Page 83 of Saddles

“Oh, I don’t think he’s had anyone since…Well, not like Ford is the ‘kiss and tell’ type. He’s good at keeping secrets though.” Her nose wrinkles. “I think Mason would have told me if Ford had met someone.” She gestures with the last piece of egg hanging off the end of her fork. “You’re the first one I’ve heard about.”

I had a feeling that was the case, but the weight of knowing I’m his first after that big of a gap is wild.

“I guess he just needed someone to crash at his doorstep before he opened his eyes.” I give her a broad smile as I stand and pick up our empty plates.

“Is that what happened?” Her mouth drops, then she follows me with our empty cups.

“Yea, after I, um, escaped, I stole a snow machine and wound up at Ford’s cabin.” I can barely remember the trip now, I was so damn cold.

“That’s incredible. You’re a total badass.” She reaches out and pulls me in for a quick hug. “I think it was fate,” she whispers, then steps away. “Let me go track Mason down, we can pick you up in about an hour?”

“That’s a lot of food.” I can barely squeeze into the backseat of their extended cab truck, even with a bunch of the grocery bags already tied and filling the bed.

Mason laughs, glancing at me in the rearview mirror before turning around and pushing back some of the avalanche that’s trying to cascade over me. “You haven’t seen two teenage boys play video games. I swear they inhale it.”

“Sawyer and Sophia are twenty, dear.” Lori pats his arm then leans in and gives him a light kiss on his cheek.

He turns, his amber eyes widening. “Shit. This last year has flown by.” He touches his lips to her forehead and settles into his seat. “I ain’t complaining though.”

“Wait, Sawyer and Sophia are twins? And Char is having twins, too?” They must really run in this family.

Lori giggles and sets her elbow on the middle console to see me. “Isn’t it crazy? There’s going to be so many babies running around soon.”

“It serves Dixon right. He was at residency when Sawyer and Sophia were babies. Now he gets to enjoy the full scope of it…with a toddler.” Mason laughs, shaking his head.

“Oh no.” Lori’s smile droops. “I’ll still be pregnant for their birthday. But—” She draws out the word. “—she’s going to be out of state this year at a rodeo, so after the baby’s born we can go celebrate.” She flashes a triumphant grin.

I just love how in tune everyone is.

A family to aspire to be like.

“So, speaking of alcohol…” I remember that night in the cabin when I finally got Ford to open up. “Is there a chance we could stop and pick up a bottle of whiskey? I forgot to get one, but promised Ford a toast when he got back.”

Mason chuckles from the driver’s seat. “Sure, we can stop at the Hilltop. Val knows his favorite poison.”

My stomach twinges with a touch of jealousy.

Don’t be silly. If Ford wanted to be with her, he would be.

Right?

Mason pulls the truck in front of a row of big bay windows and puts it in park. “Just tell her who it’s for, she’ll know what to give you.”

“Um, I don’t have an ID.” I kind of figured he’d just run in?

He turns, raising a brow. “Val will want to meet you.” His wink isn’t very reassuring.

Maybe she reallyisan ex?

Fuck.

Not how I expected this to go.

“Take your time, we’ll wait.” His grin is genuine, yet like a Cheshire Cat, knowing something he isn’t sharing.

God, I hope I don’t regret this.

The wind is biting when I climb out, it reminds me of the storm we had to endure out at Ford’s cabin. As much as I miss it, it still makes me pull my hood up over my ears.

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