Page 5 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

After he’d said goodnight to Ashton and Everly, Tanner walked back outside with Ford.

“Did you guys have a good time tonight?"

Ford nodded happily. “We did; we always do – you know that.”

Tanner grinned. “I do know it – it doesn’t even surprise me anymore.”

“I guess we’re even then.”

Tanner knew exactly what he meant. “I know, right? Not so long ago no one would have believed that I’d be a happily married man and a dad, would they? But now, I can hardly remember what life was like before I met them.”

“I would have laughed if anyone had even suggested you might find yourself a steady girlfriend a year ago. But yeah, I can’t imagine you not being with them now.”

Tanner shuddered. “I don’t even want to think about it. I love our little family.”

“And they love you – as they should.” Ford grasped his brother’s shoulder. “You’re a good husband and a good dad.”

Tanner smiled. “Thanks, that means the world coming from you.”

“Yeah, well. Just calling it as I see it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yep. Can you tell Boone he can come out to the barn at about eleven? I want him to have his pick of the geldings I bought at auction. Some of them will make good ranch horses. I’m going to work with the rest, make sure they’re bombproof before I give Wade his pick for the lodge guests.

The ones that are left I’ll sell to the resort. ”

“Sure, I’ll tell him. Is there …” He stopped short when he noticed that Amelia’s car was back.

“Is there what?” Tanner asked.

Ford wasn’t sure that he should ask, but the idea had been rattling around in his head for a few days, and…

“I was thinking about something for Amelia. Looks like she’s going to be staying a while.

She might move down to Mav’s place when all the guys come home.

So, it seems pointless for her to look for a place of her own in the meantime. ”

Tanner cocked an eyebrow. “Does she ride? Are you asking if one of the geldings might be a good match for her?”

“I dunno. I just thought… She’s mentioned a few times that she loves horses. Said that she’d like to learn.” He shrugged. “Probably a dumb idea on my part, but… yeah.”

“It’s not a dumb idea. If she’s going to stick around – either here or at Mav’s place – it’d be a good idea for her to learn.

And as it happens, there’s a sweet Morgan – flashy-looking buckskin he is.

Stands just under fifteen hands. I was hoping I might find an excuse to keep him around.

If you want him for Amelia, I’ll start work with him in the morning – see what he’s got.

There was a kid riding him at the auction.

Horse knew what he was doing, even though the kid didn’t – he looked to be sweet-natured and intelligent. ”

Ford pursed his lips. “It was just an idea. If you want him for something else – or if you can sell him at a profit…”

“I told you. I like having an excuse to keep him around. Maybe Amelia will take to him, take to riding. If not, I can always find a job or a home for him.”

“Okay. I’ll swing by the barn with Boone in the morning then.”

“You do that.” Tanner glanced at the window above their heads. “I’d better go say goodnight to the little guy.”

“Okay.”

“Before I do, I’ve gotta ask – are you and Amelia…?”

“No.”

“Is that no, not yet? Or no, the shine’s worn off now that she’s here?”

Ford shoved his hands in his pockets and scanned the shadowy mountains.

Tanner chuckled. “Is that a ‘it hasn’t worn off yet, but you don’t know where it might go’?”

“Something like that. Go say goodnight to Ash, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned and headed back up to the big house.

“You need a wingman, I’ve got you, bro,” Tanner called after him.

Ford smiled, but didn’t look back, just waved over his shoulder as he went.

~ ~ ~

Amelia stood at the kitchen sink, filling a glass of water – not because she could see the path that led back up from the barn from there. Not really.

When she’d seen him walking Ashton home – or seen Ashton riding him home – she’d expected Ford to be right back, but he’d been gone a little while now. She wanted to see him.

It wasn’t like her.

She wasn’t shy – not in general, and not when it came to men. Far from it. But there was something about Ford that had her second-guessing herself.

She’d fallen for his looks the very first time she laid eyes on him – when she’d come to Montana to help Sierra with the kids after they first arrived. She’d gotten to know him a little back then, and the sparks between them were undeniable.

She’d been planning to make her move on him.

She’d even decided when she would do it – Wade had invited all the brothers over to hang out with him and the kids while she and Sierra went out for an afternoon in Bozeman.

Tyler was going to grill burgers and steaks for everyone that evening when they got back.

