Page 73 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

He blew out a sigh and pulled his phone out of his pocket – just because he was having a shit morning, that wouldn't stop him from checking in. He gave a rueful smile when he saw that he'd missed a message.

Brody: I know it's a long shot, but I'm heading back up to Trip's – I've been down in Gardiner this morning. I'm going to stop at the bakery and grab some lunch. Don't suppose there's any chance you can get away for half an hour, is there?

As he stared at the screen, another message came in.

Brody: Since I didn't hear back from you, I tried the bunkhouse. Sawyer took a message for me. Sounds like he was scared to deliver it. If today's not a good day, give me a shout some other time. If you need anything, let me know.

Ford had to smile. Just because he'd screwed up with what he'd said to Amelia before he left the house this morning, he shouldn't be taking it out on everyone else. Maybe meeting up with Brody for half an hour would help him get his head back on straight.

As he headed for his truck, he decided that bringing back a tray of pastries might not be a bad peace offering for the guys either.

When he arrived at the bakery, Ford pushed the door open and felt himself start to relax when a wave of warm air carrying all the familiar comforting smells of the place hit him. He gave Rocket a chin lift when he grinned at him from behind the counter where he was serving a bunch of tourists. Looking around, it seemed that he had beat Brody here. He took a seat at the counter, not minding if he had to wait a while – it wasn't as though anyone would be waiting eagerly for him to get back to the ranch.

"Hey, Ford, how's it going?" asked Spider, who came over to serve him. "What can I get you?"

"Just a coffee for now, thanks. I might get some lunch when Brody arrives."

Spider smiled. "It's not like you to be getting out and socializing."

Ford shrugged. "Right, but this works out so..." He shrugged again.

He felt bad when Spider turned away to get his coffee. He'd only been trying to make conversation. Ford didn't get the chance to say anything else; after Spider delivered his coffee, another group of tourists came in and he went to serve them.

A few moments later, Rocket came to stand across the counter from him. Ford smiled at the big guy. "How's it going?"

Rocket nodded. "I'm doing fine. What about you?"

Ford rolled his eyes. "Let me guess, Janey told you that I'm in a shit mood today."

Rocket chuckled. "You know she wouldn't put it like that. I just had a text from her saying that you were coming over here and would I make sure you're all right?"

Ford gave him a rueful smile. "We don't deserve her, do we? Shit. I didn't mean you. I meant the rest of us, her siblings. Janey's the best of us. I've been stomping around snapping at everyone this morning, and instead of calling you to tell you to watch out and avoid me if you can, she still wants to look out for me."

"Yeah," said Rocket, and there was no mistaking that his smile was the one of a man in love. "And I'm right there with you. I don't deserve her, but I do my best every day to try."

"Yeah, you do," said Ford. "You're the best thing that ever happened to her, and if you don't know that, you should."

Rocket gave him a bashful smile. "You doing okay? Anything I can do to help?"

Ford shook his head. "I'm good, thanks. Nothing that a coffee and a timeout won't fix."

Even as he said the words, he didn't know if that was true. Going by the way Amelia had looked when he talked about sharing his family with her this morning, he didn't know if he'd made a blunder that couldn't be fixed. Why hadn't he kept his damn mouth shut?

"Whoa." Rocket stepped back from the counter. "Whatever you're thinking, that's what you need to talk about. You look fit to tear someone limb from limb."

Ford sighed. "Sorry. The person I'm mad at is me, so there's nothing to worry about."

"All right," said Rocket. "In that case, I'll get your buddy here a drink and leave you to it. I'd love to help, but speaking from experience, when you're mad at yourself, you're usually the only one who can fix it."

Ford gave him a wry smile. "That sounds about right."

He turned to greet Brody as Rocket asked, "Hey there. What can I get you?"

A few minutes later, Ford and Brody were settled in a booth in the back with sodas and sandwiches.

"So, what's the deal?" Brody asked. "Are you pissed at something in particular or just having a bad day?"

"Who says I'm pissed?" Ford asked.