by Kat Brookes
Lila’s eyes teared up with Violet’s words. Mason’s sister spoke as if Lila was already a part of their future. That touched her heart, knowing she had truly been accepted back into Mason’s family fold.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” a familiar voice said behind Lila.
“Not at all.” Violet’s smile widened. “She’s all yours.”
“That’s my hope,” Mason replied.
Lila’s heart skipped a beat. She turned, her gaze lifting. Mason stood smiling down at her as if she were the only person there instead one of a couple hundred.
“The dancing has started,” he said. “I was hoping to get you out on the floor with me as soon as I reload the peach display.” He inclined his head to the crates he’d brought in with him.
“I’d love to, but...” Lila let her gaze sweep the inside of the busy market, where people were carrying baskets. “We’re so busy. I wouldn’t want to leave Violet, your momma and Mama Tully to handle all this on their own.”
“I think we can manage,” Violet assured her, gently giving Lila a nudge. “And we have additional hired help working today. Now, go dance with my brother while I relieve Mrs. Tully at the register.” She walked away, leaving Lila there with Mason.
“I’ll help you with those peaches,” she offered.
They filled the tiered stand and then headed outside to where the dance floor was already filling up with festival goers. Around them, people feasted on food offered by an assortment of local vendors, who’d paid a set donation fee to be able to have a table at the festival. Others perused tables filled with homemade crafts and jewelry. Children ran around, pastries in hand, playing various games that had been set up throughout the festival.
Lila smiled as she caught sight of Finn running with those children. “He’s made so many friends here this summer.”
Mason nodded. “He fits right in.” He looked her way. “And so do you. Come dance with me, Lila.” Holding out his hand, he waited for her to take it.
She slipped her hand into his as they moved out onto the dance floor, where a slow song had just begun to play.
Mason drew her into his arms. “I think you forgot to remove your shoes.”
“I didn’t forget,” she said, laughing softly. “I just don’t feel like chasing Grits in and out of the festival goers to get my shoe back.”
“Ahh, makes sense.” They swayed back and forth to the music. “You know he only does that because he likes you. We males do those kind of things when a female has caught our eye. One of the reasons I used to let you win our peach-picking contests.”
With a gasp, Lila leaned back to meet his teasing gaze. “You let me win? I thought we already concluded that the reason I won was because Jake helped me to beat you.”
“Truth be told, my brother suggested that one sure way to keep a girl, you in particular, was to let her win. Although, looking back now, I have to wonder what made me think my little brother had any knowledge of winning a girl’s heart. He’d never even dated,” he muttered, shaking his head with a grin.
“He might not have had any romantic experience, but that didn’t keep your brother from playing matchmaker,” Lila said. “Because you’re not the only one he was giving advice to.”
Mason lifted a questioning brow as they swayed to the music. “No?”
She shook her head. “Jake suggested to me that one sure way to make you want to keep me around was to impress you with my peach-picking skills. He even helped me practice when you went into town. When he saw how poor of a peach picker I really was when I had to do so quickly, he came up with the plan to give me some of his whenever we competed. If I had known you were going to let me win anyway, I wouldn’t have gone to all the trouble of—”
“Cheating?” he supplied with a chuckle.
“More of a slight-of-hand trick,” she countered.
Their shared laughter filled the air around them, blending into the music coming from the speakers.
Several upbeat dance songs played before Lila found herself drawn back in Mason’s arms. She closed her eyes, trying to take in the moment. Not wanting to let him go.
“I love you, Lila.”
She looked up into Mason’s tender gaze. “I love you, too.”
The music stopped, putting an end to their sweet moment.
“Your attention, please,” Reverend Hutchins announced, bringing the remaining chatter throughout the festival to a stop, as well. Everyone turned toward the microphone that had been set up for festival announcements, where Reverend Hutchins now stood. “I’m happy to announce that we’ve raised far more than we’d hoped for today thanks to each and every one of you. I’d like to thank Constance Landers for her generous donation of her family’s time, her home, their family business, and for raising such fine children. All of them have volunteered for our church’s missionary program many, many times over. Constance has supported their need to spread the word of God through these mission trips, just as she will be doing again when her son leaves for the Democratic Republic of the Congo next month. Please keep her son in your prayers during his travels. Now, I’d like for the Landers family to join me up front so that their generosity and selfless sacrifices might be recognized.”
Mason looked to Lila.
“Go on,” she said with a smile, despite the unshed tears shimmering in her eyes.
Nodding, he stepped toward the edge of the dance floor to join his family alongside the reverend. The crowd that had gathered on the dance floor and in the surrounding yard quickly swallowed Mason up.
He loved her. Twice he’d spoken those words to her in the past week or so. While that made her heart weep with joy every bit as it had the first time, it also made his going even harder to take. His determination to put his life in what could be a dangerous situation was as admirable as it was terrifying. He had to come back to her. To Finn. And if he could be strong, so could she.
