Page 58 of We Found Love

Autumn had said those words the night he held her hand while she lay in that hotel bed with a migraine.

“And she’ll be fine. We’ve got enough to worry about without thinking of her, Kismet.”

Had what happened to him changed the course of his life? He hadn’t had a serious relationship since. Which was likely because of his sleep issues and nightmares. So the answer had to be yes.

It was never pretty to step back and look at yourself.

He would turn right at the end of the drive and head home. Ford would be facing a sleepless night because tomorrow he’d have to tell his parents what his siblings now knew, and there would be more hurt.

He turned left.

“You’re an idiot.”

His dog barked—clearly she agreed with him.

He drove through Ryker Falls. The streets were quiet with the storm rolling in. People would be inside now, watching TV, and some of them would have flashlights and supplies ready in case the power went out.

Lightning flashed and the boom of thunder was loud enough to have Ford believing it was directly above him. He turned at the end of town and headed to the residential area. To Mr. Goldhirsh’s house, which was where she lived. Autumn and Ritchie. How did the boy feel about storms?

“You don’t know the street number,” he muttered as he drove slowly down the road. But he knew what her car looked like.

He’d just drive by and leave if the lights were off. She was an adult and could take care of herself. She’d been doing that for her and her son for years. Maybe she was under the covers, listening to music. Blocking out the thunder.

A flash of lightning and another boom, and then all the lights in the street went out. A power outage did not mean she couldn’t listen to music if her cell phone was charged.

He found her car parked in the drive because he was crawling past the end of it while hoping no one was watching him. Pulling up behind it, he shut off the engine, then got out and sprinted to her front door. He stood looking at it for long seconds with Kismet sitting on his foot.

“What am I doing?”

He knew nothing about the woman behind these walls, but he needed her. Wanted to just be in her company right at that moment. Recounting his story had hollowed him out.

He knocked. If she heard, she’d let him in, and if not he’d leave because she would be sleeping.

The door was thrown open, and there stood Autumn. White-faced, hair loose, and wearing a T-shirt that came to midthigh.

“Hi.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Hell if I know.” Ford went for honesty. “You remember how I told you my day was pretty crappy?”

She nodded.

“Well, it got worse. I just left my brother’s house when I heard the thunder and knew you hated it, so I thought I’d stop by and see how you are.” It was him babbling now.

“You shouldn’t be out in this weather. It’s dangerous driving in these conditions.” She spoke in a tight voice, as if she was in pain.

“Are you all right? If you tell me you are, I’ll go.”

The clap of thunder was loud. Autumn flinched, then curled in on herself. Ford stepped inside and snapped his fingers for Kismet to follow before shutting the door. He had Autumn in his arms seconds later.

“It’s all right. I have you now.”

She was stiff for about five seconds, and then she pressed her forehead into his neck. Her arms circled his waist. “I hate storms.”

“I can tell.” He held her tight, letting her feel him. Letting her know she was safe. Some of the pain in his chest eased at having her in his arms.

He’d hurt the people he loved and he’d need to make that right, and he would—tomorrow. But right now he wanted to be here with Autumn, helping her get through the storm.

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