Perfect.
Great first impression.
“They’re having a poker night,” she points in the direction of the bunk house. “I tried to get them to come, but they said it sounded like a dinner party for youngsters or something. Youngin’s?” She shrugs. “You know how they are. Kendrick had to get them to promise that there wouldn’t be any whiskey drinking. Harold is still recovering, though you would never know it from the way he tries to carry on.”
That sounds about right. Harold, Kendrick’s father, is rough around the edges and doesn’t have time for nonsense. Cliff, an old friend and the man who manages their ranch, is much the same.
I’m enthralled by her for a moment. The affection, the care, is so raw and pure in her voice. It’s special.
“You love Harold,” I don’t mean to say it, really. It just kind of slips out.
Eliza blushes, “Of course. It’s been really hard, you know? My parents don’t support me and the choice I made, even though mychoice was happiness and the future I’ve always wanted. Harold has become like a father to me.”
“Your parents will come around,” I assure her, unsure if those are even the right words, or the right thing for anyone involved.
“Maybe,” she admits. “I’ve figured out that if they do, it’ll have to be on their terms. I’m not going to change my mind; if they do then they will have to show up. We’ll see how long it takes and what happens between now and then.”
“You’ve really gotten wise with this whole falling in love thing,” I tease her and we share a smile, one born of years of sisterhood.
“No, I’m just not willing to give up my happiness. Not when I havethis,” the way she emphasizes the word is everything. “We’re getting married, we’re going to build a life.”
Tears fill my eyes and I have to swallow hard to get past the lump in my throat. “You tell me when and where and I’ll be there for you. I’ll happily stand by your side and cheer you on. Always.”
“Duh,” she sasses, but there are tears glistening in her eyes too.
And now we’ve gotten off track. I scrunch up my face and realize I can’t say anything to her about Ford. It’s not like she knew about the letters and is trying to set me up.
“So,” my voice drops even softer, just in case, “be honest, is this some sort of set-up? Are you auditioning for the town matchmaker? Giving Mrs. Riley a run for her money?”
Eliza bites her lip and the blush on her face goes crimson. I gasp and point at her accusingly but don’t say anything. She bats my hand away and shakes her head.
“It’s not like that, not entirely. I just thought,” she stomps her foot slightly and I almost burst out laughing, “maybe you could be my neighbor if the stars aligned just right.”
Yeah, I’m not touching that one. I look at her warily, my voice stern, “Don’t test out your Mrs. Riley powers on me, okay?”
“Fine,” she holds out the word and pouts before hugging me fiercely and dragging me back into the dining room. She chirps, “All clear in the kitchen.”
I hold in my groan. Barely. I’m unceremoniously plopped down across from Ford, and I manage not to shoot Eliza a glare. How? I’ll never know. Put it under sheer will.
What I don’t do is look at Ford. I glance at Kendrick who is watching Eliza closely, like she’s prey and he just can’t wait to catch her. Right.
Well, awkward.
Feeling Ford’s gaze, I can’t help myself. I look up and find him looking right at me. There’s something curious in the way he’s looking at me. I’m not sure if I like it.
“Ford,” Kendrick’s voice cuts through and we both look his way, “this is Arden. I’m not sure whether you know each other or not.”
I force a smile on my face that feels a little too much like a mask for my liking. But what’s a girl to do? Any minute I could blurt out that I’m the one who has been writing him letters for a year. I’m not sure I trust myself at the moment; and the thought has me squirming slightly in my chair.
“I’m sure we’ve seen each other around,” Ford’s low drawl has every hair on my body standing on end in the most distracting way, “but it’s nice to officially meet you, Arden.”
“You too,” the words come out much squeaker than I would like, and I completely ignore the way my hand trembles slightly as I reach for my water cup.
This is going to be a long night. I just hope I can hold it together.
Eliza starts passing around dishes and I mindlessly put food on my plate. I engage in the conversation where I can, but it’s distracting feeling Ford’s eyes on me more often than I would like.
CHAPTER 5
