Page 27 of One More Kiss

Jasmine

I settled against the railing,lifting my booted heel to the bottom rung as Jenna swung into Kassie’s saddle. The sun peaked over the horizon and I inhaled the cool morning air. The horse placidly stood, tail twitching, as dirt drifted up around us.

“We’ll be back in an hour, maybe two,” Cam said as he brought his horse up next to Jenna’s.

“Take your time. Cash and I are going to be just fine.”

Cam smiled but the wear of worry still sat on the edges. “I know you will.”

I opened the gate and they headed out. I sighed as I shaded my eyes, hoping that the trail ride and time together would help Cam and Jenna work through their sadness.

As I turned back toward the house I wondered what Steve was up to that morning. There I was, a mature woman, mooning over a man.

“Just silliness,” I said to myself. But my emotions were fresh and sweet, supple and beautiful. Real. I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face at the mere thought of him.

I opened the kitchen door just in time to find my grandson, clad in his thin reindeer pajamas, trying to climb up on the counter, chiming, “Appa pie!” over and over.

I grabbed him at the waist and kissed the soft skin at his neck. “You were sleeping so sweet, Cash-man. What’s this with sneaking on grammy’s counters.”

He squealed in sheer delight as he wriggled. I turned him so he was settled on my hip, and his big eyes implored from that sweet face. “Appa pie.”

“You know it, my darling.” I smoothed his wild hair down and managed to get him settled in a chair before I sliced him a piece of pie. Once he dug in, I poured a fresh cup of coffee and settled next to him, bringing my chair to touch.

Cash turned and smiled at me, all innocence and joy, cheeks bulging with his treat. He didn’t know that I’d let his father and uncle eat apple pie for breakfast—well, anytime, really—when they were growing up. Right now, Cash felt decadent, and I loved making him feel special.

“Love your pie, Grammy. Love you!”

His words warmed me deeply. “Love you more, sugar.”

Cash giggled as he picked up a piece of crust. “That’s what Daddy says to Mommy.”

I wondered if Steve would ever say something like that to me. “Can’t argue with truth.” I took a sip of my coffee while Cash devoured the rest of his slice.

“Let’s get you dressed so we can play.”

Cash slid from the wooden chair until his chubby little feet hit the ground. “Kay! Cars.”

“You got it.”

Cash and I built a racetrack and zoomed his cars all over the living room. I glanced up when I heard the crunch of gravel heading toward my drive. Before I could get up, I heard Steve hailing Cam, who replied from close to the front deck. A moment later, Jenna stepped into the house, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright, and ponytail messy.

“Good ride?”

“Just what we needed.” She slid to her knees and opened her arms to Cash, who jumped into them, babbling about his speed game.

Jenna smoothed his hair and I shifted, my gaze darting toward the door.

“Steve asked to speak to Cam.”

Butterflies exploded in my belly. I knew why, of course. But the idea of my happiness resting on my son’s generosity motivated me to rise and move toward the door.

“Don’t worry, Mama. Cam wants you happy and I’ve let him know that Steve’s the one who’ll do that.”

I tossed Jenna a relieved smile over my shoulder.

Much as I loved my son, there was no way I was going to let him dictate my future. I opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.

The two men, both so tall and strong, were walking toward the barn, Cam holding a saddle against his hip. I hurried after them.

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