Page 39 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

Ford made a face at his sister. He knew who Brody was looking for, too, but he didn't know if it was public knowledge – or if Brody would want it to be.

He relaxed a little when Brody pushed Laney's arm, remembering that the two of them had been close ever since grade school. Brody was a few years older than her; he was closer to Ford in age, but the two of them had bonded over some 4H event when Laney was just small and they’d maintained that bond ever since.

"I'm just out for a beer," he told her. "There's no need to get all up in my business."

Laney laughed. "I know there's no need, but it's what I do, and you know that." She took her phone out. "I've been texting with her. She should be here soon." She scowled when she checked the screen. "And I'm about to tell her that if she doesn't get her ass here soon, I'm going to have to go get her myself. And then I'll be pissed, and she doesn't want that."

Ford exchanged a look with his brothers and laughed.

Brody rolled his eyes. "I told you; I'm just out for a drink."

Laney looked up from her phone with a grin. "Well, that's a shame, because she's just about to walk in the door."

"Give him a break, Laney," Ford told her.

She just smiled at him. "I thought you'd be glad that I'm picking on him instead of you."

"I'd rather you picked on me. Everyone knows my business now. I don't want you outing Brody before he's ready."

His friend shot him a grateful smile. "It's okay. I think these guys already know."

Wade, Tanner, and Ty all nodded.

"The only thing I don't know," said Ty, "is why it's supposed to be such a big secret."

Tanner slapped the back of his head. "Think about it, squirt. Would you want to risk Blane coming after you about his little sister before you even know if she's interested?"

"Right. Yeah," said Ty.

Laney elbowed Brody. "But you don't need to worry about that. For starters, she is interested. And for another thing, if Blane's going to let anyone live after they show an interest in her, it'd be you – he likes you."

Brody chuckled as he looked at Ford. "So, can we change the subject back to you before she gets over here? What business of yours does everyone know? Because I don't."

He opened his mouth to speak, but Wade beat him to it. "He's out with Amelia tonight – Sierra's friend."

Brody met Ford's gaze. He didn't need any explanation of who Amelia was – the two of them had talked about her before.

Ford just smiled at his friend and jerked his chin toward where Brooke was now pushing her way through the crowd to join them.

~ ~ ~

"I'm so glad that you're here with him," Sierra wrapped Amelia in a hug.

"I am, too. I didn't know how this would work out, but... I like it."

"I'm a little surprised that he decided to bring you here and out with everyone else on your first date, though."

Amelia chuckled. "This wasn't the original plan, but we ran into Laney, Janey, and Frankie this afternoon, and they were all kind of protective of him. So..." She shrugged. "This way they get to see that we're not just sneaking around, I guess."

Sierra looked up at her forehead, and it took Amelia a moment to realize that she was actually looking at Ford's hat that she was still wearing. "You wearing that thing tells me that you're doing the exact opposite of sneaking around."

Amelia didn't even ask what she meant. She wasn't going to play coy. Instead, she grinned and said, "I know, and I'm surprised at myself how much I like it."

"Good," said Sierra. "I'm glad. And I won't bug you or anything, but I'm starting to get my hopes up here, Lia."

She didn't know what to say, so she didn't speak, and Sierra reached out to touch her arm. "I told you that I'm not going to bug you, but I have to say it just this once. I hope that Ford might have something to do with you keeping your promise."

She frowned. "What promise is that?"