CHAPTER 5
FORD
There’s something about Arden that I can’t quite put my finger on it. The night has been awkward, but I wasn’t going to pass up a meal of Eliza’s cooking. She’s as good as Rosalie and I don’t turn down her food either. I might scrounge up something sweet later after I head home.
Arden.
She’s something. She’s pretty and wholesome in a way that has me looking twice, but there’s something more there too. Like those things are just part of the packaging and you have to unwrap it to find the woman underneath.
Okay, I’m looking more than twice.
When her eyes lock with mine, they remind me of endless starry skies out on my land. They’re a dark navy with specs that make me want to lean across the table to see if I can chart them like constellations.
It’s the wildest fucking feeling I’ve ever experienced.
And I’m not sure how I feel about it.
My chest aches for something I’ve been afraid to name and certainly haven’t voiced. Who would I talk to about this and the mysterious letters that show up randomly?
Kendrick and I have gotten closer, sure, but I’m not sure we’re there yet.
He came at me with a lot of anger, and zero proof or true accusations, beyond needing to suspect someone of the sabotage he was going up against. On top of his dad’s heart attack.
I understood his need to scramble for an answer when none was forthcoming.
It all ended up working out, even for the culprit as it turns out.
I steal another glance at Arden and my heart pumps harder. I’ve never had this kind of reaction to a woman.
The strange thing is that I never noticed her before, not really. Eliza talks to her like they grew up here, and we share a lot of the same stories of drama filled fairs and festivals and the gossip which has proven true over the years. I can’t shake the feeling of déjà vu.
Since I was a kid and didn’t pay much attention, I only vaguely remember a story about a mother and her little girl coming here after leaving an abusive situation. My gut churns thinking about it being her.
That she was the little girl.
It blew right over my head back then; she was younger than me, because surely I would have noticed a new kid at school. If she was in my class at least.
I don’t know her and it bothers me for some reason.
When she smiles softly at Eliza, something starts to shake loose in my chest. I don’t understand the sensation. How can I be so content watching all the emotions flit across her face?
Eliza claps her hands as I try to stop myself from leaning back and rubbing my satisfied belly. “I did make some dessert,” her voice is bright and I’m already looking forward to whatever she’s about to bring out. She looks at Kendrick and nods toward the kitchen as she stands, “Will you help me?”
“Of course,” he stands up quickly and is at her side and guiding her into the kitchen like she’s fragile.
Or maybe like he wants to take care of her.
Yeah, probably that.
The ache in my chest sharpens slightly and I focus on the woman sitting across from me to stop myself from rubbing it. She’s beautiful in a way that feels effortless, like it is just as simple as existing. Like breathing.
“You know,” I lower my voice, the words slipping out before I can think twice about it, “I’m not entirely sure there is any dessert. I’m thinking they just wanted to make out.”
I roll my eyes a little and nod toward the door. If she’s spent any time around the couple, she’s seen them together. They don’t care about being affectionate in front of people.
And why should they? It’s loving, and they keep it above board. For the most part.
Arden bites her lower lip, her eyes lighting up with amusement. Then her laughter breaks free, unable to be contained.
The sound washes over me, and it warms me from the inside out. The feeling in my chest grows stronger.
What is that?
“You’re probably right,” Arden agrees through her laughter. She looks toward the door and shakes her head. “I guess it’s one reason to stay in here.”
Her navy-blue eyes meet mine like a challenge, one I desperately want to rise to accept. “I can think of one more,” my voice is lower, huskier and her eyes get darker.
She makes a humming sound and twists her mouth to the side before asking, her words running together slightly, “I didn’t realize you came over for dinner here.
” Her eyes widen and she holds up her hands slightly, “Sorry. That’s none of my business.
I’m only nosey when it comes to my best friend because it’s part of the creed, but not for like gossipy reasons. ”
I can’t help but grin at how damn adorable she is. “It’s not a regular thing,” I tell her. She nods absently and for the first time in my life I’m desperate to keep the conversation going.
Normally, I don’t care. This is new and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Since I know Eliza graduated last year, I’m going to assume Arden did as well. If I’m wrong then I’ll feel like an asshole.
“Where are you working now? I assume you graduated with Eliza?” I almost make a face as the second question slips out without me thinking through how creepy it sounds.
Hopefully, I’m not making her see me like a strange, old man rancher. As much as I hate to admit it, not taking the time to talk to women is really biting me in the ass at the moment.
“Oh,” her voice has a softness to it that makes me want to listen to it forever, “I work at the post office.”
I’m a little surprised at her answer and blurt, “You do?”
She blinks at me a few times before nodding slowly, as if I need a little extra help getting to the answer, “Yes, I work at the post office. As a desk clerk.”
I sit back in my chair and look her over again, more closely this time. Could that be what is familiar about her?
But, no, because I would have remembered seeing her there. I always deal with Reba. Strange.
