by Dora Hiers
All around them, the track bustled with activity. The same noises as last week, the same frenzy of movement as race teams packed up and got ready to leave, but tonight she felt different. Not so incapacitated or frozen with fear. With Mason’s arm around her, she could almost ignore the sounds and the commotion.
Mason stopped at the door to the RV, sliding his hands to her hips and tugging her against his rock-hard chest. His dark eyes pleaded. “I have a couple more interviews to do, but they won’t take long. Will you stay here, or will I come back to a note?”
Funny thing was, she didn’t have any desire to go back without him. She liked the idea of sticking around to wait for him. “I’ll be here.”
Relief broke out on his face, and his shoulders relaxed. “Good.”
He leaned down, his palms framing her cheeks, and kissed her. Teasing and playful, yet gentle and soft, when his lips pulled away, she wanted more. So much more.
“Now that the season is over, we can really spend some time together.” His husky voice sent her heart into overdrive.
“Oh yeah?” She flashed him her flirtiest look. Not that she’d ever practiced that much, but she gave it her best shot.
He chuckled. “You’ll have to do a lot better than that if you want to get rid of me.”
“Who said I wanted to get rid of you?”
“Changed your mind, did you?” His eyebrows dared her to challenge him. That, and his smug expression, so different from the vulnerable little boy look a minute ago.
“Maybe.” Definitely.
“Give me a few minutes. I’ll be back as quickly as I can, and then we can go home.” He planted a swift peck on her head and opened the door for her. He turned and his long legs gobbled the distance back to the track at a rapid pace.
Home. Yeah. That sounded nice, but not as comforting as it used to be.
Standing on the step in the doorway, she admired his powerful shoulders until he disappeared in the darkness.
She knew he’d be back soon, just like he promised. Because he was a man of his word.
A man she could count on.
19
“I’ll be back later tonight. You guys behave.” Remi stroked Jumbo’s neck, the fiber silky against her palm.
The rascal split his lips to reveal his bottom teeth.
Laughing eased the nerves threatening to swallow Remi whole. “You’re a silly guy, you know that? I love you.”
She turned and secured the gate then made her way toward the house, tugging her sweater tight against her chest, fighting off the chilly breeze that swept across the yard.
Mason would be here soon to pick her up and take her to his house for Thanksgiving dinner with his family.
She jerked the front door open with more force than she intended. Was she ready for this?
Meeting Mason’s parents, his sister and her husband? Becoming more entrenched, more firmly rooted in his life?
Little late for that, wasn’t it? She scoffed as she pulled a mug from the cabinet and filled it with lukewarm coffee.
What was she doing? With a tummy churning with nerves, the last thing she needed right now was coffee. She dumped the black liquid in the sink and rinsed out the cup.
She couldn’t imagine Mason not being a part of her day, not showing up at the sanctuary every afternoon with his quirky smile and whiskered jaw. Couldn’t forget how lonely and isolated she was until Mason roared into her driveway that first time and helped deliver Reesie.
She pulled out a piece of candy, unwrapped it and popped it in her mouth, her lips curving as she chewed. How could she have ever mistaken him for a vet? Ha!
Truck tires ground into the gravel outside, and a door opened and closed. Paws bounced across the front porch and skidded into the wood frame of the house. She met Mason and Goliath at the front door.
“Hey, beautiful.” Mason took his time kissing her, the woody fragrance of his cologne drifting in with the cool breeze from the open door.
She wasn’t complaining. His kiss heated her insides and raised goose bumps along her arms.
When he pulled away, he pressed his forehead to hers, his arms still draped around her back.
“I might need another one of those. Just to calm my nerves.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.”
“Good.” Definitely. Positively. Divine.
“We keep that up and we won’t make it back. I’d much rather stay here with you, cuddling in front of the fireplace and keeping each other warm.” His labored breath whispered against her heavy eyelids.
A sigh lifted her chest, and she opened her eyes, pulling back a little, feeling her stomach tense at meeting his family, at leaving the sanctuary of her comfort zone. “Do we have to go?”
Mason cocked his head, his brow bunching. “No. I suppose we don’t have to.”
Really? That was great—
He grabbed her fingers and brought them to his lips, planting a slow caress on the top of her hand. “But I would love for you to meet my parents and my sister and her husband. You’ll like them, Remi. They won’t hurt you. Can you trust me on that?”
How could she not trust him when he looked at her like that? Confidence in her— and was that really love? —all wrapped up in one seriously rich and luscious cocoa-eyed gaze.
She nodded, shivering.
He rubbed her upper arms, and the warmth of his touch seared through her sweater. “Besides, I’ve got a ham in the oven with a boatload of scalloped potatoes to go with it. Not to mention a giant chocolate chip cheesecake for dessert.”
“A gal’s gotta eat.” She pulled away and stepped through the open door then waited for him at the top of the stairs.
Chuckling, he pulled the front door closed and stood beside her. His knuckles grazed her cheek, sending shivers racing down to her toes. “You’re sure about this, sweetheart? I don’t want to pressure you into something that you’re not ready for.”
