Page 15 of More Than Falling in Love

That doesn’t surprise me, but it does worry me.With Mason in the mix, I don’t like the idea of anyone trying to ship me and Kent.Not only do I live far away, but I get the distinct impression he has deemed himself off limits.

“Thanks for warning me.”

Boots thud on the porch, and Joji and Lilith gather up the flowers.

“I’ll set these on the dining room table.Anything I need to grab from in the house?”Lilith stands in a doorway, looking at Ava.

“I think we’re good.”Ava scratches the last item off her list.

Dad leans on the doorframe.“Ready to head over to the chapel?”

Ava’s face flushes, and she knots her hands.“I think so.”

The way Dad and Ava interact is as sweet as a Hallmark movie.After he kisses her on the forehead, he walks up to me.“How are you liking the ranch?I’ve seen very little of you today.”

“I love this place.Everyone is so nice.”I wrap an arm around him.“I’m really happy that this is going to be your home.”

“Me too.Thanks for coming.”

“Are you kidding?I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”I hug my dad before I choke up.Later, there will be time to get emotional.Tears are expected at a wedding.

Chapter 6

Kent

I’m not sure I’ve ever worn a tie on a Thursday.But here I am, showered and shaved, walking into the chapel for the wedding.

And there’s Poppy.

If I failed at not staring when she was in jeans and a T-shirt, how am I ever going to make it through this wedding?She’s in a long flowy dress with itty-bitty straps.I thought a ponytail brushing her neck was distracting, but curls on her shoulders elevates that to a whole new level.

She glides up the aisle and slips into a seat, and I blink, trying to focus my brain.

The few from the ranch who are already here are sitting on the left side of the chapel, and I pin my sights on two seats in the back row.

On the right side, Poppy is sitting alone in the second row.

Mason tugs at my hand, and I know what’s coming.

“Poppy is by herself.We should sit by her.”Mason tips his head that direction, as if I need help finding her in the small chapel.

“Go ahead.”I straighten his tie.“I’ll meet you there.”

He tromps up the center aisle, his boots clunking on the wood floor.Then he slides in front of Poppy and sits beside her.She gives him a hug, and her hands move while she talks.I’m guessing she’s gushing about what he’s wearing, but since she’s whispering, I don’t know for sure.I walk across the back of the chapel, then down the far wall, coaching myself on how to act normal.After I slide in next to Mason, Parker catches my eye and flashes a thumbs-up.

I definitely need to talk to him and set the record straight.Having everyone, or anyone, thinking I’m sweet on Poppy would be a disaster.

“Hi.”Her lashes glisten as if she’s been crying.“Y’all both look very nice.”

“You too.”I run a finger along the inside of my collar, then scan the room.At Joji’s wedding, when the goat trotted up the aisle decked out in flowers, we all cried from laughing so hard.Surely Lilith thought ahead.There has to be a box of tissues around here somewhere.I tap Mason’s knee.“I’ll be right back.”

Trying to be quiet, I slip out the double doors.On a side table is a box of tissues.I shove several in my pocket, then make my way back to my seat.This is an inconvenient time to be so tall, so big.There is no blending into the woodwork, and I feel the stares as I drop into my seat.

“It’s so pretty in here.This whole venue is amazing.”Poppy leans forward, looking from Mason to me.

Pretty.“Yeah.It is.”

Mason points to some flowers attached to a chair.“Poppy helped make those.”

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