Mason turned his attention back to her. “She’s really sweet.”
“Growing like a weed.”
“She’ll probably love having the boys around.”
Heather wished she could see his eyes. Something in his voice hinted at an underlying message she couldn’t decipher. “Uh, yeah. We haven’t seen Sierra and the boys in a while.”
He leaned his weight on one leg in a casual stance, but she felt his focus. “How are you getting on all by yourself? It can’t be easy being a single mom.”
“I’m doing okay.” It sucked. She wished she had a loving husband. Hallee deserved a father who loved her and showed her what a good man looked like.
Hallee’s father had loved her. He had wanted her.
It just wasn’t meant to be.
“Good to hear it.” That same edge she’d heard before came again. “Well, it’s been a long day and I have to get home and check on the horses. Say hi to your mom for me. Maybe I’ll stop by to see Sierra and the boys once they’ve settled in.”
“I’m sure she’d love to see you.”
The innocuous statement made him pause for a second. “She’s been through a lot. I hope she finds some happiness here.”
Why did she hear a deeper meaning in the things he said?
Heather held up the mail. “I better get going, too.” She stopped him just before he opened his car door. “It’s nice to see you, Mason. It’s been too long. We’ve known each other forever, yet we hardly take the time to say hi anymore.”
“It’s been a long time since you girls were jumping fences and begging me to ride the horses.”
“Maybe I’ll make a point to stop by and do just that.”
She got another of those stares from behind his glasses that she couldn’t see or read. “Tell Sierra if the boys need a distraction, I’m happy to saddle up a couple horses for them.” With that, Mason slid into his car, started the engine, and pulled back onto the road, taking the long driveway just past her mother’s.
“He’s a strange one. But sexy as all get out.” Maybe she would take a chance and stop by for a ride. The images that evoked made her warm all over.
Definitely time to get back in the dating saddle.
But first she needed to meet her mom and Amy about Sierra. Because just like Mason’s comments, everything right now for everyone was about her.
Chapter Four
Sierra pulled into the driveway.
Dede’s stomach fluttered with anticipation. She hoped she, Amy, and Heather had gathered everything Sierra and the boys needed to settle in here.
With four marriages under her belt, Dede feared the only thing she’d taught her daughters about love and marriage was that neither lasts. With Amy on the verge of a divorce she wouldn’t see coming with her blinders on, Heather a single mom with zero interest in finding a partner, and Sierra a widow with two young sons, it didn’t look like any one of them would find the kind of love that lasts.
Despite not finding it for herself, she wanted her daughters to find their soul mates—if such a thing even existed.
But, oh, those daughters of hers!
Amy held on so tight to her husband and the image she showed the world—perfect marriage, perfect kids, perfect life—that she didn’t enjoy any of it. The moments were lost, despite how much she loved to share the perfect pictures. She didn’t seem to savor the memories or reflect on how lucky she was to have a man who really loved her and the kids. Amy was so busy creating a moment, she didn’t share it with her husband and kids. Her family was perfect without all the fuss and polish Amy heaped on them. And Rex was getting tired of feeling like he didn’t matter as much as the Instagram-perfect meal Amy set in front of him each night.
Dede rolled her eyes at a memory of their last family meal together, a moment when Rex had tried to lean in and kiss his wife. Amy had nudged him out of her way so she could get the star-shaped cucumbers out of the fridge. They needed to go on top of the salad or it just wasn’t finished. Rejected for cucumbers. Dede sighed. No wonder Rex was frustrated and feeling underappreciated.
But Amy would say no one appreciated all the fuss and bother she put into everything.
Dede had tried to tell her to relax and stop taking on so much. Of course, her oldest wouldn’t listen. She had to be right