“Oh, come on, Mom, just a few more minutes,” Danny pleaded. “I want to ride by myself.”
“Not this time,” Mason interjected. “But we’ll definitely do this again. Come on, you don’t want to miss kickoff.”
Mason slowed his pace, letting the boys get every last second they could of the ride before he plucked them both off Star’s back and set them on their feet again.
Oliver gave Star’s leg a hug and glanced up at Mason. “I like her.”
Mason brushed his hand over Oliver’s head. “I’m glad you had fun. You can come see her before you go home later tonight.”
“If I lived here, I’d sleep with her,” Danny announced.
Mason chuckled. “She sleeps standing up.”
“Nuh-uh.” Danny stared up at the big horse.
“She sure does.”
“I’m going to try that tonight.” Oliver closed his eyes and wobbled before he opened his eyes again.
“Not so easy, is it?” Mason waved the boys back so he could put Star in her stall. He gave her a pat all the way down her back. “You made those boys’ day.” He pulled a roll of spearmint candies from his pocket, unwrapped one, and fed it to Star.
He walked out of the stall, secured the door, and held the roll of candies out to the boys. “Want one?”
“Horse treats.” Oliver shook his head.
Danny peeled one off. “They’re candy. Duh.”
Oliver wanted everything Danny had and peeled one off for himself. He hesitantly stuck it in his mouth, then smiled when the sweet, minty taste hit his tongue.
Mason held the roll out to Sierra. “Want one?”
“I’m good. Thanks.”
He stuffed the roll back in his jeans pocket, then touched his hand to her back as they walked up to the house. Every nerve in her body flared to life at that simple touch. He didn’t crowd her but he didn’t remove his hand, either.
She glanced up at him and caught him staring at her.
“I’m glad you decided to come today.”
“Me, too. It’s been a long time since I saw the boys smile and enjoy themselves this much.”
“I liked seeing you smile.”
“I haven’t had a lot to smile about lately.”
“Then I’m glad I’m part of why you did.”
She stopped and stared up at him as the boys continued toward the house. “What is this, Mason?”
“It’s a start to something that seems a long time coming.” The words and sentiment rolled off his tongue so easily, like this was as inevitable as he claimed. He took her hand and gently tugged to get her to continue following the boys up to the house.
The warmth of his skin pressed to hers spread up her arm and through her whole body. She didn’t pull away like she thought she should, but settled into the moment and the feel of his hand clasped with hers.
It had been so long since Sierra felt connected to someone, since a man touched her. Holding hands with Mason seemed like such a simple thing, but her heart melted at the thought that he wanted to start something with her.
At the end of her marriage, she’d felt undesirable and lacking in some way.
Mason made her feel wanted.
It made her stand a little straighter and feel lighter and giddy all at the same time.
She’d been unsure about coming home, thinking she didn’t have anything besides family to come back to that would really make a difference in her life.
But Mason proved her wrong.
She’d wanted to find a way to get by. Mason gave her hope for something more.
Chapter Thirteen
Mason didn’t know what to call the feelings running through him. An hour into the football game and he simply felt . . . great. Happy.
Sierra, looking beautiful in her dark pink top, long dark hair falling past her shoulders, stood in his kitchen, pulling a baking tray from the oven. She set it on top of the stove, then looked through the cupboards until she found the plates. She didn’t hesitate to make herself at home in the kitchen he barely used.
The boys sprawled on the sofa. Danny watched the game, cheering with him when their team scored. Oliver watched Tom and Jerry on his tablet, giggling every so often and completely engrossed in the classic cartoon.
This is what this house needed. A family.
This is what his life needed.
He’d wanted this for a long time.
Once, he’d thought he’d get a chance to have it with Sierra.
If this was the start of his second chance, he’d make it count. This time, he wouldn’t let her walk away without a fight.