Page 78 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

Sawyer nodded but didn't comment.

Ford turned away when his phone rang and was surprised to see Cash's name on the screen. He hadn't talked to him in a while. They only talked when ranch or family business demanded it.

"Cash. What's up?" he answered.

"Not a damn thing. You doing okay?"

"Yeah, it's all good. The shots are all done now. Janey's just finished up for the day."

"Right," said Cash. "But the herd's your deal, so you're telling me this because..."

Ford let out a short laugh. "Probably because it's what's on my mind, and I can't imagine why else you'd be ringing me."

"We've been doing better lately, haven't we?"

Ford considered his answer before he spoke. "Yeah, I guess we have. Is everything all right? Are you okay?"

Cash chuckled. "Yeah, I am. See, that's the thing with you – you care, don't you?"

Ford blew out a sigh. "Yeah, I do, but now I feel like you're going to criticize me for it."

"I wouldn't. I don't know why you always jump to that conclusion with me, but... But anyway, let's not go there."

"Where do you want to go then? What do you need?"

Cash was quiet for a few moments before he said, "I need to let you know that Amelia's on her way home."

Ford inhaled sharply. "Is she okay?"

"She will be, if you don't fuck it up."

Ford closed his eyes. "Why? What did she say?"

"She didn't come running to me, if that's what you're thinking. She wouldn't have said a damn word if I hadn't pried it out of her."

"And what exactly did you pry out of her?"

"She told me what you said before you left the house this morning."

Ford's heart sank. It was one thing to admit to Brody what a mess he'd made of things this morning, but for Cash to know...

"Hey." Cash's voice interrupted his thoughts, sounding gentler than Ford remembered hearing since he was a kid. "I'm not trying to give you a hard time. I'm trying to help you out here."

"Okay."

"I know I should keep my nose out, but I like Amelia. I care about her – and even though you don't believe it, I care about you. I want to see you happy. I promised myself I wouldn't interfere between the two of you, and I don't often break a promise. But that little lady is on her way home to you right now, not sure if she should ask you what you really meant about sharing your family with her."

Ford blew out a sigh. "I don't know what she told you, but..."

"She told me enough for me to guess that you said it innocently, and then when you realized how it sounded, you realized that you meant it."

Ford closed his eyes.

"Am I right, or am I right?" Cash asked.

He let out a short laugh. "You're right – as always."

"Yeah, for once, I'm not interested in being right – well, not unless it's a byproduct of seeing the two of you figure this out."