“But how can you be certain?”
“I guess I can’t,” she mused.
“What’s this about butterflies?”
Once again, River was the one to startle. And in that moment, with the sound of Rose’s voice, she realized just how close she was to Mathew. They were nearly chest to chest. All she would have to do was rise on her toes and she could have kissed him again.
That was not a mistake she was willing to repeat.
Taking a decided step backward, she glanced around Mathew to find not only Rose, but also the twins. Lily and Jasmine had matching eyes bouncing from their cousin to River and back. Rose wore a knowing smirk, and it was far too similar to Mathew’s for River’s comfort.
When no one answered Rose’s question, she rolled her eyes and pointed at her cousin. “Dad said you were stopping by to discuss Uncle Fred’s will?”
River hated the way disappointment pinched tight in her chest. Of course. He wasn’t here for her—he was here for family. He’d stopped by to see his uncle.
Mathew turned to her as if he was preparing himself to say something, but she gave a short shake of her head and flashed him a broad smile. “Go on. Your presence is needed.”
Rose glanced at her. “The twins were looking into replacing our dad’s truck for his birthday with an upgrade, but we’re not as savvy with that sort of thing. Do you think you have time to go out with them to a nearby ranch and test drive one that’s for sale?”
River nodded. “Of course. I’d be happy to.” She tossed Mathew another smile since he hadn’t taken his leave. “See you around, Dr. Klein.”
His eyes held hers for a moment. “Hopefully.”
She barely made it five steps out of the hangar with the twins when she heard Rose’s high-pitched squeal and the words, “Penny and Jason said…” Inwardly, she grimaced. So everyone was finding out then. And she wasn’t going crazy. Mathew didn’t usually take work off.
But he had for her.
And she didn’t know how to respond to that.
Not with words, and definitely not with another kiss.
13
MATHEW
No one could get mad at him or claim he was doing something out of the ordinary now. Today was actually a scheduled day off. And just because he was choosing to spend it at his cousin’s ranch didn’t mean anything special.
Okay, maybe it did, but no one had to know why it was special.
Mathew couldn’t make sense of the changes he was dealing with. It was as if he’d been locked away in a dark room for most of his life. It was cold and unnerving. No amount of work or distraction could bring forth light or happiness. Sure, he’d filled the void with his career, his family, and Victoria at one time, but to no avail.
And then he met River.
She reached out and, with one crook of her finger, flipped the lights on.
Now he could see clearly. He could see that he’d put himself in a hole by trying to live his life catering to his father. Fred hadbeen a force to be reckoned with, and he’d raised his son in his image despite Mathew not wanting that life for himself.
Having goals was important, yes. Always striving to be a better person and more like Jesus was what he believed the purpose of life to be. And he’d accomplished so much with that mindset.
But one thing was still missing.
A piece to a puzzle he was now only recognizing.
Joy.
No, joy wasn’t a person. He might have been able to find happiness with anyone. Even if Victoria walked back into his life right now and wanted to make it work, he couldn’t say for certain he wouldn’t turn her away. Maybe they could have made something work now that Mathew could see that he’d been a workaholic. He wasn’t perfect, but he was working toward being better. Being present for the people in his life.
And he wanted River to be one of those people.
