Page 84 of More Than Falling in Love

“And Ava and I love Mason like a grandson already.”

“Yeah.And that means a lot to me.”I tap my pocket, where the ring box is hiding.“Poppy’s picking up Mason from school.I’m going to ask her this afternoon.”

“I’ll let Ava know.She’ll bake something.”

“That’d be nice.”I step toward the truck, then turn back.“I’m really glad you and Ava got married.”

They’re the reason I met Poppy.

After a chuckle, he jingles his keys.“Me too.Maybe I’ll see if Ava will make lemon bars to celebrate.”

Chapter 31

Poppy

Cami drops into the chair across from me in the doughnut shop.“Any news?”

She asks this same question every other week.

“Job is going well.I think I get more done working remotely.Mason lost a tooth, and he says that because he’s almost seven, he’s better at keeping secrets.I’m not sure I believe him.”I make a show of crinkling my nose.“I can’t think of anything else new.”

She rolls her eyes.“After I was instrumental in getting you together with Kent, I want to know when I can mark y’all down as a success case, you know… wedding bells.”

“Instrumental?”Perhaps I don’t remember things the same way she does.

“Some people don’t think I can be subtle, but I pointed out multiple times how Kent needed someone here.And it took you a while, but you finally figured it out.If I’d flat-out told you to move here to be close to Kent, you wouldn’t have listened.”

Cami wins on this one.If I had a nickel for every time I heard the wordlocalin my head in her voice, I’d be able to buy a whole lot of doughnuts.

“Thanks, Cami.”

She beams.“Any time.And if you hear of anyone else who needs my services, let me know.”

I gather my things.“I have to run.School lets out soon, and if I wait, I end up at the back of the pickup line.I don’t have that kind of patience.”After giving her a hug and waving at Tessa, I hurry out to my car.

It took me a couple of weeks to get used to driving again.In New York, I didn’t even have a car.But with wide open spaces and no subway, I get a lot of practice.

When I arrive at the school, only four cars are in front of me.Today is a good day.

When kids start pouring out of the building, Mason runs to my car, and I put down the passenger-side window as Miss Rutgers walks up.

“He was great as always.Y’all have a nice evening.”She closes the door once he’s in his seat.

“Buckled in?”I don’t do pickup every day, but we’re settling into a routine.

Mason nods.

“Did you have a good day?”I scan for kids as I make my way out of the parking lot.

“Yep.”

He’s not very talkative today, but his smile is bright.He doesn’t look the least bit upset.

I hand back the doughnut I bought for him.“Here’s a treat.What do you want to do?Do you have lots of homework?”

“Thanks.”He bites into the doughnut, then answers with his mouth full.“A little homework, but I want to go visit the butterfly field.”

It’s been a while since we’ve been there, but at this time of year, there’ll be lots of butterflies in the field.

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