Page 40 of Fire

“I can’t find … Mom! I got worried. Lyla said you were resting when she tucked me in, but when I woke up, I couldn’t find you,” he exclaims without barely taking a breath.

He jogs over to the bed, and I let Grace slide off me. I help her settle beside me and then I motion for Asher to climb up in between us. He grins and bounds up. I grab him quickly. “Slow down, Ash. Your momma is delicate right now. We need to be careful around her,” I warn him, ruffling his hair to soften my rebuke.

“Sorry, Ford. Sorry, Mom.”

“It’s okay, baby. How come you are awake?” Grace asks.

“I had a bad dream. When I had one last night, Ford read to me and stayed with me until I fell asleep. I was going to lay with you, but I couldn’t find you.”

“I’ll go tuck you in and?—”

“You can sleep here with us,” I respond before Grace can say she’s going to sleep with her son without me. I can’t let that happen. She needs to get used to being in my bed.

“Ford—”

“Yay!” Asher cries and then surprises me by reaching up and putting his arms around my neck and hugging me tightly. “I love you, Ford.”

“Love you, too, buddy,” I tell him, closing my eyes and hugging him back. When I open them, Grace is staring at me. I see her tears shining in her eyes. I smile at her and mouth the words, “I love you, too.”

She rolls her lips together as some of the tears escape. I can’t do anything other than silently pray that when I get her to Virginia, she will see how different her life will be there with me as opposed to the memories that haunt her.

28

FORD

Three Days Later

“What are you doing?” Ford asks, coming through the front door carrying a basketball and Asher tagging along beside him.

“Yeah, Mom. What are you doing?” he parrots.

“What does it look like?” I laugh.

“It looks like you’re cooking,” Ford mutters, looking at me. I can tell he’s frustrated I’m not lying around doing nothing, but even so, he walks right to me and presses his lips gently against mine. “Hey, baby,” he whispers close to my ear. His deep voice makes my knees weak.

We’ve been back in Virginia for two days now. That doesn’t seem like a lot of time, but for me, it might as well have been a lifetime. My time here is night and day compared to what I’m used to in life. I don’t know what I expected, but honestly, it wouldn’t have surprised me if Ford turned into a monster with three heads. On the way here, I prepared myself constantly for everything about him to change. In these last two days, the opposite has become true. He’s even better than he was in North Carolina. He’s relaxed and happy. The man is also making time for Asher, even though he’s busy catching up on things here. Lastnight, they played basketball in the driveway of his gorgeous house. Then he came in and he and Asher made dinner. Today is the first day that I’m starting to feel like myself. I even managed to put some makeup on. It doesn’t completely hide my bruises, but it is an improvement. I’m not as sore either—which is a really good thing. The most surprising thing, though, is that I’m …happy.I realize I can’t decide things in just three days with Ford, but still, this feels different.I feel different.

“Hey,” I respond to him. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“I thought you were supposed to be resting?” he asks, pulling up a stool in front of the gorgeous waterfall granite island that is kind of the centerpiece of his huge kitchen. It’s white and gray, full of light, with big windows over the sink that overlooks the beautiful backyard. It’s also open to the dining room, which is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows and a set of French doors that lead to an enormous deck. It’s like a dream home. I still can’t believe he even mentioned he’d sign the house over to his daughter and move to be with me. I would accuse him of lying, but I know he's not. Whatever else Ford might be, he’s not a liar. I’ve been around enough of those to recognize one when I see them. He’s just a straight shooter, and that makes me feel …secure.

“Yeah, Mom. You’re supposed to be resting. Me and Ford always cook for you. It’s our job,” Asher gripes, putting his hands on the bar just like Ford is.

I could almost giggle when I see him. Ford even gave him a MC cut that looks just like the club one that Ford wears. The name patch on it reads, “Hoops”. My son is over the moon that he has his own name. He’s trying to mimic everything Ford does. Ford is loving it and honestly, I am too. It blows me away what a change my son has undergone in just a matter of days.

“I guess that means you don’t want any barbeque chicken pizza, huh?” I ask, knowing it’s his favorite. His beautiful green eyes widen with excitement.

“Did you make the crust yourself like you do back at our old house?”

“I did, with the cheese in the crust like you like.”

“Oh, wow! Thanks, Mom!”

“You’re welcome,” I laugh.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m in for a treat?” Ford says.

“Because you are?” I murmur, grinning at him.

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