She would busy herself during his time away to search for a teaching position in, or close to, Sweet Springs. And if she had to wait until the next school year for that to happen, she would find some other job to support her and Finn until something came through. She knew for certain she wouldn’t be able to go back to Alabama and start working in September. That meant she needed to let her school know so they would have time to find a replacement for her.
As the chatter around her moved to Mason and his upcoming mission trip, with several people around her discussing their concern for his safety, Lila’s own fears for Mason amplified. Did she finally have him back in her life now, only to lose him forever so soon? Surely the Lord would be watching over him.
Fearing an emotional breakdown right there in the middle of the dance floor, Lila turned and wove her way through the crowd. Once off the dance floor, she headed for the orchard. Toward the peace she’d always found there. Maybe there she would be able to calm her racing thoughts. So much had happened over the past week. Mason’s admission that he loved her. His asking her to consider moving back. Last-minute preparations for the festival. Her decision to move back to Sweet Springs and the mental planning she’d been doing to make it happen. And then that day’s reality of how soon Mason would be leaving on his mission trip and the risks he could face. No wonder her head was spinning.
Walking until she came to her and Mason’s special tree, Lila settled beneath it, her back resting against its trunk. Drawing up her knees, she wrapped her arms around them and stared off into the rows of recently harvested peach trees. She felt close to Mason when she was here, because it was so much a part of him. This was where she would come while he was away on his mission trip. Maybe even write her thoughts down in a journal as she had when she was a young girl.
She would miss Mason so much. So would Finn. Closing her eyes, she sent a prayer heavenward for Mason’s safekeeping, grateful that she had her faith to see her through the months ahead.
> * * *
After the reverend’s announcement, Mason went in search of Lila, who was no longer waiting for him on the dance floor. When he didn’t find her among the throng of people milling about outside the market, he headed inside to look for her there. It was possible she had gotten called away.
“Mason,” Mrs. Tully greeted with a smile from behind the checkout counter, “I was so happy to hear that we’ve raised the money needed for your upcoming trip.”
He nodded. “We had a great turnout today, helping to reach our goal much faster than previous years. But I won’t be receiving the money raised, Jake will.”
“I’m sorry?” she replied, blinking in confusion.
“My brother has offered to take my place on this mission trip,” he explained, keeping his voice low so that only Mrs. Tully would hear. He didn’t want Lila to learn of the change from someone other than himself. Wanted to see her smile when she heard that he wouldn’t be leaving after all. “He said my place is here in the States with my family.”
“I’m sure Lila and Finn would love nothing more, but can you do that?” she asked. “I would think that everything is already set in place.”
“Jake already checked into the possibility of this being done should I agree to his taking my place when he spoke with me. Reverend Hutchins told him they could make it work with a few minor adjustments. Therefore, I’ve decided to accept his offer and remain here instead with the woman I love and focus on my family.”
“Bless that boy,” his neighbor replied, moisture filling her eyes. “Your little brother really has grown into a fine young man.”
“Speaking of my family, have you seen Lila?” he asked, glancing around.
“Not since she left with you to go dance.”
“Okay, I’ll go look around outside again. I must have missed her.”
“Easy to do with so many people in attendance,” she agreed.
He met the older woman’s kind gaze. Lila had no family other than Finn. This woman was the only real mother Lila had ever known. He found himself glad that he hadn’t found Lila first. Smiling, he said, “I’m going to ask Lila to marry me.”
Mrs. Tully gasped, her eyes lighting up, “You are?”
“I am,” he said quietly, determined to keep their conversation between them alone. “I love her, and since you are the closest thing she has to a momma, I would really like to have your blessing when I ask her to become my wife.”
She bobbed her head up and down, her eyes thick with unshed tears. “I couldn’t ask for a better man to be her husband.”
His smile widened. “So I have your blessing?”
“You have it.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Tully. That means a lot.”
“Mama Tully to you,” she said, beaming with happiness. “Since we’re going to be family and all.”
“Mama Tully,” he repeated. “Now, I’ll go see about getting myself into your family.” Turning, he walked away. Once outside the market, Mason stopped and glanced around, trying to spot that blond curl-filled ponytail among the sea of heads. Not an easy feat considering Lila’s petite height. He was eager to find her, to tell her of the unexpected change in his plans.
“Hey, Daddy.”
Mason turned to find Finn standing there, a fluff of half-eaten blue spun candy on a stick clutched in his raised hand. “Looks like somebody’s enjoying the festivities.”
His son nodded with a grin.
“I was looking for your momma. Have you seen her?”
Finn shook his head. “Not since she was dancing with you.”
“I saw her head into the orchard toward Vera Tully’s place.” A woman spoke up behind him.
Turning, he offered a nod of greeting. “Mrs. Sloane.”
She offered up a warm smile. “She left right after the reverend called you and your family to join him to be recognized.”
