Chapter 15

15

Mason

I steered the pickup into a spot on the grassy edge of the festival grounds, the sun dipping low and painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Abby’s excited squeal cut through the hum of the engine as I killed the ignition. “Daddy, look! The Ferris wheel!”

“Sure is something, ain’t it?” I glanced at Chloe, whose eyes were wide, taking in the swirl of colors and sounds with cautious wonder.

“Can we go on it, pleeease?” Abby was already unbuckling her seatbelt, her little fingers fumbling in her haste.

“Reckon we’ll have to.” My smile widened as I helped her out of the truck. “But first, let’s meet up with everyone.”

The aroma of fried dough and spiced apples drew us along the worn path toward the heart of the festival. Strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow on the crowd below. Laughter mingled with the twang of banjo strings, setting my toes to tapping.

“Looks like they’re over there by the bobbing for apples,” I said, nodding toward a group clustered around a large wooden tub.

“Uncle Gray!” Abby called, racing over to him.

“Hey there, squirt.” He ruffled her hair as we approached, earning an eye roll but a chuckle too.

“Chloe, you made it!” Walker clapped me on the back before turning his welcoming charm on Chloe. “Glad to see ya here.”

“Thanks, Walker.” She managed a polite nod, her voice barely above the din.

“You remember Walker.”

“I’m hard to forget,” he interjected.

“Sure as hell are.”

He elbowed me in the ribs and stepped closer to Chloe, pulling Caroline with him. “Chloe, let me introduce you to Doc Cressley, aka Caroline, aka my lady. Y’all will become fast friends, I’m sure.”

“Hi, Chloe, it’s so nice to meet you. Eryn’s told me a lot about you.”

“Guilty,” Eryn said, sneaking in between the girls and giving Chloe a kiss hello. “Now, you remember my husband Gray . . .”

“Nice to see you again,” Gray said, nodding at Chloe.

Eryn continued, being the social butterfly she was. “But I don’t think you’ve met his cousins, Damon and Sutton.”

Damon grunted a greeting, attempting to look somewhat congenial, which for him was a whole lot of effort, but Sutton stepped forward and wrapped Chloe in a welcoming hug.

“Don’t mind my brother; he’s a beast of a man. The grumpy, annoying kind. But I’m so happy to finally meet you! We’ve been meaning to set up a girls’ night. Let’s figure out a good date and pin it down.”

“Sutton here owns Campfire Bakery downtown.”

“Oh, well I believe you’re my new best friend,” Chloe said, making everyone laugh.

I tried to search Chloe’s face for any signs of overwhelm, but she if she was feeling it, she hid it well. We were a big group, and seemed all the bigger when out and about at events like this.

“I’ve got my calendar open, what day do you think, Sut?” Caroline asked.

Eryn held her phone up. “I’ve already sent two invites to you all.”

“Welcome to the madness,” Caroline joked, her bright eyes twinkling under the fairy lights.

“Wouldn’t be Whittier without a little chaos,” Sutton added with a wink.

“Speaking of which . . .” Walker pointed to Abby, who was bouncing on her toes with barely contained energy. “I think someone’s itching to play some games.”

“Can we, Daddy? Please?” Abby tugged on my shirt, her pleading gaze impossible to resist.

“Let’s do it.” I nodded, catching Chloe’s eye. “You good with this?”

“Absolutely,” she said, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. But then, that was Chloe. Guarded. A mystery wrapped in blonde curls and soft blue eyes that seemed to hold a world of stories she wasn’t ready to tell.

“Alright, folks. Let’s show Chloe what Whittier Falls’ Fall Festival is all about.” And with that, we plunged into the heart of it all, Abby leading the charge with the rest of us falling in step behind her.

“Welcome to the family, Chloe.” It was a whisper lost in the noise, but from the way she glanced at me, I knew she heard. And for a moment, just a fleeting one, her guard dropped, and her smile was real.

A mix of country hits and laughter filled the air as I watched Abby skipping ahead, her excitement infectious. I caught Chloe’s gaze, a challenge simmering there.

“Bet you can’t knock down more cans than me at the milk bottle toss,” I teased, nudging her shoulder lightly with mine.

