Page 29 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

Ford walked Janey back over to her car. "I'll be back to finish the rest tomorrow," she told him. "You know that I'd normally stick around until the whole herd was done, but I need to get home tonight."

"That's okay. There's no big rush," he told her.

"You know I love having my sister as the vet; it works two ways – it means that you can knock off early when you need to as well.

It's not like you're going to lose the client just because you want to go home to see your husband.

" He smiled to soften his words when he realized how they might sound.

"And in case I haven't told you lately, I think the world of Rocket. I'm happy for you guys."

Janey seemed to light up when she smiled, or maybe it was just talking about Rocket that did it. Ford knew that his sister loved the big man with her whole heart.

"Thanks, Ford. It's just that we made plans for this evening ages ago, and you know what my work's like. I can't always be home when I say I will."

"Like I said, it's not a problem. Don't give it another thought. We'll see you tomorrow." He opened her truck door for her when they reached it, and she reached up to kiss his cheek.

"How are things going with Amelia?" she asked. "I know Laney, Frankie, and I didn't exactly give her the warmest welcome, but I hope you understand why."

"Of course I do." He gave her a rueful smile. "I'd be a hypocrite if I complained, wouldn't I? I didn't exactly make life easy for Rocket in the beginning."

Janey laughed. "I don't know if I ever told you this, but you cost us our first kiss."

His heart sank. "Shit. I'm sorry. I never meant..."

She touched his arm. "There's no need. If anything, I want to thank you for that. It was too soon, and it was only because you came barging in and interrupted us that I agreed to go over and see him the next day."

Ford had to smile. "Well, if I helped you get the timing right, and since I know I didn't mess things up for you completely, I’ll let it go with just an apology."

She met his gaze. "Do you think things might work out between you and Amelia?"

He toed the gravel with his boot. "I don't know yet. It's too soon to say."

"Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. And if ever you want a female perspective, you know I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Janey." He looked up and spotted Boone hurrying toward them from the bunkhouse.

"I'll get going and let you see what he wants," said Janey. "See you in the morning."

"Yeah. See ya."

"What's up, Boone?" he called as he watched her drive away.

"Nothing. I was just coming to say that you might as well carry on back up to the house while you're here. Call it a day."

Ford gave him a puzzled look. "Are you giving me my orders now?"

"Hell no." Boone shook his head rapidly. "I just..." He glanced over at the big house. "You've been out here with us until late the last couple of nights. Amelia's still staying with you, right?"

Ford made a face. "She's staying at the house, not with me."

"You know what I mean," said Boone. "I thought you might appreciate the chance to spend a bit more time with her."

"She's not back yet."

Boone chuckled. "And the fact that you know that without even looking to check if her car’s there tells me that you've been keeping an eye out for her, right?"

Ford gave him a wry smile. "Maybe so, but..."

"Then go on. Now that Janey’s gone, we're all done for the day. I can handle anything that comes up. Even if Amelia's not back yet, I bet she will be soon. Maybe you can get something ready for dinner while you wait."

Ford had to laugh. "Do you know something that I don't?"

Boone shrugged. "I'm sure I know lots of things that you don't, but I don't know what time Amelia will be home. Just thought..."

Ford grasped his shoulder. "Hey, I'm not giving you a hard time. I appreciate it. And you're right. I'll head back up to the house. You can always call me if you need me."

Boone grinned. "Right. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah. See ya," said Ford.

When he got back up to the house, he showered quickly and got changed before running back down to the kitchen.

He went through the cabinets and checked the fridge, but there wasn't anything there that would knock together a decent dinner.

He opened the freezer. She'd enjoyed the last pizza they'd had; it might be too soon for another, but.

.. He straightened up and closed the freezer door when he heard a vehicle outside.

He went to the window and smiled when he saw her climbing out of her car. He'd have to thank Boone in the morning.

~ ~ ~

When she pulled up behind the house, Amelia was pleased to see that Ford's truck was already there, although she had to wonder if it was because of Cash and his meddling.

She didn't know what Cash had said to Boone, or what Boone might have said to Ford – or even if his meddling had had anything to do with it.

Ford might have just finished early this evening anyway.

She climbed out of the car and slung her bag over her shoulder.

As she walked past the line of ranch trucks, it struck her that even though they all looked the same – they were big, black pickup trucks with the gold ranch logo on the doors – she knew which one was Ford's.

Of course, she'd made a mental note of his license plate number, but she didn't even need to check that.

His truck was usually cleaner than the others, and she knew that it was because he took better care of it, not that it didn't get as dirty – it probably saw more miles than any of the other trucks.

He might not be thrilled about the amount of time he had to spend in the office, but he was still out on the ranch a lot as well.

She glanced back at his truck. There was a little sticker in the corner of the window on the back passenger side.

She didn't know for sure, but she'd bet that Ashton had something to do with it.

And even though she'd never seen Ford wear one, a baseball cap hung from a hook in the back.

She smiled as she hurried up to the house.

She was more interested in seeing the man himself than in the little details that made his truck his.

"Hi, I'm back," she called as she opened the kitchen door. Then she stopped in her tracks when she saw him standing right there beside the fridge.

He was a good-looking guy – that had never been in question.

But right now, he looked sexy as sin. He must have just had a shower and was wearing jeans that didn't look like his usual work jeans.

They were a lighter color, and something about his bare feet – his very large bare feet – sticking out the bottom made him look even sexier.

He was wearing a blue henley that she hadn't seen on him before, and as delicious as he looked in it, flickers of desire curled in her belly at the thought that she'd rather see him out of it.

He greeted her with a puzzled smile. "Sorry. Did I surprise you?"

She gave a short, embarrassed laugh, realizing that she'd just been standing there staring at him.

She didn't see any reason to hide that. "You kind of took my breath away," she said.

"Not in shock that you're here, but..." She smiled as she let her gaze travel over him and laughed when a thought struck her.

"I didn't realize you would have already changed into something a little more comfortable. "

He looked confused for a moment and then laughed as he rolled his eyes at her. "I got finished a bit earlier than normal. I took a shower and..." He looked down at himself. "These are just my hanging around the house clothes."

She went to him and touched his arm. "I wasn't complaining," she explained. "I was saying that you look gorgeous." She met his eyes and added, "Sexy."

His eyes turned a darker shade of green as he looked down at her.

He leaned closer and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She'd thought to give him a quick peck, but as his arms closed around her waist and he lifted her off her feet, he claimed her mouth in one of his deep, searing kisses that left her breathless.

When he finally leaned back, he sat her on the counter and stood between her legs, sending slick heat trickling through her veins.

She wanted nothing more than to wrap her legs around his waist and hold him to her.

And as he brushed his thumb over her lips, it was obvious that he wanted the same thing.

They stared into each other's eyes for a few long moments before he let out a short laugh.

"I'm supposed to be asking you what you want for dinner.

Supposed to be suggesting pizza even though we had it not long ago.

" He shook his head as if to clear it. "I'm supposed to be asking how your day was – but all I can think about is how beautiful you are and how bad I want you. "

His words sent heat racing over her skin and hot shivers down her spine. She tightened her arms around his neck as she said, "I want you, too."

Tension hummed through him as he held her a little closer. "But it's too soon, and I need to feed you, and..."

She brought a finger up to his lips. "The time will be right whenever we want it to be," she told him.

"It's not as though we're strangers, is it?

We've known each other for a long time, even if we haven't been around each other much until now.

And..." She paused to consider her words before she continued, but they were true, so she did.

"And I trust you. I'm not the kind of person to sleep around, but I'm also not the kind of person who has a problem with going for it when it's right. "