Ford lets out a low, frustrated sigh. He grumbles something unintelligible, before pulling his phone from his pocket and checking it. His expression doesn’t shift much, but the irritation is clear in the furrow of his brow and the tightness in his jaw.
"How many times do I need to show her how to use her damn phone?" he mutters, shaking his head. "It’s not difficult to call or send a quick text."
Missy smirks but says nothing, clearly used to his snark.
Ford then steps fully outside without another word, whistling for Buddy as he goes. The dog immediately perks up, trotting after him with unbothered ease.
Missy leans against the doorway, crossing her arms loosely as she regards me with a warm smile.
"I hope I’m not bothering you," she says, her voice easy.
"I just wanted to say hi and make sure you’re settling in alright. Mom told me we’ve got a young British woman staying at the cottage, and, well, I had to come meet you myself."
Her friendliness is effortless, and I can tell she’s the type of person who collects friends the way others collect souvenirs.
I straighten slightly, caught off guard by the genuine warmth in Missy’s tone.
"Oh—uh, thanks," I reply, shifting my weight. "I’m settling in fine, I think."
Missy’s smile widens, sensing an opening.
"Good! Well, now that I’ve officially introduced myself, how about we take this welcome a step further?" She tilts her head, eyes glinting mischievously. "Let me buy you a drink. Show you the town a little. You’re new here and it’s only right someone gives you a proper introduction."
I hesitate, my first instinct to decline.
"Oh, I’ve got a lot to do," I say, gesturing vaguely toward the bags Ford had carried in. "Still need to get things unpacked, sort some stuff out …"
Missy’s expression flickers, just for a moment, with disappointment maybe? I notice it, and before I can stop myself, doubt creeps in. It’s a fresh start, I remind myself. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to go for a drink, get to know Missy, get to know the town … maybe even get a chance to figure out what the deal with Ford is.
Since losing my sister, real friendships have been scarce. And Sam, well, he never exactly encouraged them. More like isolated me completely. Maybe it’s time to shake that off. To do something that feels normal again.
"As long as I get some things done today," I say slowly, as if convincing myself, "I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go out for a drink tonight."
Missy brightens instantly, her grin returning full force. "Trust me, you’ll love it. And if not, well … at least the whiskey’s good."
I laugh, finally relaxing a fraction. Maybe this won’t be so bad.
10
Ford
"How many times do I need to go over this, Mom, before you finally get it? It’s really not that difficult."
She stares at her phone like it’s just grown legs and started speaking in tongues. I mean, I’m not exactly a tech genius, but come on.
"Ford, I’m a lot older than you," she says with a sigh, her finger hovering uncertainly over the screen. "Things like this just don’t come as easy to me."
I press my lips into a firm line, trying to hold onto my patience.
"Mom, it’s one button. One. You press this, and it calls me straight away. That’s it. Not rocket science."
She squints at the screen like I’ve just given her a math equation instead of basic instructions. I exhale and lean back against the couch, letting my head rest against it for a moment.
After wrangling the cows that had wandered off, fixing the fence, and somehow, miraculously, getting the rest of my tasks done for the day, I think I’ve earned that drink with Jensen tonight. Hell, maybe I need it more than I thought I did.
And not just because of the work, but because of Stormy. I’m still not sure how I feel about her and Missy becoming friendly. Not that I have anything against her personally, she seems decent enough. She smiles too easily and says stuff that sticks with you, even when it shouldn’t. But that’s beside the point. If they hit it off, does that mean I’ll see her around more? I hope not. And yet, I keep finding myself thinking about this morning—about that damn truck ride. That comment she made‘Must be nice. Being spoiled like that.’, why would she say that? Has she never been spoiled before?
I told myself to drop it, let it go, but the thought replayed the entire way back.
