Page 114 of Ford

“I’m not sure why you thought you needed me—” Scarlett said. “Maybe so you could blame your mistakes on someone—”

“Hey!”

“No. I’m right, aren’t I? You’ve been blaming your mistakes on your sister and the way she ‘held you back’ in that stupid cave when you were twelve. Get. Over. It. You make your own choices in life, and no one holds you back but yourself. So if you screw up, it’s on you.”

“I know that!”

“Do you? Because it feels like either you’re a lone wolf or you find someone to blame.”

The words blew through him.Seriously?

“That’s not fair, Red. I didn’t blame you for anything. Not the visa snafu, not what happened in the hotel. Not even the fact that you just walk out of people’s lives without looking back. Without caring what it costs them.”

She stared at him, and he didn’t know where any of that came from.

Behind her, the train started to ease forward. RJ stood on the steps, looking like she might hop off.

No—no—Ford caught his breath, reined in his words. “Listen—I know I asked you to come with me, but I didn’t do it so I could blame you. I…I need you, Red.”

“Why?”

He drew in a breath. And just like that, all the reasons simply left him. Or rather, piled up so quickly he couldn’t sort through them. More of a feeling than real answers. He needed her because…because shoot, heneededher. He didn’t have reasons.

Maybe she saw the blank look because her mouth tightened. “Idon’tneed you, Ford. I don’t need you or your adventures and especially not your promises. Or lack thereof—”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that you are just like every other man I know. You drag me into your life, use me until you’re finished, and then move on.”

Used her? “I never—Scarlett, I’m not sure what you think, but I never thought of you as…as…”

“My mother?”

“No!” He drew in a breath. “In fact I’m so freakin’ scared that I’m going to hurt you—” He dropped his voice. “You wereraped, Red. And that sits in my brain, and it hurts me, and the last thing I want to do is scare you. That’s why…” He shook his head. “As much as I want you…I also need you to know that you’re safe. You’realwayssafe with me.”

His words seemed to cut into her anger, dampen it.

He moved closer to her. “And I’m notmoving on.”

She gave him a dubious look.

“I do need you. And I know there are reasons, but…”

She just glared at him.

“Okay, fine. I did drag you here. And the only reason is that I…I wanted you with me. And I still want you with me—and I don’t know why you’re so mad, but whatever it is—please, please, let’s fight about thison the train.”

She sucked in a breath, then abruptly turned and headed for the train.

He swung up right behind her, glancing behind him to verify that no one followed.

They pulled out of the station.

RJ waited for them inside the door. “What compartment?”

He pulled out their tickets, then turned and led them back between cars and into the next train. Found their four-bunk private compartment darkened and half-way down the the hallway.

RJ, then Scarlett, headed inside. Each took a lower bunk.

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