Page 62 of Wild Love
Ford doesn’t realize he just told her he plans to be around for the rest of her life, but Cora heard it loud and clear.
My eyes slice away, and I turn my podcast back on to keep from intruding. A few minutes later, I peek over again to see Cora back to sitting on the edge of the couch. Ford sits down too, and she edges closer.
The music’s beat echoes through the office, and I vaguely hear Ford talking about Fela Kuti, an artist from Nigeria who I’ve never heard of. Cora listens, eyes wide as he speaks passionately.
The sight makes my stomach flip and my heart beat faster.
It’s possible my ovaries twinge.
And when I hear a knock at the door, I shoot out of my chair to give myself a breather from the stifling sweetness of the moment.
I expect to be greeted by Sebastian’s grumpy fucking face.
Instead, I’m staring at Ford’s little sister, Willa.
Standing right next to Ryan.
“Rosie, hi,” Willa says, hands on her hips,wild mane of red hair flowing down around her face. We don’t know each other that well. Sure, she spent time out here, but she was younger than the group of kids I roamed with in the summer.
She looks good. Sunkissed, well-rested, and thoroughly pissed off. “Sorry to barge in here like this, but I need to talk to my asshole brother.”
I blink, trying to wrap my head around whether she flew here and rented a car or just drove from her home in Chestnut Springs, a small town one province over. I quickly recover when she tries to move past me and step to the side to block her entry into the office.
She moves to the opposite side to pass.
And I cut her off there too.
Cora and Ford are having a moment inside, and if she thinks she’s going to storm in and lose her shit on him, she’s got another thing coming. Willa has one eyebrow cocked like she can’t believe I just cut her off. Twice.
“Hi, Willa. Maybe I can help you first?”
“Rosie, get out of my way. I have some words to exchange with the dickhead who failed to tell me he has a daughter.”
Oh, she’smad.
I smile sweetly at her, completely ignoring Ryan. No fucking way am I letting her in here right now. She can have whatever sibling freak-out she needs with Ford—away from Cora.
“I’m so sorry. That won’t be possible at this time. But if you wait a moment, I can go retrieve him for you.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Retrieve him? I’ll pull him out by the hair myself for not telling me I’m an auntie.” Shetries to step to the other side, and I block her again. “Rosie, what do you think you’re playing at here?”
“Willa.” I inject all the pleasantness I can muster into my voice. “I’m not playing at all. You’re in my town. This is my place of work. He’s my boss.” I leave out that the little girl in there feels like she’s mine in some ways too. “If you think you’re going to barge in here and throw a tantrum because you weren’t privy to something you feel you should have been, you’re wrong. You can have your fit out here, and I’ll bring Ford to you so he can watch.”
Willa stares at me, and I stare back at her. I can see Ryan’s head swiveling between us as we face off. And then… Willalaughs. She’s smiling when she says, “I forgot what a bitch you can be.”
“Years of practice with an older brother. We become well-honed, don’t we?”
I give her a wink, and she sighs, dropping her chin to her chest. “I’ve been stewing the entire way here. I just ranted at your boyfriend here on the walk up to the front door. I’m gonna go”—she hikes a thumb over her shoulder—“pace around on the hill while youretrievehim. I bet he loves that you talk all fucking fancy like that.”
“Yes. It’s practicallyDownton Abbeyaround here.” I give her a subtle curtsy and turn to Ryan as she rolls her eyes and walks away. “Ryan. You’re here early.”
His smile wobbles, and he seems uncertain. I’m not sure he’s ever seen me like that. I’ve always been agreeable, studious, eager-for-a-fancy-city-job Rosie.
Rose Hill must bring out the feral side of me.
“I got an earlier flight, so figured I’d head straight here and surprise you.”
I give him a wobbly smile back. He takes a few hesitant steps forward, opening his arms, and through no fault of his, I internally recoil.
