school, and making new friends. I’m not sure they’re ready for more.”
He opened his mouth to make his case, but she touched her fingers to his lips to stop him.
“I love that you want us to be part of your life right now. My heart says yes to all of it.”
“But you want to talk to the boys, see where they’re at with you and me and moving in here.”
“Yes. They didn’t get a say in their father leaving, or their house burning down, or us moving back here. Everything has just happened to them. If you and I are going to build a life together, I want them to have their say.”
“I’m pretty sure they’ll be happy here.”
She smiled. “So am I. You’re here.”
“So are the horses and Tom.” The boys loved the animals. Maybe he’d finally get a dog. The boys would love that.
“I think they like you more.”
He caressed her face and kissed her softly. “I like you more than anything.”
Her eyes softened as she took that in.
He kissed her again, knowing she understood how he felt and what he wanted. He could even appreciate that she wanted to do right by her boys and put them first. Too many of his clients never gave a thought to what their kids wanted.
“When aren’t they?” She stepped back. “I forgot to tell you. I got the insurance settlement for the contents of the house in the mail this morning. I planned to use it to get me and the kids a new place, but I guess I’ll have to rethink that idea.” She gave him a knowing smile, brightening his day even more.
“Put it away for the boys’ college.”
She nodded and tipped her head. “If your investigator would hurry up and tell me what happened to the fifty grand, I could make better decisions. I’ve still got the loan, plus the mortgage on the house to pay. Do I rebuild, then sell, or simply sell the property and get out from under it?” She held her hands up, then let them drop, unsure what she should do.
She tapped him in the gut. “I hope you have news for me soon.”
He let her walk out of the office without him saying anything about the file in his briefcase and what he knew.
He should tell her. Now.
But he didn’t want to ruin the day or have her think back to the first time he told her he loved her and then crushed her with bad news.
He’d waited this long to speak up. It could wait a little while longer. He didn’t relish confirming what deep down she suspected about the father of her children. Guessing was one thing: knowing was another matter entirely.
Damn David for being a son of a bitch, for lying to his wife and going behind her back the way he did. He was just as bad as some of Mason’s worst clients.
Mason vowed he’d never treat Sierra like that.
It suddenly struck him that if he didn’t tell her the truth now, he was lying to her. And he’d never lie to her. He’d love her and the boys and give them the life David promised them but destroyed.
David had been a coward. Mason refused to be the same.
I need to tell her the truth. Now.
“Sierra,” he called, walking out of the office before he stopped short and found Amy with her two kids in his living room.
“Look who stopped by.” Sierra smiled at him but her eyes held a question.
“I’m so sorry to just show up. I just need to know . . . I have to figure this out,” she rambled, then pushed her two kids toward Sierra. “Go with your aunt. I need to talk to Mason alone for a minute.” The frantic energy coming off Amy made him wonder what happened to make her rush here to talk to him.
This time, he sent a questioning look to Sierra. She shrugged and gathered her niece and nephew into her sides. “Let’s go see what kind of snack Mason has in the kitchen.”
Mason called after her. “I need to tell you something.”
Amy cut him off from going after Sierra. “Please. This can’t wait.”
“Later.” Sierra gave him an apologetic smile and disappeared into the kitchen.
Mason huffed out a sigh and focused on Amy. “What can I do for you?”
“Did my husband speak to you about divorcing me?”
Taken aback, he shook his head. “No.” He didn’t want