CHAPTER 15
FORD
As I step up to the front door of the house that has kept Arden and her mom safe since they arrived in Seneca Falls, I’m nervous as hell. I’m already lying to her about where I am, and now I’m doing something I’m not sure my woman would like.
But I couldn’t ignore this need; I had to talk to the woman I know is so important to Arden.
She should be up since she’s coming off night shifts and is trying to get back on a regular sleep schedule. I hope I’m not catching her during a nap.
When I knock, I try to keep it polite and respectful. I’m not entirely sure I manage it, but the woman who answers the door isn’t startled. And she doesn’t look surprised to see me.
“Hello, Ms. Mathis, my name is Ford Conners.”
She huffs and rolls her eyes; the move reminds me so much of Arden that I smile. “I know who you are Ford,” she admonishes me gently. “Please call me Ginger, and come in.”
She opens the door wider and directs me toward the living room once I step inside. The house is lived in; nothing about it feels like the house at Sagebrush where you’re afraid of touching anything.
Hopefully, soon my woman will be comfortable turning it into a house we can build our family in. I’m not touching a thing until she’s living with me and we’re doing it together.
As we settle into our seats, Ginger eyes me.
There’s a wariness in her expression she tries to cover, but I see it.
Maybe because I see the same kind of guardedness in Arden.
My heart aches for her. Yesterday, as part of my birthday celebration, we laid in bed and talked for hours.
She opened up to me about her mom, the past, and how much she wishes better resources were available.
I know she dreams of being able to help bridge that gap.
And I’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure her dreams come true.
“I think I know why you’re here to see me,” Ginger begins.
I swallow hard and nod. I’ve never done this before and it’s different than I expected. This feels bigger than I imagined.
Maybe it’s because getting this right means so much to me.
“I’m in love with your daughter,” I blurt out the words. “I fully intend to marry her and build a future with her.”
Ginger’s eyebrows pull together, the confusion evident on her face. She sits back and huffs out a short laugh. “Well, I guess I don’t know why you’re here then,” she sounds bewildered. “I thought you were coming here to ask permission to date my daughter.”
“No offense, Ginger,” I try not to twist my face up at the notion, but I understand it was expected not that long ago, “but your daughter is more than capable of making that decision on her own. I understand the tradition of asking permission to marry someone, but I’m not even here to ask you that.
When I ask, the only person I will ask is Arden. ”
“You sound sure of yourself that she’ll say yes,” Ginger eyes me, but I swear I see a hint of respect in her gaze.
Or maybe I’m just making that part up.
“I am,” I tell her honestly. “I love her.”
“From what I’ve heard, you two have been seen around town lately. You went on two dates, one of which was a matinee.” Her mouth pulls down into a frown. “A matinee isn’t even a real date.”
I bristle at her words, my voice turning flat.
“As I explained to Arden when I asked her to the movies, my life out at Sagebrush isn’t what most people are used to.
I’m up before most people would ever consider getting out of bed.
Because I’m up early, I go to sleep early.
Staying out late makes it harder for me to get up in the morning and when I’m not at my best, someone or one of my animals could be hurt. ”
Ginger swallows hard and looks down at her hands which are folded in her lap. When she looks back into my eyes, I see where my Sunflower gets her strength. I see the same fire burning in both their eyes.
“I also took her out to Sagebrush. I wanted to show her the land. The picnic I made wasn’t much, but I made it by myself and all for her,” I admit to her, knowing it wasn’t the best picnic on record and remembering how the night ended.
I think we bounced back fairly good though.
“That one might not have made circulation in town.” When Ginger flinches slightly I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be short with you, but I was. I’ll try and do better.”
She blinks at me a few times before relaxing.
“I can see why Arden likes you so much,” there’s a wistful quality to her voice.
“You owned up to bad behavior without making an excuse or passing blame off on someone else. And you presented what you’re going to do going forward.
” She looks me over with a new level of appreciation in her gaze.
“Not many people, men especially I’ve found, have that quality. ”
I nod slowly. “I have been taught how not to treat others by my mother over the years, and not in a good way,” the words taste like acid, but I feel the need to share some of myself with her.
