Page 12 of A Montana Secret Admirer
“No one saw anything? How are we going to find out who left it?”
Her sister let out a laugh. “If they wanted you to know, then they would have said something.”
Serenity frowned. She didn’t like not knowing. Whoever sent it might have ulterior motives.
Another laugh from Jane drew her attention. “Stop worrying about it so much. I mean, look at it. It’s a yellow lotus. Yellow means friendship, right? I wonder if someone sent it to you to make you feel welcome here.”
Serenity stilled. That actually made more sense. Reese had said they could be friends. It was possible that he’d given her the flower. A small smile tugged at her lips. It was a sweet gesture. There was only one problem. Why wouldn’t he just sign his name?
She brought the flower to her nose and inhaled its perfumed scent. Then she moved to the cupboard with the glasses. Filling one with water, she glanced once more at the flower. Yellow meant friendship, but flowers in general could mean more. She’d have to figure out if that was Reese’s intention. That shouldn’t be too difficult. She’d be seeing him today, after all.
With the flower situated in some water, Serenity went about the rest of her morning, getting her sons ready for the day while letting her thoughts drift to the flower and how sweet it had been to give her something so full of life.
When her boys had their fill of breakfast, she took them out to the barn in search of Reese. They didn’t have a set time to meet, and if he wasn’t ready, then she’d take them for a walk instead. Upon arriving at the barn, her boys darted down the long aisle. Serenity followed after them with a bright smile on her face. She let her fingertips trail along the stall doors and walls that separated them from the animals.
Then Reese materialized as if out of nowhere.
Her heart leapt into her chest at the sight of him. There was just something about the way he could fill out the jeans and t-shirt combo he seemed to prefer. Today, his shirt was a deep green color, and it made his skin glow.
Nope. She wasn’t even going to go there. This summer was not meant for her to find love. She was taking care of her sons and helping them continue to heal and move on from the loss of their father. They needed to understand that life could go on, no matter how much they still loved and missed the man who had fathered them.
Her heart twinged with the loss of him, but not nearly as much as it had when the wound had been fresh.
Reese flashed her a smile as he unloaded rope from his shoulder and hung it on a hook. “Hey, guys. What are you doing out here so early?”
“I want to ride a horse today,” Jessi said as firmly as he could.
Reese chuckled. “Well, we do have a horse I think would suit you. She’s a little old, but that just means she’s not up for running. Super sweet, too.” His eyes were on Serenity even as he spoke the words to her son. This was for her benefit, and she appreciated it more than he would ever know.
“I think that sounds like a good fit, too,” Serenity confessed. “We’ll be ready whenever you are.”
He pulled out his phone and checked the time. “I was thinking we could start right after lunch, if that works for you.”
Jessi frowned. Tegan was too busy studying the rope that Reese had hung up to seem to notice.
“That works for us,” Serenity assured him. “We don’t want to keep you from your work.”
“You’re not,” he said—albeit a little too quickly. “I don’t mind the shadows. They can see what I do on a daily basis.”
Tegan perked up at that. “Do you know how to lasso cows?”
“Sure do,” Reese chuckled. “But right now, I’m making sure all the animals are getting their breakfast. And that means all the animals. You know, I could also use some help with something, if you boys think you can handle it.”
Serenity watched the interaction with curiosity. They’d been with him for a couple minutes, and Reese hadn’t mentioned the flower. He hadn’t even looked at her any differently than he had the day before. It didn’t appear he knew anything about it.
Then again, she hadn’t brought it up, either. He might be waiting for her to ask him about it.
Reese’s voice drew her from her thoughts, and her eyes widened at what he’d said.
“Wait, you want them to collect the eggs from the chicken coop?”
His smile widened further. “Why not? Most kids their age love that sort of stuff.” Then he moved closer and covered the side ofhis face that the boys could see with his hand. “As long as the chickens aren’t the spawn of the devil himself.”
She blinked. Then he laughed, and she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.
“But seriously, our chickens like kids. I’ve only ever seen them chase down one person.”
“Who?” Serenity asked without thinking.
