Page 28 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

Amelia grinned. Their announcement meant the world to her.

Blane gave one of his rare smiles, and she knew that it meant even more to Cash.

While he and Mav looked at each other in that way they did – she'd swear that they had entire telepathic conversations when they locked gazes like that – she smiled at Blane.

"I'm happy for you. I met your sister last weekend – she's lovely. I bet she'll be thrilled."

Blane scowled. "Do me a favor and don't say anything just yet. I want to tell her myself."

Cash chuckled. "You'd better get your ass back here quick, then, or I'll tell her."

"Don't do it, Cash," Blane ground out the words.

Cash just shrugged happily. "Then come on home so I won't have to. I want to celebrate right now, but I'll believe it when I see it. We've been talking about making this move for a long time. Just get your asses back here so that we can get things set up, huh?"

Mav smiled at Amelia. "He's never happy, is he? He's finally getting what he wants, and all he has to say about it is hurry up."

"I am happy," said Cash with a laugh. "I'm so damn happy that if you get here within a month, I'll throw you a party. How about that?"

Amelia laughed again at the look that Blane and Mav exchanged. "How about you throw a party for yourself, Cash?" she suggested. "And offer a secret hideout for these two. I think they might find that more enticing."

"See, she gets us," said Blane. "That sounds like a good idea to me."

"Nope," said Cash. "I'm going to throw the party, and you two are going to be there." He grinned. "And you'll enjoy it whether you want to or not."

"Why would we do that?" asked Mav.

"Because the pair of you have bridges to build around here, so you might as well start out on the right foot."

Amelia held her breath. She didn't think Cash would talk so openly about Mav and Libby – he had to mean something else.

The fact that neither Mav nor Blane said anything confirmed that Cash wasn't talking about Libby. Whatever he was referring to, it wasn't that.

Blane caught her eye. "It's okay, honey. Don't look so worried. It'll all work out."

Cash shot her a quick smile. "It will. It'll be fine. Especially when we get these two ugly mugs off the screen so that we can get on with our day." With that, he clicked the mouse and Mav and Blane disappeared.

"Were you expecting that?" she asked him.

"I won't lie, I was hoping that they’d see sense now that I’m staying here, but I sure as hell wasn't expecting they’d get on it so soon."

"And you think they’ll act fast?" she asked.

"I'm hopeful, but we’ve had a few false starts over the years when it comes to moving the whole operation back here to the valley. So, I'm not going to hold my breath."

"I don't blame you."

"Anyway, what about you, honey? Tell me that you're planning to stick around. I'd hate to get those two back and lose you."

She smiled. "I don't have any plans to move on just yet."

His green eyes seemed to twinkle as he met her gaze. "Is there any chance that brother of mine might be able to persuade you to stay?"

She dropped her gaze. "We only just started seeing each other, Cash."

His hand came down on her shoulder. "Yeah, sorry, darlin’. Ignore me. I'll keep my nose out."

"It's okay. I'm not mad at you or anything. I just..." She shrugged. "I like him a lot, and I'm hopeful. Let's leave it at that for now, shall we?"

"Sure thing. I didn't know if the two of you were in deep already, but since you're not, do you have any plans this weekend?"

"Why?"

"I need to fly down to San Francisco for a couple days.

I'm meeting up with a contact down there.

I know that's your old stomping ground, so if you want to hitch a ride, I'll be leaving Friday lunchtime.

You can come with me if you want. I'll probably head back Sunday afternoon, so you'll have a couple of days to catch up with family or friends or whatever you want to do.

" He tilted his head to the side and seemed to study her.

"What?" she asked. "What are you looking at me like that for?"

"Just curious. I can't get a read on whether you'd be eager to get out of here or if you'd maybe rather stick around and hang out with Ford, but you don't want to tell me that."

She laughed. "I do want to stick around here and hang out with Ford, and I don't mind telling you, but..." She drew in a deep breath. "I don't know if I should go. Something came up about my brother this week, and..."

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry, honey. Why didn't you say anything? What's going on? What can I do?"

She smiled. "I didn't say anything because there's not a damn thing you can do, Cash. We both know that. I love that you want to, but..."

He nodded slowly. "I just feel for you, darlin’, that's all. So, yeah, if you want to come with, just let me know. Or if you decide at the last minute, just show up at the airport. You don't need to give me any notice."

"Thanks, Cash. I'll think about it, but I probably won't go."

"Do you have anything planned here this weekend?"

"Ford talked about maybe going to the bakery on Friday afternoon. From the way he talked about it, I imagine you know what I mean?"

Cash threw his head back and laughed. "I know exactly what you mean, Amelia, honey. And I'd say that unless you have some pressing reason to go to San Francisco, I'd stay here if I were you."

She cocked her head at him. "Why do you say that?"

"Because going to the bakery and socializing isn't normally Ford's thing.

If he told you about it and suggested that you guys go, then.

.." He ducked his head and gave her a mischievous smile.

"Then maybe my hopes for the two of you will pan out after all.

" His smile faded. "And don't go thinking that I'm telling you something that he wouldn't admit to himself.

You and he are alike in a lot of ways. I'm sure it won't surprise you to hear that he doesn't often go to the Friday afternoon get-togethers. "

She smiled. It didn't surprise her in the least. If anything, it gave her a warm feeling inside to know that Ford was willing to go to take her.

Cash winked at her. "And on that note, do you want to call it a day? I'm going to run up to the house to see Jim and Banner." He checked his watch. "And it's getting late. You don't want to leave Ford to eat dinner alone, do you?"

She made a face. "I don't even know if he'll be there. He's worked late the last couple of nights."

Cash grinned and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Amelia slapped his arm. "Don't you dare text him and tell him to go home, you..."

Cash laughed. "You're right. I wouldn't dare. That's not what I'm doing."

"Oh, sorry." She narrowed her eyes at him. "But I know you. What then?"

He chuckled. "I'm texting Boone, telling him that he should suggest Ford go home now because you might be home soon." He picked up her bag from the back of her chair and handed it to her.

"And even if Boone can't talk him into quitting for the day, I know damn well that seeing your car back at the big house will convince him that it's time."