Page 129 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

Lil Bit: We stopped when we saw all the ranch trucks still here. How’s it going? I thought I’d check before we came in.

He chuckled.

Ford: Get your ass in here, Lil’ Bit – it’s going great. I think you’ll want to see this.

Lil Bit: On our way.

As Ford put his phone back in his pocket, he told the others, “They’re coming in.”

Tanner jutted his chin toward where Nat was sitting at a table with Tanya and Harper. It seemed to be going well, but Ford decided to go and check.

Harper looked up and smiled as he approached.

“How’s it going, ladies?” he asked.

He was relieved when Nat nodded happily.

“Hi, Uncle Ford,” Tanya greeted him. “We were just talking about going over to Bozeman – shopping.”

Nat glanced up at him but didn’t say anything. His heart sank when he realized that he and Amelia hadn’t talked to the kids about an allowance or anything. From the look on Nat’s face, he guessed she was feeling pretty uncomfortable. How could she go shopping without money? And he knew damn well she wasn’t going to say anything about it.

He rested his hand on her shoulder and said, “That sounds like fun. What kind of shopping?”

She shrugged, and Tanya said, “Clothes shopping. I’m going to show Nat what kids wear around here – and she’s going to show me the kind of stuff that she’s used to.”

Ford squeezed Nat’s shoulder. “That sounds good. Do you want me to take you guys?”

Harper smiled at him and said, “I’ve offered my services as chauffeur and style consultant – if that’s all right with you.”

That took him by surprise, and he glanced at Nat.

She grinned. “I’d like to go with her – if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.” He nodded, wondering what was going on. He could tell from the looks on both Nat and Harper’s faces that there was something.

Harper laughed and nudged Nat with her elbow. “Do you want to tell him, or should I?”

He was relieved to see Nat grin at her.

“I will.” She turned back to Ford. “Harper here thought I was being… being mean to Tanya.” She gave Harper a meaningful look as she added, “I wasn’t. It’s just that we’re different. I said there probably weren’t any stores around here that sold real clothes instead of…” Her words trailed off and she shrugged. “You know – what you all wear. Cow people clothes.”

Ford exchanged a look with Harper and they both laughed.

Harper asked, “Do I look like a cow person, young lady?”

To his relief, Nat laughed.

“No. You don’t.” She gave Harper an appraising look. “That’s why I said thank you when you offered to take us. I don’t know what’s here, and you like you know what you’re doing.”

Tanya grinned. “Neither do I. But I want to learn.”

Harper got to her feet, looking a little uncomfortable.

“Why don’t you and Emmett figure out when’s a good time for me to take the girls – and you can let me know.”

Ford glanced over his shoulder and saw Emmett approaching. He gave Harper an inquiring look, but she just shrugged before telling Tanya, “Your dad’s here now, sweetie. I’ll be on my way.”

Ford watched her go. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was dodging Emmett – and that wasn’t like her.