Berry on Top (A Farm Fresh Romance Book 6) Read online

  “It looks berry yummy,” said Avery. “Get it? Berry? Very?”

  Noel groaned. “Good one, Avery.”

  “It was berry funny.” Maddie giggled.

  Mason couldn’t help chuckling.

  Christopher focused on setting down several more dishes. “That’s a rhyming word, right, Dad? Berry and very.”

  “Yes, it is. Can you think of other words that rhyme with those?”

  “Carry,” said Avery promptly. “And cherry.”

  “Good ones. Now let your brother think of some.”

  Christopher offloaded the last two bowls, and Mason set the empty tray back on the peninsula. Everyone stayed silent, waiting for Christopher’s rhyme.

  “Merry?” he asked, slipping back into his seat. “Like when we say Merry Christmas.”

  Mason nodded.

  “That’s not all it means.” Avery nudged Mason with her elbow. “It means to have a wedding, right?”

  “That's another meaning.” He felt a flush burning up his cheeks and encasing his ears. He’d been the one to suggest the game. Should’ve known better.

  “I think we should have a wedding, Dad.”

  Zach laughed.

  Thanks, friend. “Maybe someday, princess. Now eat up your dessert.” Definitely not looking at Liz after that one.

  Avery slumped into her seat. “Can we do more rhymes?”

  “Maddie paddy,” announced Maddie.

  “Ash flash,” returned Avery.

  “Have some berry platz,” interrupted Jo. “You can practice rhyming later.”

  Avery sighed and had a bite of dessert. “This is berry good,” she said, looking around as though to gauge reactions.

  Mason nudged her. “That’s enough for now.” He glanced over at Liz.

  She quickly averted her gaze, poking her fork into the dessert.

  “Avery made me wonder something,” Zach said half an hour later as Mason carried plates into the kitchen.

  “Hmm?” Mason raised his eyebrows at his friend.

  “If you’ve dated since moving back to Galena Landing, I haven’t heard the rumor.”

  Thankfully Liz had excused herself for the evening, and Jo and Claire were making up beds for the twins on the spare room floor, leaving the guys on cleanup. “No rumors have been missed.”

  “Any particular reason?”

  “It hasn’t been for lack of my mom trying to set me up with someone.”

  Zach chuckled. “Mothers think they need to help with everything. Are you hoping to reconnect with the twins’ mom?”

  “Erin?” Mason reared back, shaking his head. “No. That’ll never happen. Though I did hear from her on Christmas Day.”

  “Oh?”

  “I invited her for the kids’ birthday in February. I can’t believe I did that. It will be a disaster for sure.”

  Zach scrubbed a baking pan. “Might not be so bad.”

  “Might not. If you’re willing to pray about it, I’d be grateful.”

  “Jo and I pray for you every day.”

  Unexpected emotion prickled Mason’s eyes. “Really? Thank you. God knows we can sure use them.”

  “Well, I admire you. I doubt I could do as well as you if I had to raise Maddie and John alone.”

  Mason swallowed hard as he slotted plates into the dishwasher. “Don’t admire me. I’m not worthy of that.”

  “It’s not about being worthy, Waterman. I know you’ve had a rough go, and you brought a lot of it on yourself, but since Jesus saved you, you’ve turned your back on your old life and focused forward. That’s the part I admire.”

  Clearly Zach had no idea what Mason had done to his sister. It was nothing short of a miracle the gossip hadn’t blown out of the high school and flooded the entire town back then. And now wasn’t the time to own up. Not when Liz was back on the farm, with her own reasons for silence.

  “Who’s your mom trying to set you up with?”

  Mason exhaled. “This week? The daughter of some friend of hers. I told her we couldn’t come for dinner tonight like she wanted us to. Never thought I’d be so grateful for closed roads and no power.”

  “I’m guessing she just wants you to be happy.”

  “And to babysit the kids less.”

  Zach glanced over. “You think?”

  “I don’t know what to think. They’re not the same kind of hands-on grandparents your parents are, that’s for sure.”

