“Does this mean we won’t celebrate Dad’s birthday and stuff?”
She brushed her fingers over his hair again. “We will celebrate it every year. David is still your father.”
“Mason is extra,” Oliver said, then snuggled into her side.
“Okay.” Danny nodded his chin toward the book in her hand, ready for the story and to move forward with their life with Mason.
So simple. Easy. Decision made.
She wished being an adult was as easy as being a kid.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Are you ready?” Mason wasn’t sure he was ready for this.
Danny stared down at him from atop the horse. “I’ve got this.”
Mason kept his grip on the horse’s bridle and glanced over his shoulder at Sierra, who watched from the other side of the small arena, her phone at the ready to snap a picture. “All right, start at a walk, then you can trot once around the circle.” Mason’s heart raced, but he let loose and stepped back so Danny could kick his mount into a walk.
Danny glanced at Mason, making sure he’d really let him go on his own. “I’m doing it.” He sat straight in the saddle, the reins loose in his hands, and moved with the horse.
Mason let out his breath, relief swamping his system. So far, so good.
“Go, Danny!” Sierra cheered, taking a picture.
Oliver stood beside her waiting his turn. Big brother got to go first. Oliver wasn’t happy about it, but Mason hoped one day he’d have a little sister or brother who wanted to do everything Oliver got to do first.
Mason had plans to make Sierra his wife. But first, he needed to make sure the boys were okay with it. If their questions about when they were going to move in said anything, they were ready to be a family, but he had to be sure.
The last two weeks had been quiet. Normal.
When he was home alone in the evening, he worked on their rooms. Sierra bought the boys new bedding and desks. He took care of the painting. Next on his list, he wanted to tackle the bathroom.
For that, he had a contractor coming this week. He also wanted to do something for Sierra to make the house feel like hers, too. She mentioned how much she loved the kitchen in her old house, how cheerful and soothing she found it, with its pale green walls, white counters, and dark cabinets. He had the dark cabinets, but the granite counters were earth tones, gold, brown, tans, that wouldn’t go with a bright pale green. So he’d ordered new countertops, and also a bigger sink, because she complained how small his was when the boys generated dirty dishes at an astronomical rate. He’d also asked the contractor to build a raised garden bed off the kitchen door so Sierra could plant a vegetable garden like she used to have in Napa.
They were little things, but he hoped it helped her understand that this was her house, too. He hoped it allowed her to feel free to change things to make the house hers.
They were taking their time while working toward making a life together happen.
Mason liked the thoughtfulness behind how they were doing this, but he really wanted Sierra, Danny, and Oliver moved in and settled with him as soon as possible. He’d waited a long time for a wife and family. He wanted it now. His excitement and enthusiasm grew each day.
And today, after the promised horseback riding with the boys, he planned to take them to get one of the things he needed to make Sierra his.
Danny kicked the horse into a trot, kept his balance, back straight, reins loose, wearing a big smile that lit up his face. He was a natural. Soon, he’d be riding like he was born to the saddle. They’d all be going on family rides.
It made Mason think of all the times when they were teenagers when he’d found Sierra haunting the stables, spending time with the horses, ready to go out with him at even a hint that he wanted to ride.
Something about having her near just always felt right, and now having them all here made him happier than he’d ever been.
Sierra walked up beside him as he kept a close eye on Danny. “You look pleased.”
“He’s doing great.”
“You taught him well.”
“I always knew I wanted this.” He indicated Danny up on the horse, Oliver hanging on to the fencing, cheering on his brother, and her right beside him. “I