AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ll see you later?” She nods and I turn and head outside.
Once outside, I look over to see Mason holding Jacob while he strokes one of the horses.
“Look, Daddy!” he cries when he sees me, and I smile, making my way over to them. I’d always loved visiting the ranch, but it’s only being here with Jacob I realize how amazing it would be to grow up in a place like this.
“Everything okay?” Libby asks as I come to stand with them.
“I think so.” She frowns at me and I shrug. I’ve no idea how things are going to go with Aria. I want more than a holiday romance, but she’s right, there’s an ocean between us and anything more seems impossible.
A few hours later and we’re all in Mason’s truck heading to Marble Falls. It’s a tight squeeze with the five of us. Libby’s riding up front with Mason, which leaves me, Aria, and Jacob in the back. Aria has insisted on sitting in the middle seat by Jacob, and I feel bad she’s squashed against his car seat. My eyes drop to her bare leg that’s pressed tightly against mine. I’m so close to her I can smell the strawberry shampoo from her freshly washed hair. My fingers itch to touch her, but I hold back, keeping my hands to myself.
“Are you sure you have enough room?” I whisper in her ear, seeing Jacob has fallen asleep.
She turns her head, her lips millimeters from mine. “I’m good,” she mutters.
Her gaze is fixed on me, and I’m unable to look away. There’s a heat in her stare, and I know my eyes mirror hers. Libby clears her throat from the front of the truck, and I’m pulled from my trance.
“We’re here,” Libby says, and I’m surprised to see we’re parked in the center of town. I hadn’t even realized we’d stopped moving. Climbing out, I watch as Aria scoots across the back seat. I hold my hand out and she takes it as she jumps down from the truck. Reluctantly, I drop her hand and make my way around to the other side, opening Jacob’s door. He’s still fast asleep, and I lean in, unbuckling his harness.
“Will he stay asleep?” Aria asks from behind me.
“He’s not been asleep long, so I doubt it.” Plucking him gently from his seat, I lift him out and hold him against my chest, his head resting on my shoulder. Not surprisingly, he stirs, and I smile as Aria places her hand softly on his back before closing the truck door.
Following Libby and Mason along the street, we come to a stop outside River City Grille. I’ve been here a few times when I’ve visited the ranch before, and the food is great. As we enter, the host asks us if we’d like to sit outside. The restaurant borders the Colorado River, and the views are amazing.
“Will Jacob be okay outside?” Libby asks, and I nod.
“Yeah, he’ll be fine,” I assure her.
“In that case, let’s sit outside.” The server grabs a handful of menus and we follow her outside to a decked area, right on the water. Showing us to our table, she takes a drink order before returning a few minutes later with a high chair for Jacob. He’s still tired, so I keep him on my knee until he’s woken up a bit.
After we’ve all chosen off the menu, Jacob is a little more awake and wants to go and see if he can find any fish in the river.
“I’ll take him,” Aria offers as she stands and holds out her hand.
“Come on, let’s see what we can find,” she says to him, and I smile as I watch Jacob’s chubby hand nestled in Aria’s. The decked area is raised up out of the water, but a small walkway leads down to the water’s edge and they slowly make their way toward it. Aria picks Jacob up when the path narrows before they disappear from view.
“He’s really taken to her, hasn’t he?” Mason says, and I nod before taking a pull of my beer.
“Yeah. It normally takes him a while to warm up to people, but Aria’s definitely won him over.” Libby and Mason share a look, and I roll my eyes, knowing exactly what they’re thinking. She’s won me over too.
“We’ll have to plan a night out, the eight of us, before this baby decides to make an appearance,” Libby suggests as her hand rubs her swollen stomach.
“Eight of us?” I ask.
“Yeah. Me and Mase, you and Aria, Brody and Quinn, Sav and Josh. Aunt Claire would love to watch Hope and Jacob, I’m sure.”
“Well, we’d better organize something soon, then. That bump isn’t getting any smaller.” Libby gasps and hits me on the chest. “I’m going to go and find my son, that way you can’t hit me anymore.” I chuckle.
“I think that’s a wise idea,” she warns, her voice full of humor.
Laughing, I make my way down the walkway in search of Jacob and Aria. I spot them throwing pebbles into the water. Aria scoops Jacob up and holds him in the air so he can get his pebble to go farther. He squeals with delight as his stone hits the water, making a splash. She moves him to her hip and passes him another pebble. My heart swells as I watch them, and I want nothing more than to pull them both into my arms. Walking up behind Aria, I slip my hands on her waist, squeezing gently.
“Looks like you’re having fun,” I whisper in her ear. She stiffens for a second, relaxing when she realizes it’s me. Her head drops back onto my chest, and I wind my arms around her.
“Watch, Daddy,” Jacob cries when he sees me, throwing his stone into the water.
“That was a big splash,” I tell him. “Are you hungry?” He nods, and I let go of Aria, taking him from her. “Shall we go and have some lunch?” He nods again and we start to make our way back to the restaurant. Taking Aria’s hand, my mouth drops to her ear.
