Page 83 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

"Okay. Thanks, Uncle Ford. Bye, Amelia."

With that, he took off again, running around the opposite side of the house.

Amelia laughed. "He's quite a character, isn't he?"

"He sure is," said Ford. "His life got a whole lot better when he and Everly came up here to be with Tanner."

"He lucked out with you guys, didn't he?" she asked.

Ford considered that for a moment before he answered. "Yeah, I guess he did."

She looked thoughtful when she said, "You're really good with him."

"I try to be."

"Do you..." She let the words trail off, but he guessed where she was going.

"Did I ever want kids?" he asked. "No."

She cocked her head. "You didn't or you don't?"

He chuckled. "I don't, and I never did. I guess I said I didn't because I kind of feel like I'm past that stage in life now." His heart started to pound, but he had to ask. "What about you?"

She shook her head rapidly. "No. I'm the same as you. I never saw having children as part of my life plan. It's just not..." She shrugged. "I don't really do well with them." She jerked her chin in the direction that Ashton had disappeared. "I enjoy them when they're smart like him, but other than that..." She shook her head slowly. "I suppose I'm not too old yet, but..." She met his gaze. "Are we figuring each other out? Is that what we're doing here?"

"I guess we are."

"And if I said I wanted kids, would that be a deal breaker?"

He took a sip of his brandy while he considered the question.

After a little while, she chuckled. "Does your lack of reply mean yes? – and don't worry. I don't. I was just curious."

He shook his head slowly. "I think, in general, my answer would be yes." He hurried on when he saw the way she cocked her head. "What I mean is that if you'd asked me – or if someone had asked me that question in general – if a woman wanted kids, would I consider that a deal breaker? Then I'd say yes." He smiled and brushed his finger over her plump lips. "But if you wanted kids... if we get to that point... then no, it wouldn't be a deal breaker. I feel like with you, it might even be a good thing."

"I wouldn't go that far," she said with a laugh.

"Maybe not, but I think you know by now that I'll always be honest with you."

"I do, and I appreciate that." She set her glass down on the table in front of them. "And just so you know, I take contraception seriously. I have an implant, so we don't need to worry about an unexpected pregnancy."

"Okay."

She laughed. "You remember I told you I'm not good at the flirting thing, and, well, I'm not very good at being romantic either. What I'm trying to say is that if you’re happy to go without condoms, then I am too, and we have nothing to worry about."

He shifted in his seat, aroused by the thought of not needing anything between them when he made love to her again.

She chuckled. "You still don't get it, do you? I'm asking if you want to come upstairs with me."

He laughed and got to his feet. "Do you want to pick up the glasses and bring them inside?" he asked as she stood to join him.

"Okay," she said slowly, and he could tell she was wondering why he didn't pick them up himself.

He curled an arm around her shoulders and hooked the other behind her knees, making her laugh as he picked her up and held her to his chest.

"I wanted you to carry them so that I can carry you," he explained.

He loved the way she smiled as she said, "Well, you won't get any complaints from me about that."