Page 15 of New Hope

Chapter Six

RIVER

Itook a sip of water, trying to ignore the satisfied little groans Ford made every time he took a bite of his burger. We were sitting in a back corner booth of Kylie’s Diner, a popular spot for those wanting a quick bite to eat. We’d gotten a few curious glances when we’d first walked in together but eventually, they’d all returned to their own meals, leaving us space to get to know one another.

We’d shared some small talk as we’d waited to be served, but once the food arrived, the torture had begun. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear the man had been sent there for the sole purpose of driving me crazy. He was already gorgeous enough in regular street clothes but put him in a uniform and he turned into something else altogether.

I’d nearly fallen off the hood of my car when I’d seen him walking towards me all tall, dark, and fierce looking in a pair of aviator glasses, gold badge shining in the sun, and a sexy swagger that seemed to come naturally to him. Then he’d offered to change my tire like some badass knight in shining armor and I’d nearly swooned.

Watching Ford work had been its own lesson in self-control. I’d stood next to him as he knelt beside my car, quickly and efficiently switching out the old tire for the spare. With his attention elsewhere, I was finally able to take in the view. And what a spectacular view it had been. The sleeves of his shirt stretched almost to breaking point over strong biceps, the muscles in his back rippling and bunching with each movement, his thick thighs straining beneath those black uniform pants, and a thin sheen of sweat glistening along the back of his neck. I’d had the strongest urge to bend down and nuzzle my face in his neck, breathing in his scent.

He’d looked up suddenly and I was sure I’d been caught. However, if he’d noticed me ogling him, he hadn’t let on. A fact for which I was extremely grateful. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel uncomfortable around me. I’d vowed to be a friend to him, and I intended to keep that promise. At least that’s what I kept telling myself. Although, he was making it incredibly difficult at the moment with all those sinful noises he kept making.

I breathed a sigh of relief when he’d finished the last bite. “Told you they had the best burgers, didn’t I?”

Ford wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Yes, and it was definitely not an exaggeration. I don’t think I’ve ever had a hamburger that good. Just remind me not to come here too often or I won’t be able to fit into my uniform,” he joked, patting his flat stomach.

“Somehow, I don’t think you have to worry about that. You look fantastic.” His eyes shot to mine and my face heated as I realized how that must have sounded. “I mean, you look like you work out.”

He shrugged. “It’s important to stay in shape, especially in my line of work. I never know when I’ll have to chase someone down, although, I have a feeling that doesn’t happen very much around here.”

I chuckled. “No, we’re a fairly peaceful little town. Speaking of which, how are you and Ellie liking it so far? I imagine this place must feel worlds apart from New York City.”

“Honestly? Yeah, it does but in all the best ways. Everything’s so much less frantic here, calmer, more peaceful. We moved because we both needed a change and so far, the change seems good.”

I spoke carefully, hoping I wasn’t about to cross a line. “You mentioned before that it had been a rough year…” My words trailed off; the unspoken question left hanging in the air. It was up to him if he chose to answer or not. I wouldn’t push him.

His eyes dropped to the table between us, his finger tracing a ring of condensation left behind by his glass of water. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders losing some of their rigidity. “It was. For a couple of reasons. But the biggest one was that my wife…left.”

I winced, his answer not at all what I’d been expecting. “I’m so sorry.”

Ford crossed his arms over his chest as if shielding himself. His expression was stony as he continued. “We were together twenty-two years, married for eighteen. Then one day, she decides she’s done. Just up and leaves with only a note left behind. Five words was all she thought I deserved. I. Can’t. Do. This. Anymore.” He punctuated each word by counting them on his fingers.

“God, that’s terrible. You must have been devastated.” I ran a hand over the back of my neck. Imagining him thinking he was coming home to his wife and finding a note instead made my chest ache.

“I was. At first. And then I got angry. You see, not only did Connie leave me, but she’d abandoned our daughter too. Whatever problems she and I may or may not have had in our marriage, they had nothing to do with Ellie. She didn’t deserve that, for her mother to toss her away like she was trash.”

“Of course not. No child deserves that.”

“I agree. After a year where it felt like we were both living in limbo, it was time for a change. So, we packed our things and here we are.”

I blinked at Ford over the table. I had a feeling there was a lot more to his story, but the rigid set of his jaw made it clear he was done talking about it. Maybe he’d share more of it with me in the future, perhaps once he’d gotten to know me better. I hoped so. The more time I spent with him, the more I liked him, and despite my growing attraction to him, I truly did want to be his friend. “Anyway, enough about me. What’s your story? How did you join the single dads’ club?”

I almost called him out on his attempt at deflection, but decided to let him off the hook. I wrinkled my nose. “I’m afraid my story is pretty boring.”

“What? No vanishing acts? No trauma? No lies and deceit? You poor thing,” he deadpanned.

My laughter filled the space around us, gathering the attention of a few nearby diners. I ignored them, captivated instead by the teasing glint in Ford’s eyes. “No, none of that. It’s simple actually. I always knew I wanted to be a father. I kept hoping I’d meet someone, fall in love, and we’d start a family together. But by the time I turned thirty, there still wasn’t anyone special in my life and no prospects for a future someone special. I was tired of putting my dreams on hold, so I took matters into my own hands and decided to adopt. I’ve been raising Hannah all by myself ever since.”

Ford let out a low whistle. “Wow! That was a bold choice. Although, it’s obviously one you’re happy with.”

“Absolutely. I’m sure I don’t need to explain what being a father is like to you. Hannah is my entire world. I always figured I’d teach my kid things, but she’s actually the one who’s teaching me. Like the value of patience, how to appreciate the simple things in life, and how to laugh at myself. I can’t imagine my life without her.”

“I know exactly what you mean. Even with everything that’s happened, my life has been richer and fuller since Ellie was born. Still, being a single parent can get lonely sometimes. It’s hard not having someone to talk to when I’m afraid what I’m doing isn’t enough, when I feel like a bad parent, when I lay there at night, wide awake and worrying about the future.”

“Or when you just want to be held,” I added. Ford nodded in understanding. I sighed. “It’s especially hard, given my situation but fortunately, I have a good support system. Friends, my parents, there are so many people around here who are ready to lend a hand or simply listen whenever I need it.”

He tilted his head, a puzzled expression marring his handsome face. “What do you mean ‘your situation’?”

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