Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Posey
After our bath, we dried off and redressed, heading downstairs for a slice of pie and tea.
“I can’t resist sweets, so I always pick something up at the local bakery.” Ford explained.
“I love them too. Every Friday I stop by one on my way home from the office. Got to treat ourselves, right?”
“Always.” Ford winked.
He might’ve not been a man of many words and still a bit growly, but I didn’t care. I was falling. Fast.
We cuddled on the couch and the last thing I remembered was my eyes slipping closed as I laid in his arms. When I woke hours later, I was in his bed, his cat Smokey laying between us.
I blinked a few times, unable to really believe this was happening.
But how long could it last for? I had a job to get back to. A life in the city I couldn’t just up and leave.
Or could I?
No, I had an apartment.
I ran the city office.
What was I doing?
Playing house?
A wave of panic came over, and I threw the covers off, sweat beading across my upper lip. I wiped my palms on my pants and walked downstairs. I headed to the kitchen and put the kettle on pacing back and forth.
Suddenly I remembered my phone. I ran to the living room and grabbed it, checking for messages.
Karen: Oh no! The generator must’ve failed. I’ll send someone out there.
Karen: They can’t get up the mountain. The roadways are closed. Call me.
Missed call from Karen.
Missed call from Karen.
Karen: Crap you probably don’t have service. Contact me when you do. Hang in there! And leave as soon as it’s safe to do so!
I hurried back to the kitchen and grabbed it off the store before the whistling woke up the whole house. I grabbed a mug and tea bag and poured in the hot water.
Considering it was three am I couldn’t text Karen yet. It would have to wait until morning.
I grabbed my tea and stood by the sliding glass door leading to the back porch. The rain stopped but the wind didn’t.
And neither did my thoughts.
Would I really be able to leave Ford behind?
What was I even saying? I didn’t know him…
Maybe I should take it as a fantastic fantasy weekend and move on.
But my heart thudded in my chest.
It was telling me a very different story.
“Are you okay?” Ford's voice washed over me from behind and I turned to find him descending the stairs, Smokey hot on his trail.
“Yeah, I couldn't sleep,” I answered, holding up my mug.
Ford wrapped his arms around me, and I rested my head against his chest. “Guess I didn't Tucker you out enough then.”
I laughed. “Oh you did, believe me. I just…”
“What is it? You can talk to me. About anything, Pose, I won't ever judge.”
He called me Pose just like my mama always did…
I turned to face him as tears slipped down my cheeks. He took the mug from me, set it on the nearby counter, and pulled me close once more. “How can I leave you now after everything?”
“You don't, you don't leave.”
“But Ford…”
“I know. You have your life there. I can't ask you to leave.”
“And you have your life here.”
“I'll give up everything and move to the city.”
I cocked my head to the side as lore tears filled my eyes, threatening to spill down my cheeks. “No you hate the city. I don't want you to be miserable. How is that fair?”
“I won't be miserable if I'm with you.”
“Maybe not at first but you will. And then you'll resent me. I'm not letting that happen.”
“How about we try long distance? I'm willing to try.”
Now the tears fell. Hard and fast. I buried my face in his chest and let him hold me as the sobs took over. He was so sweet, too sweet.
Ford soothed me, rubbing my back and holding me close. “Let's just enjoy the time we have together. When it comes time to leave, you go. We'll make it work. We'll figure it out. Somehow.”
I nodded as I cried and let Ford lift me into his arms and carry me back to bed. The man really did love to carry me everywhere. A girl could get used to it.
I studied his handsome face. He would leave his life here for me? Go to a place he hated for me?
Maybe I could move here. Work in the office here and promote someone back in the city, or something. It could work right?
As we made love to each other over and over again, the thoughts grew stronger, more cemented in my mind. Become a small-town girl. Raise a family with Ford. And still help out others like I loved to do.
I fell asleep in Ford's arms once again, this time dreaming of a life we could have.
The next day we spent learning about each other, making love, and stuffing our faces full of delicious food. The man could cook that was a damn fact. But as the time neared for me to leave, the dread set in.
I knew I'd be back. Both Ford and I talked, and I told him I'd move here. I just needed time to get my affairs in order. And leaving him, being apart- that was going to be the worst.
I texted Karen back and told her I wanted to talk. She offered to meet in her cabin before I left as she was arriving early to meet with someone about her faulty generator.
So when the morning arrived, I couldn't hold back the tears.
“How I'll miss someone so much that I only just met I don't understand but it's true. I miss you already.” I jumped into Ford's arms wrapping my entire body around his firm one.
“I know baby, but you'll be back. And we can start our life together.”
I nodded and kissed him, long, slow and deep.
We kissed and kissed, the minutes ticking by yet I didn't care. I needed my fill.
We walked hand in hand back to the cabin, and we hugged goodbye for what felt like hours, but I just couldn't seem to let go.
When Ford broke our kiss, he held my face between his hands and stared deep into my eyes. “I don't care that I've only known you a few days. I love you so damn much Posey. And when you come back to me, I'm going to make you my wife.”
More tears poured down my cheeks as we kissed, and I told him I loved him too.
Minutes passed and we were still just holding each other.
Finally he turned and walked away, taking my heart with him.