Page 53 of The Cattleman’s Unforgettable Love: Ford and Amelia (MacFarland Ranch #11)

She nodded. "So, where do we start?"

He leaned in to kiss her. "Well, like I said, it's a new day. Nat and Hunter will be awake soon, if they're not already. So, I guess if we're going to take this one step at a time, we start with breakfast."

She chuckled. "You're good at this, aren't you?"

When he grinned and said, "I'm going to work my ass off to make sure that I am," something inside her settled, and she started to believe that it might all work out.

~ ~ ~

Ford stood with his hands on his hips, observing the scene in the kitchen.

They weren't exactly off to a great start.

Amelia looked nervous as she picked at her pancake.

Nat slumped sullenly in her chair, having refused to eat anything at all.

Hunter had eaten two eggs and a whole pile of bacon before starting to work his way through the stack of pancakes that Ford had over-optimistically piled on a plate in the center of the table.

The kid was going to need a shower anyway, by the look of him, but with the amount of syrup he was using, he'd probably need hosing off in the yard.

The trouble was, the little guy was getting that greenish look about him, and Ford had a feeling he knew what was coming.

Amelia turned to Nat. "If you're not hungry, do you want to take a shower?" she asked.

Ford hated the way that Nat glowered at her. He knew that it’d take some time, but he also knew that her hostility was tearing Amelia up.

"You want me to take a shower and put these clothes back on?" Nat asked.

Amelia sat up a little straighter. "No, you can wear my things for now. If you like, we can go up to town this morning. We'll get you new clothes, both of you."

Nat turned to stare out the window for a few moments before asking Ford, "How far away is town? It feels like we're in the middle of nowhere."

"It's only a half hour ride," Ford told her.

"Half an hour?" she asked incredulously. "And there's nothing between here and there except cows and mountains?"

Ford let out a short laugh. "Not much else, no. Nothing in the way of clothes stores anyway."

Nat blew out a sigh. "So, staying here is kind of like staying at Alcatraz. Even if I managed to escape, I'd die before I reached civilization."

Ford laughed. "You should talk to my sister. She used to feel that way before she got her driver’s permit. In fact, maybe I'll give her a call. I bet her clothes are still in her room here from when she was your age."

Nat rolled her eyes at him. "You want me to wear ancient cowgirl outfits? Is that what you're saying? Forget it!"

Ford just grinned. "Maybe I'll just invite Laney over, and you can decide for yourself if she’s the kind of person whose clothes might suit you. You remind me a lot of her – in attitude, at least." He went to stand beside Amelia and rested his hand on her shoulder.

She looked up into his eyes. "Do you need to get to work? Do you need to go and..."

He could tell by the panicked look in her eyes that she didn't want to be left alone with them, and he didn't blame her.

He was glad that he could reassure her. "I'm going nowhere.

I already texted with Boone. He can handle things.

" He smiled. "He's been telling me for a while that I should take more time off – let him step up and run the herd.

" He smiled at Hunter and Nat before adding, "Now that you guys are here, I think I might just do that. "

"Does that mean you'll be able to hang out with us and show us around?" Hunter asked.

Ford had to smile at the way the kid licked his sticky fingers. "That's exactly what I'm saying. But I think you both need showers first."

"And what's he going to wear?" Nat asked.

"We'll find him something," said Ford. He winked at Hunter. "There are probably some ancient cowboy outfits around here."

"Awesome," said Hunter. "Am I allowed to use the shower in that room I slept in?" He turned to Nat. "It's cool. You just walk into it. There's no tub – that's separate, it's in its own place under the window."

Nat nodded. "I know."

"That room you slept in," said Ford, "that's your room if you want it to be, and that's your bathroom." He turned to Nat. "Same for you, if you want it. But there are more bedrooms. Take a look around before you decide which one you want to be yours."

She held his gaze for a long moment before she mumbled, "Thanks."

Amelia got up and went to the fridge. When she came back, she set a yogurt in front of Nat.

"You need to eat something. If you don't want eggs and bacon or pancakes, there's this.

" She tapped the top of the yogurt. "Or I have protein bars.

And if you tell me what you guys like, I'll go to the grocery store and. .."

Ford wanted to tell her to stop. He didn't want her to bend over backwards when Nat was acting so sullen toward her. He caught Nat's gaze and held it. She glowered at him for a moment before giving him the slightest nod and turning back to Amelia. "I like yogurt. Thanks."

Ford let out a breath. It was hardly a huge victory, but it was a start.