“Yeah?”
“Is everything okay? Everyone seems upset about something.”
Of course the boys had picked up on the strange vibes. She tried to hide her anger, but they knew something was off.
“You’re right. I discovered some upsetting news when we were at Mason’s house.”
“Did Aunt Heather make you mad?” Oliver played with the ends of her long hair.
“Yes. She did. She took something that belonged to me.”
Danny turned on his pillow to face her. “I hate it when Oliver takes my stuff.”
Oliver crossed his little arms over his chest. “I do not.”
“Yes, you do! All the time.”
“Enough. Anyway, it made me angry and I needed to be by myself for a little while to think about it. But then I talked to Mason and I felt better.” She wanted to turn this conversation to the future. “He made me think about everything that’s happened and all we’ve lost, and you know what? It made me think of all the new things we can have now.”
“Like new Legos.” Oliver looked up at her, hopeful he’d get a new set soon.
“Maybe. But I was thinking about us moving into a new place and you two having your own rooms.” She didn’t give them time to ask questions about where and when. “What color would you like your room to be?”
“Blue.” Danny’s favorite color.
“Green and orange.” Oliver could never pick just one.
“Those are great colors for your rooms.”
“We’re moving in with Mason, aren’t we?” Danny eyed her, a soft smile on his face.
“What do you think about that?”
“It would be awesome!” Danny’s smile grew and brightened his eyes. “He said if I keep working at it, I’ll be able to ride one of the horses by myself soon.”
“I want to, too, but he said only in the ring and only if he holds the rope. I told him Horse won’t run away with me, but he didn’t believe me.” Oliver scrunched his face, not happy with that at all.
Sierra tried to hold back a laugh. “He’s concerned about your safety, honey. That’s all.”
“I can ride by myself.” Oliver frowned far too grumpily for such a sweet little boy.
“Well, if we live with Mason and you get much better at riding I’m sure it won’t be long before you can ride Horse all by yourself.”
Oliver nodded his approval of that like it would happen when he said so. She let him believe that for now.
Danny fidgeted, trying to dig deeper into the mattress. “Are you going to marry him?”
“He hasn’t asked me, but I hope so. I love him a lot.” She wanted the boys to know that.
“He watches you all the time. At first I didn’t like it, but . . . I like the way he looks at you now.”
Mason had won Danny’s approval.
It touched her to know her son had been looking out for her.
Sierra brushed her fingers over Danny’s hair, understanding completely. “Loving Mason doesn’t change that I loved your dad. My heart is big enough to love both of them, just like I love both of you.”
It wasn’t easy to say that out loud, but in her heart she knew that the love she had for David, the love that created their two perfect sons, was still buried deep inside, waiting for the day when she could look back on it and remember the good times they shared, not just the bad stuff she discovered after his death.
“It’ll be fun to live with Mason. He’s good at bedtime books. He does voices.” Oliver handed her the first book, his eyes already drooping.
“I guess if we move in with him you’ll want him to read all the time.”
Oliver shook his head. “You can share.”
She chuckled. “That’s a great idea.”
Danny turned his head away.
“What is it?” She waited him out, because Danny had always been the one who took his time.
“Does this mean we won’t celebrate Dad’s birthday and stuff?”
She brushed her fingers over his hair again. “We will celebrate it every year. David is still your father.”
“Mason is extra,” Oliver said, then snuggled into her side.
“Okay.” Danny nodded his chin toward the book in her hand, ready for the story and to move forward with their life with Mason.
So simple. Easy. Decision made.
She wished being an adult was as easy as being a kid.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“Are you ready?” Mason wasn’t sure he was ready for this.
Danny stared down at him from atop the horse. “I’ve got this.”
Mason kept his grip on the horse’s bridle and glanced over his shoulder at Sierra, who watched from the other side of the small arena, her phone at the ready to snap a picture. “All right, start at a walk, then you can trot once around the circle.” Mason’s heart raced, but he let loose and stepped back so Danny could kick his mount into a walk.
Danny glanced at Mason, making sure he’d really let him go on his own. “I’m doing it.” He sat straight in the saddle, the reins loose in his hands, and moved with the horse.
Mason let out his breath, relief swamping his system. So far, so good.
“Go, Danny!” Sierra cheered, taking a picture.
Oliver stood beside her waiting his turn. Big brother got to go first. Oliver wasn’t happy about it, but Mason hoped one day he’d have a little sister or brother who wanted to do everything Oliver got to do first.
Mason had plans to make Sierra his wife. But first, he needed to make sure the boys were okay with it. If their questions about when they were going to move in said anything, they were ready to be a family, but he had to be sure.
The last two weeks had been quiet. Normal.
When he was home alone in the evening, he worked on their rooms. Sierra bought the boys new bedding and desks. He took care of the painting. Next on his list, he wanted to tackle the bathroom.