  “I’m sorry. Sometimes I forget how good I have it.”

  Mason arranged glasses in the dishwasher’s top rack. From the other part of the house, he could hear the kids’ voices and Ash’s cry mixed with lower-pitched adult voices. Would living on the edge of this community be as close as he got to a real family of his own? No, he and the twins were a real family, even without a woman. A mom. A wife.

  He shoved the dishwasher door closed and turned the machine on. Crossing his arms, he leaned against it as the water began to gurgle. “May I ask you something?”

  Zach rinsed the last pot and set it upside down in the drain rack. “Yeah?”

  “How did you know God’s will for your life?”

  “What do you mean?” Zach quirked an eyebrow.

  Good question. “I still feel so new to this whole faith thing. I wasted so much time, but I’m really trying to do the right thing now.”

  Zach nodded, giving Mason his full attention.

  “So I don’t know if I’m doing what God wants me to. I didn’t really ask Him if I should come back to Galena Landing. I was struggling. Desperate for help, if you will. And when my mom suggested I try for that farm extension agent job when Harry Rigger retired, it seemed I had nothing to lose.”

  “And then the county closed the office.” Zach harrumphed in sympathy. “You’d been there what, six months?”

  “Not even. And now the tire shop. I can do the work all right, and I know people need good tires.” Mason forced a laugh. “Especially when the highways are a mess, like this week. But it feels pointless.”

  Zach chuckled. “Old King Solomon said everything was empty and meaningless.”

  At Mason’s raised eyebrows, Zach continued. “Read Ecclesiastes sometime if you want a jaded king’s perspective. He was one of the wealthiest men who ever lived, but it didn’t satisfy him.”

  Mason shook his head. “I’m not talking about money. I don’t have a lot of it, true, but it’s... everything else. Sorry, I’m not good at talking about this stuff.”

  “No, you’re doing fine. A man needs someone to talk to sometimes. I’ve always had Gabe, and these other guys have become like brothers to me in the past few years. Noel. Brent. Keanan.” Zach regarded Mason steadily. “Always room for one more.”

  He wouldn’t say that if he knew Mason’s history. It would almost be a relief to have that out in the open. Then he’d know if Zach’s offer of friendship — brotherhood — was real. It wouldn’t be, though. If Liz couldn’t forgive him, why would her protective brother? He could barely forgive himself.

  And yet God had. God was all-knowing, yet had promised to forget Mason’s sin. That didn’t even make sense, but he’d take it.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  So tempting, but he couldn’t go there and risk losing Zach’s friendship. Or everyone at Green Acres, really. He owed it to the twins to keep a good relationship here. Everyone helped keep a semblance of normal for the kids. Christopher needed Finnley’s friendship. Avery practically worshiped all the women. She’d colored what could only be Liz on the side of that drawing the other day.

  “No. Not tonight, anyway.” He grabbed the dishcloth and brushed past Zach to wipe the dining room table.

  Liz’s new teal sweater — the one that looked amazing on her — disappeared down the corridor beyond the fireplace.

  He froze in place, hand poised over the table, staring at the now-empty hallway. She’d left the house half an hour ago, hadn’t she? When had she returned, and what had she overheard?

  Whew for n
ot spilling his guts to her brother.

  Chapter 13

  “There. Now you have a place to sleep.” Jo hugged Avery to her side while Maddie bounced on the bed. “Madelynn Grace, stop that.”

  The little girl jumped to the floor nearly on top of her brother, knocking him to his diapered bottom. He began to wail.

  Liz scooped up her nephew. Here was her escape. “Want a hand taking the kids up to your place? Sounds like it must be bedtime.”

  Jo peered past her toward the hallway. “The guys still cleaning up? You’re welcome, of course, but Zach promised Maddie some extra time tonight.”

  “He and Mason were still busy in the kitchen a minute ago.” And Liz needed to process what she’d heard. The vulnerability in Mason’s voice had driven straight to her soul. And Zach had almost sounded wise. Her brother as a grownup never ceased to amaze her.

