Page 38 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

That made her smile. "Well, in that case, I'm glad I told him. But I need you to know that I wouldn't normally go sharing our business with anyone else."

"It's okay. I know that. So, is there anything that we still need to figure out?"

She shrugged.

"You're right. We should talk about it. When I said what I said – about sharing my family with you – I was only saying it as a joke at first, but when I heard the words, I realized that I meant it. And then I ran away like a damn coward because I was scared."

"That's what I figured," she said.

"Yeah, but I wasn’t scared that you’d like the idea – I was scared that I'd frighten you off by pushing for too much too soon."

A wave of relief rushed over her. "But you weren't pushing, were you?"

He shook his head slowly. "No, I wasn't. But..." She held her breath and watched his face as he continued. "I wasn't pushing, but I won't take it back."

She went to him and rested her hands on his shoulders, rolling up on her tiptoes to kiss him before saying, "I'm glad you don't want to take it back. I know it's soon... and there's no rush... but..."

His eyes seemed to shine as a big smile spread across his face. "Are you telling me that it's a possibility you might consider – at some point down the line?"

She nodded happily. "I am. And obviously, we'll have to see how things go from here, but as far as I'm concerned, that point doesn't have to be too far down the line."

She laughed as he lifted her off her feet again and spun her around the kitchen. When he set her down on the counter, she clung to his arms. "You could make a girl dizzy doing that, you know?"

The lines around his eyes crinkled as he said, "Well, then we'd be even, because you just made me dizzy by making me so happy."

~ ~ ~

Sitting out back on the deck after they'd eaten, Ford wrapped his arm around Amelia, and she rested her cheek against his shoulder.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I am. I'm great. In fact, if you told me this morning that I'd feel this relaxed and happy tonight, I wouldn't have believed you."

"Me neither. I thought things had gotten all messed up between us."

He turned to look down into her eyes and told her honestly, "I hope that never happens again."

She sat up and held her hand out to him. He took it, not understanding what she meant, until she said, "Then let's make a deal, shall we? Let's promise that we won't ever let things get all messed up."

He shook her hand. "Gladly. I'd like that, but..."

She smiled. "I know. We can't guarantee that they won't, but I'm a big believer in communication.

And I think if we promise to be honest with each other, that'll get us 90% of the way there.

Although there's no saying that one or the other of us might decide that we're not such a good match as it seems right now. "

He nodded slowly, not wanting to admit that she was right but also unable to deny it.

"Just promise me that if it works out that way, we'll still be friends," he asked.

"Even if we can't make it work the way I want us to, you're someone I respect – someone I admire.

So, if I can only have you as a friend, I'd rather have that than nothing. "

“Aww!” She held her arms out to him, and he leaned in, happy to let her hug him and to hold her close.

"What does aww mean?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Just that you're an absolute sweetheart, and I think people do you an injustice with that whole dark and broody thing."

He leaned back to look into her eyes. "I'm glad you see me that way, but don't go fooling yourself, Lil’ Bit. I can be a cranky bastard, and I'm not easy. I need you to understand that. Take today, for example. I made everyone's life hell around here."

She raised her eyebrows. "Did you really?"

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, fraid I did. I didn't mean to, but... I was mad at myself for the way things went this morning."

She studied his face carefully before saying, "I'm glad that you're honest about it, and I suppose I'll just have to wait and see, won't I?

But... Maybe I'm too optimistic, but my guess is that we'll be okay.

" She smiled. "And I'll also tell you that if you start being cranky with me, I'll call you out on it. "

He chuckled. "Good. I want you to when it happens. I have to say, though – I think you bring out the best in me."

She smiled. "I hope so. More than that, I plan to."

He closed his eyes when she reached up and stroked her hand over the back of his neck and his shoulders. He felt himself relax under her touch.

"There," she said. "See? You’re just like me.

We keep our distance because we know we're different from most people, but.

.." A bolt of electricity zapped down his spine when she ran her fingers over his nape.

"I think we get each other. I feel safe with you, and I think you feel more relaxed with me – don't you? "

"I do, and..." It felt like a strange thing to say, but it was true, so he wasn't going to hold back. "This might sound weird, but I feel safe with you, too."

She beamed at him. "Good. I'm glad I can do that for you."

He smiled through pursed lips. "I don't want to sound like a coward or anything. I'm not saying I need you to protect me."

"No, I know that. But I think with big tough guys like you, it's not about needing protection. It's about feeling safe to be yourself – and feeling understood." She pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose. "I can't say I totally understand you yet, but I'm happy to keep working on it. I..."

"Uncle Ford!"

Ford shook his head with a smile. As much as he loved Ashton, he could have done without the kid interrupting this moment.

Amelia chuckled. "It's okay. It doesn't bother me if that's what you're thinking."

