Page 130 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

When Emmett reached them, he smiled around at them. “Did you girls have a good time this afternoon?”

“We did. Thanks, Dad.”

Ford was glad to see Nat smile at him, too. She’d asked questions about all of the guys who’d been with them in Florida – and she’d particularly remembered the way Emmett had talked to her. It made sense to Ford, since Emmett had raised two girls by himself.

“We did. Thanks.”

“That’s good,” said Emmett, “but I’m afraid we have to go now, Tanya. Trip, and Shelley are almost home with Alana.”

Tanya turned to Nat. “Let me give you my number.”

Ford’s heart sank. It hadn’t occurred to him that Nat would need a phone of her own. He didn’t know the first thing about kids and how they lived in the world.

Nat dropped her gaze, and Emmett was the one who picked up on what was going on. He took a notepad from his pocket and set it in front of Tanya.

“Why don’t you write your number down?” he told her.

She gave him a puzzled look but didn’t argue. After she’d written it, he tore the page off and handed it to Ford with a meaningful look.

“You can figure that out for her, can’t you?”

“I’m right on it.”

After they’d said their goodbyes, he slid into the seat opposite Nat.

“Shit. I’m sorry, honey. There’s so much I haven’t thought about.”

She looked so angry as she stared at him that her words came as a surprise. “You’re not seriously going to apologize that I don’t have a phone, are you?”

“I am. And not just that. You need your own phone – and you need to know that you have money. And don’t worry. You want to go shopping with Tanya? I’ll make sure you have money. You can buy what you want.”

She let out a short laugh. “Ford, you and Amelia have already done so much for Hunter and me. I’ve never had a phone. There’s no reason I should have one now. And I don’t need new clothes. I’ve never really had those either. I just didn’t want to say so to Tanya. She seems nice – but I don’t think she’d understand.”

She looked down at herself. “Amelia already bought me clothes in town.” She gave him a wry smile. “And to tell you the truth, I kind of like the ancient cowgirl clothes Laney let me borrow.”

Ford had to smile. “Maybe so, honey, and I’m glad you like what you have. But you need to be able to choose what you want. And saying that you’ve never had a phone or new clothes doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have them now.”

He tried to control his expression. He didn’t want her to see how angry he was about that.

“As a matter of fact, it means you should have them. It means I’m going to make sure you get them – you and Hunter.”

“Okay.” She smiled at him. “But if you want to get something… I’d rather you put the money you were going to spend on me toward a laptop for Hunter.”

Ford got to his feet and beckoned for her to do the same.

“Come here.”

She stepped toward him, looking cautious – until he held his arms out to her. Then she threw herself against him and he hugged her tight.

“We’re going to figure it out. We’re going to figure it all out. But I need you to understand – you don’t have to do without anymore. We’ve got you. Both of you. You know the way you take care of him? Well, that’s the way we want to take care of you. Okay?”

She buried her face in his chest and nodded.

Amelia appeared, looking worried – but Ford shook his head and smiled.

“It’s all okay,” he mouthed.

And it was.

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