“Is that so?” Chloe’s eyebrow arched, a playful spark in her eyes. “I’ve got a mean throwing arm, Mase. You might be surprised.”

“Color me intrigued.” I grinned. “Winner buys the other a caramel apple?”

“Deal,” she fired back, the corners of her lips turning up. “Prepare to lose.”

“Hey, guys!” Abby’s voice cut through our banter, pulling us toward a ring toss booth. She was practically vibrating with excitement. “Come on! You gotta try this!”

“Looks like our competition will have to wait,” I said, giving Chloe a conspiratorial wink.

“Guess it will,” she agreed, but followed Abby eagerly.

“Chloe, come on! It’ll be fun!” Abby grabbed Chloe’s hand, tugging her forward.

“Lead the way!”

“Here, watch me!” Abby picked up a red plastic ring and tossed it with all the gusto her small body could muster. The ring sailed through the air, spinning, and—missed by a mile. “Oops!”

“Nice try, kiddo,” I encouraged, clapping my hands. “You’ll get it next time.”

“Your turn, Chloe,” Abby said, handing her a blue ring.

“Okay, here goes nothing.” Chloe bit her lip, concentrating. She threw the ring, and it looped gracefully onto one of the bottles. “Oh! Did you see that?”

“Beginner’s luck,” I quipped, but damn if I wasn’t impressed .

“Try again!” Abby insisted, her wide eyes fixed on Chloe.

“Again?” Chloe laughed, but there was warmth in her voice. “Well, since you asked so nicely . . .”

She tossed another ring. Another hit. And then another. Abby’s cheers grew louder with each successful throw, and Chloe’s laughter rang out, genuine and bright. I couldn’t help but join in, the sound of their joy like a sweet melody against the backdrop of the Fall Festival.

“Seems you’re a natural,” I said to Chloe, shaking my head in mock disbelief.

“Who knew?” Her smile reached her eyes this time, and something in my chest tightened. This woman was full of surprises.

“Okay, Daddy, your turn!” Abby handed me a green ring, her expectation clear.

“Here’s to hoping some of that luck rubbed off on me.” I took aim, letting the ring fly. It landed snug around a bottle, and Abby jumped up and down, clapping her hands.

“Yay, Daddy!”

“Looks like we’re all winners tonight,” I said, feeling a connection to Chloe that seemed to stretch beyond the casual jests and shared smiles. There was something about her, something that made me want to keep her smiling like that—carefree and happy—for tonight, yeah. But every night, too.

As the laughter from the ring toss game began to fade, I watched Chloe’s shoulders relax further when Sutton and Caroline ambled over, their smiles as wide as the Montana sky.

“Chloe, we heard you’ve been settling into Sunshine Acres,” Sutton said, leaning against the wooden railing of the booth, her cowgirl hat tipping forward.

“Yep, it’s been quite the change,” she replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear .

“It’s a lot quieter than city life, huh?” Caroline chimed in, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “No sirens or traffic keeping you up at night.”

“Definitely quieter,” Chloe laughed, “but I’m getting used to the sounds of nature. Crickets are my new lullaby.”

“Wait till winter,” Sutton teased. “The snow makes everything so silent, you can hear your own heartbeat.”

“Sounds . . . peaceful,” Chloe said, her voice dropping to a soft tone that made me want to lean in closer.

Watching her engage with the others, a sense of pride bloomed within me. She was finding her place here, in Whittier Falls, among people who cared.

“Come on, Daddy! Let’s go to the Ferris wheel!” Abby grabbed both our hands, her excitement catching like wildfire.

“Lead the way, jellybean,” I said, allowing myself to be pulled through the festival crowd.

“Abby, you’re going to wear us out with all these rides,” Chloe teased, but her eyes were bright with amusement.

“Isn’t that the point?” Abby responded, her grin infectious.

“Guess we better buckle up then,” I said, and I meant it in more ways than one.

The Ferris wheel lifted us high above the fairground, and as Abby pointed out the tiny figures below, I couldn’t help but notice how Chloe’s hand brushed mine. Accidental? Maybe. But when it happened again, I wasn’t so sure.

“Look, Daddy! We can see the whole town from up here!” Abby exclaimed, her face pressed against the safety bar.

