Page 34 of Fire

I am speechless. I don’t even know what to say to my son. So, I just smile at him before adding, “I guess he did.”

“You’ll see, Mom. Ford will take care of everything. He loves us.”

I start to admonish him and try to get control of this conversation. It hasn’t taken me long to realize that my son has a real case of hero worship going on where Ford is involved. I can understand it, but still, I don’t want him to get carried away. When Ford and I go our separate ways, he’ll be hurt if I don’t stop this.

“Asher, Ford is a good man, he’s just trying to help us,” I try to explain. I can tell Asher just ignores me.

“He’s awesome, and do you know what he told me, Mom?”

“I’m almost afraid to ask,” I mutter, and Lyla giggles. I smile at her before I can stop myself.

“He said he was scared sometimes, too,” Asher replies while vigorously nodding his head. “He said it was okay to be scared. I want to be just like Ford when I grow up.”

“You do?” I question, shocked.How in the hell did all of this happen in just two days?

“Of course! He wants us to be a family.”

“Honey, I don’t think that’s what Ford meant.”

“Oh, it’s exactly what he meant, Grace,” Lyla says. Before I can argue with her, Ford walks through the front door.

“Now there’s a scene I’ve been waiting a lifetime to see.”

My eyes lock on him and he holds my gaze, smiling in a way that makes me feel flushed all over. The moment doesn’t last long because Asher takes off running to him. Ford immediately picks him up, cradling him like the precious bundle he is. I feel my heart squeeze in my chest.

“Ford! You did it. You got Mommy.”

“Didn’t I tell you I would, buddy?”

“You did! I told Mommy you promised to bring her back and you did.”

Ford’s gaze moves back to me then. “Did you now?” he jokes, winking at me.

“Yep,” Lyla answers. “He told Grace all about your superhero friends.”

Ford lets out an easy laugh, ruffling my son’s hair much like I have been doing all evening. “That’s my boy,” he brags, and again my heart squeezes in my chest.

He keeps Asher in his arms as he moves toward me. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” he asks me once he gets closer.

It takes me a minute to form any words. I feel as if I’m overcome with emotion. It’s so strong that I’m having trouble talking. “I’m okay.”

Ford lets Asher slide to the floor and then squats down in front of me. “It’s damn good to be able to reach out and touch you again, Grace,” he purrs, bringing his hand up to tuck a stray lock of my hair behind my ear.

“Ford,” I whisper.

“Asher was just explaining to Grace how you wanted us all to be a family,” Lyla interjects, and my mouth falls open in shock. I would have preferred it if she didn’t say anything. I get the feeling she knows that.

“You do, don’t you, Ford? That’s what you told me. I don’t think Mommy believed me, though.”

Ford shocks the hell out of me by nodding in agreement at my son. “It’s absolutely what I want, Asher. I told you nothing would make me happier.”

Ford’s daughter decides to take control. “Hey, Ash?”

“Yeah?”

“How do you feel about making some chocolate chip cookies with me in the kitchen?”

“Do I get to break the eggs?”

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