Page 35 of More Than Falling in Love

Mason shouts, “Cow poop!”

Her gaze snaps to the ground, and a little fancy footwork gets her around the stinky pile.But she’s too close to the tank.

I break into a run and get to her as she’s toppling backward.I pull her to my chest, but stopping the topple isn’t happening.Twisting, I do my best to take the brunt of the fall because, clearly, I’m the worst at saving her.With a splash, she lands on top of me.I push up on my elbows and lift my head above water.She’s sputtering on top of me.My feet are hanging over the edge of the tank, and since she’s on top, her feet are also hanging over the edge.

Mason yanks off her boots, then holds up the pair.“I saved your new boots.”

“Thanks, kiddo.”She looks at me, and I’m not sure if she’s about to laugh or cry.

“You okay?”I glance down, then snap my gaze back to her face when I see her soaked white T-shirt.

She nods.“I think I’m your bad luck charm.”

“Nope.I’m just crap at rescuing you.”

“Except you aren’t.Only parts of me are wet.But you’re soaked.”

We’re inches apart, and she’s gazing at me, waiting for me to say something.But I’m struggling not to look at her lips.If I do, she’ll know exactly what I’m thinking.

“Want me to pull your socks off too?”Mason taps her foot.“Wet socks are yuck.”

“That’s a good idea.”She laughs as he yanks and tugs.And once she’s barefoot, she slides off me and stands up in the tank.

I grab the edge of the tank and pull myself out of the water.Thanks to my tall frame and the shallow tank, my boots managed to stay dry in the ordeal.

Standing up, she scans the water.“I really hope I didn’t kill any of the goldfish.”

Only this woman would stand in cow’s drinking water and worry about the fish.

“Grab my neck.”As soon as she’s holding on, I lift her out of the water and carry her to the tractor.“Was your phone in your pocket?”

“I left it in the truck.Not even on purpose.”

I set her on the trailer.“Nothing hurts?”

“My pride.”When she glances down, her cheeks turn red, and she crosses her arms.“Didn’t pick the best shirt for chores.”

She reaches out one arm when Mason holds out her boots and socks.

Then he plops down next to her.“Dad says I shouldn’t play in that water, so, well…” He looks at me.“You tell her, Dad.”

“I think he’s trying to say that the water is gross and we both need a shower.”

After putting on her boots, she squeezes water out of her hair, then pokes Mason in the side.“How many times have you fallen into the tank?”

“Never.”He hops off the trailer.“I’ll check the fish.”

When he’s out of earshot, she says, “You must think I’m stupid.”

“I think a lot of things, and that isn’t anywhere on the list.”I walk away before I say something that has no place in the friend zone.

Chapter 13

Poppy

Cleaned up, I walk into the mess hall.It took forever to get the hay out of my hair, and even lots of scrubbing hasn’t eliminated the feel of yuck.Thankfully, I have riding lessons after breakfast, and that will take my mind off what happened.

Mason points to the seat next to him, letting me know he saved me a seat.But Kent doesn’t even look up.He probably saw me looking at his mouth when we were tangled up in the water.Who thinks about kissing when they’re submerged in yucky water?Me apparently.

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