Within seconds, I was stirred up myself, but I felt more serious than playful. Mason lifted his face to look at me, and I cupped his cheek so I could stare into his eyes.

His smile faded when he saw my expression. “Rose, are you okay?”

I didn’t answer as I tugged his T-shirt over his head, then pushed him onto his back and straddled him, slowly sliding down on top of him, but not moving.

He watched me as he lifted my nightgown over my head and tossed it onto the floor. His hands skimmed up my waist, then cupped my breasts. I gasped and leaned my head back as his thumbs brushed my nipples.

A fire ignited in me and I began to move, closing my eyes and reveling in the moment. Within minutes we were both panting. Mason rolled me onto my back and took over. I locked my ankles around his back as his mouth claimed mine. I lifted up to him and cried out his name as I found release, which pushed him over the edge. He groaned and rested on top of me for several seconds before gathering me gently into his arms and rolling us to our sides, chest to chest.

His fingertips stroked my arm and he searched my face. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said through the lump in my throat.

“Have I done something to upset you?” he asked softly with a worried look in his eyes.

I shook my head. “No. I was just thinkin’ about how much I need you.”

A soft smile lit up his face. “And the thought is so devastating that it’s made you cry?”

“I’m not cryin’,” I protested as a single tear escaped the corner of my eye.

His thumb swiped away the traitor. “I can see that.”

“Someone wants to hurt you. I’m scared I’m going to lose you.”

His eyes filled with adoration. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

“You can’t promise such a thing.”

He grinned. “Rose, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this, but I can be a stubborn son-of-a-bitch. I’m not leaving you, by my own free will or someone else’s attempt to get rid of me.”

He gave me a slow, lingering kiss that had me stirred up again. “I think we need some time away from Henryetta and all our current problems sooner rather than later,” he said. “My uncle’s cabin is sounding better and better.”

“Let’s do it,” I said. “Obviously I can get away from work now. The question is if you can get away.”

He looked down at me, a war waging in his eyes. Finally he said, “Let me check my schedule and call my uncle. Maybe we can go away this weekend. It’s not as good as having a full week, but I’d rather get you all alone sooner rather than later.”

“That sounds wonderful.” I kissed him and ran my hands down his back and to his butt.

He groaned against my lips. “You make it very difficult for me to get out of bed.”

“Then I’m doing my job.”

He laughed. “Speaking of jobs, I need to start getting ready for work. Otherwise we’ll be able to live at my uncle’s cabin since I’ll be unemployed.”

“My previous job offer still stands.”

He slid out of bed and tugged me with him to the bathroom. “Last I heard, your job offer involved me digging up plants while shirtless. If I’m thinking of applying, I’d better start working out.” He winked as he turned on the shower water.

I placed my hands on his chest, taking in the sight of his naked body. “You don’t need to do a thing. You’re absolutely perfect.”

He grinned and gave me another long, slow kiss. “Your job offer’s sounding better and better.”

I laughed and he pulled me into the water with him.

After we got out of the shower, I got dressed while Mason stood in front of the mirror, shaving.

“What do you have planned for the day?” he asked.

“I have two appointments set up for landscaping consultations. I’m thinkin’ about calling Neely Kate to see if she’ll come with me.”

“That’s a good idea. But after yesterday’s event, I think I should take my own car. Do you think she’ll have any trouble climbing into your truck?”

“We’ll manage. But I’m worried about you driving your car.”

“I’m going to talk to Joe again later, but you better be sure to call me if you have any trouble.”

I didn’t answer and hoped he didn’t notice. Instead, I pulled Dora’s journal out of my underwear drawer, fingering the worn edges of the leather cover.

Mason walked into the bedroom and pulled a shirt out of the closet. He glanced over his shoulder as he slipped it on. He saw the book in my hand and gave me a questioning glance.

I smiled. “Neely Kate is dying to know more about Dora, so I thought I’d take it with me and we could look at it together. It might give her something else to dwell on besides her miscarriage.”

His gaze was troubled when his eyes met mine. “Rose, I know you want to know more about your birth mother, but be careful how deep you dig.”

I stiffened. “What makes you say that?”

He walked over to me and set his hands on my shoulders. “I know the woman who raised you was a sadistic witch, so it’s only natural that you see your birth mother as the perfect mother who was stolen from you. All I’m saying is that no matter what you find, it might not match up to the fantasy you’ve created.” He pulled back and held my gaze. “You’ve had enough disappointment and pain in your life. I don’t want you to endure any more. So just be careful, okay?”