Page 36 of More Than Falling in Love

He’s been clear about our relationship being nothing more than friendship, which I completely one hundred percent agree with.But I can’t explain what comes over me when we’re close like that.

I heap a huge piece of breakfast casserole onto my plate and fill a cup with coffee.When I reach the table, I set my food down because I know better than to climb over the bench holding anything.

As soon as my hands are free, Kent’s hand comes up.He doesn’t make it easy to wrangle my feelings.Why is it that when I meet someone who—the words slam into my thoughts and I can hear Tandy laughing—tugs at my soul, he has to live on the other side of the country?And be completely unavailable.

More proof that my picker is beyond repair.

Holding his hand, I ease into my seat.“Thanks.”

Parker sits down opposite us.“Heard you went for a swim this morning.”

“News travels fast.”I glance at Mason, who grins.“I have a special talent for falling.”

“Please avoid falling during the lesson today.Injuries make my job harder.”He winks.

“You have a lesson too?”Mason looks from me to Parker.“Are we having a lesson together?”

“Yep.”He points a fork at Kent.“If you’re free, I could use an extra set of hands.”

“No problem.”He finishes the last of his coffee.“I’ll be there.”

I have one full day on the ranch, and it looks like I’ll be spending most of it with Kent and Mason.Poking at my food, I wonder if coming was a mistake.But if I’m honest, spending time with them may have been the biggest reason for booking this trip.

My dad is wonderful.Ava is amazing, and I love seeing them, but they aren’t the reason I flew in to spend one full day here.

While Mason is telling the other ranch hands about how I ended up in the cow’s water, Kent nudges me.“You should eat.”

“That’s totally something a dad would say.”But I take a bite, and my hunger returns in force.“I guess falling works up an appetite.”

“Yep.I even had seconds.”

After breakfast, I help clean up, so we don’t leave a huge mess for Ava.

Parker taps the doorframe.“Want a ride to the horse barn?”

“Sure.Yeah.”I tap my pockets making sure I have my phone, then doublecheck that I have a scrunchie on my wrist.

Mason leans the broom against the wall while Kent dumps the dustpan.“We’ll be there in just a minute.Don’t start without me.”The kid is vibrating with energy.

We climb into the truck, and as Parker pulls away from the main house, he shoots me a look.“Mason’s story left me a little confused.How exactly did you and Kent both end up in the water?”

“He tried to catch me.But I ended up pulling him in with me.”I move the scrunchie from one wrist to the other.“He broke my fall.”I resist the urge to pepper Parker with questions.

“Hmm.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”I’d rather he not say anything rather than dangling a response like that.

I get another side look.“I’ve known Kent a few years, and this rescuing behavior is… different.”

“I’m not sure what to say about that because we’re friends.Not because we’re both making assumptions but because we discussed it like adults.He’s probably nice to me because my dad lives here.And because of Ava.”

Parker is quiet until he parks outside the barn.After a deep inhale, he blows out the breath.“That was a lot ofbecauses.And I should’ve kept my mouth shut.I’m sorry for intruding.”

“Hey.”I grab his arm before he can slide out.Even though I’ve known Parker a short time, I feel like I can be open and honest with him.“I didn’t mean to sound so defensive.Kent and I are friends.But we’ve chatted nearly every night for the last month.Mason reads to me.And that’s why Kent treats me differently, I think.He likes me because his kid likes me.”

Parker tips his head back and closes his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

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