a rock, and my shoe hit it.”

There is no way I can watch Poppy cry, so I pull her to my chest and hold her.“Did you get hurt?”

Her head moves back and forth against my chest.“I didn’t.Thanks to you.”

I glance over at Mason who is snapping pictures on two phones.I guess mine fell out of my hand.

My kid isn’t great at secrets.Everyone will soon know about this episode.Hopefully he doesn’t offer to show them pictures.

I step back from her.“Let’s go so you can get into some dry clothes.”

“Thank you, Kent.”

“No biggie.I’m glad you’re not hurt.”

“I don’t want Mason to worry about me.”She pats my chest before spinning around and opening her arms.“Want a hug?”

“You’re wet.”Laughing, he darts toward the truck, keeping a few paces ahead of her.

Seeing the way she is with Mason makes one thing abundantly clear.Poppy is someone I want in my life.As a friend.

Chapter 5

Poppy

As Kent drives back toward the main part of the ranch, I swipe through my photos.And I’m embarrassed all over again, but this time, I’m not fighting tears.That’s just how I am.Any emotion that exceeds a certain level results in tears.If I get really angry?Tears.Super happy?Possible sobs.Embarrassment is no different.

Of course I would have to trip in front of this hot cowboy.But landing him in the river makes me feel awful.The way his shirt is clinging to him, he can’t be comfortable.

Hopefully, my dad texts back and lets me know where I can find my bag.

Mason should be given an award for his mad photography skills.He managed to get a shot of me falling into Kent’s arms and several of Kent with his arms around me.I wonder what photos are on Kent’s phone.

Running after Mason not only lightened the mood and drew laughter, but I needed something to distract me from Kent’s shirt plastered to his muscles.And his love handles.The little extra fluff around his middle makes him somehow more adorable, or maybe just more real.

Dad:Bag is in my truck.Parked outside of Ava’s.It’s unlocked.Having fun?

Me:A blast.

“My bag is at Ava’s.”I assume Kent knows where everyone lives on the ranch because I don’t have the slightest clue where to go.

He nods, and I take another second to appreciate the clingy black T-shirt.

“Miss Ava is our neighbor,” Mason says.

“That’s fun.Do you visit Miss Ava a lot?”

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