Page 83 of More Than Falling in Love

“Good.You should kiss her.Then she’ll know you love her.”His eyes widen, and a smile spreads across his face.“Are you going to marry her?I’d like that.She could stay in your room.You have a big bed.”

“Maybe someday, but right now, we’re going to hold hands, spend lots of time together—”

“And kiss.But you shouldn’t fall into the cow’s water tank ’cause that’s yuck.”

I wrap my arms around him.“I love you.You’re awesome.”

“Thanks, Dad.”He shifts and looks me in the eye.“And I won’t say anything about getting married.For real this time.”

“Thanks.”

He scrambles out of my lap.“I need to shower.It’s almost reading time.”

“Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”

He grins.“I never forget.”

I’m pretty sure my six-year-old is smarter than I am.Hopefully, I can keep that under wraps until he’s closer to eighteen.

The shower comes on, and I run to the door when I hear footsteps.

She inches up and kisses me as soon as she steps inside.“Did you talk to him?”

“Yep.”I pull her to my chest.“He wants me to marry you.”

“I like that kid.”Her laugh ignites that fluttery feeling in my chest.

Resting my chin on her head, I hold her close.“I know, Flutter.”

The bathroom door opens; then Mason hollers.“Stay just like that while I brush my teeth.”

Laughing, Poppy tugs me to the couch, then gently nestles into my lap.“I’ll ask Cami if she needs an assistant for her matchmaking.I think Mason is a natural.”

“He did sort of set us up from day one.”

Her lips brush mine.“That’s when I started falling for you.”

“Fallingwithme, I think you mean.”

We kiss until Mason clears his throat.

“I’m ready to read.Y’all can do that after I go to bed.”He crawls into Poppy’s lap, and we’re stacked in one seat on the sofa.

I’m not sure this is what the surgeon meant when he told me to take it easy.

On the anniversaryof the day I met Poppy, I drive to Jeffrey’s ranch.There is no doubt what Mad Dog’s answer will be, but that doesn’t make me any less nervous.

He’s waiting beside his truck when I pull in.“Jeffrey and Mindy aren’t around, so we can talk here or in the kitchen.”

“Here is good.”I rub my hands on my jeans.“You probably know why I asked to meet with you.”

He smiles.“I think so, but I’ll let you tell me.”

“I want to ask Poppy to marry me.And your blessing would mean a lot to both of us.”I suck in a breath and hold it.

“Breathe, Kent.You absolutely have my blessing.As a dad, I’m delighted Poppy found someone like you, someone who loves her and knows what a treasure she is.”

I nod, not sure what I can add to that.

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