Page 40

Chapter forty

Between two boulders

Lorilei

“How is that possible?” Sophia shakes her head looking at me, one blue eye squinting in doubt.

My shoulders rise and fall in a shrug. “It’s true. I never did.”

“Like, ever? Not once did you ever pretend it?” She leans forward over her cereal bowl, scrutinizing my face.

“No lies here, I promise. I never imagined having a wedding. Definitely nothing big and fancy.” I don’t want to tell her it’s because I didn’t think anyone would ever want me like that.

Her lips purse and she narrows both eyes before lifting a heaping spoonful of chocolatey squares to her mouth. “Well—” She chews for a moment. “—I bet Dad would give you as big of a deal as you wanted.” Her brows raise. “You know, I’m still sorry about reacting the way I did. It was pure shock, I swear. You guys are both happier.”

Brown flecks decorate her teeth when she grins.

Heat works up my neck. I’m still getting used to this new dynamic, even if it’s been over two weeks since I’ve officially moved in.

“Thanks. I know it’s wild. I just wish I’d stop puking randomly.” I slump in my chair and pick up one of the crackers from the half-eaten wrapper in front of me.

Some mornings I’m fine. But, I always feel like I have to watch what I do since the most random things will trigger nausea.

This morning it was cleaning up clumps of mud that Caesar had left near his bed.

Just the idea that it could have been poop triggered a run to the toilet.

“I always wanted a sister.” Sophia bounces in her chair, scooping another bite of her sugary meal.

“I’ll see what I can do about that.” I give her a lackluster smile.

“See about what?” Mason asks as he steps through the front door. He hangs his hat on the rack before stepping behind me to drop a kiss on the top of my head.

Then he shifts to Sophia and does the same.

“Morning girls.” He winks at me from over her and wanders towards the kitchen.

I have a fresh pot of coffee waiting for him.

“Sophia wants a sister.” I just hope for a healthy baby.

And, less vomiting.

“Well, if not this time, maybe the next.” He smiles as he pours himself a large mug.

“Please, let’s not continue down that path while I’m eating.” Sophia holds up her empty palm to stop us. “I’m just getting used to the random kissing.” Her nose wrinkles as she rolls her eyes. “More importantly, as maid of honor, I need to know when you are getting hitched.” She sits up a little straighter.

I’m thrilled she said yes.

Mason slides the chair out next to me and rests his hand on my thigh. “Tomorrow’s good with me.”

“Ugh, Dad,” she groans. “It doesn’t work that way.”

“Actually,” I interject. “It’s okay with me, too.” I hope Sophia can’t see the flush of heat working up my throat when Mason’s fingers tighten deeper between my legs and his pinky brushes the thin fabric over my pussy.

“That’s my girl.” His voice has the hint of a growl in it.

My tummy feels miraculously better as my heart beat races with his touch.

Sophia drops her spoon into her empty bowl, the rattle startling me. “That’s not how any of this works! You’re supposed to have a big fancy wedding with hundreds of guests.”

“I bet I can get Dix to officiate. We can run down to the courthouse in Campton this afternoon.” Mason turns towards me, a conspiratorial look teasing into a smirk.

“Oh, yes. While we’re there, I can go into that boutique and find a dress.” When I say it, my stomach tightens.

It won’t be the flowing white gown that hangs in Mason’s closet.

Well, it did live there.

Now it rests in Sophia’s room for when she gets married someday.

He leans closer so his lips hover near mine. “The rings are supposed to be delivered today.”

A wave of tingles ripples through me.

It’s starting to feel real.

“Stop.” Sophia holds her palms up at us. “Just, please. For the love of God, I need to know what is going on?”

“What’s going on?” Sawyer appears from the hall and saunters into the kitchen. “Lori, up for another cup?” He glances up, his eyes narrowing on my can of ginger ale. “Oh. Never mind. Dad, need a refill?” He holds up the half-full decanter.

“No thanks.” Mason doesn’t move his hand. I’m glad it’s hidden by the table.

“They’re talking about getting married tomorrow. Isn’t that crazy?” Sophia implores Sawyer with her head rapidly nodding.

He shrugs, and sits at the last spot at the table. “I have a wooden arch made for you to stand at. Where am I setting it up?”

“What? No! You aren’t supposed to go along with it!” Sophia throws up her arms and then crosses them over her chest. “Fine. I’ll pick the flowers from the back lot. Can I go with you to Campton and get a dress, too?”

“Do you know where the two boulders are at the ox bow in the creek?” Mason looks at Sawyer over the brim of his mug.

“Yep. Oh, yea, that’s a good spot. Nice choice, Dad.” Sawyer pulls out his phone and types a few lines. “How many chairs?” He glances between me and Mason.

Mason sets his drink down and turns to me. “Let’s see. Us. Dix. Ford.” The corner of his mouth drops. “I think that’s it.”