For that, he had a contractor coming this week. He also wanted to do something for Sierra to make the house feel like hers, too. She mentioned how much she loved the kitchen in her old house, how cheerful and soothing she found it, with its pale green walls, white counters, and dark cabinets. He had the dark cabinets, but the granite counters were earth tones, gold, brown, tans, that wouldn’t go with a bright pale green. So he’d ordered new countertops, and also a bigger sink, because she complained how small his was when the boys generated dirty dishes at an astronomical rate. He’d also asked the contractor to build a raised garden bed off the kitchen door so Sierra could plant a vegetable garden like she used to have in Napa.
They were little things, but he hoped it helped her understand that this was her house, too. He hoped it allowed her to feel free to change things to make the house hers.
They were taking their time while working toward making a life together happen.
Mason liked the thoughtfulness behind how they were doing this, but he really wanted Sierra, Danny, and Oliver moved in and settled with him as soon as possible. He’d waited a long time for a wife and family. He wanted it now. His excitement and enthusiasm grew each day.
And today, after the promised horseback riding with the boys, he planned to take them to get one of the things he needed to make Sierra his.
Danny kicked the horse into a trot, kept his balance, back straight, reins loose, wearing a big smile that lit up his face. He was a natural. Soon, he’d be riding like he was born to the saddle. They’d all be going on family rides.
It made Mason think of all the times when they were teenagers when he’d found Sierra haunting the stables, spending time with the horses, ready to go out with him at even a hint that he wanted to ride.
Something about having her near just always felt right, and now having them all here made him happier than he’d ever been.
Sierra walked up beside him as he kept a close eye on Danny. “You look pleased.”
“He’s doing great.”
“You taught him well.”
&nb
sp; “I always knew I wanted this.” He indicated Danny up on the horse, Oliver hanging on to the fencing, cheering on his brother, and her right beside him. “I just didn’t know how much.”
She smiled up at him. “I didn’t know what I was going to do when I moved back, except the abstract, find a place for me and the kids. I never imagined it would be this place. With you. I didn’t dream that big. You’ve helped me to allow myself to want more.”
He put his arm around her waist and drew her to his side. “From now on, it’s you and me. Let’s always dream big.”
She snuggled into his side. “This is great already.”
Oliver ran up to them. “My turn.”
Mason picked him up and settled him on his hip. “You ready?”
Oliver nodded.
Mason was ready, too, for a life filled with moments like this.
“Danny, rein him in and come to a full stop.”
Danny gently pulled the reins, bringing his horse to a halt. He patted the horse’s neck, then leaned over and hugged him. He sat up straight, keeping hold of the reins. “That was awesome!”
Mason approached and set Oliver on his feet next to the horse, then said to Danny, “Dismount like I taught you.”
Danny swung his leg over the back of the horse and dropped to the ground. He pulled the reins over the horse’s head and stood next to him, holding the horse still.
“Very good.”
Danny beamed him a smile, pleased with the praise. “You can do this,” he encouraged his brother.
Mason took the reins from Danny. “Help your brother mount.” He’d taught Danny how to help Oliver into the saddle. Mason could pick him up and settle him atop the horse, but he wanted the boys to learn to work together.
Danny cupped his hands. Oliver grabbed the saddle, one hand on the front, the other on the back, put his foot in Danny’s hands, and pushed himself up, laying his belly over the saddle, then swinging his leg over the horse and righting himself in a seated position. He clutched the pommel and held on. “Got it.”
“That’s great teamwork.”
Danny adjusted the stirrups so Oliver’s feet rested in them.
Mason pulled the reins over the horse’s head and handed them to Oliver, who adjusted them in his hand like he’d been taught.
“Ready?”
Oliver smiled and nodded, his focus straight ahead.
Mason made a big show of letting go and holding his hands up. “You’re on your own.”
Sierra snapped a photo.
“Walk him around the circle,” Mason coaxed, holding his breath but confident Oliver would ride as well as his big brother.
Oliver lightly tapped his heels into the horse’s side.
Mason chose Kit for his mild temperament. Still, putting one of the boys on him and letting them loose put a knot in his stomach. If something happened, he’d never forgive himself.
But Oliver rode like a champ. He kept the pace slow, happy to just be in the saddle and on his own.
“I’m doing it.” Oliver pulled the reins gently to the left to make the horse turn along the circle curve. Not that he really needed to—the horse had to follow the fence—but Oliver was doing great. Mason couldn’t be more proud.
They gave Oliver a good ten minutes to ride circles around them. His smile never wavered.
“Does this mean we can ride out in the pastures with you on our own now?”
Mason planted his hand on Danny’s riding helmet and stared down at him. “One step at a time. Oliver isn’t quite ready. You both need a little more practice. But soon.”
Just as he said that, Oliver got tired of slow circles and kicked the horse into a nice trot. At first his eyes went wide with surprise, but then he laughed and enjoyed the faster pace.
Sierra took a video, then looked up at him. “What were you saying?”
“They’re fearless.”
“You gave them the tools and training to know they can do it.”
He gave her a worried look. “We’re in trouble with them. You know that, right?”
“I think we can handle it.”
