Page 105 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

“And the guy driving is your Uncle Cash.”

“Wow. So, are you all brothers?”

“We are,” said Ford.

“That’s a big family.”

Ford chuckled. “It’s even bigger than this. You still have Uncle Tanner and Uncle Kolby, who couldn’t come with us today to get you. And then you have two aunts – Auntie Laney and Auntie Janey.”

“Wow. That’s a huge family.”

He turned to Amelia and reached out for her hand. Ford could see the tears shining in her eyes as she took it.

“Thanks for coming to get me. You’ll be able to find Nat, won’t you?”

There was no mistaking the look of determination on Amelia’s face when she assured him, “We will.”

Ford was fascinated by the way Hunter relaxed and leaned against him.

“Are you okay down there?” he asked.

Hunter yawned and nodded. “Do you mind if I go to sleep? I’m tired.”

For a second, Ford wondered if he was asking whether he could climb in the back to lie down. Then the kid went and cemented his place in Ford’s heart when he rested his cheek against his chest, curled his arm around his waist, and closed his eyes.

Ford held the kid to him – just so that he wouldn’t slide off, that was all.

Wade grinned at him, and Cash caught his gaze in the rearview mirror and smiled.

He was so caught up in the wonder of the moment that it took him a second before he thought to check on Amelia’s reaction. The look on her face assured him that she didn’t mind that he was the one Hunter was sleeping on. Her eyes were full of love as she met his gaze and nodded.

“Do they always go to sleep like that?” Ty asked in a low voice. “Just out like a light?”

“My two don’t,” said Wade.

Cash took a quick glance over his shoulder. “I’d guess that little guy has been living on his nerves for weeks. He knows he’s safe now – that’s why.”

Ford tightened his arm a little around Hunter – silently promising him that, as long as Amelia would allow it, he’d keep him and his sister safe for the rest of their lives.

~ ~ ~

Amelia could hardly look away from Hunter. He looked like a mini Danny. It broke her heart.

At the same time, seeing him turn to Ford so easily – the way he’d climbed up onto his lap – had been a shock. But the way he’d just clung to him and fallen asleep was almost more than her heart could take.

She looked up when Ford stroked his thumb across the back of her hand and mouthed, Are you okay? She nodded, not wanting to speak. She didn’t trust her voice not to crack at the moment, and she wasn’t ready to voice her feelings in front of his brothers.

The way he cocked an eyebrow told her that he needed more reassurance than that, so she took hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.

She could tell he was concerned how she’d feel about Hunter turning to him instead of her – and she wanted to explain, just not in front of the rest of them, just how much she loved it.

She might be a little upset if Hunter hadn’t come running straight to her when he escaped that house. If he hadn’t hugged her waist as if he’d been waiting for her to show up his whole life. But she didn’t need his exclusive affection.

And if Ford wanted to be a part of whatever happened from here, then Hunter forming a bond with him was not only beautiful, but also necessary.

She finally let out a breath. They had him, that was what mattered. She tensed again when she realized that they may technically have just kidnapped him. But she’d worked with Cash long enough to know that everything would be smoothed over by morning – if not before.

She leaned forward to tap Ty’s shoulder and said in a low voice, “We need to tell Trip and Travis to let the caseworker know that he’s with us.”