“Thank you,” he said, finding it odd that she hadn’t waited for him to return for her. “She must have run home to get something.” It was getting a bit cooler as the sun was going down. But still, he worried. Had something been said to Lila that had made her want to step away from the festivities? He prayed not. He wanted this evening to be perfect. Needed it to be. This was his and Lila’s second chance to grab onto the future together they had dreamed of.
“I hope she gets back before the sun sets,” she said. “I don’t think the moon’s going to make an appearance tonight. Not with the clouds that have rolled in. The orchard will be too dark to walk through then. Although I suppose she could drive over if need be.”
“I’ll make sure she makes it back to the festival safely,” he assured her with a forced smile. What if Lila had taken ill? She hadn’t seemed under the weather when they’d been dancing. Although he had seen a shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes when the reverend called for Mason and his family to join him. He’d put it down to her being happy that all their hard work had come to fruition, raising more money than any of them had expected. Had he been wrong?
“I’ll let you go on your way,” Mrs. Sloane said. “I’m off to try and win one of those beautiful baskets your momma and the other women put together.”
Mason stood watching her go, although his thoughts were elsewhere. Back to Lila and the tears he’d seen shimmering in her eyes before he’d gone to join his family as the reverend had requested. Tears that had come after his profession of love. Had they been tears of joy? Or had his heartfelt words sent her running again? Was that why she’d left the festival?
No, he thought with a mental head shake, she wouldn’t have left without Finn. She wouldn’t have run away...again. Not when they were so close to having the future they both longed for.
“Want a bite?”
Pulled from his thoughts, Mason glanced down at his son, who had raised his stick of cotton candy in offer. Blue-tinted lips framed his smile, sticky evidence of his thorough enjoyment of his treat. “Looks tasty, but my belly is full up from all the pizza I’ve eaten.”
With a shrug, Finn ripped another piece of sugary fluff off for himself, shoving it into his mouth.
It struck Mason that Finn had only known one parent for all his life until now. Adding another person to that family unit was a big change, even if Finn had voiced his desire to be a part of Mason’s life. After a quick glance around to make certain no one was close enough to hear their conversation, he knelt in front of his son. “How would you feel about my asking your momma to marry me?”
Finn’s eyes widened, those blue lips rounding into an O. “For real?” he asked.
“For real,” Mason said with a chuckle.
“And we’d all live together?”
“That’s the plan.” He just prayed that he’d be able to find Lila and that she would be as excited as he was at the thought of their getting married and finally becoming a real family.
With a whoop of joy, his son launched himself at Mason.
Reacting on instinct, Mason opened his arms just in time to receive Finn’s exuberant hug. That was all the answer he needed. After the hug ended, Mason said, “I’m going to go find your momma and ask her. I hope she’s as excited as you are.”
“She will be,” his son said. “I heard her tell Gramma Tully that she never stopped loving you.”
Mason’s heart swelled. Lila had told him the same thing, but to know she’d shared that truth with the woman she thought of as a mother really brought it home. Theirs was a love that had survived time and distance, hurt and betrayal, and then forgiveness, growing stronger. “We’ll come find you later.” He just prayed it would be with good news, because he would hate to think that he gotten his son’s hopes up only to have them crushed by Lila’s possibly turning him down. But his heart told him Lila felt the same way he did.
Mason set off through the orchard, taking the main path Lila and he used to go back and forth b
etween his place and Mama Tully’s. He was about halfway to his destination when he came across Lila sitting beneath their tree, knees drawn up, arms wrapped around them. Her face was lowered, but that didn’t keep the sound of soft sobs from reaching him.
“Lila?” he called out as he moved toward her.
Her head snapped up. “Mason?” she said with a startled gasp.
He knelt beside her. “What’s wrong?” Then his worried gaze swept over her. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head.
“Then why are you crying?”
“I hadn’t meant to,” she said. “I came here to pray for you. This was always our special place, so it seemed like the place I needed to be to open up my heart to God. I asked God to keep you safe while you’re away in the Congo, but when I got to the part where I was telling Him that I couldn’t bear the thought of possibly losing you again—forever—the tears just came.”
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he said, “I thank you for caring so deeply. That means more to me than you could ever know. But you might send up a prayer for Jake’s safety instead.”
She looked up at him. “Jake?”
He nodded. “My brother has offered to go on the mission trip in my place so that I can stay here with my family.”
“He did?”
“He did.”
“That’s so kind of him.”
“I think he had ulterior motives,” he said with a grin. “Being the matchmaker he is and all.” That said, he shifted into a kneeling position and dug a hand into the front pocket of his pants. “So I’m going to do my part to make his sacrifice for us worth it.”
“Mason,” she said, her hand coming to her mouth. Fresh tears slid down her cheeks.
“Lila,” he replied as he opened the ring box he’d pulled from his pocket, “you are, and have always been, the other half of my heart. I want you in my life. I want us to be the family we were always meant to be—you, me and Finn. I want to build a house for our family to grow in. I want to get a dog and train it to bring your shoes to you instead of having to come to your shoes’ rescue over and over again.”