  It wasn’t high school any more. She was the only one stuck there.

  She jiggled John and he tucked his head against her shoulder, thumb in his mouth. Her heart turned to off-the-chart mush.

  “We’re done now.”

  Liz whirled at the sound of her brother’s voice.

  Maddie flung herself at Zach’s knees, and John stretched his arms. Zach bent to scoop his daughter then settled John on his other arm. “Ready to go?” he asked Jo.

  Behind Zach, Mason leaned against the doorframe, his blue eyes locked on Liz.

  Breath fled her lungs, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away. Did he know she’d overheard?

  The Mason she’d loved to hate for a full decade was gone. He was as hot as he’d ever been, but the selfish boy had turned into an adult. A strong man. A good father... yeah, she hated to admit that even to herself. Mason was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. He’d been the high school bad boy. The dangerous guy that made her crazy for him. And then angry at him, but in the light of the changed man in front of her, the anger and bitterness she’d clung to like a comforting blanket had floated away.

  That didn’t mean she could fall under his charm again. Her chin tipped up a little, and she realized she was still staring at him like they were locked in some kind of private world. The blue in his eyes warmed slightly.

  “Liz?”

  With a start, she turned to her sister-in-law. “Yes?” Did her voice sound breathless to anyone else?

  “Want to come to town with me tomorrow if the roads are clear? I haven’t seen your folks since Christmas.”

  “Um, sure. We could do that.”

  “See you in the morning, then.”

  “Good night, Auntie Liz,” came Maddie’s sweet voice as Zach turned with his double burden.

  “Good night, sweetie.”

  Mason stepped into the room, making way for the family to leave. “Avery, take your jammies down to the bathroom and get changed. Brush your teeth while you’re there.”

  Liz gauged the distance to freedom while Avery reached for her backpack.

  “Christopher, get your pajamas on.”

  “But, Da—”

  Mason held up his hand. “Liz and I are leaving the room. You have five minutes.”

  Christopher slumped.

  Liz eyed the gap at the door. Yes, she was leaving. Mason had shifted enough that she could get past without brushing against him. The thought of touching him sent squiggles down her back. Stop it, Liz. Get out while the getting’s good.

  She was halfway through the opening when a touch halted her. She stared at Mason’s warm hand on her arm. A working man’s hand, with scars and scrapes. Tingles spread from the spot.

  “Liz?”

  She wouldn’t look up. Wouldn’t meet his eyes. Too late. Some magnetic force pulled him square into her line of vision. Liz swallowed hard.

  “Can we talk? Out in the great room?”

  She didn’t have to agree. She could gather her pain and bitterness around her like a cloak and stride across the yard in the crisp night. Alone. But they weren’t as comforting as they’d once been.

  Somehow her head nodded. “I can make tea.”

  His fingers slid a few inches on her arm, sending shock waves through her body. “Thanks. That sounds good.”

  “Okay. I’ll go make some while you tuck your kids in.” It took physical effort to break eye contact.

  “I’ll be out in five. Ten tops.”

  Liz escaped down the corridor and into the darkened kitchen. She leaned against the counter, trying to gather her wits. Why had she agreed?

  Because two weeks of being around Mason had convinced her he wasn’t the same guy she’d once known all too well. How could he be so different and yet have the same pull he’d ever had?

  She lifted the kettle with shaking hands and filled it with water.

  * * *

  “God bless Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa and Maddie and John and Jo and Zach and Ash and Claire and Noel and Finnley and Allison and Brent—” Avery came up for air “—and take care of my mommy.” She tugged at Mason’s arm. “Does God remember I want a new mommy or do I have to tell Him again?”

  Sitting on the other side of Mason on the edge of the bed, Christopher crossed his arms. “God remembers everything. I don’t know why we have to keep saying the same stuff.”

  Mason tightened his arms around both kids. “Do you like it when I tell you I love you, even though I said it before? I told you once when you were a baby, so I shouldn’t have to keep saying it.”

  Christopher squinted up at him. “That’s different.”

