Page 98 of The Snuggle is Real
“Really?”
“Well, I think it was mostly Sawyer hating Ash, to be honest. They were best friends growing up, but they had a big fight and Sawyer swore their friendship was over.”
“What was the fight about?”
I grinned up at him. “A girl.”
He laughed. “No way.”
“Yep.” I paused. “I think it went a lot deeper though. Our parents had just lost their business, and Sawyer had to move across the lake and change schools, and our dad bailed. It was a hard time for him.”
“Yeah,” Ford said softly. “I can relate. When you’re drowning and you’re relying on someone to be your lifeline and they’re not what you need…”
“LuAnne?”
“Yeah.” He kissed my cheek. “But at the end of the day, we have to learn to rescue ourselves. LuAnne and I weren’t meant to be.” He nodded toward Sawyer and Ash. “It looks like they were.”
I smiled. “And what about you and me?”
He squeezed me close. “I’ve got a good feeling about us.”
“Me too.”
Mom looked over from the pan where she’d started a sausage gravy for the biscuits, because she could never do anything halfway. “Get in here, you two. Tell me all about how you met.”
I wasn’t sure what Ford would want them to know, but he surprised me.
“Well, I needed help getting ready for Christmas in this crazy town. Charlie came to stay unexpectedly, and Mason was there for us. Right, kiddo?”
“Mason’s the best,” she said simply.
“Yeah, he is,” Ford said, his voice warm. “He’s got such a huge heart. How could I resist?”
“So sweet,” Mom said, pressing a hand to her chest. “I’m so happy. This is just the best Christmas gift ever. Both my boys are happy and settled.”
“Well, it’s still new. Don’t be planning any weddings yet.”
Sawyer snorted. “Ash and I are gonna elope when she’s not looking.”
“Don’t you dare!” Mom exclaimed, turning a glare their way. “Ash, if you let him pull that crap, I won’t ever share my recipe for the cranberry-apple pie that my boys both love.”
Ash gasped and held a hand to his chest. “You think I can’t figure it out?”
“You’ll never guess the secret ingredient that makes it special,” she said with a smug smile.
“If you say love, I’m gonna roll my eyes so hard,” Sawyer said.
Mom scoffed. “I userealingredients, but of course my love does sweeten the pot.”
“Well,” I said brightly, “there’s a bakery here that makes a great pie that’sreallyclose to yours. Ash could probably get their recipe.”
Mom glared my way. “Hush, you, or you’ll be disowned!”
I laughed at Charlie’s expression. “That’s just how she says I love you.”
“Her food is her love language,” Sawyer agreed.
“Well, I like food,” Charlie said.
