Page 57 of More Than Falling in Love

“That’s allfor now.Fear delays things.And…” She pats my hand.“I never said the soul-tugging disappeared.I just avoid the man.”

That’s not helpful.Avoiding Kent is the last thing I want to do.

Tandy flashes a rather wicked grin.“But if that’s not possible, I suppose you have to learn to live with the thumping heart, tingling touches, and soul-tugging.”

I never said a word to her about the thumping or the tingling, which makes me wonder what career she focused on.Was she a psychic or something?

“What did you do before retiring?”

Mischief lights up her face.“I was a sex therapist.”

She’s definitely not the person I need to be talking to.“Oh.That’s nice.”

“Yeah.It can be.But writing books is fun too.”

Chapter 20

Kent

Iget less sleep at night because Poppy and I spend at least an hour on the phone after Mason goes to bed.We talk about how our day went and trade stories from our past.I try to pick ones that won’t make her cry because I’m not there to hug her when she does.

And she doesn’t have a giant teddy bear in her apartment.

I drop down next to the bear, who gets dragged out to the couch for reading time every night.

Mason is singing as he showers, and I tip my head back and let my eyes close.

It’s been a while since Poppy’s been home.She didn’t make it here for Thanksgiving, and I hated that she spent the day alone in her apartment.But we did a video chat during dinner, and that was nice.

Now it’s two weeks from Christmas.Her gift is tucked away in my sock drawer because if Mason finds it, it probably won’t stay a secret.And the gifts for Mason are hidden at Tyler’s house.Jasmine is wrapping those for me.

And Grayson’s wife, Daisy, helped Mason make handmade gifts for Christmas.

For so long, I felt like I was alone in the world.But when Mason came into my life, I realized I hadn’t really been alone for a while.But it took meeting Poppy for me to see how much this ranch family means to me.

The shower shuts off, and I’m eager to get Poppy on the phone.She has something going on tonight but said she’d try to steal away for a few minutes.

Mason shakes his head as he runs to the couch, spraying droplets in every direction.“Okay.Call Poppy.”

I send the chat request, and we wait.

A chandelier is the only thing in view for a second; then she appears.Her hair is curled and partially up.Makeup perfect.And itty-bitty green straps make me wish I could see the rest of her dress.

“Hi.I thought I’d have time, but in about two minutes, my boss is giving a speech, and I have to be on stage for that.I’m sorry.”She’s moving, and the crowd noise quiets.“Let me know how many pages, and I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

Mason sets his book aside.“You look pretty.”

My kid isn’t wrong.

“Thank you.I’m at a big fancy party.”She turns the camera.“See that Christmas tree in the middle of the table?It’s made of ice.”

His jaw drops open.“That’s cool.”

“That whole table is filled with food.If you were here, I’d hand you a plate and let you eat whatever you wanted if your dad said it was okay.”

“Is it a Christmas party?Are they giving out presents?”He leans against me.

“No presents at this holiday party.But Christmas isn’t far away.”

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