Page 137 of We Found Love

After that, things moved fast. She thanked everyone and especially Ford’s family. His mother told her son to bring Autumn and Ritchie for dinner soon.

Then she climbed into Dylan’s car with Ford and headed back to Ryker Falls. He held her hand but didn’t speak, not with Dylan and Joe in the car, but for now it was enough he was here with her.

“Chief Blake will talk to you tomorrow,” Dylan said when they stopped at Ford’s pickup. “I’m glad you’re home safe, Autumn.”

Home sounds good.

“Thank you again.”

“Get in.” Ford held the door open, and she got into the passenger seat. When he was in the driver’s seat and the door was shut, he didn’t turn the ignition; instead, he looked at her.

“When I knew you were in that SUV, being taken away from me, I think I went a bit crazy.” He pulled her across the seat and into his arms. “I love you, Autumn.”

“Oh, Ford.”

He pressed his finger to her lips. “I’m sorry I was such an idiot. Forgive me?”

“You weren’t an idiot.”

“I was, but I’ve wised up. I love you so much, baby.”

“I love you too.”

His smile was wide and his teeth flashed. He didn’t say anything else, just turned the pickup around and headed for Joe’s place to pick up Ritchie.

They didn’t tell him what had happened, just that she’d had to do some stuff for his dad, but that was done with now. After thanking everyone again, Ford took them back to the little house.

“I think your coffee will be cold now,” Ford said when they entered the kitchen and saw the things she’d left on the table hours ago.

“I think you’re right.”

It was getting late and Bailey had given Ritchie a meal, so she washed him and put him to bed.

“Can Ford read me a story?”

“Sure I can.” He’d been standing in the doorway but pushed off the frame and came in. “What are we reading?”

Autumn made more coffee and wondered how it was possible she’d been through what she had and yet the day still had a few hours left in it.

“He’s out,” Ford said a while later. “But before he fell asleep, he told me he loved me and I’d make a good dad, so it’s okay to date you.”

“That kid…” was all she could come up with.

“Is right. I do want to marry you and be his dad.”

“Ford—”

“I love you, Autumn Harris. I love your son, and I want a life with you. Nearly losing you today simply confirmed what I already knew but wasn’t brave enough to acknowledge.”

“We don’t really know each other that well.” She rose from her seat because, well, surely this was a conversation they needed to have when they were both standing.

“I’m not saying we have to marry tomorrow, Autumn.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. “Just that I want it to happen one day when we know each other better. Just as I want to build us a house big enough for Ritchie and the other kids we’ll have on the ranch.”

She lowered her forehead to his chest.

“You’re tired—I get that—and likely confused. But today taught me that I can’t live without you, so I’m saying what’s inside me.”

She leaned back in his arms, looking at his handsome face.

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