That was so Mason. Kind. Considerate. Loving.
How could she not be ready and willing to meet his family?
She refused to let the nerves win. She nodded, lifting her chin and pressing her shoulders back. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
****
Mason parked the truck in front of The Castle and killed the motor. The engine ticked a few times then silence, except for Goliath’s panting in the cab.
He glanced over at Remi.
She was staring out the passenger window, her fingers pressed against the glass. She turned to him, her eyes unreadable, her voice hesitant. “This is where you live?”
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat.
“It’s so…big.”
He let out his breath on a sigh. “Yep. That it is. And incredibly lonely.”
“I could see how that would happen. Do you ever get lost in there?”
He chuckled. “Truthfully, most of the time I only use a couple of the rooms, my bedroom and the living room. Occasionally, the kitchen. I’m really not home that much to wander around the other rooms.”
Her fingers reached out to touch the glass again.
“You ready?”
“To meet your family, yes. To step into this gigantic house, I’m not so sure.”
His heart plummeted to his boots. He grabbed a hold of her free hand. “Why?”
She turned to face him but stayed tucked in the shadows. “I guess because it reminds me of how far apart we really are.”
“I’d say only a couple feet separated us right now, but we can change that pretty quick. Come here, beautiful.” He tugged her as close as he could, instantly regretting that he’d brought the truck with a center console rather than the car. “Then again, maybe not.”
She threw her head back and laughed.
He ran his fingers through her silky mane. “If it makes you feel better about going inside, I’ll confess I’d much rather be with you in your house.”
“Oh? Why’s that?” She angled her cute little head to the side, he
r eyes like emerald orbs.
“It reflects you. Your character.”
She scoffed. “Do you mean socially unacceptable or unfinished?”
He shook his head and nudged her chin with his thumb. “No. I mean intimate. Just the right size. Perfect.”
“Nobody’s perfect, Mason.” She tucked his hand in hers. “Especially not me.”
“People can be perfect for each other. God designed it that way.”
“How did you end up marrying Lisa, then?”
“Had I listened and waited for Him that never would have happened.” There was a whole lot more he’d like to say on this subject but not now.
No. When he finally told Remi how he felt about her, he wanted it to be special. Not while they sat in the truck parked outside his house with his family waiting on them to arrive. And he definitely didn’t want to rush her.
“Sweetheart, your home is your sanctuary, and it’s filled with everything you love. That’s the way it should be. That’s what a home is. Not this,” he cocked his head toward The Castle, “giant shell of a house. Yeah, I know it’s colossal, but it’s cold and empty, hollow, too. A home shouldn’t be that way. It should be filled with love and laughter, with family and friends. But that’s the way it will be tonight. Because you’re here with me.”
Her eyes swelled, and her lips curved. She swiped at her cheek with the arm of her sweater.
Soft leather creaked as he leaned in, taking his time kissing her, cherishing the feel of her arms wrapped around his neck. When he pulled back, he was satisfied that he had helped her relax and alleviated some of her fear, but she’d warmed him from the inside out. He needed to escape the tight confines of the truck. “You ready?”
“Now I am.” Her words came out husky.
He opened the door and allowed the frigid air to cool the hotness racing through his veins. Goliath bounded down after him, and he walked around the truck to open Remi’s door.
Would she be as ready when he admitted how he felt about her? Or would she run to the sanctuary of her home, afraid of everything he stood for?
20
“You’ve got a big job today, Reesie. Think you can handle it?” Mason attached the custom designed collar around the llama’s neck and stood back to admire it. Goliath sat at Mason’s feet, solemnly staring at the collar.
Mason pulled a treat from his pocket and tossed it to the dog. “Here you go, boy. Sorry, Reesie’s gonna cover this one, but you’ll have a much bigger job here soon. I hope.” And prayed.
He turned his attention back to the llama. “You look great. Now don’t get dirty in the next few minutes, okay? Remi will be out soon, and we’ll take this thing off your neck.”
Mason patted the llama’s rump and made his way out of the enclosure, the sun casting its first glorious rays of the morning across the grass. Dew shimmered like the diamond he’d just attached to Reesie’s neck. Not a spot of clouds speckled the brilliant blue sky. A perfect morning for proposing.
Mason paused, resting his forearms on the top of the gate, smiling as Goliath rolled around in the moist grass. Jumbo’s head bobbed up from grazing in the adjoining enclosure. He sauntered over to the fence, still munching.
Mason narrowed his eyes, steering clear of the big fellow. Although it was still a love-hate relationship with that one, he’d gone from never seeing a llama before his visit to Forever Family to them totally winning him over. How quickly they’d grown on him. Friendly and inquisitive, they were such fun to be around, and he didn’t think he’d ever grow tired of caring for them.
If Remi gave them a chance.
Would she?
God, You brought me to this place, to Remi. Help her see that we belong together. That with You, all things are possible.
He turned and headed to the barn, determination and anticipation making his steps light. With a long to-do list before their big dinner tomorrow, he’d feed and care for the animals so Remi wouldn’t have to worry about them.
