Page 51 of More Than Falling in Love

The singing continues as he bumps around the bathroom, brushing his teeth and getting into jammies.Poppy sucks in a breath when the door swings open.

“Dad, you can call—” His mouth gapes, and he races toward the couch.“Poppy!”

“Surprise!”

He gives her a big hug, then crawls on top of the bear.“Is this for me?”

“Yep.Since I live far away, this gives you something to hug when I’m in New York.”

I think that will only work for Mason.

Mason hugs the bear, then darts down the hall.“I’ll grab my book.”

I reach around the bear and rub Poppy’s shoulder.“Thanks.”

That smile I knew would be my undoing spreads across her face.Even if I managed to break down a few of my walls, she still lives too far away for anything romantic.I might have to give hugging the bear a try when no one else is looking.

Dark clouds churn,and I gather up anything that could transform into a missile.What was supposed to be a little bit of rain now has us prepping for a tornado.Mason is already at the main house, and after closing up the tool barn, I fish my keys out of my pocket.

In this kind of weather, we gather in the game room and mess hall.Ava always has plenty of food, and Beau’s big house is one of the safest places to be when the weather gets bad.

The air is hot as I make my way to the mess hall.

When I step inside, I scan the room as I shed my rain gear, checking for Mason.Alarm bells go off in my head when I don’t see Poppy with him.Mad Dog is talking to Mason, and the look on her dad’s face ratchets up my unease.

“She went where?”Mad Dog drags his fingers through his hair.

Mason looks at me.“To the butterfly field.Dad knows where it is.We went yesterday, and she wanted to go back.She left before I knew about the storm.I told her to be careful.”

Mad Dog faces me.“How do I get there?”

“I’ll go.Take care of Mason.”I expect him to argue, but he nods.

“Please hurry.”He puts an arm around Mason.“And keep me posted.”

Mason meets my gaze.“I want Poppy to be okay.”

“Me too.I’ll find her.”I brush my fingers through his hair.“I promise.”

I grab my raincoat as I run out the door, and in no time, I’m back in the truck, zipping down the road toward the river.How long ago did she leave?And why is she out walking alone?

Rain splatters on the windshield as I pull up to the butterfly field.My heart sinks because there is no sign of Poppy.I didn’t pass her on the road.She has to be around here somewhere.

I jump out of the truck and yank my jacket on as I search the field for any sign of a trail.The water is getting stirred up by the wind and rain, and I make my way to the embankment.

The river isn’t rushing yet, but once the rains get worse, the water will become a torrent.

“Flutter!”The only creatures that react to my yelling are the birds disturbed from their roost.

Looking again, I see footprints in the dirt along the bank.Hoping she isn’t too far away, I hurry down the path.When the footsteps lead away farther from the water, I continue, scanning for the spots where the grass is crushed.

Every few minutes, I shout again, “Poppy!Flutter!”

The wind is drowning out my calls, and the rain is making it hard to see.

Then mixed with the rush of the wind, I hear “Kent!”

Poppy is close.

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