Sophia buries her face in her palm. “No band? No big party?”

The thought of tons of people I don’t know terrifies me. My head shakes on its own. “I like simple.” Squeezing Mason’s hand on my leg, I give him a small smile. “We’ll be just as married the next day as someone with a million guests. I’ll have everyone important there.”

Sophia peers at me through her fingers. “What about your mom?”

I take a sip of the lukewarm ginger ale to ease the sudden queasiness that twists my stomach.

“She has a habit of trying to make things all about her. I imagine she’s having too good of a time in Belize or Mexico, or wherever it is she is.”

She frowns, dropping her hand. “Man, I’d give anything to have my mom at my wedding.”

My spine stiffens.

If her mom was here, I wouldn’t be.

As if Mason can sense my thoughts, his palm moves from my thigh to behind my neck where his thumb rubs a slow circle.

“It just makes us all appreciate how much we care about who’s here, now.” His words hang in the air like a calming blanket.

“What about Grandma and Grandpa?” Sawyer’s eyes shift between Mason and Sophia.

I wonder if he’s changing the subject on purpose.

Mason takes a sip of coffee, but doesn’t stop his rhythmic motion on my shoulder. “They said they’d be here when the baby’s born. I’m not gonna ask them to travel cross country twice in a few months.” He grins and scratches his chin. “Your grandpa nearly got kicked off the last plane he was on when they made him take off his buckle to go through security.”

“Well, I know where you get that stubborn streak from.” I smile at him as I let my head loll back against his fingers.

I don’t want him to stop.

Sophia snorts and picks up her bowl. “Wait until you meet him. He’ll be out there breaking colts by day two.” Her limp is barely noticeable as she carries her dish to the kitchen.

“What time are we leaving? I want to work Misty some this morning.” She stops in the hall outside of her room.

Mason shrugs. “Maybe this afternoon? We can swing by the cafe for dinner when we’re done.”

Sophia stands on her toes. “Oh, yes! Lori, you have to try their tiramisu. It’s so yummy!”

Mason leans closer to me until his lips nearly brush my ear. “We can have second dessert when we get home.”

Sawyer stands, carrying his cup. “On that note, I’m gonna get that spot set up for you by the creek. Thanks, Dad, for making that awkward.” His blush betrays his embarrassment, but he smiles and shakes his head.

Mason chuckles before pressing a kiss against my cheek. “I have a few things to do, too. By this time tomorrow, you’ll be Mrs. McCullough.”

It can’t come soon enough.

Okay, it flew by.

I don’t know if it’s morning sickness or nerves, but my tummy has been rolling since I woke up.

Sophia pushes a curl in place and tucks in another tiny yellow daisy. “There’s still something missing.” Her right eye closes and her lips purse. “Yea, I think I know what. Hold on.” She disappears from my bedroom to leave me staring at my own reflection.

Is this really happening?

“Okay. I found it.” She’s nearly bouncing with excitement as she pulls an antique hat pin from her hand. “My grandma gave this to me.”

There’s a simple aqua-blue sapphire fixed to the end. “Something borrowed, something blue. Right?”

When she winks at me in the reflection as she slides it into the hem of my dress. It reminds me of Mason.

Dang tears, again.

I turn in a rush and throw my arms around her. “Thank you!”

Her approval of all of this has been so important to me. For the first time, I feel like I have a real family who loves and supports me.

“I just want you to know something though.” She steps back and puts her hands on my shoulders. “I am never calling you ‘mom’.” Her nose wrinkles before she joins me in a fit of giggles.

“Please don’t!” I laugh with her until my sides hurt.

She quiets, and pulls me into another hug. “Are you ready to be stuck with me?”

I bite my lip to hold back any more tears and nod. “Am I supposed to say ‘I do’ to you too?”

She smiles. “It’s good practice for later.” She loops her elbow through mine, and leads me outside to where Ford is waiting with the side by side.

Caesar and Roscoe are perched in the rear cargo area, watching us open the doors.

It’s even clean.

“Are you sure you want to be stuck with that ol’ man?” He grins.

Ford looks better all cleaned up. His dark hair is slicked back, and he’s clean shaven except a short mustache that droops over his mouth. The crisp white shirt covers nearly all of his tattoos except the ones that peek out of his collar.

“I am.” I pull myself into the seat next to him while Sophia sits in the back.

“See?” she says. “You will have to say it a lot.”

Ford eases into gear and turns towards the short bridge over the creek that runs behind the main house.

It’s hard to believe it’s only been a few months since I crossed this while riding Clover to find Mason camping out beneath the stars.

My world changed that night.

Mason’s brother stands facing away from me beneath the knotty wooden arch. His bright white cowboy hat practically glows in the midday sun.

He also towers over Mason and Sawyer by several inches, partially blocking my view of them as we pull up.

When Mason steps to the side, his entire face softens when he sees me.