Page 62 of More Than a Little Spark

He starts bouncing his leg.“Living with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.I’d never run away.”He drags a sleeve across his eyes.“Sorry I scared you.I just needed to talk to Daphne alone.To know if she was only being nice to me when you were around.”

“I’m sorry life was hard for you.It’s not fair.You didn’t deserve that.”I watch as Daphne pulls out of the lot.“Why didn’t you talk to me instead of saying everything was fine?”

“I didn’t want you to be mad at me.Or wish I’d never come to live with you.”

“First of all, I’d never wish that.I’m glad you live with me.Plus, you living with me is the reason I came to the ranch, which is pretty great.And I never would’ve met Daphne back where I lived before.So, don’t ever think I’m quietly regretting the choice to adopt you.It’ll never happen.”

“Okay.”He tips his head, motioning across the street.“She’s going to wonder what’s taking us so long.”

“We’ll just tell her we were talking about our feelings.And before we stop talking about the mushy stuff, I want to say that I love you, Fred.”

He glances out the window, then meets my gaze and swallows.

He’s never told me to my face that he loves me, only whispered to my back.So, instead of waiting and making him uncomfortable, I shift the conversation.“Should we go?”

“Yeah.”Fred sighs.“Talking about feelings is exhausting.Hopefully Mason wants to play video games.You don’t care if we hang out in the game room for a while, do you?”

“Nope.Stay out of trouble and make sure at least one parent knows where y’all are.”I cross the street and stop next to Daphne’s car.“But you should make sure it’s still okay for you to go over to Mason’s.”

“Yeah.Either way, I need to apologize to Miss Poppy.I think I scared her too.”

“You did.”I jump out and open the door for Daphne.

Her eyes are full of twinkles as she looks at me before getting into her seat.After buckling in, she turns to face Fred.“Thank you for giving me a chance.”

There’s a spark of admiration in the smile he gives her.“It was pretty cool when you held the snake.And Bailey thinks you’re super awesome.She’ll be happy that you’re dating my dad again.Because she kept asking about you.And every time she did, Mason would just look at me.”

I stifle a laugh, imagining the expression on Mason’s face when he offered his silent judgment.It’s funny that his friends had a hand in this all working out.“It’s kind of awesome having such good friends living so close, isn’t it?”

He bounces his head in agreement.“Mason is awesome, and even Bailey is kind of cool.For a girl.”

Daphne laughs.“She is pretty cool.That day, she was telling me all about her cactus collection.”

Fred rolls his eyes.“She loves cactus so much.”

When we stop at Mason’s, Fred asks, “Will you go to the door with me?”

“Of course.”I give Daphne’s hand a squeeze.“I’ll be right back.”

“No hurry.”She picks up her phone.“I’ll update Rose a bit more.”

Fred and I are halfway to the porch when he tugs on my arm.

“What’s up?”

Staring at the ground, he kicks at a rock, then looks up at me.“I love you too.”

I wrap the kid in a bear hug, trying my best not to embarrass him with my tears.

He pulls back and wipes his eyes.“You can go.I’ll tell them what happened.”

“Why don’t I just wait here?I’ll leave once y’all go inside.”

“Okay.”He walks to the door and knocks.

Poppy opens it not even a second later, which makes me think she’s been standing near the door and probably watched our little scene.“Fred Blake, do not ever do that again.Do you know how scared your dad was?All of us were worried about you.”

He hangs his head.“Sorry.I was just trying to fix things with Daphne since I messed everything up.”

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