“I have recently cut off contact with her. I’m done waiting for a family to show up who will never be what I need. ”
“And who is the family you need?” Ginger watches me carefully as she asks the question, gauging my reaction.
My shoulders relax because this is not a test I can fail.
“Arden is my family,” I admit, the words honest and filled with something like hope.
“I’ve also found that Kendrick and Eliza are proving to be good friends.
” Ginger smiles faintly, I’m sure because Eliza has been in her life for a long time.
“I’m hoping you will be part of our family.
I don’t have anyone else; the rest of my family is dead or lost to me.
Arden is going to need you there with her. ”
“I would never miss out on anything with my daughter,” her voice trembles and I nod in understanding.
“I didn’t think you would, but if you have a problem with me, if you don’t think I’m right for her, then Arden may feel the need to choose. It’s the last thing I want.”
Ginger makes a humming sound, “I’m starting to see why Arden would choose you in such a scenario.”
I feel my cheeks heat slightly and I’m glad for the coverage my beard gives me. “She shouldn’t have to, that’s the point. She deserves to be surrounded by happiness.”
Ginger nods and swallows hard. “Her father,” her voice is thready and I have to strain to hear her, “wasn’t a good man. Over the years I’ve noticed how Arden shies away from males. I was okay with it at first because it kept her from dating.”
“I’m okay with it too,” I tease her and she cracks a small smile.
She shakes her head, “No,” she breathes out before clearing her throat and trying again, “No. I should have stepped in because she missed out on some things and experiences she’ll never get back. I allowed her to give into her fear for far too long. I should have seen it.”
I take a deep breath and think about how Arden and I talked about her mom and how she never got any real help after moving to Seneca Falls.
“Maybe you should consider some counseling.” Ginger’s eyes snap up to meet mine and narrow.
I hold my hands up in surrender and keep my voice gentle, “I’m not saying you didn’t do your best, but as a nurse you know that you need to call in a consultation sometimes.
If you were one of your patients, would you tell them to see a therapist?
“Yes,” she admits and scrunches up her face.
I chuckle softly, seeing so much of my woman in her mom. “Arden is worried about you. She wants you to be happy, but she also sees why you shut down, and when. She tries to talk to you, and you blow her off even though she only wants what is best for you.”
Ginger swallows hard and won’t meet my gaze as she nods.
“Your daughter loves you. She also told me a ton of silly stories about you.” Ginger’s bright grin has me smiling right back at her. “She also told me what she remembers about moving here and why.”
Ginger’s expression drops and her fingers twist together. “She talked to you about that?” Her voice shakes as she askes the question, but she manages it.
I nod slowly. “She told me what she could remember, which isn’t much.”
“I didn’t realize how much it shaped her life,” Ginger says, her words pleading with me like I’m the one who needs to understand. I don’t; Arden does. “I thought getting out was enough.”
“It was a damn good start,” I reassure her, “and there is still time to get the rest of it right.”
She nods and silence stretches between us. I can almost hear the wheels in her head turning as she mulls over my words.
“Your daughter is a very special woman,” I tell Ginger, my voice thick with the love I have for my woman.
“She made me heart cookies yesterday,” a smile plays on her lips, but it falls when I add, “with Happy Birthday written on them. She made them and gave them to me as if that would be enough to heal all my past hurts. I was already in love with her, but I fell deeper then.”
“But yesterday was Valentine’s Day,” she says it like it’s obvious.
And it is.
It’s one of those holidays that is kind of difficult to avoid.
“It’s also my birthday.”
Ginger’s mouth falls open before she snaps it closed. “Happy birthday, Ford. I didn’t realize or I would have said it sooner.”
“Thank you and I don’t mind. I got used to having to share my day.”
“Arden has to do the same,” Ginger tells me.
“Christmas Day has to be worse,” I offer.
“I tried to balance the two as she was growing up, but I’m not sure if I succeeded or not,” her voice holds a hint of sadness in it.
“I don’t know, but I know your daughter succeeded in healing some of my resentment yesterday with heart shaped cookies she made herself.”
