Page 6 of More Than Falling in Love

“Maybe.First, I want to meet his kid.”He smiles as I pull onto the ranch.

When I learned I was a dad and was getting custody of a kid who’d just lost his mom, I thought about quitting this job.I wasn’t sure how my job on a ranch would work as a single dad.But Stargazer Springs Ranch has been the best place for us.It is the best place.Mason has so many that look out for him and love him like family.And I have all the help I need.So I understand that smile and share that sentiment.

I park near the main house, and Mason is out of his seat and running faster than Houdini the bull can escape a pen.

“Mr.Mad Dog!”He races toward Mad Dog and a woman who looks to be about my age.

The pastor has only been to the ranch a couple of times, but Mason has latched onto him, which makes me happy.If Ava trusts Mad Dog, I do.She’s been wonderful with Mason, a grandmother in many ways.But you won’t hear me calling her grandma.She looks too young for that.After losing his mom, Mason deserves to have a whole mess of people who love him, and I’m especially grateful to Ava.

When I walk up to the group, introductions are being made.

Mad Dog is holding Mason and pointing at a brunette who has her hands shoved in her back pockets.“This is my little girl.Poppy, meet Mason.Mason, this is Poppy.”

He wriggles down and sticks out his hand.“Hi.You have a cool name too.Like your dad.”

“Thanks.”Poppy beams, and the nervous look that was on her face a second ago is gone.“Do you work here?”

Mason bobs his head.“Sometimes I help my dad when he’s taking care of the cows.And Parker teaches me about the horses.”He grins at me as I step up.“That’s my dad.”

“Hi.”I tip my hat, then face Mad Dog.“Sorry about that.He’s been talking about you since you played with him yesterday.”I steal a glance at Poppy.“I’m Kent, Mason’s dad.”

“Poppy Miller.His kid.”She pokes her dad’s arm.“This is a nice ranch.I’d love to see more of it.The cows.The horses.And whatever else is roaming around.”

Mason points off into the distance.“After breakfast, my dad can take you out to the pasture.There are lots and lots of cows.Big ones.”

“If I have time, I’d like that.”Poppy shoves her hands back into her pockets again.

“We have time.Dad said we could do something fun.And I think showing you around the ranch would be fun.Right, Dad?”

I nod because opening my mouth right now risks sounding like a middle school kid.Poppy is extremely attractive, and I force myself not to stare.Right now even measured breathing takes effort.I’ve never reacted to a woman this way, which is horrible to admit considering I was married once.

But Poppy is enchanting.Maybe she put on some of that fancy pheromone perfume or something.Whatever the case, I need to figure out how to break the spell before we start the tour of the ranch.

Mad Dog taps Poppy’s arm.“Come on.I want you to meet Ava.”

Mason runs along beside them.“Miss Ava is the best cook in thewholeworld.”He throws his arms wide open.“She makes pies and cookies.And she does the best cannonball.But she only does it when no one else is at the pool.Except me and Mad Dog.”He whips his head toward the entrance.“I smell bacon.”

And off he goes.

“Excuse me.I’m going to make sure he leaves some for other people.”This is the perfect pretense to get myself far away from Poppy.

Chapter 3

Poppy

All morning, I’ve been a little nervous about meeting my dad’s fiancée.I’m obviously going to be nice to her, but I want her to like me.My dad is pretty much all I have left, and if things are strained with his wife, it would inevitably affect my relationship with him.

That’s probably why my heart is thumping as fast as a sports car speeding down a track and why my palms are sweaty.None of that happened until I was introduced to Kent, but I’m not the type to get lightheaded over a hunky cowboy.

Dad shoots me a look.“Kent’s nice.”He isn’t even trying to be subtle.

Best to steer him away from any ideas of my settling down with one of these guys.I live in New York, and I love it there.The ranch seems like a great place to visit, but I prefer a city that never sleeps.I bet nothing is open after ten out here.

I nudge Dad.“Just stop.I’m going home after the wedding.”

He laughs.“What happened to making new friends?”

“Introduce me to Ava.That’s why I came.”When I step into the dining room, I’m careful not to let my dad notice me scanning the room.My gaze lands on Kent, and the speedy heart rate starts up again.

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