“What did you just say, Mother?”
Ford’s voice whips through the air as the screen door slams open. If I had to guess, they didn’t bother closing the house door.
His footsteps sound like gunshots as he stalks closer to the three of us. Barbara fights the impulse to flinch with every step he takes. If I wasn’t looking right at her, I might have missed it.
But I don’t look away.
“Uh-oh,” I singsong under my breath.
Barbara’s eyes cut in my direction, but Ford slides into the space between us, his large back shielding me.
And blocking my view. Damn it.
“Nothing that wasn’t true,” she tries out the words, but we all know they won’t land.
“I’m not even sure why I asked,” he grunts out the words, and I shift into the space next to him.
When he looks down at me, I grin up at him and wink. “I wish I had popcorn. I’m thinking putting pause on this so I can get some going wouldn’t work, huh?”
Ford barks out a laugh, his body softening as he leans down and kisses my forehead. I melt into him and soak up his warmth.
We only get a moment before Barbara all but shrieks, “I knew it. You better throw this gold-digger out of here, Ford. You don’t need a woman like her. She’ll probably make up some stories about you too. For all we know it’s what her mother did.”
Ford stiffens, his eyes blazing as he stares at his mother.
“Mother,” Crystal hisses in admonishment.
Barbara turns towards her daughter, the one who probably felt like she had no choice but to become this version of herself to keep her last parent in her life. “Shut up, Crystal. Just stand there, it’s all you’re good for.”
“Enough,” Ford snarls, the word ricocheting.
“I see now that I have allowed your behavior for too long, Mother.” Something glints in Ford’s eyes and I’m not abovefinding it hot as hell. Even in the current circumstances. I won’t act on it, but I can tuck it away for later.
When I lean into his side, he wraps an arm around my waist like it’s the most natural thing in the world to do. Maybe it is.
It feels damn good.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Barbara’s question is gilded in fake status, her tone far from elegant.
Ford slides his hand into his pocket and rocks back on his heels slightly like he’s bracing and my stomach knots in response.
“There is a clause in Dad’s will you are not aware of,” his voice is a deep timbre that vibrates through me, “because he didn’t want you to know about it.”
“Your father never hid anything from me,” she tries to sound like she has the high ground here, but I’m thinking it’s all bluster.
“No,” Ford shakes his head, “he was afraid you would run the business into the ground. That’s why it’s all mine. The land, the house, the business. It’s all mine. The shell will, the one you were told about, named us as co-owners with a percentage payout as I run the business. I allowed you to continue to believe that was the reality of the situation. It’s not. It’s all mine.”
Barbara’s mouth drops open and Crystal looks just as shocked. I guess she didn’t get read into the sham will, or bait and switch will or whatever this is, situation.
“I can see you’re surprised.”
Barbara’s mouth starts again, her tone incredulous, “You’re lying.”
“I’m not,” there’s no room for argument in Ford’s tone. He’s completely serious. “The only reason I’m telling you about the reality of the situation is because I am enacting a clause in his will. There are two stipulations for enacting this clause—if you are a threat to the longevity of Sagebrush, or I choose to not have any further contact with you.”
The words hang in the air and for a second regret crosses Barbara’s face. Because we all know how this will end. I hate it for him.
As if he knows I’m sad for him, Ford gives my hip a squeeze. I hope he can feel my love for him, and it bolsters him.
