Page 44 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

On Sunday morning, Ford stood in the kitchen, leaning back against the cabinets with his arms folded across his chest and a scowl on his face. Ty was in and out to the back deck, prepping his food in the kitchen and getting the grill ready outside.

Ashton, Mateo, and Maya were running around the house, playing a game of tag that Ford might normally have joined in on. But this morning had him on edge.

Shayna, Callie, and Everly were all sitting in the great room, chatting away.

Everyone was around the house, as they so often were on a Sunday.

He'd come to love the way the family had grown over the last couple of years, and he even looked forward to Sundays like this – even if he did run out to check on the herd and the hands – or at least used that as an excuse to get away for a while more often than not. But this morning, it felt different.

He wanted to yell at them all to go home. Not because he loved them any less than he had before, but now that he'd admitted to himself and to Amelia that he loved her, he was feeling protective of her and of their private space and time.

She was antsy this morning, and he didn't blame her. He was surprised that she hadn't followed up – at least that he knew of – on trying to find out who Hunter, or Rootless2, was during the week. But now the hour was approaching for her to message with him again.

She was on edge, and he hated it for her. As more and more of the family had started arriving, and she'd looked more and more uncomfortable, he'd told her that if she wanted, she should just go back upstairs. He could make excuses for her that she was working.

He could tell that she was torn, but relieved when he insisted. There'd be plenty of time for her to get to know the family better – plenty more Sundays like this for her to hang out with everyone.

The thing was, all he wanted to do was to go upstairs and join her. To keep her company while she waited until the time when she could talk to Hunter.

Wade's voice pulled him from his thoughts when he came into the kitchen and said, "Oh, shit. Is everything okay? Where's Amelia?"

"She's fine. She's working."

Wade came closer and spoke in a lower voice. "Is everything okay between the two of you? I'm guessing if she's hiding away, and you are standing around looking like a storm about to unleash its fury on the world..."

Ford shoved his hands into his pockets. "Everything's fine. She just has some stuff going on. We're good. You've got no worries there."

Wade held his gaze. "Anything I can help with?"

"No. Thanks, bro, but it's all good." Wade raised his eyebrows and Ford allowed himself a smile.

"If you want to know the truth," he said in a low voice, "things between us are even better than good.

This is just something she has going on – family stuff.

But she'll get through it. I'll make sure of it. "

Wade smiled back. "Okay. I won't ask any more questions. I'll just say that it's good to know you’re happy. And if she needs any help, you let me know."

They both turned when Cash spoke.

"What's going on? Is she all right?"

"She is. I thought you were in San Francisco."

Cash shrugged. "I got finished early. Thought I'd come back. Do you mind if I steal him for a minute, Wade?"

Wade looked from Cash to Ford and back again. "You can steal him if you both promise me that you won't start giving each other any shit. If you need to do that..."

Cash laughed. "Relax, would you? We're good. Aren't we, Ford?"

Ford nodded. "We are. And we need to have a chat anyway."

Wade still looked wary, but he shrugged. "Okay. I'm hoping I can trust you both."

Cash met Ford's gaze as he said, "He'll get the hang of it soon. They all will."

"Get the hang of what?" asked Wade.

"Of how different things are now," Cash told him, before jerking his head toward the door.

Ford followed him out there, and they walked side by side down toward the barn. Neither spoke until they were out of earshot of the family.

"Where is she?" Cash asked.

"She's upstairs. Hiding out. Is that what you wanted to ask me about?"

"I just wanted to make sure that you guys are okay. See if you need me for anything."

Ford nodded slowly. "We're good." He smiled. Suddenly it felt important that he should tell Cash before he told any of the others.

Cash gave him an appraising look. "You look like you have something you want to say to me."

Ford chuckled. "Don't spoil it. Let me build up to it in my own way."

"I'll try, but you know what I'm like."

"I do. That's why I'm warning you."

"So, spit it out, then."

Ford laughed. "All right. We're doing more than good. She already decided that when Mav and Blane come back, she wants to stay here – with me."

Cash grinned and grasped his shoulder. "Now, that is good news. I'm happy for you." He narrowed his eyes. "But there's more, isn't there? Something you're still not telling me."