He hoped so. Because if anything happened to one of the boys, he’d be devastated.
This is what it feels like to be a parent.
It hit him all at once. He’d accepted that the boys came with Sierra. He welcomed them in his life. He thought of them as his. But for the first time it really hit him what that meant. A lifetime of worry and hoping that they had safe and happy lives.
Sierra looked up at him and read his mind. “Scary, right? You want everything good for them, but there’s so much that could go wrong, so much that you can’t control. Including that they’re their own people and have a mind and will of their own.”
“Can we lock them up until they’re at least thirty?”
She laughed. “They’re good kids. Discipline and boundaries. The rest is just hoping they use their heads and hearts.”
Oliver brought the horse around in front of them and reined in like he’d been riding forever. He turned to his mom with another big smile. “Did you see?”
“I saw it all, baby. You were fantastic.”
Mason felt like he’d lost at least a year off his life worrying about the boys, but he had to admit, they rode well and followed all his directions and rules.
He was so impressed with Oliver, he plucked him right out of the saddle and swung him around. “Excellent job.” He grinned down at Danny. “You, too.” He set Oliver down next to his brother. “I think this calls for a guys-only lunch in town.”
He’d already spoken to Sierra about taking the boys for a couple hours. Time enough for her to decorate the boys’ rooms with all the things she’d bought for them.
“Yes!” the boys said in unison, then turned to their mom. “Please.”
“Okay, but you need to go up to the house and wash your hands before you go.”
The boys took off for the house.
With an arm around Sierra, Mason took the horse’s reins and walked with her and Kit back toward the stables. “We’re so close to really making this happen.”
“The boys are going to love their new rooms.”
“I mean everything. You and me. A life together.”
She smiled up at him. “I can’t wait.”
* * *
Mason had no intention of making her wait long. Mostly because he was impatient to make her his wife.
Danny and Oliver demolished a cheeseburger, fries, and shakes. Chocolate for Danny. Vanilla with caramel sauce for Oliver.
Mason finished his burger, but he’d barely tasted it with his stomach tied in knots and filled with butterflies. “So, guys. I thought we’d stop at a store before we head home and buy your mom something.”
Danny sucked on the straw, but with barely any shake left, all he did was make loud gurgling noises. “What?”
Oliver stared at him, waiting patiently for the answer.
Mason dove in. “I love your mom. You know that, right?”
Two dark heads bobbed across from him.
“We’ve talked about us living together and being a family.”
“Mom said soon, but so far nothing’s happened,” Danny pointed out.
“Right. Your mom and I are working on it. But I want to make sure your mom knows moving in means a lot more than just us sharing a house.”
Both boys’ heads tipped to the side, their eyes filled with questions.
“I want her to be my wife.”
“She said you guys might get married.” Oliver stared at him, letting him know they’d covered this and to get on to something new.
“I’m going to ask your mom to marry me, but before I do, I wanted to make sure that you’re both okay with that.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s what she wants.” Danny abandoned the empty shake and pushed the glass away. “She smiles a lot more now. So that’s good.”
Oliver nodded his agreement at that assessment of their mom and Mason’s relationship.
He’d obviously stressed about this talk a lot more than needed. The boys were happy their mom was happy. They liked being with him. Sierra and he had laid the foundation for the boys to know this was coming and they accepted it because they were all happy being together.
“Do you guys want to help me pick out a ring?”
Both boys sat up straighter.
Danny’s eyes filled with excitement. “Really?”
“What kind?” Oliver asked.
“A sparkly one.”
They slid out of their side of the booth, ready to get the job done. He thought about asking Amy to help him with the perfect ring for Sierra, but he wanted the boys to be a part of everything they did, including getting engaged.
Mason tossed some bills on the table to cover their lunch and the tip and ushered the boys out of the diner and across the street to the jewelry store. He’d gotten several recommendations from the ladies who worked in his office as well as a couple clients. The place was pricey but they were known for their custom designs. He wanted Sierra to have something special.
The boys walked along the cases, checking out all the pieces.
“May I help you?” the woman behind the counter asked, smiling at him and keeping an eye on the boys.
“I’d like to see your engagement rings.”
Her smile widened. “Of course. They’re at the end.” She waved her hand toward the back of the store and walked along with him that way. She stopped in front of a case filled with diamond rings in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Some simple. Others ornate and ostentatious.
The boys flanked him and stared into the case.
Oliver looked up at him. “Very sparkly.” He pointed at a ring that had about thirty diamonds. It was huge. “That one.”
Mason inspected it for a moment, then scrunched his lips into a half frown. “I see why you like it. It’s got a lot of sparkle, but I think your mom might like something simpler.” He glanced at the saleswoman. “She’d probably like something classic, but . . . pretty.” He didn’t know how to explain it.
Danny pointed to a set of three rings. “That one.”
Oliver stared, too. “Yes. That’s it.” He leaned down and pressed his face to the glass, then looked up at Mason. “Get that one.”
Sisters and Secrets Page 27