Page 115 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

Nat turned to stare out the window for a few moments before asking Ford, "How far away is town? It feels like we're in the middle of nowhere."

"It's only a half hour ride," Ford told her.

"Half an hour?" she asked incredulously. "And there's nothing between here and there except cows and mountains?"

Ford let out a short laugh. "Not much else, no. Nothing in the way of clothes stores anyway."

Nat blew out a sigh. "So, staying here is kind of like staying at Alcatraz. Even if I managed to escape, I'd die before I reached civilization."

Ford laughed. "You should talk to my sister. She used to feel that way before she got her driver’s permit. In fact, maybe I'll give her a call. I bet her clothes are still in her room here from when she was your age."

Nat rolled her eyes at him. "You want me to wear ancient cowgirl outfits? Is that what you're saying? Forget it!"

Ford just grinned. "Maybe I'll just invite Laney over, and you can decide for yourself if she’s the kind of person whose clothes might suit you. You remind me a lot of her – in attitude, at least." He went to stand beside Amelia and rested his hand on her shoulder.

She looked up into his eyes. "Do you need to get to work? Do you need to go and..."

He could tell by the panicked look in her eyes that she didn't want to be left alone with them, and he didn't blame her. He was glad that he could reassure her. "I'm going nowhere. I already texted with Boone. He can handle things." He smiled. "He's been telling me for a while that I should take more time off – let him step up and run the herd." He smiled at Hunter and Nat before adding, "Now that you guys are here, I think I might just do that."

"Does that mean you'll be able to hang out with us and show us around?" Hunter asked.

Ford had to smile at the way the kid licked his sticky fingers. "That's exactly what I'm saying. But I think you both need showers first."

"And what's he going to wear?" Nat asked.

"We'll find him something," said Ford. He winked at Hunter. "There are probably some ancient cowboy outfits around here."

"Awesome," said Hunter. "Am I allowed to use the shower in that room I slept in?" He turned to Nat. "It's cool. You just walk into it. There's no tub – that's separate, it's in its own place under the window."

Nat nodded. "I know."

"That room you slept in," said Ford, "that's your room if you want it to be, and that's your bathroom." He turned to Nat. "Same for you, if you want it. But there are more bedrooms. Take a look around before you decide which one you want to be yours."

She held his gaze for a long moment before she mumbled, "Thanks."

Amelia got up and went to the fridge. When she came back, she set a yogurt in front of Nat. "You need to eat something. If you don't want eggs and bacon or pancakes, there's this." She tapped the top of the yogurt. "Or I have protein bars. And if you tell me what you guys like, I'll go to the grocery store and..."

Ford wanted to tell her to stop. He didn't want her to bend over backwards when Nat was acting so sullen toward her. He caught Nat's gaze and held it. She glowered at him for a moment before giving him the slightest nod and turning back to Amelia. "I like yogurt. Thanks."

Ford let out a breath. It was hardly a huge victory, but it was a start.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Amelia stood in the doorway to the great room and braced herself before she spoke. She kept telling herself that things would get easier. Hunter and Nat had only been here for a couple of days, but if something didn't give soon, she didn't know what she was going to do. Hunter was the sweetest little guy, but Natalie – Nat – was still frosty toward her, to say the least. The girl looked up when she sensed Amelia standing there and cocked her head as if challenging her to speak.

Amelia stood a little straighter and said, "Uncle Ford will be back soon. Do you guys want to go and wash up before dinner?"

Hunter looked up from the laptop he was working on. It was an old one of Amelia's that she'd given him, and she was starting to wonder if that had been a bad idea. She could totally relate to the way the boy wanted to spend all his time on there, but it wasn't doing him any good in terms of settling into life at the ranch. He was such a sweet and easygoing little guy that even though it was obvious he would rather continue whatever he was doing, he smiled and said, "Okay, Auntie Amelia," before closing the laptop. He got to his feet and looked at his sister. "Come on, Nat."

"You go on up," she told him. "I'll be right there."

After he'd gone, Amelia met Nat's gaze, sensing a storm brewing. "What is it?" she asked.

Nat shrugged. "Are you going to let me go to school? Or is this really like Alcatraz?"

Amelia's shoulders sagged. "I told you from the beginning, if you want to go, I'll take you up to school and we'll register you. You were the one who said that if Hunter's going to homeschool, then you'd do the same. Nobody's holding you prisoner here."

Nat rolled her eyes. "There might not be bars on the doors and windows, but there's no escape, is there?"

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