All the animals except Reesie. He’d have to concoct a reason for her to feed Reesie. That was the only way she’d find her surprise.
Better get to it. He had a lot to do.
****
Remi stepped out of the shower and quickly dried off, pulling on jeans and a sweater.
Today was Christmas Eve, and she had a lot to do before Mason came over to help her get ready for the big get-together with their families tomorrow.
She smiled, thinking of how sweet he’d been over the last month. He’d shown up to help at the sanctuary every day since racing season ended.
He’d lived up to his word. And then some.
She lifted the curtain by the front door and glanced out. Joy jolted through her veins. Mason’s big black truck was parked outside already.
She filled two coffee mugs and headed to the barn, her steps light and her heart soaring to see him.
Goliath bounded over to greet her. She set the mugs down and scratched his belly for a bit. “I have to find your daddy, darling boy. Sorry.”
With a moan, he curled up in the straw, resting his head on a giant paw. Chuckling, Remi picked up the mugs and went in search of Mason.
As usual, the man was humming. Remi tiptoed toward the sound and leaned a shoulder against the frame of the open stall, waiting for him to realize she was there.
When he looked up, a wide grin brightened his face. She loved it when those crinkles fanned out from his warm brown eyes.
“Hey.” His greeting was soft and welcoming. In two steps, he took the mugs from her hands and placed them on top of the stall gate then tugged her hips toward him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling up at him. He smelled wonderful. Of hay and woods, of outdoors and manly soap. “Hey back.”
Standing on the tips of her boots, she pressed her lips to his and deepened the kiss when he tugged her even closer, holding her tight against his chest. Being in his arms felt so right, so comforting. She felt protected, loved, even though he’d never uttered those three special words to her.
He might not have said he loved her, but he’d shown it. He’d juggled the demands of his career and shop to help her at the sanctuary. He’d rallied his friends to remodel and renovate the house and barn. He’d even offered her money, but she’d refused every time. She wouldn’t take his money. His presence in her life meant more than his money.
She pulled back with a smile. “You’re here awfully early this morning.”
He reached for the coffee and handed her a mug. “Didn’t want you to worry about things.”
“When do you ever let me worry about things?”
“That’s good. I want you to feel that way.”
“Protected and shielded from life’s worries?”
“If I could do that, I would, but that’s not up to me. That’s up to God, but I promised Him I’d do my best to help Him out.”
She chuckled.
His knuckles grazed her cheek and slid down her jaw, his deep voice husky, his coffee-colored eyes intent, serious. “Seriously, sweetheart, I want you to feel, no, more than that, I want you to know, that I’m here for you. That you can count on me.”
Had he read her mind? How could he have known what she’d wanted, what her soul longed for, all these years? Her eyes watered, and a huge lump refused to slide down her throat. “Thank you, Mason. You don’t know how much that means to me.” How many times she’d prayed for that very thing.
He sipped his coffee, keeping his gaze on her over the top of the mug, but a mischievous sparkle glinted from his eyes, replacing the seriousness from the moment before.
“So what do you want to tackle first?” They walked into the main part of the barn. Goliath’s head lifted, but the dog didn’t get up.
“Reesie still needs to be fed, and then we can move on to the dinner setup.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She filled a bucket with grain, but before she could pick it up, Mason grabbed the handle and scooped the bucket off the floor.
&
nbsp; “I can carry that,” she protested.
“Not while I’m around.” He took off for the pasture, Goliath trotting along beside him, fluffy tail waving from side to side.
She had to admit that she didn’t mind letting Mason carry the load if she could see that view all the time. A denim jacket strained against broad, powerful shoulders, narrowing to tapered hips and long legs. And a devoted animal journeying with him through life.
His boots stopped clomping at the barn opening. He angled over a shoulder, caught her ogling, and grinned. “You coming?”
Goliath barked, as if to say, “Yeah. Come on. Let’s go.”
They walked out into the sunshine together. If someone had asked her last year if she’d ever feel comfortable with a man around her farm, she’d have vehemently denied it. Amazing the difference God, time, and a certain man, made.
She glanced sideways at him, noting his clean shirt. “Did Jumbo get you again?”
Scoffing, he unlatched the gate and slid it open, gesturing for her to go in first. “Nah. I think I finally have the big guy figured out.”
She slid past him, grinning. “You mean you calculated the correct distance necessary to stay out of his firing range.”
Goliath bounded through and took off running through the field. Mason closed the gate. His boots clomped against the wet grass as he caught up with her. “That works.”
His smile could melt her in a puddle right here on the ground. A contented sigh rippled through her chest. If only this day, this moment in time, could last forever.
Snickers’s head popped up from grazing, and she lumbered their way. Reesie followed, practically skipping behind her mama.
“What’s that on her neck?” Remi squinted, trying to focus in on Reesie, but Snickers kept cutting in front of the little one, blocking Remi’s view.
Mason knelt and held the bucket out, enticing the animals closer.
Remi stroked the cria’s neck, her fingers coming in contact with…a collar?
She unbuckled the black collar and took it off. A tiny box dangled from the middle like a charm. What? Who could have put a collar on Reesie?