"Yeah. I want to tell you, but it feels strange to just come out and say it."

"What does? Just get it over with."

Ford took a deep breath and blew it out slowly before saying, "I love her."

Cash's eyes seemed to twinkle as he slapped Ford's back. "You just made my day. Week, month, year. I was hoping, but..." He shrugged. "I didn't know if you guys might..." He cocked his head. "I'm saying, you guys – are you just saying that you've discovered how you feel? Or that...?"

Ford nodded happily. "She feels the same way. We told each other."

Cash gave his shoulder a shake. "That's the best news I've had in a long time. She's a good girl, Amelia. And you two are just the right fit."

"Thanks. We think so."

Cash's smile faded. "But what did you want to talk to me about?"

"What do you know about her family?"

Cash frowned. "Why? What’s she told you? Or hasn't she? Am I going to put my foot in it if I go wading in telling you things she hasn't shared with you yet?"

Ford shrugged. "I don't think so. But I'll let you decide. I'll explain what's going on."

By the time he'd explained about Amelia's online chat with Rootless2 – Hunter – Cash agreed that his theory about Hunter was probably right. He also agreed that since Amelia hadn't figured it out for herself yet – which was surprising for her – it might come as a big shock when she found out.

"What time is she going to talk to him?" Cash asked.

"He said he should be able to get online at 1:30. So 11:30 here."

"And what's the plan? She's going to hide out upstairs till then? You're going to go be with her when she talks to him, right?"

"I am. I’m not sure that she wants me there, but I said I'm going to be there, and she didn't complain."

Cash smiled. "We're more alike than we ever wanted to admit, aren't we?"

"I guess we are." Ford glanced up at the house. "You know I love them, but I wish they weren't here today."

"So why don't you get her out of here?"

Ford shrugged. "I suggested it, but..."

Cash started walking back toward the house.

Ford kept stride with him. "Do me a favor. Don't go telling her what to do."

Cash grinned at him. "I wouldn't dream of it.”

“Then where are we going?"

"We're going to get the two of you out of here and make a bit of a statement at the same time. You'll see." He met Ford's gaze. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course. Do you really need to ask?"

Cash visibly relaxed as he said, "You know, for the last who knows how many years, I haven't been sure."

Ford had to clear his throat, and then he reached out and punched Cash's arm. "Well, now I've set you straight, huh?"

Cash chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you have."

When they reached the house, Cash strode into the kitchen and stood in the doorway that led to the great room – so that everyone present would be able to hear him when he said in a loud voice, "Doesn't Amelia have something she has to get done today?"

Ford tensed as he met his brother's gaze.

"She does. Why?"

It was easy to feel the change in the atmosphere. The buzz of happy chatter died down and the whole family seemed to be on alert. Their gazes fixed on him and Cash. The two of them hadn't had a blow up in years, but no one had forgotten how that used to go.

As Cash stepped toward him, Wade and Tanner also stepped forward – no doubt ready to pull the two of them apart if necessary.

However, Cash grinned and grasped Ford's shoulder as he said, "Because I was thinking she might find it easier if she has all her gear around her. You should take her to the office so that she can do it from there."

Ford just stared at him. No one knew for sure where Cash was staying – where his and Amelia's office was.

Cash winked at him. "I know you don't know where it is." He looked around at the others. "None of you do."

They all shook their heads. He turned back to Ford and added, "And I ain't telling the rest of ‘em. But you need to know – for Amelia's sake and for mine. So why don't you go ask her if she'd find it easier to do her work from there? Then you kids get out of here."

Ford nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. He hadn't expected this.

Cash grinned at him as he stepped forward and said, "It's okay. You don't have to thank me. You can just give me a hug."

Ford didn't even get the chance to protest before Cash wrapped him in a bear hug.

He squeezed his eyes tight shut, his mind flooded with memories from childhood when Cash used to be his safe place – his big brother, his hero.

He clenched his jaw tight, afraid to make a fool of himself.

But then Cash stepped back, and Ford was stunned to see the emotion on his face and the way his eyes shone a little more brightly.

Cash shrugged and said, "Love you, bro."

Ford's voice came out as not much more than a croak as he gripped Cash's shoulder and said, "Love you, too."

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