“I’ve never seen you there,” my words sound far more accusatory than I intend them to. When she looks at me like I should lick slime, I soften my voice, “I’m sorry, that was rude and I didn’t intend it to sound that way. It’s just strange and I don’t get it.”
“Maybe you come in when I’m on my break,” she offers. “Is Reba behind the desk?” Before I can answer, she shakes her head, “Well, of course Reba is there, she’s the only person who covers my breaks.”
“You’re right, it is always Reba.”
She glances away from me, and something crosses over her features, a hint of guilt, maybe? I don’t know, it’s there and gone so fast I can’t catch it.
“There’s your answer, you always come in when I’m on my break.”
“Apparently,” I drawl the word as I take her in.
The curves of her body are sensual, but she seems skittish. It makes me wonder what Eliza said to get her over here and if this is some kind of set-up. I’ve had my suspicions since I walked in and found Eliza practically vibrating with excitement.
I’ll admit, part of me isn’t upset at all if this is who Eliza thought to set me up with. There’s something about Arden. I want to get to know her.
But I also feel like I’m betraying my Sunflower. I don’t even know who she is, but it doesn’t seem to matter to my heart.
As much as Arden has me curious, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m doing something wrong.
Because I desperately want to make Arden smile and laugh again.
“I’d much rather see you behind the desk at the post office,” my words are filled with sincerity, and maybe a little flirtation that I’m not entirely sure how I pull off.
Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. I watch as it spreads down her neck and under the collar of her shirt. How far does it go down her chest?
I want to find out.
I clear my throat, my Sunflower popping into my head.
“Oh?” Arden sounds innocent, but the corner of her mouth curls into a small smirk. It has my cock twitching behind the fly of my jeans. Damn it. “Why is that?”
The look on her face tells me she already knows why I would rather not have Reba be the one to help me with all my postal service needs. Her navy-blue eyes speak to me, and I fall into their depths for a moment before I shake my head and hope I didn’t lose myself in her for too long.
“She’s like the grandmother I didn’t agree to have adopt me,” I keep my voice low, like we’re sharing a secret.
Arden clamps her lips together while her face fills with amusement. “As long as you’re not mailing inappropriate things,” she sasses me, “I’m not sure what the problem is.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “She pinches my cheeks,” I gasp out, the underlying outrage in my voice completely real.
Arden’s head tips back and she laughs. The sound fills the room and it’s like I can’t look away from her. She’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
How the hell did I miss this woman before?
I guess it’s for the best because I see her now.
I’m just not sure what to do about my secret letter writer. I’ve fallen in love with her. I know it.
Would I always wonder?
I don’t think it would be fair to Arden for me to not be sure. I certainly don’t want that. I’ve waited this long, so focused on everything else instead of myself and finding love and happiness.
But Sunflower is just a woman writing letters, Arden is sitting right here.
Even though I may be conflicted, I can appreciate just how special Arden is. There’s no denying it.
“I’m going to tell Reba that you love it when she pinches your cheeks,” Arden threatens me adorably, her eyes bright and the smile on her face is wide.
It’s a sight worth remembering.
“You better not,” I warn her, my voice stern but with no real heat behind it.
Eliza and Kendrick come bustling in with a tray, cake and coffee. “Better not, what?” Eliza asks breezily.
“I better not tell Reba how Ford lives for her cheek pinches.” She looks at me, holding my gaze.
With an arched eyebrow, I stare her down until she looks away, not quite able to hide her smile. If Eliza looks smug, everyone in the room ignores it, including her.
“She has the grandma pinch down,” Eliza agrees. “She used to get me in the market,” she smiles at the memory. “You can’t really blame her for taking her due. I think it’s worth the cost of a little grandma magic, you know?”
“Grandma magic?” I can’t help but asking.
“Well, grandparent, I guess. The wisdom sounds sager. The cookies taste better. The hugs are warmer. That kind of thing,” Eliza explains.
“Reba has it in spades,” Arden agrees and helps getting everything passed out.
As we eat our dessert, the conversation shifting away from the post office, I steal glances at Arden when I can. What happens to my cock when she licks some of the icing off the tines of her fork doesn’t need to be mentioned. You could say he took notice.
I did too.
I’m still not sure how I feel about the attraction I have toward Arden and the way I feel about my Sunflower. Those questions linger for the short ride back home and right up until I walk into the house and almost run right into Rosalie.
“It’s happening,” she shrieks and from the way the woman is almost jumping up and down it’s not difficult to figure out what is going on.
I grip her shoulders, give her a quick hug and then point her toward the door. “Go and enjoy your family.”
Talk about grandma magic. I hope Rafael knows how lucky he is. In so many ways.
It looks like I’ll be spending more time in town since Rosalie does a lot of those trips. Maybe I’ll see Arden when I’m there.
When I finally lay down and sleep, I dream about following Arden through a field of sunflowers.