Page 32 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“I see my wife went overboard on food for dinner. She really wants to impress tonight,” he grunts.

“Are you close with Ford’s parents?” I ask because now that my jealousy has kicked in, I want to understand the dynamics between Annie’s family and Ford’s.

“Not at all,” he replies, accentuating each word. “Ford’s parents mostly live in the city. Their property here in town is a vacation property. They didn’t want Ford going to high school in the city, so they sent him out here. That’s how he met my Annie. I never thought he was good enough for her.” He scrunches his nose.

“You probably don’t think anyone is good enough for her. Isn’t that how it works with dads and their daughters?” I ask.

He responds with one of his hearty chuckles. “I wouldn’t say that. I’m sure there is a man out there good enough for Annie. It just isn’t Ford. My wife is having them over because I’ve got some legal troubles and the Bancrofts have a prestigious lawfirm in the city. They’re helping me at a very discounted rate,” he explains sheepishly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” I mutter.

“You didn’t. I offered the information. It just means I need to play nice tonight. This farm is important to my Annie. I’ve made some mistakes that could cost me the farm. I won’t let my daughter down, so I have to play my part. I want to make things right,” he declares.

Whatever is going on sounds serious.

“How will I fit in tonight? I mean, Annie said Ford is interested in her,” I state.

“You showing up has been a curveball we didn’t see coming. That’s why my wife has been prickly. She wants Annie to play nice with Ford.”

“Even if she isn’t interested?” I ask.

“Look, I didn’t want them coming here tonight and ruining my Christmas, but like I said, I need their help,” he states again.

“I don’t want to do anything to ruin things for you,” I assure him.

“Oh, I know that. I also think you’re a good guy, Cade.”

“How would you know that? We just met.”

“I heard Sally licked your face and she is never wrong about a person.” He laughs.

“Sally is definitely a character.” I roll my eyes and exhale.

“Now, what do you want in your sandwich? We got some smoked turkey, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and bacon,” he lists off.

“I’ll take it all,” I tell him.

“Good man,” he says, and he makes my sandwich. We eat together at the kitchen table. He laughs even harder when I tell him about the goat shitting down my leg. “You should come by to see how we milk the cows. But you’ll have to wait until after Christmas.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer,” I tell him.

“This sandwich is fire. Thank you.”

“I’m assuming it means you like it.” He smiles and seems like a happy-go-lucky kind of guy.

We finish our sandwiches just as Annie and her mom enter the kitchen.

“Annie, I got you a dress and a pair of shoes for tonight. I left them in your room,” her mom states.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she says to her mom.

“Come on, it’s Christmas, don’t be difficult,” her mom scolds.

“Did Daddy make you one of his famous sandwiches?” Annie asks me.

“He did,” I confirm.

“I have some paperwork to take care of in my office,” her dad says, ducking away from the kitchen.

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