Page 42

Chapter 42

April

We both stare at the tiny “Y” shaped piece of plastic and copper.

It’s the sudden elephant in the room.

“I don’t think we needed that thing anyways.” His words are soft as he leans past me. “Here, try this on instead.” He holds the simple silver ring with a light blue stone.

Splaying my fingers, my heart pounds in my ears as he slides the band over my knuckle.

It fits perfectly.

I remember Lori throwing around that it may have been fate leading me to his door.

Oddly, every day I believe it more.

Tears well in my eyes. “It’s so beautiful.” The last of the setting sun catches in the faceted edges.

“Yea, we might owe my momma a face chat sooner than later,” he grumbles. “It was like pulling teeth to get her to send that without her getting to talk to you first.”

“I imagine. Where is she?” I don’t remember him mentioning his parents much except in passing.

“They’re back east. Moved to Virginia along with Mason’s folks after they retired. They’re all buddies.” He stretches out and props on his elbow with a half smile tugging at his cheek. “I reckon they’ll come back for the wedding whenever you want to have it.”

This has all happened so fast. “When do you want to get—” I nearly choke on the phrase. “—married?”

It feels so strange to say.

His top shoulder rises and falls in a shrug. “Whenever you want, Frosty. I just wanted to show you I’m in this for the long haul. I want forever with you.” He reaches out and picks up the implant. “And maybe a few dozen babies.” His grin grows as he twirls it between his fingers.

“Dozen?” I croak. “I was thinking two or three?” I glance down at my wrists where fresh pink marks cover the scars beneath.

But these were made in the throes of passion, love, and trust.

It doesn’t bring the same pain into my chest to see them.

“April?” He rolls closer, lifting my knee. “I think you’re bleeding.” He pushes himself off the bed quickly and slides me to the side.

I’d been ignoring the dull ache deep in my belly, but when the pink smear is revealed on the sheet, I start to worry.

Without a pause, Ford fetches his jeans and steps into them. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“It’s Christmas. I’m fine.” The pain isn’t awful, only a little worse than a normal energetic round with him.

His piercings do have consequences. I must be a sadist, because they feel too fucking amazing to not want to keep going back for more.

He picks up my shirt and pants and sets them on my lap before his palms frame my face. “Humor me, please?” The pain in his voice has me agreeing and getting dressed.

“You don’t have to worry about Dixon being there. It won’t hurt to get checked, right?” He tugs on his boots and snags his keys from the hook next to the door.

“Easy, tiger.” I take a detour to the bathroom to slip a pantyliner in, just in case.

I can understand why he’s concerned, but I think I’d know if it was critical.

Yet knowing his past, I’ll gladly humor him.

This will be a good story for our kids one day.

That makes me snort.

“Are you okay in there?” A gust of chilly wind works across the tiled floor.

He must have gone out and started the truck.

When I open the door, he’s inches away. “Yes, I am. I was just giggling about this being a funny anecdote to tell our children.” The worried look fades and the corners of his gray eyes crinkle. “I like the sound of that. A whole passel of ‘em.”

That makes my belly flip flop.

Is this real?

His grip on my fingers never loosens the entire drive to the clinic.

Fortunately, it’s the same doctor who examined me a few weeks ago.

“You have a minor tear. It should heal up in a few days. Did you want me to schedule a replacement?” Dr. Philips soft brown eyes poke above the sheet hanging between my propped legs.

It feels strange having Ford here with me, but in a good way. I like having the comfort of his support.

“No,” we both say in unison.

Her eyebrows raise as she nods. “You’re all set then. Maybe next time go a little easier on her.” Her gloved finger wags at Ford before she snaps them into the garbage.

“Scout’s honor,” he chuckles, then winks at me.

Heat pours through me.

“Better not,” I mouth to him as she leaves.

He helps me up from the table, but pins me against the side with his body. His heavy-lidded eyes fix on my mouth. “You get healed back up, and we’ll get as rough as you want.”

I rise onto my tiptoes in my socks and kiss his nose. “In the meantime, you still have a whole bottle of chocolate for your present I need to use up.”

Letting the gown drop onto the gurney, I pull up my jeans and lead him out of the door.

“See? That’s why I never want to let you go,” he growls as he lifts me into his truck.

Heavy flakes of snow fall onto the hood and windshield, melting as soon as they settle.

There’s going to be an all new winter wonderland when we get up tomorrow.

It’s coming down heavy enough that Ford has to slow when the road turns white.

The streaks coming at us through the headlights are mesmerizing, like an old sci-fi movie flying through space.

“Are those Christmas lights?” I point to the corner where two small white dots seem to dance and move.

Ford touches the brakes and brings us to a stop, then turns off his beams to watch.

He lets out a hard exhale and cracks the window until we can hear a high pitched whine. “No. I think those are drones.” He glances at me, illuminated only by the dash. “Mason said at dinner that Russ was dealing with the south herd again.” He gestures at the spiraling lights. “This is close enough, it could be them.”

An icy tendril winds down my spine. What if it’s really Dave and Doug running them?

Ford digs out his phone. “Wade, I’ve got two drones just outside Hughes’s Farm. Yea, Char’s old place.”

There’s a momentary pause.

“Get on it then, I’m gonna go check them out.” He ends the call and slides his cell into his chest pocket, then pulls the truck off the road and turns it off.

When he turns to me, fear freezes me in place.

“I have to go, April. I need you to stay here and lock the doors.” He reaches past my knee and flips open the glove box to pull out a pistol. “There’s extra blankets in the backseat.”

“Ford, please. Wait for the sheriff? Don’t go by yourself.” I don’t want to lose him, not when I’m so close to a whole new life with him.

He clutches my fingers, then leans closer for a fast kiss. “I love you, but I have to. Maybe I’ll get lucky enough and it is those two fucking animals.”

“Ford…” I don’t know what else to say. There’s a piece of me that wants him to find them and rip them apart for what they did. “Come back to me.”

His gray eyes meet mine. “I will.”

And then he’s gone.