Chapter13
Natasha
Iwoke up on my side, an arm heavy over my waist.Ford had stayed the night.I hadn't wanted him to drive home in bad conditions, but I also wanted to maintain this closeness that we had together.I wasn't ready to let him go.
We had been in our own little world last night.It was like nothing mattered except us.I didn't let any worries penetrate.
But now my mind was racing.He'd left me once.Why did I think anything had changed?Yeah, we were older and more mature.But that didn't alter our history.
No one ever stayed.Not my parents and especially not Ford.He'd always been looking for something else, and it wasn't me.It was easy for him to walk away and never look back.
Was I just a convenience for him now that he was back in town?I hated that idea, but I couldn't help but wonder.
The fire had long since died down.There was a chill in the air, and I had a kink in my neck from sleeping in a cramped position all night.I snuggled against Ford, seeking his warmth.
"Are you cold?"His voice rumbled against my ear.
"Yeah."
He shifted so that he was able to climb over me.Then he worked on getting the fire started.I covered up, missing his body heat.Was he having regrets?
He stoked the fire, and when it was burning brightly, his gaze lifted to the window behind me."It's still snowing.You want something warm to drink?"
"Coffee would be great."
He wandered into the kitchen, pouring beans into my coffee grinder, adding water, and then pushing the Start button."I'll make something for breakfast."
I wasn't going to argue with a man in my kitchen insisting on making coffee and breakfast.I was going to enjoy this.
"You need to get to work?"he asked me.
"I have my phone on if anyone has an issue, and we hire a service that clears the walkways."I'd already heard the plows in the lot and the scrape of a shovel.
When he pulled out the eggs, I moved into my bedroom to shower.I let the warm water wash over me.We both had to work this morning, so there wouldn't be a repeat of last night.I needed some distance between us so I could figure out what happened.
It wasn't a good idea to get involved with Ford a second time.He had the power to crush me, and I didn't want to go through that again.So what was I doing?
Why had I let him stay overnight, and why was he cooking breakfast in my kitchen?It was the road conditions, but also because I couldn't say no to him.
I dried my hair and got dressed before going out to the kitchen where eggs and bacon were already on a plate at the counter.
He poured coffee into a mug and placed it next to my plate."Hope you're hungry."
I sat on the stool, unsure how to act this morning."Starved.Thank you."
He sat next to me, digging into his food.
"Thank you for making breakfast.You didn't have to."
"I was hungry, and it's easier to cook for two," he said simply as he continued to shovel food into his mouth.
I ate more slowly, enjoying the leisurely start to the day.
He finished first and pushed his plate away."I have to head home and get dressed for work."
He was dressed far too nicely to dive into construction.
"You want me to tell your crew?"I asked, desperate to keep the conversation work related.
