I place Jacob on the ground, and he runs to her, throwing his arms around her legs. She scoops him up and showers kisses all over his face.
“Be careful, Lib. He’s heavy.” She ignores me and continues to kiss him.
“I can’t believe you’re here. How are you here?” She lowers Jacob to the ground and bursts into tears. I walk toward her and pull her into a hug as she cries.
“Why are you crying?” I ask, stroking her hair.
“They’re happy tears, I promise.”
“Trust me, a commercial for cereal can make her cry at the moment,” Mason says from behind me.
“It’s the hormones!” Libby exclaims as she pulls out of my arms and wipes her face. “How are you here? How long are you staying for? Mason, did you know they were coming?” I can’t help but laugh at her succession of questions.
“I swore everyone to secrecy, so don’t get mad at Mason,” I tell her, still laughing.
“Everyone!” she exclaims. “Who else knows?” She shakes her head. “I don’t care. You’re here and that’s all that matters.” She hugs me again and squats down as best she can with her swollen belly in front of Jacob. “I can’t believe how big you’ve gotten.”
“Mason, cowboy,” Jacob says, pointing at Mason.
“That’s right. Mason is a cowboy.” She smiles as she stands up.
“In answer to your other question, I’m not sure how long we’re here for. A couple of months, maybe. We have an open-ended ticket.” I see the confusion in her eyes and I quickly explain about my job and how I’ve given notice on my rented house. “I didn’t realize how much I needed a break until all this happened. And now I get to be here when my niece or nephew is born.” She bursts into tears again and Mason chuckles.
“Told you, she can cry at anything. Come here, sweetheart.” He wraps his arms around her, and she sobs against his shirt.
“I guess as you’re already crying, now would be a good time to tell you Mum and Dad are coming over in a few weeks too. They’re going to stay ’til the baby comes.” A fresh wave of tears washes over her, and she pulls out of Mason’s arms and throws herself at me.
“I’ve missed you all so much,” she says through her sobs. “Thank you for coming.”
“We’ve missed you too, Lib.” I really had missed her, although I’m not sure I really appreciated how much until this very minute.
“Libby! What’s wrong?” a voice shouts from the other end of the stables. “Is it the baby?” As Libby takes a step away from me, I look toward where the voice came from and my mouth goes dry. Heading toward us is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her long blonde hair is swept away from her face and tied up with a hair tie, loose strands framing her face. My eyes sweep down her body, the cutoff shorts she’s wearing showing off every curve of her toned and tanned legs. As my eyes track upwards, I see her face is a picture of concern, her steel blue eyes full of worry. Her focus is fixed on Lib, and as she takes her hand, I can’t take my eyes off her.
“Aria, I’m fine. My brother and nephew surprised me with a visit.” Relief floods Aria’s face as her eyes drop to Jacob.
“Well, aren’t you the cutest,” she says to Jacob, who grins at her seemingly as mesmerized by her as I am.
“This is Jacob,” Libby tells her. “And this is his daddy, my brother, Jack.” She gestures to me and I watch as her eyes leave Jacob and find mine. My heart pounds in my chest and my palms begin to sweat. It’s an irrational reaction to someone I’ve never even spoken to, but I’m powerless to stop how I’m feeling. Her eyes widen as she looks at me for the first time, and I hold my hand out to her.
“Nice to meet you, Aria.” Her name feels good on my lips, and I could have been standing in the middle of Wembley Stadium with a full-capacity crowd and I wouldn’t have known. Everyone and everything ceases to exist in that moment as I wait to feel her hand in mine. Our eyes remain locked on each other as she slowly raises her arm.
“Good to meet you too, Jack.” She places her hand in mine, and a shot of electricity shoots up my arm. I know she feels it too as her eyes drop to our joined hands before she pulls her hand away.
“Aria, you’ll come over for dinner later, won’t you?” Libby asks. Turning around, I see her pressed up against Mason, his arms wrapped tightly around her. She has a huge smile on her face as she looks from me to Aria.
“Oh, no! I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family time. I’m sure you have a lot to catch up on.” Her eyes flick quickly to mine before going back to Lib.
“You’re more than welcome. Mason’s cooking.”
“I am?” he asks in surprise.
Lib digs her elbow into his side. “Yes! You are,” she mutters, a smile plastered on her face.
“Right, yes, of course. I’m cooking. The more the merrier.” I know Lib is playing matchmaker, but I don’t care. I find myself holding my breath as I wait for Aria to answer. Despite just meeting her, I want to know everything about her.
“Erm… well, if you’re sure, then I’d love to,” Aria says. “I’d better get back to work.” I know I’m grinning like an idiot, but I can’t seem to stop myself. She smiles at me before turning and heading back to the horse she was grooming before we arrived.
“Well, that was interesting,” Libby says with a chuckle. “I can’t wait to see what happens later.”