Page 13 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

“I didn’t know if you’d have let on that you know where I am. Didn’t know what Ford would make of that.”

She gave him a puzzled look. “Two questions.”

“Fire away.”

“One, what’s Ford got to do with anything? And two, why would he have a problem with me knowing where you’re staying? He knows we work together.”

Cash leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms across his chest. “He hasn’t told you anything about our history, then?”

“He hasn’t said a word. I get the impression that you two aren’t the closest of all the MacFarland siblings, but he’s never said a word against you. And he certainly hasn’t shared anything about whatever history the two of you have.”

Cash nodded slowly. “Good to know. I just don’t want to be the source of any friction between the two of you.”

Amelia got up from her chair and stretched before turning around to lean back against the desk. “Do me a favor, Cash.”

“Anything, honey.”

“Just come out and tell me what the problem is – and what you’re getting at. You know I do better with a direct approach. And I’d say that’s normally why we get along so well. I know there’s some kind of friction between you and Ford, but I don’t know what it is. And the last thing I want to do is exacerbate it.”

“You won’t. We’re doing better these days. It’s just sibling stuff – every family has their share of it. I won’t bore you with the details. But as you already gathered, he and I aren’t the closest.” His eyes twinkled as he added, “But if I’m not wrong, you and he might end up being the closest.”

She lifted a shoulder. “If I tell you something, can it stay between you and me?”

“You know you don’t even need to ask that question, honey.”

“I do when it comes to work. But this is personal.” She cocked her head at him. “And I don’t exactly have a personal life most of the time, so we don’t have a frame of reference for how this works – especially when my personal life crosses over with your family life.”

Cash grinned. “Are you telling me there’s something going on between you and Ford?”

“I’m not telling you anything until you give me your word that whatever I say will stay between the two of us.”

“You have my word.”

“You already know I like him.”

Cash nodded.

“And…”

“And I’ll say it for you if you won’t say it yourself. I know he likes you, too.”

“I know. You’ve said that before. And I might not be the best at relationships, but even I knew it was mutual that first time I was here.”

Cash’s expression turned grim. And she was glad that from the moment she’d met him, he’d looked out for her. She’d hate to ever end up on his bad side. He was a wonderful friend to have – and there was no question that he would make a formidable foe.

“Don’t look like that,” she said. “I know you get mad whenever anyone mentions it, but Sierra and I survived. That’s all that matters. And what I was about to say was…” She let out a breath. “Screw it. I’m just going to tell you. He asked me out – and we’re going to spend the day together on Saturday.”

She had to laugh at the way he grinned.

“Has anyone ever told you that you can cover the whole spectrum of human emotions in a split second? You looked ready to kill when I mentioned the first time I came here – and now you look as happy as if someone just handed you an 18-year-old bottle of Macallan and said it’s on the house.”

“Because I am that happy, darlin’ – in fact happier; I can buy my own damn whiskey, but there’s no way I can interfere with you and Ford. I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed for you but now that you’re here, my hands are tied.”

“Why?” She shifted against the desk, pushing to her feet before sitting back down again.

“Don’t look at me like that, darlin’. You shouldn’t need to ask why; you should know that you’re two of my favorite people. I think you’d make a good match. It’s been killing me to stay out of it and not meddle in your business. You know damn well that I’ve meddled in everyone else’s lives around here lately.”

“I do. And you know, that begs the question – why aren’t you meddling now? You say you like the idea, but you’re not doing anything to help it along. Do you have some hesitation? Something I should know about? Some reason that we shouldn’t…”