“Sure can, Abs,” I replied, though my gaze drifted to Chloe, who was looking out at the horizon.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she murmured.

“Very,” I said, but I wasn’t looking at the view.

Our eyes met, and something passed between us—a current, electric and undeniable. I wanted to reach out, to touch her, but the ride jolted, reminding me where we were, who we were with.

“Next up, the bumper cars!” Abby declared as we disembarked, her energy showing no signs of waning.

“Think you can handle it?” I asked Chloe, my tone light, teasing.

“Bring it on,” she shot back, her competitive edge peeking through.

We chased each other around the track, bumping into one another’s cars with bursts of laughter. Each collision sent a thrill through me, and from the look on Chloe’s face, I wasn’t alone in that feeling.

“Gotcha!” she yelled as she bumped into my car, sending me spinning.

“Nice try!” I called back, grinning as I maneuvered for another pass.

The night progressed, a blur of lights, sounds, and thrills, but it was those secret glances, those shared smiles, that stayed with me, lingering like the taste of cotton candy on my tongue. Chloe’s presence was becoming an anchor, steadying me in the middle of this whirlwind. And I was starting to think I didn’t want to escape its pull. Not at all.

Back at my place, everyone gathered ‘round the fire pit, pleasantly worn out from the rides, games, and six-year-old who ran circles around us all.

The embers crackled, casting a warm glow on the faces gathered around my backyard bonfire. Laughter mingled with the soft strumming of music from my outdoor speakers, as we all lounged back. I skewered a marshmallow, turning it over the flames, watching it brown just right.

“Careful now, Mase. Don’t let it catch fire,” Eryn teased from across the flickering light.

“Never,” I replied, my attention split between the perfect roast and Chloe, sitting next to me, her knees pulled up to her chest. The firelight danced in her blue eyes, making them sparkle like the clear Whittier Falls night sky. Our shoulders brushed, a touch sending a jolt straight through me, but neither of us moved away.

“Who knew an evening chasing after carnival prizes could work up such an appetite?” Chloe mused, her voice soft but clear, taking a bottle of water from Abby who was playing waitress.

“Life’s short, eat dessert first—or in this case, only,” I said, handing her my perfectly roasted marshmallow. “For you.”

“Thanks, Mason.” She smiled, and I felt that smile like sunlight breaking through clouds.

“Hey, Chlo,” Walker called out, standing by the horseshoe pits we’d set up earlier. “You in for a game?”

She hesitated, glancing my way. I nudged her gently. “Go on, show ‘em what you’ve got.”

“Sure,” she said, rising with that grace I’d come to admire. “Why not?”

We watched as Chloe took her position at the stake, the group quieting down a bit to see the newcomer take her shot. She focused, took a breath, and then, with a flick of her wrist, sent the horseshoe sailing through the air. It clanged against the stake with a satisfying sound, hooking neatly—a ringer.

“Beginner’s luck!” Walker shouted.

“Looks like we got a live one,” Damon declared, but his grin belied his true amazement .

“I just so happen to be great at games involving tossing objects at things,” Chloe replied, her confidence rising. She threw again, and once more the horseshoe found its mark.

“Wow, look at you go,” Caroline called, clapping for her.

I couldn’t have torn my gaze away if I tried. There she stood, a mysterious blend of softness and strength. Each successful toss peeled back another layer of the reserve she wore like armor. She laughed—a rich, genuine sound—and it echoed in my chest.

“Seems like you’ve discovered your hidden talent today, Chlo,” I commented when she returned to her seat by the fire, cheeks flushed with triumph.

“Guess I did,” she said, a playful glint in her eyes. “Though I think I had a good luck charm cheering me on.”

“Maybe so,” I agreed, feeling a warmth spread inside me that had nothing to do with the fire before us. “But I think it’s all you.”

Her smile didn’t fade, and neither did mine. Maybe it was the sparks flying upward into the night or the shared victory of a well-thrown horseshoe, but something unspoken settled between us—a promise, a potential. And under the stars of Whittier Falls, it felt like anything was possible.