But they hadn’t made it back – that was the day Sierra’s ex, Jared, had run them off the road.

Her hand came up to touch her neck. Her fingers traced the now almost imperceptible scar where Jared had held a knife to her throat.

She shuddered at the memory.

She’d believed she was going to die – and the worst part was knowing that no one would miss her.

Of course, Sierra would have, and some of the guys she’d worked with over the years. Her cousins in the Bay Area would miss her Christmas cards. But it had hit her in that moment – she wouldn’t be leaving a hole in anyone’s life.

She straightened up when she saw Ford was almost back to the house.

She didn’t need to dwell on what had happened back then.

Although… she’d never forget the way Ford had held her – or the look on his face as he did – when he, Wade, and the others had ridden in to the rescue.

She stayed at the sink, waiting until she heard the door close before she turned to greet him.

The sight of him took her breath away. Cassidy was right – there was definitely something about dark and broody that did it for her.

She didn’t think she had a type, but Ford was different from the guys she usually dated.

He was bigger, taller, and heavier built – she hadn’t thought that she was into muscular guys, but perhaps it was the cowboy hat and boots that changed things.

She closed her eyes briefly, as if that could stop the mental chatter.

“Hey,” she greeted him. “How was your evening?”

Ford took his hat off and hung it on the hook by the door. She realized that as much as she liked cowboy hats, it wasn’t what made Ford special. He was just as sexy without it. As she watched him run his fingers through his thick, dark hair, her own fingers twitched, wanting to do the same.

Her heart rate picked up when he smiled. “I had a great time with Ashton – we always do. And you’re welcome to stick around and join us next time. I know you already had plans with Cassidy and Shane tonight, but …” He shrugged as he sat to kick off his boots.

“Thanks, I might take you up on that offer next time. Do you want a glass of water? I was just getting myself one.”

He sat up and eyed the glass in her hand as if she’d asked a question that needed more deliberation. She understood why when he spoke.

“Thanks, but I was thinking about pouring myself a brandy. I don’t drink when Ashton comes over, but I need one by the time he’s gone home. Do you want one?”

“Yeah, I’d love one.” She chuckled. “I can’t imagine you ever allowing yourself to be drunk in charge of a small boy.”

He smiled as he made his way to the liquor cabinet. “You’re right, that’d never happen. But I daren’t even have a beer – I need my wits about me to keep up with the little guy. And sorry, I didn’t even ask – did you have a good time with Shane and Cassidy?”

“I did.”

He poured two glasses of brandy and turned to her with a smile. “Want to take these into the great room or are you headed to bed?”

“I’d be happy to sit with you for a while, if you’re not too tired. I like to unwind a bit before I go to bed.”

He nodded and gestured with his chin for her to go ahead of him while he brought the drinks.

When she reached the great room, she smiled when she spotted a comic book sitting on the cushions.

Ford hurried forward and set the drinks down on the table before he grabbed the comic. He shot her a rueful smile.

“It’s Ashton’s; he must have forgotten it.”

She chuckled. “And you expect me to believe that when it’s right there in your spot?”

He laughed with her. “I promise you, it’s not mine. He likes to sit in my spot – and control the remote.”

She raised her eyebrows. “And you let him?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

“No reason, I just … I thought that … I’ve only ever seen you sit there. I thought …”

He frowned. “Do I give the impression that I’m that territorial?”

“No. I just assumed – and I’m sorry.”

His smile was back. “It’s not a problem. Don’t look so worried. I wasn’t mad. I was just surprised. Tell you what …” He slid her glass along the table until it was in front of his spot on the sofa. “Just to prove that I don’t mind, you can sit there.”

She laughed and sat down. “Thanks.”

She piled up the cushions and leaned back against them. Pulling her knees up to her chest and resting the glass of brandy on top of them, she watched him over the top of the glass.

He looked a little puzzled as he settled himself on one of the armchairs.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

She raised her eyebrows, and his features relaxed into a small smile.

“You notice things.”

She nodded. “I do. But what things are you talking about?”

“First, you noticed that I have a spot on the sofa. I don’t think any of my family know that.

” He gave a rueful smile. “Either that, or they just don’t care.

They come in and sit wherever they like.

But that’s not even what I meant – just now, you asked what’s up.

Why did you even suspect that something was up? ”