Page 12 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

When they came back outside from the relative gloom of the stalls into the bright morning sun, Ford gave Boone a dark look when he saw that he was still standing there.

And now he didn't just have Clint and Hank with him – a few more of the hands were also standing around.

Obviously, they were waiting to get a glimpse of Amelia.

He moved closer to her as they walked toward the group and asked in a low voice, “Are you okay with this? Do you want to meet the rest of them, or would you rather just climb in the truck? I can scatter them without saying a word if you want.”

Her eyes sparkled as she smiled up at him. “That’s okay. It’s probably better if we get the introductions over with now. I’ll be less of a curiosity after that. Although part of me is tempted to see you scatter them without saying a w word.”

He pursed his lips, wondering if saying that had made him sound like an asshole.

She touched his arm and added, “I mean that in a good way. I already told you that you seem kind of commanding sometimes.”

The way she said it, it sounded as though she saw that as a good thing, so he smiled. “If you’re sure, then I’ll introduce you.”

“I am.”

As they approached the group of men, Boone gave him an apologetic look.

Ford couldn’t blame the guy – he ran the bunkhouse and mostly kept the hands in line – but Ford knew damn well that the guys would be curious to meet Amelia.

He shot Boone a reassuring smile before saying, “Morning, gentlemen. And I’m using that word deliberately – because even though it might not come naturally to you, that’s the way you’re going to behave around Amelia here. Isn’t it?”

They all grinned and nodded. The couple who knew his words were mostly aimed at them both met his gaze as they nodded their agreement.

“Okay, then. It’s my pleasure to introduce you all to Amelia – Amelia Danforth.

I’m sure you already got the idea that she’s staying here on the ranch.

She’s working with Cash.” He turned to Amelia.

“You already met Boone, Clint, and Hank. They’re the ones you’ll probably see the most of, especially if you need anything.

But any of these guys,” he jerked his chin toward the rest of them, “will be able to help you out if there’s anything you need. ”

“Thanks. It’s nice to meet you all.” Amelia smiled around at them, and they all murmured words of welcome.

“Anything you need,” Boone told her, “you just let me know. If Ford’s not around, I can help – or find him for you.”

“Thanks,” said Amelia.

Ford nodded at him. “We’re going to get out of here. You good?”

“It’s all good,” said Boone. “Don’t give this place another thought. Enjoy your day off.”

Sawyer, one of the hands, let out a low whistle. “You’re taking the day off, boss?”

“I am.” Ford hoped he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it – that he wouldn’t tell Amelia what a rare occurrence it was.

Boone didn’t give him a chance. “That’s right,” he told Sawyer. “But you’re not. If I remember right, you should be on your way to the back forty right about now.”

Sawyer grinned. He was a good-natured guy; Ford liked him.

He was a hard worker, too. “I’m just on my way.

” He tipped his hat at Amelia. “Couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet you first, Miss Amelia.

Hope you have a great day. And even though these guys are the main men, you need anything, you can call on any one of us. ”

“Thanks,” said Amelia. “I appreciate that.”

Ford guided her toward his truck, and Boone shooed the guys back to the bunkhouse. Once he had Amelia settled in the passenger seat, Ford ran around to jump in. As he pulled away, she turned to smile at him.

“You’re a good boss, aren’t you?” she asked.

He nodded slowly. “I’d like to think so. I try to be. It’s not always easy with the wranglers – cowboys tend to be free spirits.”

“And free spirits don’t always make great team members,” she said.

She didn’t comment further, and as he drove up the long driveway away from the house, Ford wondered what she was thinking.

Just before they reached the road, a truck turned into the driveway, and Ford raised his hand when he saw Emmett coming toward them.

“Do you want to meet someone else?” he asked. “Or did you meet him last weekend? This is Emmett.”

“I met him briefly,” she said. “At Chico – before everyone realized that Shelley was missing.”

Ford slowed the truck as he drew level with Emmett, and they both put their windows down.

“Morning,” Emmett called, and leaned forward so he could see Amelia. “Good morning. How are you doing? I hope this weekend turns out to be less eventful for you than last weekend.”

Ford leaned back in his seat so they could see each other.

“I was glad I was here to help,” she said.

“And really, it wasn’t that eventful for me – that’s the kind of work I do all the time, and it only involves sitting at a computer.

From what I heard, you were one of the guys driving all over the mountains to rescue Shelley and Jim.

