Page 61 of More Than a Little Spark

“She’ll always be your mom, Fred.Forever.”I reach across the table and pat his hand.

He wipes his face.“Y’all can drive me to Mason’s house now.”His eyes widen.“Mason didn’t get in trouble, did he?”

Carson shrugs.“I raced out of there, so I’m not sure.Poppy was pretty upset.”

Fred yanks out his phone and taps on the screen.“My plan wasn’t all that great.”

“It’s the thought that counts.”I blink, trying to clear mist from my eyes, and tears slide down my cheeks.

Carson brushes them away.“I’ll park your car in the lot across the street.We can ride out to the ranch together.If you have time to come to the house.”

“I have time.Shoot, I’ll make time.”

He kisses my forehead.“I’ve missed you.”

“Same.”

Fred clears his throat.“Could you drop me off before y’all do that stuff?Please.”

Carson tousles Fred’s hair.“Let’s go.”

I slide my hand into Carson’s.“I’ll drive across the street, and y’all can pick me up.It’ll give you two a chance to talk without me around.And it’ll give me a chance to update Rose.She’s been blowing up my phone.”I have five missed calls from my friend.

“Sounds like a plan.”Carson walks me to my car and opens the door.

I fight the urge to give him a quick peck.“Fred’s been watching you.When I drove him over here from across the street, he rushed around and opened my door.It was sweet.”

“Glad to hear it.But you should get in the car because I’m a heartbeat away from kissing you, and that might embarrass Fred.And I’m trying not to do that.Besides, I really want to get to the house because we have quite a bit to talk about.”

I run a finger down his buttons.“You mean about what Fred asked you?”

“Yes.That’s definitely part of it.I’m hoping that since you held my hand and want to come to the house, it means that you’ll give me another chance.That’s what I want to talk about.”

“I absolutely will.”Once I’m buckled in and the engine is running, I call Rose on speaker.“Hey.Sorry it took me this long to give you an update.”

“I was losing my mind!”She laughs.“Calling five times might’ve been a bit excessive, but I had a good feeling about today.Did Carson profess his love and tell you he wants you back?”

“Not exactly like that, but in a roundabout way, yes.”

“And Fred is okay with this?”

“It was his idea.I have a wild story to tell you, but it’ll have to wait because I’m going to ride with Carson and Fred to the ranch.Carson and I have things to discuss.”

“Things!”Rose squeals.“Call me after.No matter how late it is.Actually, if it’s after eleven, just text me.I don’t want to wake Dallas.”

“I’ll text you.”If I have my way, I’ll be at Carson’s until very late.After more than a month apart, I want nothing more than to be snuggled in his arms for hours.Talking.Laughing.Kissing.

Definitely kissing.

Chapter27

Carson

Carson

Fred climbs into the back seat.“I’ll sit back here, and Daphne can ride shotgun.”

I start the engine, then turn to look at him.“I appreciate the trouble you went to setting this up, but please don’t ever scare me like that again.When Mason said you weren’t going to tell him where you were headed, I thought you’d run away.”

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