Mason Jackson’s eyes lit up with surprise.

She was asking. That meant she cared.

She was hesitating.

She wasn’t pushing him away like before, shutting him out completely.

The hand on her waist pressed down slightly, pulling her closer against him.

The initial surprise in his gaze faded, replaced by something deeper.

He asked in return, “What do you think?”

Aurora Jones didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “Did you come to Ningford for work, ...