Page 75 of Pick Your Spot

“That’s small to Ford. He has seven older brothers plus one younger sister.”

She smiled. “That’s as many kids as we had in some of the group homes. And there were a bunch of adults in charge of those. Ford’s parents must have been exhausted.”

He laughed. “Probably so.”

The sound of the truck’s engine reached them, and Knox grabbed Thea’s hand. He could barely contain the excitement. His dream of building the farm and bringing his family together was starting to take shape. Ford might not be officially family, but blood didn’t necessarily make family. Knox knew he was a lucky man to have it both ways.

A shiny Ford truck rumbled into sight, and Knox waved. Ford parked and hopped out of the vehicle with a grin as wide as Knox’s own. He released Thea and pulled his friend into a hug, slapping his back. “I’m so glad you’re here. I wasn’t sure you were coming.”

Ford laughed and squeezed him back. “Always wanted to pull one over on you, Annie. Glad I finally managed.”

Laughing, Knox squeezed him again and then released him. “Come and meet Thea.”

She’d moved back a few steps, probably giving them privacy for their reunion. Knox held out his hand for her, and she moved forward. “Thea, this is Ford. Dodge, this is Thea, soil consultant, creative thinker, and all mine. Hands off.”

Laughing, Ford completely disregarded his command and wrapped Thea into a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you in person, Thea. Knox has been babbling about your awesomeness for weeks.”

He wanted to protest the babbling, but it was probably true. There was also the fact that his buddy’s words had Thea laughing and relaxing.

When Ford released her, Knox pulled her back into his side with a mock growl. “Mine.”

Thea’s cheeks flushed while she and his friend laughed.

Ford looked around the space. “The whole place looks great. A little worn out and in need of some TLC, but everything I’ve seen so far has excellent bones and roots.”

“Man, I’m glad you’re here. I think the place is full of potential, and you’re just the man we need to make it shine.”

Ford laughed. “Potential? Isn’t that your sister’s word?”

Knox nodded. “Sure is. She should be the next to arrive.”

Ford grinned. “Next? Does that mean you’ve convinced the whole gang? Even Burke?”

He shrugged. “Not yet but I’m working on it. Jolie quit her job, so she’ll be here to stay. None of the others are all in yet but I’m working on it.”

Ford grinned and turned to Thea. “In the forces, Annie was always the one making plans and making sure we followed them. He knew everyone’s strengths, liked thinking outside the box and finding weird ways to make things work.”

“Never could get rid of the call sign, though.”

Ford’s laugh boomed out. “You can thank my sister for that one.” He turned to Thea again. “Mara loves musicals almost as much as she loves baking. The girl is always singing. As soon as she heard Knox’s name, she started singing “It’s a Hard Knox Life.” From that moment on, he’s been Annie. Whether he likes it or not.”

“Definitely not.” Although he’d become so used to it, he rarely even noticed it anymore. It had become part of his identity overseas and if it gave someone else a smile, it was all good. “Mara’s going to owe me a whole ton of baking when I finally get a chance to meet her in person.”

And the idea that had been simmering grew. He wouldn’t mention it to Ford. Not yet. But he’d probe a bit and find out how Mara would feel about moving to Vermont and specializing in pies.

Ford rubbed his hands together. “I’ve looked up your Worminators online, Thea. They’re pretty ingenious. Which one did you choose, and where are we building that sucker?”

She pointed. “We’re thinking right in front of where you parked but we’d love some input from someone who actually builds things.”

Knox nodded. “And it would be even better if we had a tape measure.”

Ford’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re planning where to build it and you don’t have a tape measure? Amateurs. Let the pro take over.”

So they did.

Thea didn’t think she’d ever smiled this often. Not outside Knox’s bed, anyway. Knox and Ford bantered back and forth as if they were reading a comedy script.

She’d seen that kind of repartee on some TV shows, but she’d never experienced it in real life. Most of the kids in foster care had been quiet or surly. Sometimes both. The foster parents had usually been kind enough but harried. The Merck’s farm was the only place she’d lived where she was the only foster kid. The older couple had been kind, hard-working, and quiet. They’d given her the foundation for her career, but they’d never made an effort to reach out to Thea after she’d been placed elsewhere.

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