“She’s always been like that,” her voice turns wistful, “empathetic. Compassionate.”
“Arden is amazing and I’m going to marry her.” I pause, unsure if I should share the next part, but I power through, “She also gave me a copy of her manuscript.”
Ginger’s mouth drops open. “Wow,” she gushes, “she must really trust you if she gave you a copy. Most people don’t even know she writes.”
“I’m going to help her make all of her dreams come true,” I promise.
Her eyes find mine and flash with something like regret.
“I think you’re the perfect man for her,” she breathes out the words.
“I can see how much you love her and it’s all I have ever wanted for her.
” Her voice drops down to a dangerous octave, “But if you ever hurt her, if you ever lay a hand on her, I’ll kill you and bury your body where no one can find you. ”
I nod once, my face solemn. “Good.”
Ginger looks at me with surprise, before standing when I do. When I open my mouth to say goodbye and to thank her for her time, she wraps her arms around me and hugs me. It’s the first mom hug I’ve gotten in a long time.
Rosalie stopped giving them to me or maybe I stopped accepting them. There was no chance my mother was going to give out hugs.
A part of me sinks into the feeling and latches on.
“You take care of our girl, give her the life she deserves, one filled with happiness,” she rasps the words.
“It’s not too late for you to heal and find your own happiness, Ginger,” I tell her as we pull apart.
I can see she really considers my words instead of dismissing me. She gnaws on her bottom lip before straightening her shoulders and standing taller.
“I think you might be right, Ford. Even if I don’t find happiness with a man, I need to be the strongest and best version of myself so I can be an awesome grandmother.”
I laugh, the sound freeing the last of the tension in the room.
With goodbyes said and promises for dinner out at Sagebrush made, I’m headed back home. It takes me far too long to get there, considering I know Arden should be waiting for me already. I told her I had to grab something from town when Ginger’s place was my only destination.
When I walk into the house, the quiet is a little eerie. “Arden,” I call out, hoping like hell that nothing has gone wrong.
“In the kitchen,” she calls back to me.
When I step through the door, I find Arden looking like a chastised puppy and Rosalie looking more than a little confused. I know they know each other from town, at least a little bit, but I’m sure this is different.
I don’t waste time and stride right toward my woman. When I haul her into my arms, I don’t hesitate to swoop down and claim her mouth with my own.
She clings to me as I kiss her, not caring about Rosalie being in the room.
“Well,” Rosalie exclaims which causes Arden to jerk out of my hold, “that kiss answers pretty much all of my questions. I’ll see myself to my room and save the baby pictures for later.
” She eyes us and how our bodies are molded together.
“Might have to get more baby books soon by the looks of things.”
The grin that splits my face is so wide my cheeks hurt.
“That’s the plan,” I sound smug and damn satisfied with myself.
“Ford,” Arden admonishes me while smacking my arm.
Rosealie laughs, the sound clinging to the kitchen long after she’s gone.
It’s a few hours later, when I pull Arden out to behind the house where the fire pit is. She’s devouring her second s’more and she’s so damn cute I can’t tear my eyes away from her.
“It’s so good,” she moans around a mouthful of melty chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker.
“I don’t know,” I tease her, “you like your marshmallows a little charred for my taste.”
She gasps and shakes her head, “Sure, it’s a little crispy, but then the inside is perfect.”
“If you say so,” I fire back and dramatically shiver to display my disgust with her technique.
My cock throbs behind the fly of my jeans when she licks her fingers clean. I’m leaking pre-cum when she cuts her eyes my way. The next thing I know, she’s crawling toward me and reaching for my jeans.
I try to lodge a protest. I try to reach for her. But she’s focused on freeing my cock.
The moment her lips wrap around the tip and she sucks, my fingers thread through her hair and I almost lose myself completely. I desperately need to lodge myself as deep as possible in her throat.
I let her set the pace, her warm, wet mouth feeling like fucking heaven. She’s able to get me to cum far too quickly, but as I’m panting for breath and Arden is looking incredibly pleased with herself, I can’t find it in me to be upset or embarrassed.