Page 90 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

Emmett nodded, and Ford had to ask, "Are you starting to think that you might find time and space in your life for more than work and the girls?"

Emmett let out a short, bitter-sounding laugh. "I don't think so. Even if I wanted to, I'm a bit long in the tooth to start thinking that way. It's different for you. You and Amelia are still at a point where you can build a new life together. You might not be spring chickens, but..."

That made Ford smile. "Yeah, we may not be, but we're not old farts either. And neither are you. I know I'm the last one you'd expect to hear it from, but I'd say that if you have a chance – I won't say at a new beginning, but maybe just to share something new with someone new..." He probably shouldn't say this. "Don't you think Emily would want that for you?"

Emmett blew out a sigh. "I know damn well that she did want it for me. She made me promise, and I never kept that promise. Before she died, she asked me to go on living. Told me that I should find someone new." His throat moved as he swallowed. "Told me it'd do the girls good, even. But..." He shook his head. "I couldn't do it."

"I can't imagine what it's been like for you," said Ford. "And only you know what's right for you and the girls."

"Yeah. And for the longest time, I would have told you that I was doing what was right. But now... Now they need more than I can give them. They're young women. They want decent women role models around them. That's why I'm here asking if Amelia will spare them some time. But more than that, they need a mom. I tried to fill that role as best as I could, and I don't think I did a terrible job when they were small. But now... they’re not little girls anymore, and they need … a woman in their lives."

"Yeah," said Ford. "I can't say I know, but I can see what you mean. At the same time, though, you're all they really need. And there are enough women around here these days who I'm sure would be happy to help you out."

Emmett nodded. "Thanks."

"And I probably shouldn't say it, but maybe them spending more time with Harper isn't such a bad thing." From what he'd heard, Emmett and Harper were dancing around each other, but he figured that Emmett would need more of a shove in that direction than a gentle nudge.

Emmett shrugged. "They think the world of her. Anyway, I should get going. If you wouldn't mind asking Amelia for me."

Ford wanted to say more, but he was used to being in Emmett's shoes – to being the one who just wanted the conversation to end so that he could get away. So he let it go. "Sure thing. I'll let you know what she says."

~ ~ ~

"Want to take these upstairs?" Ford asked as he poured two glasses of brandy.

Amelia checked her watch. "Isn't it a bit early for bed?" She gave him a puzzled look until he waggled his eyebrows. "Oh! You're inviting me upstairs, aren't you? Not saying that it's time for bed already."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I am suggesting that it's time for bed, but not to go to sleep."

She got to her feet. "In that case, absolutely. I'd love to take our drinks upstairs."

Her heart seemed to flutter in her chest when he handed her the glasses before picking her up. She'd always thought that the word "swoony" was a strange one, but now she understood it. It was the way he made her feel every time he picked her up like this.

He cocked an eyebrow at her as he carried her up the stairs, seemingly effortlessly. "What are you thinking?" he asked. "Is this getting a bit old now? Do you want me to stop?"

She shook her head rapidly. "No! Don't ever stop. I love it." She bit down on her bottom lip. That was twice today that she'd made it sound as though...

He paused on the landing and leaned in to press a kiss to her lips. "If you're worried about having said too much, don't. It might not be time yet for us to start talking it out, but I will say that I don't ever want to stop."

She touched his cheek with her free hand, trusting him completely not to drop her. "I don't either," she told him. "Not just the carrying me around part, but all of it." She swallowed, but she had to say it. "I agree. It's too early to start talking about it yet, but I hope this – us – never ends."

Inside his bedroom, he closed the door behind them with his heel before setting her gently on her feet. She placed the glasses on the nightstand on her side of the bed and smiled when she realized that she'd already come to think of it that way.

"What's that smile for?" he asked.

"I'm going to say it, but don't worry if it's too much. It was just a thought, but … I already think of this as my side of the bed."

He grinned. "It's not too much. It's right. I already think of it that way, too."

He came to her and rested his hands on her shoulders as he looked down into her eyes. "I'm glad that Tanner brought it up this afternoon, and I'm even more glad that you want to stay here." He frowned, and it struck her that to most people, he might look broody, possibly angry and certainly intimidating when he did that. But she knew he was just thinking, and she waited.

"I'm going to say the same thing you just did. Don't worry if it's too much too soon – it's just a thought, but I'd like it if, rather than just deciding that you're staying on the ranch, you wanted to decide that you're going to stay here. Start calling this our room, not just mine."

Her heart felt as though it melted in her chest when she reached up to grasp his wrists. "Thank you. I'd love that," she told him honestly.

The lines around his eyes crinkled as he smiled. She laughed when he scooped her up again and laughed harder when he threw her down on the bed and scrambled on beside her.

"Don't need to thank me. I want to thank you."

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