Abby’s soft snores filled her small room, a sure sign that today’s adventure had worn her out. I pulled the blanket up to her chin and planted a kiss on her forehead before tiptoeing out of the room, leaving the door cracked just enough for the hallway light to seep through.

“Sleep tight, little cowgirl,” I whispered.

In the living room, I found Chloe, her hands idly straightening the throw pillows on the couch. The rest of the group’s laughter filtered in from outside, but in here, silence reigned. Our eyes met, and something electric passed between us, like the first spark from flint and steel.

“Abby down for the count?” she asked, her voice a soft melody against the hush of the room.

“Out like a light,” I confirmed, my gaze lingering on her a second too long. “Thanks for helping with the bedtime stories.”

“Anytime.”

We stood there, adrift in the stillness, an invisible current pulling us closer without a single step. Her blue eyes held mine, and I saw the flicker of something deeper within them.

“Chloe, I—“ But before I could unravel the words tangled on my tongue, she broke away.

“I should get back out there,” she said quickly, her cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of rose.

“Right, yeah, of course.” My response was automatic, but inside, disappointment coiled tight.

She slipped past me, a whisper of warmth as our arms brushed, and returned to the bonfire glow. I followed moments later, but the magic of that quiet interlude clung to me, refusing to dissipate into the night air.

The group was deep into another round of tall tales by the time I rejoined them, but my mind remained focused on Chloe. I watched her laugh at Eryn’s story, her head thrown back, carefree. It was a side of her I’d caught only glimpses of—a Chloe unburdened by shadows.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that swelled within me, a potent mix of yearning and resolve. Enough waiting, enough wondering. Tonight, I wanted to taste the truth that simmered just below our skin.

“Hey, Chlo,” I called to her, my voice low but firm. I closed the distance between us and reached for her hand. Her fingers felt small and cool in mine as I led her away from the fire’s crackle and the safety of friends.

“Where are we going?” she asked, a note of surprise threading through her curiosity.

“Somewhere quiet,” I said, feeling my pulse quicken.

Behind her cottage against the treeline, the world seemed to hold its breath. Just us and the stars bearing witness. I turned to face her, the shadows playing across her features. Her eyes searched mine, questioning.

“Chloe, I know we’re holding back for good reasons. A bunch of them, probably.”

“Right.”

I stepped forward, waiting to see if she would step back. Instead, she stood as still as stone. I breathed in her scent. I tried like hell to turn around and walk away. She needed space. She worked for me. She was my daughter’s nanny. She had pain she needed to deal with. All of those were reasons screaming at me to be the better man and leave her be.

But I couldn’t. Not anymore.

“Fuck it,” I breathed out, closing the space between us. My hands found her cheeks, gentle but eager, as my lips claimed hers.

The kiss was a flame that spread instantly, consuming all hesitation. Chloe’s arms wound around my neck, pulling me closer, her response fierce and sweet. Every brush of her lips against mine stoked the fire higher, until all thought was lost to the heat of our connection.

The touch of her against me, the heat of her body pressed against mine, was what I had fantasized about for weeks and somehow, in the cold night air, with only the moonlight as our witness, it was far even better than I could have ever imagined.

I slid my hands down her back, feeling the curve of her hips. A soft moan escaped her lips, spurring me on. I deepened the kiss, teasing her with my tongue, tasting this beautiful woman who had taken over my thoughts.

Chloe responded in kind, her tongue dancing with mine. God how I wanted her. Every fiber of my being ached for more.

A sudden burst of light tore through the darkness, pulling us apart and drawing our eyes skyward. Cascading colors exploded above us, showering the night in reds, greens, and golds. The booms echoed in my chest, reverberating through me like my own heartbeat. We watched the fireworks for only a moment before crashing together once more.

I lifted her, feeling her legs wrap around my waist, and held her against the cottage wall, devouring every inch of her. I could have kept going. Every fiber of my being wanted to keep going, but I knew I shouldn’t.

I pulled back, just enough to let her legs slide back down, and softened the kiss.

As we finally, reluctantly, parted, breathless and hearts racing, the fireworks overhead quickened for their sparkling finale.

“Mason . . .”

“I know,” I murmured. “I tried . . . I just can’t stay away from you anymore.”

“I don’t want you to.”