Page 38 of Every Little Kiss
“More like I got stuck in the middle of a feud,” he said, feeling himself relax.
“Yes, the great Baby Bubbles in the Vent rescue—I heard about it from several of my patients,” she informed him primly. “There’s even talk about selling Team Doolittle T-shirts at Wagon Days.”
“Please tell me you’re making that up,” he moaned.
“Sorry, you’re a big-time hero around here.”
Ford considered her warm smile and found himself hoping that if she knew the truth she’d still think the same. For some reason, the idea of disappointing her was worse than saying goodbye. “That’s a direct result of Harris being an ass.”
“That’s the result of you being kind.” He rolled his eyes, and she laughed. “What? You’ve made an entire group of residents feel safe and heard. It’s sweet.”
“Sweet?” he choked. “Somewhere across town Harris just high-fived himself.”
She laughed, then leaned in, showing him a little slice of her morning glories encased in black lace. “Most guys would love to have their own fan club.”
The only fan he was interested in gaining after yesterday’s slip was Liv. Admiration came from compassion and understanding and usually led to respect. And Ford needed her respect to convince her to slow down long enough to enjoy the life she was working so hard to build.
“I’m not most guys,” he warned her.
“I’ve noticed that.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “Which is why I wanted to apologize for how I reacted yesterday at the market.”
“I was out of line,” he said honestly.
“No, you were just being honest,” she said, and Ford felt the guilt clog his throat. “I’m not ready for an open conversation because that would require me to be open. And opening up is scary. Which is why I snapped at you.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
“Yes, I do.” She met his gaze head-on. “You said some really sweet things to me the other night, and I didn’t know how to handle it, so I hid. But I’m tired of hiding, which is why I’ve come up with a plan to put myself out there, and I need your help.” Liv pulled two files from her purse and held them to her chest. “Based on how I reacted the last time you tried to help, I would understand if it made you uncomfortable. So if you say no, you won’t hurt my feelings.”
“There you go with the warnings again,” he teased, but his shirt felt a little tight around the neck.
“I just like to be up front so no one feels obligated.”
Ford didn’t feel particularly obligated to anything at the moment. Even his promise to be a stand-up guy for Liv. He was too busy watching the way she worried her lower lip, her eyes never leaving his as if she preferred to see what was coming. Her posture was sturdy, ready for whatever was around the next corner. It was as impressive as it was disheartening.
“As long as there’s no casserole involved, we’re good.”
Liv laughed. “I needed that.”
So did he. His chest felt as if it were about to explode with tension. “What’s going on, Liv?”
“I need a favor,” she asked, and Ford was on board with whatever it was. Because Liv was a petite powerhouse with melt-your-soul eyes and an easy grace that reminded him of a warm summer day in the Sierras. Tempting combination for a guy who’d made a career out of walking into the eye of the storm.
Which was the only reason he could think of for why he said, “Whatever it is, I’m in.”
“Really?” she said, her shock causing her to sputter a little. Ford did a little sputtering of his own, because this was exactly how he’d gotten in this mess in the first place. “I haven’t even told you what it is.”
“You don’t have to,” he said, doing what Harris told him to do. Get to know her. “You asked, and I said yes.”
“But what if I was asking you to come mow my lawn shirtless so I can watch you while I eat a box of Fudgsicles?”
He thought about that and grinned. “Would you return the favor?”
“No,” she said quickly. Too quickly, plus the spark in her eyes said that she wasn’t as opposed to the idea as she’d thought. And Ford had to admit that Liv was tougher than he’d given her credit for.
“Would I at least get a Fudgsicle when I was done?”
She shook her head. “That would lead to flirting. And while flirting is your second language, it leaves me feeling off balance,” she admitted, her tone so genuine his chest clenched. “So if you say yes, then there will be a strict no-flirting rule in effect because this is too important of an opportunity for me to complicate.”
