Page 86 of More Than Falling in Love

Mason wipes his eyes.“Oh, yeah.I’m just really happy.Hang on.”He runs to the truck, then rushes back carrying a small gift bag.He nibbles his lip before looking up at me.“This is for you.”

I yank tissue out of the top, then pull a heart-shaped rock out of the bag.“This is your special rock.”

He nods.“Will you be my other mom?”

I squeeze Kent’s hand as I drop to my knees in front of Mason.“I’d love that.So much.”I feel like I hit the happily-ever-after jackpot.After wiping his face, I kiss his forehead.“You knew about this.You helped your dad plan this, didn’t you?”

“Yep, but since I’ll be seven in a week, I can keep a secret.”He grins at Kent.“We really surprised her.”

“We sure did.”Kent picks him up and wraps an arm around me.“Let’s go tell everyone.Think they’ll be surprised?”

Mason shrugs.“Everyone knows y’all are in love because you kiss.”

I can’t argue with his logic.

We pullup to the main house, and Mason drops Kent’s phone onto the center console, then jumps out.“Meet you inside.”

Kent leans across the console.“He was tapping away on my phone all the way back.So by now, everyone on the ranch knows our good news.”He taps my ring before slipping his hand behind my neck.“And we get a few moments alone.”

I whisper, “I love you.”as his lips meet mine.

Tandy was right.The soul-tugging started soon after I met Kent, but I shoved it aside for a while.

Truck doors slam, and I can feel the audience.

Kent chuckles as he pulls away.“But only a few.How do you feel about wine and dancing on my back porch after Mason goes to bed?”

“I love that idea.”

When I step out of the truck, Parker wraps me in a hug.“Congratulations!Y’all are perfect for each other.”

“Thanks, Parker.”

Hands clasped, Kent and I walk into the mess hall, and Ava, Lilith, Joji, and Tandy all squeal.

Kent kisses my hand before letting it go.“Tonight.”

Holding out my hand, I run up to the ladies and wiggle my finger.“Isn’t it amazing?”

Ava fans her face.“It’s perfect.”All of them hug me at once, and tears spill down my cheeks.

No one will ever replace my mom, but I’m so happy to have these ladies in my life.They’ve offered both silent support and loud cheerleading.But I think all four prefer the cheerleading.

When I flew down that very first time, I thought my dad was the only family I had left.But things have changed.So much.

A hand touches my shoulder, and my chin starts quivering.

“Y’all are going to smother her.”When I turn around, Dad wraps his arms around me.Holding me, he whispers in my ear.“I love seeing you happy.And I know your mom would’ve loved Kent.”

Wiping my eyes, I nod.“She would’ve.”

Dad and I watch as Ava hugs Kent.

“As far as the wedding, I’ve been setting a little bit aside each month for years.And you and Kent can use that however you’d like.”

“I don’t expect you to—”

“Let me, Poppy.Please.You aren’t taking food out of my mouth.Ava and I have all we need.”He pulls me close again.“I’m so happy for you.”

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