"It wasn't," he told her honestly. "I hope this doesn't come across wrong, but if you had a problem with him interrupting us, we wouldn't be getting off to a great start."

He was relieved when she laughed. "I know, and I'm glad you don't mind just coming out and telling me that."

"Uncle Ford !" Ashton sounded more insistent this time, and Ford turned to see the kid appearing around the corner of the house, running at full speed. "Uncle..." He skidded to a halt when he saw them. "Oh, hey, there you are," he said with a grin.

"Where else would I be, little man?"

"I thought you were in the house. That's why I was shouting for you. Oh, hi, Amelia."

"Hi, Ashton." Ford was surprised that she got to her feet. "Do you want a word with your uncle Ford?" she asked.

"That's okay. I need to talk to both of you." He glanced over his shoulder. "But I need to be quick. Mom says I'm not supposed to bother you."

Ford frowned. "Why’s that?"

He did his best not to laugh when Ashton slid his gaze toward Amelia with a slight nod. "You know!" he whispered loudly.

"Ah, right," he said.

Amelia laughed. "You can tell her that I don't mind you coming around," she told him.

"I already did, but she said I'm not supposed to make a nuisance of myself. But when are we going to have dinner again, Uncle Ford?" Ashton met his gaze. "I already asked Amelia if she wants to join us next time."

Ford exchanged a glance with her, and she nodded.

"I don't know yet, little man. I..."

"Ashton!"

The kid's eyes grew wide. "Shoot. I have to go. If she comes round here, tell her you haven't seen me."

"Nope," said Ford. "You know I'm not going to lie for you, kid. We already talked about that."

Ashton blew out a sigh and grinned at Amelia. "Mom says he's an honorable man," he told her, "and I know she's right, but sometimes it'd be easier..."

"Ashton!"

"Go on," Ford told him. "You don't want to worry her, and I'll have a word with her, see what we can figure out about you coming for dinner, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, Uncle Ford. Bye, Amelia."

With that, he took off again, running around the opposite side of the house.

Amelia laughed. "He's quite a character, isn't he?"

"He sure is," said Ford. "His life got a whole lot better when he and Everly came up here to be with Tanner."

"He lucked out with you guys, didn't he?" she asked.

Ford considered that for a moment before he answered. "Yeah, I guess he did."

She looked thoughtful when she said, "You're really good with him."

"I try to be."

"Do you..." She let the words trail off, but he guessed where she was going.

"Did I ever want kids?" he asked. "No."

She cocked her head. "You didn't or you don't?"

He chuckled. "I don't, and I never did. I guess I said I didn't because I kind of feel like I'm past that stage in life now." His heart started to pound, but he had to ask. "What about you?"

She shook her head rapidly. "No. I'm the same as you.

I never saw having children as part of my life plan.

It's just not..." She shrugged. "I don't really do well with them.

" She jerked her chin in the direction that Ashton had disappeared.

"I enjoy them when they're smart like him, but other than that.

.." She shook her head slowly. "I suppose I'm not too old yet, but.

.." She met his gaze. "Are we figuring each other out? Is that what we're doing here?"

"I guess we are."

"And if I said I wanted kids, would that be a deal breaker?"

He took a sip of his brandy while he considered the question.

After a little while, she chuckled. "Does your lack of reply mean yes? – and don't worry. I don't. I was just curious."

He shook his head slowly. "I think, in general, my answer would be yes.

" He hurried on when he saw the way she cocked her head.

"What I mean is that if you'd asked me – or if someone had asked me that question in general – if a woman wanted kids, would I consider that a deal breaker?

Then I'd say yes." He smiled and brushed his finger over her plump lips.

"But if you wanted kids... if we get to that point.

.. then no, it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

I feel like with you, it might even be a good thing. "

"I wouldn't go that far," she said with a laugh.

"Maybe not, but I think you know by now that I'll always be honest with you."

"I do, and I appreciate that." She set her glass down on the table in front of them. "And just so you know, I take contraception seriously. I have an implant, so we don't need to worry about an unexpected pregnancy."

"Okay."

She laughed. "You remember I told you I'm not good at the flirting thing, and, well, I'm not very good at being romantic either. What I'm trying to say is that if you’re happy to go without condoms, then I am too, and we have nothing to worry about."

He shifted in his seat, aroused by the thought of not needing anything between them when he made love to her again.

She chuckled. "You still don't get it, do you? I'm asking if you want to come upstairs with me."

He laughed and got to his feet. "Do you want to pick up the glasses and bring them inside?" he asked as she stood to join him.

"Okay," she said slowly, and he could tell she was wondering why he didn't pick them up himself.

He curled an arm around her shoulders and hooked the other behind her knees, making her laugh as he picked her up and held her to his chest.

"I wanted you to carry them so that I can carry you," he explained.

He loved the way she smiled as she said, "Well, you won't get any complaints from me about that."