  “Not really. God is happy when we love Him so much we want to keep telling Him. It’s good manners to say please and thank you to people. God likes to hear those things as much as we do.”

  “But we keep asking God for a new mom, and He hasn’t sent one.”

  Mason felt the same way. A bit impatient. Would Liz have the tea made by now? Would she tire of waiting for him or think he’d changed his mind? “Is it my turn to pray now?”

  Both kids nodded, and Mason prayed a blessing over them. He tucked them into the sleeping bags on the floor, kissed their cheeks, and switched off the light. “Sleep tight.”

  Two sleepy voices murmured, “Good night, Daddy,” as he slipped out the door.

  For a moment he leaned his forehead against the hallway wall and breathed his own grownup prayer before entering the great room. Liz sat in one of the armchairs, her feet tucked up under her and two cups of tea on the end table beside her, an invitation to take the chair on the other side. He drank in the sight of her in the soft light, her blond hair swishing against her shoulders, the teal sweater hugging her curves. She met his gaze.

  She was beautiful.

  He had no right to think there could ever be more than an uneasy truce. No, that was Satan whispering. In Jesus, he was new. He wasn’t worthy. Who ever was? But he was a child of the one true King, and that counted for a lot. For everything worthwhile.

  “Hi, Liz.”

  “I made tea. I hope chamomile is okay. I wasn’t sure if you liked it with honey and cream, but I did put a bit of both in. I can make another cup if you’d rather.” She looked away and picked up her cup.

  “It will be perfect.” Mason lowered himself into the easy chair angled near hers and had a sip of the tea. How did he start this conversation?

  “Your daughter is very sweet.”

  Okay, that worked. “Yes, she is. I know she gets kind of clingy, too.”

  “I guess that’s understandable.”

  “She feels a hole in her life and tries to fill it. Christopher acts out instead.” He took a deep breath. “More like I did.”

  Brows raised, Liz eyed him over the top of her mug.

  “All of us have a hole in our lives, Liz. I tried to fill it with stuff that made me feel important. Being popular. Being dangerous.” A sharp laugh erupted. “Good thing we didn’t have gangs here. I’d have been a candidate.”

  “I had a hole, too.”

  Her voice was so quiet he could barely hear her.

  “I
don’t know why. My sisters — even Zach — were such good little church kids. I’m sure they weren’t perfect, but I couldn’t tell you any tales of wild rebellion. I don’t know why it wasn’t enough for me. I was raised the same.”

  “Zach had his moments, I hear. When he was in veterinary college.”

  Liz shrugged. “I wasn’t around to see it. And he is a model husband and father now.”

  “He’s one of the good ones. All the guys here challenge me constantly, just by the godly lives they lead.”

  “You’re trying to tell me it’s all God.” Her voice took on a singsong quality. “There’s a God-shaped hole inside every one of us.” She shook her head. “If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times. I don’t really buy into it.”

  Mason tightened his grip on his cup. “Yet you agree everyone has that empty spot.”

  She pursed her lips for a moment and stared at some spot beyond his head. “I’m not sure. Maybe. It’s not as obvious with some people as others.”

  “Some do seem to have it all together, but if you get talking to them, there always seems to be a longing for more.”

  Liz shifted on the chair. “Well, we’re human. Never satisfied with what we’ve got. That drive creates progress in the human race.”

  Mason grinned. “I think that lack of satisfaction might be the hole inside us.”

  “Maybe.”

  “What have you tried to fill that hole with, Liz?” he asked quietly.

  She narrowed her gaze at him. “It isn’t any of your business.”

  “More to the point, did it work?”

  No reply. If she bit her lip any harder, there’d be blood.

  “Me, I tried to fill it with popularity. With sex. With recreational drugs and partying. No matter what I poured in, I was still empty. I think what they told you is true. I wish I’d seen earlier that it was God I needed.” He shook his head. “But I wasn’t ready, I guess. I had to bang my head against a jagged rock until it bled before I got to the end of my own ideas and realized there was more.”