Page 66 of Forever Your Touch

“She eats like a little pig.” The affection in his voice was clear as day. Mason loved those two little munchkins like they were his own. All the brothers did. It was something she’d come to realize about the Kincaid clan. They considered everyone that was family their own. Didn’t matter who the father of the child was, that child belonged to each person.

She didn’t ask about his father for fear of ruining his mood. The prognosis wasn’t good, but they weren’t giving up hope. He was on an advanced course of radiation therapy along with a new drug regimen. Ronin wasn’t giving up, and neither was his family. If anyone could pull off a miracle, it was Ronin Kincaid.

“So, where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise. I told you that.”

Jo scrunched up her nose in frustration. Mason knew how much she hated surprises, yet he made it his life’s mission to spring them on her.

“Now, get your coat. We’ve got some hiking to do.”

Hiking? In the cold? With her bum leg?

“Don’t worry so much.” He grinned. “I’m carrying you most of the way.” Then he winked and slapped her ass. “Get a move on, darlin’. Daylight’s a-wastin’.”

Worst Texas accent ever, but she did grab her coat out of the closet. He should stick with the Russian. Girls loved that more than any fake accent he could drum up.

New York in the fall was gorgeous. As much as she disliked the cold, the leaves in a cascade of colors painted a picture of beauty all around them. She was shocked when they piled in the truck and headed out of the city. It took about thirty minutes, but she recognized where they were headed. It was the land the Kincaids owned. She couldn’t even remember how many acres they had.

Mason drove a bit longer then parked his truck along a heavy forest. What was he up to?

“Um, Mase…I’m not sure about this. I can’t walk so much…”

He picked her up. “And I said I was carrying you, so shush and be the damsel in distress.”

“I’m always the damsel in distress.” She laughed. “As much as I fall, there should be legends about me.”

“Who says there aren’t?” Mason started walking toward the trees. “Keith has told me all about the times he had to save you from yourself. He even gave me his blessing to follow in his footsteps.”

“Did he, now?”

“Uh-huh.” Mason grinned and kept walking. It took about twenty minutes to reach the clearing where he’d set out a large checkered blanket and a picnic basket, along with two coolers beside it.

Mason set her down a few feet before they reached the actual blanket. He watched the biggest smile he’d ever seen light up her entire face. Sara helped him set everything up earlier—the grand gesture and all that. He’d given Jo enough time to get through the worst of her breakup. He wanted her to be his, and this was his way of easing her into the idea.

By the time they left here, his heart would either be broken, or it would be flying higher than the tops of the mountains back home in Russia.

“You did all this?” Jo turned in a circle taking everything in, including the small fire pit he’d brought along to keep her warm. He’d listened to her gripe about the cold so much, he was determined to not let that be a problem today.

“Yup.” He went over and lit the fire. The flames caught, and Jo squealed, rushing over and holding her hands out in front of her.

He started setting out the food then pulled the cooler over, taking out a beer for himself and Jo’s favorite drink, nasty orange soda. “What do you want, turkey or ham?”

“Ham.” Jo sat on the blanket, keeping as close to the fire as humanly possible. “I love all this, Mason. Thank you.”

“You deserve something nice to celebrate the loss of the cane.” Jo hated that thing. Mason had to make her use it by taking her on walks around campus every day. Said it wasn’t fashionable or some stupid girly thing, but her physical therapist said she had to exercise the leg. So, Mason did what he could to make sure she got better.

“Thank God.” She shuddered as she spoke. “We should have brought it along and burned it in the fire.”

“Vicious woman.”

“You’ve no idea.” She flashed him a mischievous smile.

“So, how ya doin’, sweetheart?” Mason sat across from her, his knees bumping her own. “Keith told me Ray’s been calling every day.”

Her expression morphed instantly. Gone was the happy, carefree girl of a moment ago. She looked sad more than anything, but there was something there. A ghost of worry.

“Yeah, but I haven’t returned any of them. I took your advice and put me first for a change. It’s refreshing.”

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