Page 3 of More Than Falling in Love

Her words are like an immersion blender to my thoughts.Staring out the window, I watch the sea of clouds below us.Not looking for the perfect someone doesn’t make me a control freak.

After almost an hour, I turn to face her.“What about you?”If she’s so full of insight, maybe I can learn something from her.

Her eyebrows lift, and a wistful smile creases her face.“I pushed when I should’ve pulled.And I spent the better part of my life focused on my career.Now I’m retired, happy, and doing what I love.”She taps her book.

“I noticed that you’re the author.”I didn’t miss the implication about focusing on her career, but that’s not a conversation I want to have right now.

“What are you afraid of, Poppy?”

A squeaky wheel draws my attention to the aisle, and the attendant asks if I’d like a snack or a drink.It’s too early for something strong, but Tandy’s question has me wishing I could dull the unexpected sting it inflicted.

I settle for a cup of Coke and a bag of nuts.

These won’t rescue me from the hard question, but they give me time to word my response.I know the answer.I’m afraid of making the wrong choice.But saying it out loud sounds silly.

She sips her sparkling water, then unwraps her cookies.“One day you’ll meet someone who will tug at your soul in a way that makes you take notice.You won’t be able to ignore it.There might be the proverbial butterflies that people like to go on about, but it’s deeper than that.”

“Is that how it works?”I laugh, but the strain isn’t hidden well.

“Don’t be afraid of love.”Her words are soft but pointed.

Like a scolded child, I nod.“Okay.”

This woman doesn’t know me.She doesn’t know my dad.How can she have any idea what’s in my head?Ages ago in high school when I wrote my book, nothing about it felt remotely like the books I loved, so I gave up writing.For me, love is like that.I had perfect love modeled, and I have no idea how to recreate that.It’s easier to avoid it altogether.

“I’ll stop bothering you.”She buries her nose in the book and doesn’t say another word until we are on the tarmac.

The quiet only gives me more time to think, which, right now, isn’t good.

“We’re here.And if you decide you do want a special someone, there are some good-looking cowboys in these parts just itching to be loved.I’m happy to introduce you.”

“My life is in New York, and I’m not sure I’d be good at a long-distance relationship.”That’s my nice way of saying “No thanks.”

“Probably true.”She watches as passengers file out of the plane, then flips open her book.Inside the front cover, she writes a phone number, then signs her name on the title page.“Call me if you ever want to chat.”

“Thank you.”I don’t plan on calling her, but it’s a sweet gesture.

The businessman slips out of his seat as soon as the plane stops, grabs his bag from the overhead compartment, and hurries down the aisle.But he gets caught in people traffic near the front.

Tandy and I wait until passengers around us are getting up.We file out of our seats and get our baggage down.I follow her off the plane and into the terminal.

While I’m still thinking about what to say as a goodbye, she touches my arm.“Poppy, I hope we meet again.And I think your dad and Ava will be really happy together.”After giving a little wave, she hurries to the ladies’ room.

I stand there, blinking.Not once did I mention the name of my dad’s fiancée.How does Tandy know them?

The world can’t be that small.

Chapter 2

Kent

Wednesday is an odd day for a school holiday.Why not give the kids off Friday so they have a three-day weekend?Life on the ranch offers me flexibility and help, so I can handle Mason’s school schedule, which is good because today, students and parents are invited to view artwork.

Ivy is a special kind of teacher.When she has these workdays, she opens the classroom in the morning and during lunch.She shows off what they’ve been working on, and today, it’s all about the art they painted.

Truth be told, I don’t like coming up to the school.As a single dad, it’s like there’s a bright red target painted on my shirt.I’ve lost track of how many women have either asked for my number or invited me out for drinks.There can’t be that many single moms in this town.And I’m not looking for dates or love or anything else.

Mason is my top priority.

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