“I know.” I patted his chest. “But, trust me, he’s not worth the jail time.” My father was a sad and pathetic man. He would die bitter and with only my mother under his thumb.

Mason’s gaze flicked down to me. “You called me Mase.”

My cheeks heated. “I think I kind of like it.”

He pulled me into his arms, pressing his mouth to mine. “It sounds good on your lips.”

38

ANNA

“Are you sure you don’t still feel sick?” I felt Justin’s forehead.

“I’m fiiiiiine. Swear,” he said, ducking out of my touch.

Mason chuckled. “He just ate one too many scoops of ice cream.”

Justin dragged a duffle bag towards the front door. “It was a celebration.”

My lips twitched. It had been the most epic of celebrations. Pizza, ice cream sundaes, two movies, and a fort that was still hung haphazardly in the living room. “I don’t think you’ll exactly be eating healthy on a camping trip. Maybe you should wait and go on the next one.”

“No!” Lyla called, jumping down the final two stairs to the entryway, a backpack on. “Jensen said we might see the wild horses where we’re going. Please? I really wanna go.”

Mason held up both hands. “Don’t look at me. This is all your aunt’s decision.”

I scowled in his direction. I loved that Justin and Noah were becoming fast friends, and that Lyla was so interested in Jensen’s horses and everything she could teach her. But we’d just gotten the judge’s ruling, and letting them out of my sight right now felt terrifying.

Mason crossed the space, pulling me into his arms. “You’re going to have to let them go eventually. This is good. Normal. Friends and camping trips with people we trust.”

Jensen’s husband Tuck worked for the Forest Service, so I knew they’d be safe. “You’re right. I know you are.”

“But it’s hard to let them go.”

I nodded into his chest. “They’ll be back tomorrow.”

He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Just one night.”

“Eeeewwww,” Justin moaned. “No mushy stuff.”

Mason chuckled against my hair. “I can’t wait until he has his first crush. I’m going to throw this very moment in his face.”

An SUV honked as it rounded the circular drive. Lyla jumped up and down. “We can go, right?”

“You can go,” I agreed.

Justin and Lyla cheered and ran out the open front door. Mason shifted me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “You know, this means we’ll have an empty house tonight.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “I don’t hate that.”

“Me, either. I’ll pick up a bottle of that Riesling you like.”

I brushed my lips against his. “We can take a soak in the hot tub.”