Page 95 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

"I am. I’m not sure that she wants me there, but I said I'm going to be there, and she didn't complain."

Cash smiled. "We're more alike than we ever wanted to admit, aren't we?"

"I guess we are." Ford glanced up at the house. "You know I love them, but I wish they weren't here today."

"So why don't you get her out of here?"

Ford shrugged. "I suggested it, but..."

Cash started walking back toward the house.

Ford kept stride with him. "Do me a favor. Don't go telling her what to do."

Cash grinned at him. "I wouldn't dream of it.”

“Then where are we going?"

"We're going to get the two of you out of here and make a bit of a statement at the same time. You'll see." He met Ford's gaze. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course. Do you really need to ask?"

Cash visibly relaxed as he said, "You know, for the last who knows how many years, I haven't been sure."

Ford had to clear his throat, and then he reached out and punched Cash's arm. "Well, now I've set you straight, huh?"

Cash chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you have."

When they reached the house, Cash strode into the kitchen and stood in the doorway that led to the great room – so that everyone present would be able to hear him when he said in a loud voice, "Doesn't Amelia have something she has to get done today?"

Ford tensed as he met his brother's gaze.

"She does. Why?"

It was easy to feel the change in the atmosphere. The buzz of happy chatter died down and the whole family seemed to be on alert. Their gazes fixed on him and Cash. The two of them hadn't had a blow up in years, but no one had forgotten how that used to go.

As Cash stepped toward him, Wade and Tanner also stepped forward – no doubt ready to pull the two of them apart if necessary.

However, Cash grinned and grasped Ford's shoulder as he said, "Because I was thinking she might find it easier if she has all her gear around her. You should take her to the office so that she can do it from there."

Ford just stared at him. No one knew for sure where Cash was staying – where his and Amelia's office was.

Cash winked at him. "I know you don't know where it is." He looked around at the others. "None of you do."

They all shook their heads. He turned back to Ford and added, "And I ain't telling the rest of ‘em. But you need to know – for Amelia's sake and for mine. So why don't you go ask her if she'd find it easier to do her work from there? Then you kids get out of here."

Ford nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. He hadn't expected this.

Cash grinned at him as he stepped forward and said, "It's okay. You don't have to thank me. You can just give me a hug."

Ford didn't even get the chance to protest before Cash wrapped him in a bear hug. He squeezed his eyes tight shut, his mind flooded with memories from childhood when Cash used to be his safe place – his big brother, his hero. He clenched his jaw tight, afraid to make a fool of himself. But then Cash stepped back, and Ford was stunned to see the emotion on his face and the way his eyes shone a little more brightly.

Cash shrugged and said, "Love you, bro."

Ford's voice came out as not much more than a croak as he gripped Cash's shoulder and said, "Love you, too."

~ ~ ~

Amelia moved her chair closer to the desk and stared intently at the screen. She was relieved to be here in the office. If Ford hadn't said that he wanted to be with her when she spoke to Hunter again, she would have planned to come here originally. But she hadn't wanted to turn him down and hadn't believed that bringing him here was an option.

---