Page 11 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

When her feet hit the ground, he stood close by her side and just the …

nearness of him made all the air catch in her chest. It only hit her then that she hadn’t been this close to him physically since the day he’d held her after what had happened with Jared.

It was hardly surprising that she hadn’t registered the effect he had on her back then.

But now … a shiver raced down her spine and he gave her an inquiring look.

“You sure about this?”

She nodded. “As long as you’re right here with me.”

A small smile played on his lips as he leaned closer. His arm brushed hers, sending goosebumps racing over her skin as he asked, “This close enough?”

She looked up into his eyes and told him the truth – “It’ll do for now.”

His green eyes seemed to spark with fire, and he gave her a tiny nod, but didn’t comment. Instead, he turned to Boone and the others.

“Morning, guys. I’m sure you’ve seen her around, but I don’t think you’ve been introduced yet. This is Amelia – Amelia Danforth.”

She smiled at them as they greeted her. Boone snatched his hat off his head and extended his hand. As she shook it, he said, “It’s a pleasure. I’m Boone – Ford’s foreman. You need anything when he’s not around, I’m your next port of call.”

“Thanks. I know we’ve waved at each other before now, but it’s good to meet you properly.”

“It is,” he agreed. “And these fellas…” he turned to the other two and gave them a look that had them taking their hats off “…are Clint and Hank.”

Amelia shook hands with them, glad that they seemed friendly – and that they were relaxed enough around Ford.

When the introductions were done with, Ford stepped forward. He’d stayed close the whole time, just as she’d requested, but he hadn’t crowded her.

“Where is he, then?” he asked.

Boone looked at Clint who said, “The Morgan? Last stall on the left.”

Amelia glanced up at Ford, who offered her his arm.

She was so taken aback by that gesture, that she didn’t comment on the horse’s name.

She just slipped her arm through his and allowed him to lead her toward the big building that she assumed held the stalls.

She’d thought that the horses all lived in the barn where Tanner lived and worked, but … what did she know?

There was something unexpectedly comforting about having her arm tucked through Ford’s.

It seemed like such an old-fashioned gesture but it felt good – and that was all that mattered.

He was sticking close, as he’d said he would, but he wasn’t overstepping.

She wouldn’t have minded if he wanted to wrap his arm around her shoulders, but it might have felt a little premature.

“You okay?” he murmured as they walked past a long row of empty stalls.

She squeezed his arm without thinking. “I am, are you?”

He chuckled. “I’m good, but then I’ve been here before.”

She cocked her head at him. “I know, but I meant with …” She’d been about to ask if it was awkward for him having her out here, but perhaps he meant he brought all his girlfriends out to meet his staff and see the horses and …

He clamped her arm to his side and looked down into her eyes. “But I haven’t brought a girl here with me in at least ten years, probably more like fifteen.”

“How did you know that was what I was thinking?”

He smiled. “Because despite our obvious differences, I think we have a lot in common.”

She smiled back. “You think we’re the same kind of different?”

He chuckled. “It’s starting to look that way.”

He stopped when they reached the end of the aisle that ran between the stalls, and turned her to face the last one. Inside it stood the most beautiful creature she’d ever seen.

“Oh! Hello, gorgeous!” she exclaimed. She took a step forward, but stopped. “Is it okay if I …” she asked Ford.

He grinned. “It’s more than okay – it’s what we’re here for.”

The horse leaned its head over the door and let out a low nickering sound.

“Hi, yourself,” she told him. “He’s a boy, right?”

Ford nodded. “Any ideas yet what you want to call him?”

She frowned. “Didn’t Boone say that he’s called Morgan? If that’s his name, then I don’t think we should change it.”

He smiled. “That’s not his name, it’s his breed. He’s a Morgan horse.”

“Oh!” She gave him a rueful shrug. “Told you I know nothing about horses.”

“I don’t expect you to.”

“I hate feeling dumb.”

“You’re not dumb, far from it. You just have a different area of expertise.

If it’s any consolation, I’m kind of glad that you don’t know anything about ranching life.

It’s refreshing to me – most everyone I know grew up in this world.

We all know each other, and we all know the same things – and talk about them. A lot.”

She chuckled. “You should get out more.”

Her tummy flipped over when he met her gaze and said, “I’m planning to.”

The horse nodded its head.

“See, this guy’s agreeing that I need to get out more and I think he’s volunteering his services if you want to learn to ride. How’d you feel about that?”

She looked up at the horse – he really was beautiful. His coat was a kind of golden creamy color, but his mane and tail were black. “I think I like the idea – although I won’t deny that it makes me a little nervous.”

“You have nothing to worry about. He’s a sweetheart, he’ll look after you.”

Her tummy did another somersault when he added, “I will, too.”

“Thanks.” She didn’t know what else to say – she didn’t want to appear too eager.

Ford reached up and rubbed the horse’s ears – which he seemed to enjoy. “Any ideas what his name might be now that you’ve met him?”

She looked into the horse’s big, brown eyes. He even had long, dark lashes. She shook her head slowly. “Not yet, no. I told you it might take me a while to come up with something. If you have a name that you want to give him, you don’t have to wait for me.”

As she spoke, the horse stretched its neck so that it could reach her. Amelia froze, wondering if it planned to bite her, but then unexpected tears pricked behind her eyes when it brushed its lips over her forehead – as if it were kissing her.

“Oh my God!” she breathed.

Ford tensed beside her. “It’s okay. He’s not going to hurt you – he’s only …”

She smiled at him. “I know! He just kissed my forehead, didn’t he?”

“He did.” Ford nodded happily before giving the horse a sideways glance. “He’s more forward than I dare to be.”

“Maybe he’s encouraging you – telling you that it’s okay to be forward if you want to.”

Ford might be a big, tough guy, he might have the dark and broody thing down to an art form, but Amelia had the impression that he might need more encouragement than she would have imagined. And if the horse wanted to help out with that, it was fine by her.

The look in Ford’s eyes as he met her gaze made her wonder if she wasn’t underestimating him. He’d been so sweet and considerate with her, but if she wasn’t mistaken, there was a lot more to him smoldering just below the surface.