Oh – and Harper – she was there too, wasn’t she? ”

Ford watched with interest when Emmett dropped his gaze, and a hint of pink touched his cheeks.

“All three of them were there together,” he said as he lifted his head. “And thanks to you, we didn’t need to drive all over the mountains. You sent us straight up there. It’s a good thing you were here.”

“As I said, all I need to do is sit at my computer – I could have helped even if I wasn’t here.” Ford glanced at her, and she smiled and added, “But I’m glad I was – and that I still am.”

That put a smile on his face, and when he turned back to Emmett, he was smiling, too.

“Well, I hope you stick around,” Emmett said. “And if you do, I’d like to get you together with my girls at some point, if that’d be okay.”

Ford didn’t dare look back at Amelia. He had the impression that she wasn’t overly keen on kids. He relaxed a little when she said, “I’d be happy to. Cash already told me a little bit about them. From what he says, they’re interested in learning about my work.”

Emmett chuckled. “Something like that. Alana – she’s the older one – wants to meet you because, according to her, you’re an example of the kind of strong, smart, independent woman she wants to become.

And Tanya wants career advice from you. She thinks it’s, and I quote, ‘mega cool’ that you’re a tech genius. ”

Amelia laughed. “In that case, I’m not so sure about getting together. I’d hate to disappoint either of them.”

“You won’t,” Ford said before he could stop himself. “You couldn’t.”

When he glanced back at Emmett, he was giving him a knowing smile. “I have to agree with Ford,” he said. “But I won’t put you on the spot for now. I’ll let you guys get going.”

“Are the girls all set with the rides they need this week?” Ford asked.

Emmett nodded. “I think so, thanks. I think we’ve got it covered.”

“Well, give me a shout if ever I can help,” he said.

“Thanks, but you’ve got enough on your plate with this place.”

“I do, but I can leave Boone in charge here while I go pick the girls up.”

Emmett gave him a grim smile. “Thanks. I’ll keep your offer in my back pocket. Like I say, I think we’ve got it covered, but it’s always good to have another option in case of emergencies.”

After they’d said their goodbyes and Ford pulled away, Amelia asked him, “What kind of rides do the girls go on?”

He gave her a puzzled look before he understood what she meant.

“He’s not talking about riding horses,” he explained.

“His older daughter, Alana, has rehearsals up in town every day after school. Everyone’s been taking turns ferrying her and Tanya around, to make sure they both get where they need to be – and get home afterward, since they can’t ride the bus. ”

“I should give him my number. I’d be happy to help, too.”

That made him smile.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing, just… I like that you’d offer to help, even though you weren’t thrilled about spending time with them.”

She gave him a guilty smile. “It’s not that I don’t want to meet them or anything. It’s just that I don’t want to disappoint them. I don’t do well with kids in general, and if they already have some hyped-up idea of who the hacker lady is, I’m sure I won’t live up to it.”

He gave her a stern look. “Sure you would. You’re awesome.”

“Thank you. That’s sweet of you.”

He groaned. “You keep saying that I’m sweet.”

“And that’s a problem?” she asked.

“Not a problem – just an indication that you don’t know me very well yet.”

She let out a short laugh. “You’re joking, right?”

He nodded slowly, hoping that he was.

~ ~ ~

Amelia stared out the window at the mountains as they passed.

Paradise Valley had to be the most beautiful place she’d ever seen – and she’d done some traveling in her time.

She loved the way the river carved its way between the mountains, which loomed over them on either side – close enough to feel like a protective presence, but not so close that they crowded in.

She watched the river rushing by, much darker and faster than she’d noticed on her previous visits.

“You okay over there?” Ford asked after a while.

She turned to him with a smile. “Yeah, sorry – I’m fine. I didn’t mean to be all silent on you.”

He didn’t take his eyes off the road, and she loved the way the lines around them crinkled as he smiled and said, “To tell you the truth, I’m probably more comfortable with silence than conversation most of the time. But I didn’t know…”

“I’m the same,” she told him. “So don’t feel like you need to chatter away and entertain me. I don’t think either of us would be comfortable with that. I think there’s such a thing as companionable silence, don’t you?”

He glanced over at her before turning his attention back to the road. “I guess there is. I can’t say I’m all that familiar with it, but if I had to describe the last few minutes, that’s what I’d call it.”