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Ashton turned around in a circle, taking everything in. “Wow! I thought log cabins were supposed to be small. This place is huge!”

“Hey, there.”

Ashton froze and stared as Ford came down the hallway toward the kitchen.

“It’s good to see you again, Everly. And it’s nice to meet you, you must be Ashton.”

Ashton’s eyes were huge as he nodded. Everly could understand why. Ford was a big guy, she could see how Ashton might feel a little intimidated as he towered over him.

It seemed that Ford understood that, too. He did the same thing that Tanner had done and squatted down to offer Ashton his hand.

“I’m Ford, Tanner’s brother.”

“Tanner’sbigbrother,” Ashton said as they shook hands.

Ford chuckled. “Yeah, I guess I am. Are you busy right now?”

Ashton frowned and glanced over at Everly.

She shook her head. “You’re good.”

He turned back to Ford. “No. Why?”

“I got a room ready for you. I’ll show it to you if you want – make sure it’s going to be okay and see if you need anything.”

Ashton looked over at Everly again, and she nodded. To her surprise, he checked in with Tanner, too.

“You go ahead, bud. We’ll be right here. Are you going to be hungry?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’ll see what I can find us.”

A strange feeling settled in Everly’s chest as she watched her son follow Ford up the log staircase. He looked so small in the big house, especially next to Ford.

Tanner came to her and rested his hands on her shoulders. “You doing okay?”

She smiled. “I’m doing great. I’m still trying to catch up with myself. I can’t believe that we’re here.”

“Me neither, but I won’t let that stop me from making the most of it.” He slid his arms around her waist and drew her closer until she was pressed up against his chest. “I missed you.”

She looped her arms around his neck. “I missed you, too.”

He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers. “I’ve needed to kiss you since the moment I saw you again.”

She sighed as he rested his forehead against hers and looked down into her eyes. “Can I kiss you?”

“You better.”

He claimed her mouth in a searing kiss that left her breathless. It ended all too quickly, and she tightened her arms around his neck when he lifted his head.

“I’ve really missed you,” he said with a smile as he slid his hand down to cup her ass. He held her so close that there was no missing the way his hard length pressed into her stomach.

She laughed. “In a big way, it would seem.”

He grinned. “You could say that.”

Her smile faded. “But how… How’s this going to work?”