Little River Stallions Book Four
Darcy and Ford ate in silence for a little while, and then she asked him about the farm in Little River and his friends that he shared a big farmhouse with. He showed her pictures on his phone, and she was enchanted by the whole thing.
A farmhouse and a working farm? It sounded so very different from the tiny apartment and office job she had.
She’d never dreamed about living on a farm, but it sure seemed incredible.
She told him more about her job, the loss of her parents, and her brother Cruz’s relationship blowing up, which landed him on her couch with no end in sight.
“I love him,” she said. “But this place is really not big enough for the two of us. Unfortunately, rent is super high around here, and I’d never kick him out.”
“Family’s important,” Ford said. He took a second helping of spaghetti and tore off a corner of garlic bread and popped it into his mouth.
“I’m not close with my family. My dad insisted I follow in his footsteps, but I wanted to make my own way.
He told me it was his way or the highway, and I walked.
I found a construction company here in Little River and I joined up.
Dexter is the owner. He, his wife, and their son, Khyle, became a second family to me, as well as Avi, Crew, and Grey.
We moved into the farmhouse a few years ago and took over the farm. ”
“I’m sorry you’re not close to your family anymore, but it sounds like you won in the end with your friends.”
She learned he was a finish carpenter and a mechanic, handling the farm equipment and working on various projects for Dexter’s construction company.
After they’d eaten their fill, Ford took over the cleanup. She teased him about trying to impress her by doing the dishes.
“I’m definitely trying to impress you,” he said with a wink. “But I also think it’s fair to help out, and you cooked a great meal for me.”
They talked while he cleaned, and she found herself hanging on every word. He had an amazing life and a close-knit group of friends who were like family to him. She could relate, because she considered Rhomi and Reagan to be her sisters.
She didn’t want the evening to end, but when it eventually grew late and they’d been sitting on the couch for over an hour chatting, they got up and she walked him to the door.
“Thank you for dinner,” he said. “I had a really great time.”
“Me too. And thanks for not running the other direction when Cruz glared at you.”
“I’ve faced worse, but I’d do it again for the chance to spend the evening with you.”
“Maybe…next time I can cook something fancier?”
“Or…” he said, opening the door and stepping into the hallway. He turned and faced her, just inches separating them. “I could take you out.”
“I’d love that,” she said.
“Can I pick you up tomorrow? Say, six?”
“Yes.”
His gaze landed on her lips and then he smiled softly, his eyes darkening. He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, and her whole body tingled.
When the kiss was over—far too soon—he brushed his knuckles along her jaw and said, “Goodnight, Darcy.”
“Goodnight, Ford.”
He walked down the hall, waving at her before he took the stairs. She stared at the empty hallway for a few minutes, her pulse racing and her lips still tingling from the kiss, and then she closed the door and leaned against it.
She hadn’t felt like this before. Like she was just breathing, just experiencing life and all it had to offer with fresh eyes.
And for the first time in her life, she let herself believe that something amazing was about to happen between her and Ford.
Because she was pretty sure, even after just knowing him for a day, that he was her Mr. Right.