Page 58 of More Than Falling in Love

“And then I get to see you.And hug you.”He grins at me.“I like it when Poppy comes to the ranch.”

I meet her gaze.“Me too.”

“I’ll get there Christmas morning.And I can’t wait.”She glances to her right as a man wearing a tuxedo eases up beside her and leans in close.

He whispers in her ear and doesn’t step away after he’s delivered his message.His hand is touching her bare shoulder, and it’s knotting my gut.

“I need to run.Bye!”She waves.Then the video chat ends.

Mason slaps his book onto the coffee table.“I’m going to skip tonight.”

“If that’s what you want.”My heart is racing, my pulse thumping on my eardrums.

He picks up the butterfly book he got from Poppy.“Night, Dad.”

“Night, bud.”I give him a big hug.“Sleep tight.”

He stops at the end of the hall.“Was that Poppy’s boyfriend?Does she have a boyfriend?There is a girl at school who wants me to be her boyfriend, but I told her I didn’t want to.She tries to hold my hand during recess and get me to sit beside her.I just want to play.Sitting is no fun.”

“It’s good that you were honest with the girl.”I don’t answer his question about Poppy because I’m not sure what to say.

Nothing in our conversations would make me think she has a someone special.She’s said she’s not looking for love.But my mind is replaying the scene over and over, and jealousy is clouding the memory.

It could be nothing, but it’s a reminder that her world and mine are nothing alike.She goes to fancy parties in evening gowns, and I’ll have dirt under my nails until the day I die.It’s a good thing we both agree that this can’t work.And now I have an even better understanding of why.

Once Mason is asleep, I slip out to the porch with my guitar.I play until late into the night.And Poppy never calls.

Christmas morning,everyone on the ranch is sitting around Beau’s living room in pajamas.Breakfast casseroles are in the oven, and we’re waiting on Mad Dog and Poppy to get back from the airport.Then we’ll open presents.

My gift for Poppy isn’t piled under the tree with all the others.It’s tucked away in my truck.And it’s just a small thing, but I think she’ll like it.

We’ve talked several times since the party, but she hasn’t mentioned who the guy was.And I haven’t asked.But while she’s here, I want to make sure I’m not crowding out other parts of her social life.

I don’t want to be the reason she isn’t looking for love.

When Poppy walks into the living room, Mason jumps into her arms.And I stay glued to the floor, watching.When she smiles at me, a tiny little part hopes I am the reason she’s not looking for love… elsewhere.

Mason drops down beside me, tearing the paper off the gift she’s just handed him.“Dad!She got me new Legos.”He dances a jig, then hugs her.“This is the best.”

He’ll be dancing lots of jigs before the day is over.

After hugs and greetings, Poppy plops down beside me.“Thanks for the tip on what to get him.Clearly, you were right.”

“He’s only mentioned that set about a hundred times.”I bump against her shoulder.“I thought he’d never fall asleep last night.”

“He’s excited.And with good reason.It’s Christmas.And it’s good to be home.”

Her last word stirs up emotions, and I brush my fingers on hers.“Now it feels like Christmas.”

The vise I’ve had on my heart is loosening a bit.I like having Poppy next to me.And she’ll be here on the ranch for more than a week.For me, that’s the best gift she could give me.

“I have your gift elsewhere.I’ll give it to you later.”

“Sounds like a plan.I have yours.It’s in a safe place.”She shifts closer.“I didn’t know Garrett was dating Tessa from the doughnut shop.”

Garrett is Beau’s son.For the year that he’s been here, he’s always been alone, single.But lately, he’s been spending more time with Tessa.As friends.But it shouldn’t surprise me that in this crowded room, that’s what Poppy notices.

“They aren’t dating.Just friends.”

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