Page 12 of Sweet Surprise

“Tell me about it.” Garret scrubbed his face. “All right, big brother. Now what?”

“You have a nice family.” When Jess thought about all the years wasted with Todd and his dysfunctional family, she could almost cry.

“Most of the time I’ll agree with you.” Seated in one of the many rockers on the back porch, even after all these years, Jess could tell Carson was hiding behind his smile.

Something told her on any other night, a good portion, if not all, of his siblings would be out here with him, enjoying the light evening breeze. Tonight, she was pretty sure this nice family was giving Carson the space they needed.

“Tell me something.” Carson kicked the rocker into motion. “Do you think, if you hadn’t gone back to Todd, that we would have had a chance?”

Memories of the last couple of weeks with Carson tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I thought so.”

His head bobbed and the chair set to rocking just a tad faster.

“I know they say hindsight is twenty-twenty, but even before I learned the truth, I’ve often wished things could have been different.”

Taking a sip of lemonade, Carson heaved a deep sigh. “Now that you’ve found me, what are your plans?”

She almost laughed. “Plans aren’t my strength. So far every plan I’ve ever made has fallen flat on its face, and impulse has given me the most happiness.”

The way his lips tipped upward in a lazy smile, she had the feeling he was thinking of the same things she was; their brief time together ten years ago, and today. “Let me rephrase that.” He cleared his throat and forearms resting on his knees, he leaned forward. “Would you consider moving with Mason here to Honeysuckle? We have a growing community, good schools, and lots of family.”

Her heart lurched to her throat before settling down to its rightful place. Driving to West Texas had been an impulse, at least that’s what she’d told herself. Had this been what she’d really hoped for? A true fresh start? Lord knew, after meeting the rest of the Sweet family, she couldn’t picture a better way for her son to grow up.

“I mean, you wouldn’t have to sell your house if you didn’t want to. We could find a property manager for it.”

“I don’t own a house.”

“Oh.” That seemed to surprise him.

“We rent.”

“Got it. I’d be happy to pay off the remainder of your lease if you’d consider moving here.”

She shook her head. “No lease. Month to month.” And there was no point mentioning she was short this month’s upcoming rent. Or that she’d been downsized out of her job.

“I see.” His head bobbed and he went back to rocking.

She liked it better when he was asking questions. “If we were to consider relocating…”

“Mm,” was all he said as the chair swayed back and forth.

“I’d have to find a suitable place to live, a job, and…”

“And?”

“I guess that’s the two critical pieces.”

Once again, he leaned forward. “I am very willing and usually able to provide for Mason, and you if you need it.”

“Usually?”

He heaved another deep sigh. “The ranch has run into a few problems. Dad died a little over a year ago, and suffice it to say, our trusted foreman wasn’t so trusted.”

“Oh, no.” Her hand flattened against her collar bone. “How awful for your mother. I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you. The problem is, we’ve all moved home in an effort to save every penny we can to keep the bank from taking away the ranch.”

“I understand.” Sitting back, her hands clasped in her lap, she found herself rocking back and forth where he had stopped.

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