Page 25 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

“You’re a good boss, aren’t you?” she asked.

He nodded slowly. “I’d like to think so. I try to be. It’s not always easy with the wranglers – cowboys tend to be free spirits.”

“And free spirits don’t always make great team members,” she said.

She didn’t comment further, and as he drove up the long driveway away from the house, Ford wondered what she was thinking.

Just before they reached the road, a truck turned into the driveway, and Ford raised his hand when he saw Emmett coming toward them.

“Do you want to meet someone else?” he asked. “Or did you meet him last weekend? This is Emmett.”

“I met him briefly,” she said. “At Chico – before everyone realized that Shelley was missing.”

Ford slowed the truck as he drew level with Emmett, and they both put their windows down.

“Morning,” Emmett called, and leaned forward so he could see Amelia. “Good morning. How are you doing? I hope this weekend turns out to be less eventful for you than last weekend.”

Ford leaned back in his seat so they could see each other.

“I was glad I was here to help,” she said. “And really, it wasn’t that eventful for me – that’s the kind of work I do all the time, and it only involves sitting at a computer. From what I heard, you were one of the guys driving all over the mountains to rescue Shelley and Jim. Oh – and Harper – she was there too, wasn’t she?”

Ford watched with interest when Emmett dropped his gaze, and a hint of pink touched his cheeks.

“All three of them were there together,” he said as he lifted his head. “And thanks to you, we didn’t need to drive all over the mountains. You sent us straight up there. It’s a good thing you were here.”

“As I said, all I need to do is sit at my computer – I could have helped even if I wasn’t here.” Ford glanced at her, and she smiled and added, “But I’m glad I was – and that I still am.”

That put a smile on his face, and when he turned back to Emmett, he was smiling, too.

“Well, I hope you stick around,” Emmett said. “And if you do, I’d like to get you together with my girls at some point, if that’d be okay.”

Ford didn’t dare look back at Amelia. He had the impression that she wasn’t overly keen on kids. He relaxed a little when she said, “I’d be happy to. Cash already told me a little bit about them. From what he says, they’re interested in learning about my work.”

Emmett chuckled. “Something like that. Alana – she’s the older one – wants to meet you because, according to her, you’re an example of the kind of strong, smart, independent woman she wants to become. And Tanya wants career advice from you. She thinks it’s, and I quote, ‘mega cool’ that you’re a tech genius.”

Amelia laughed. “In that case, I’m not so sure about getting together. I’d hate to disappoint either of them.”

“You won’t,” Ford said before he could stop himself. “You couldn’t.”

When he glanced back at Emmett, he was giving him a knowing smile. “I have to agree with Ford,” he said. “But I won’t put you on the spot for now. I’ll let you guys get going.”

“Are the girls all set with the rides they need this week?” Ford asked.

Emmett nodded. “I think so, thanks. I think we’ve got it covered.”

“Well, give me a shout if ever I can help,” he said.

“Thanks, but you’ve got enough on your plate with this place.”

“I do, but I can leave Boone in charge here while I go pick the girls up.”

Emmett gave him a grim smile. “Thanks. I’ll keep your offer in my back pocket. Like I say, I think we’ve got it covered, but it’s always good to have another option in case of emergencies.”

After they’d said their goodbyes and Ford pulled away, Amelia asked him, “What kind of rides do the girls go on?”

He gave her a puzzled look before he understood what she meant. “He’s not talking about riding horses,” he explained. “His older daughter, Alana, has rehearsals up in town every day after school. Everyone’s been taking turns ferrying her and Tanya around, to make sure they both get where they need to be – and get home afterward, since they can’t ride the bus.”

“I should give him my number. I’d be happy to help, too.”

---