I also want you to know, to see the words written out. I am so proud of you.
Today you pushed someone out of your life who isn’t good for you. I can’t imagine she’d be good for anyone.
But you kept the door open for Crystal. I’m going to be looking for shooting stars to make wishes on that she comes back here, to Sagebrush. She’s the one who has to make the choice though.
I love you, Cowboy.
Arden
Just as I’m about to pull the paper free of the pad and fold it, the door creaks open. Ford, his hand rubbing over his jaw and then his eyes, blinks when he sees me. He scowls slightly, “It’s cold out here, Sunflower. Why aren’t you inside? Like in bed where it’s warm?”
“You mean in bed with you,” I tease him and he grins as he slides into place next to me on the porch swing.
“Maybe,” he agrees, his amber eyes sparkling as he looks at me.
I ease in the crook of his body easily, fitting against him perfectly. He kisses the top of my head, the affection easy between us in a way I hope we never lose. I don’t think we will.
“What are you doing out here, tell me,” he gently prods.
“I just needed to think and get some air,” I admit.
He makes a humming sound, and we sit in silence for a few moments, his foot rocking us gently. It’s comfortable and I know, without a doubt, I want to hold onto this feeling for the rest of my life.
“I realized something,” I start, my voice small. Ford looks down at me with a curious expression on his face. “I didn’t say it back.”
I watch as realization dawns on his face and his lips press into a line before he swallows hard. “I didn’t say it just for you to say it back. You will when you’re ready, when you feel it.”
“I love you, Ford. I’ve loved you for a long time and building a future with you is one of my dreams coming true.”
A smile stretches across his face and I cup his jaw, bringing him closer before kissing him softly. It’s not a surprise to me when our kiss turns hungry. How he slows it down and pulls away, I’ll never know.
“I love you, Arden.” He whispers the words, each one precious and worthy of being cherished.
I feel them slide under my skin, taking root and mending some of the pieces of me which have felt broken for so long. Nothing can be fixed overnight, but it’s a start.
It’s enough.
We settle back in the swing, but I can feel how fast his heart is racing. I can’t say mine isn’t doing the same because it is.
Desire is circling me and making it hard to focus. Will it always be this way with him? Before I become a puddle of need, I remember something very important.
I sit up straighter, “Oh! What time is it?”
Ford leans forward and peeks out from under the porch roof. “Looks to be after midnight.”
When he sits back, my eyebrows furrow while I stare at the man for a beat. “Did you just look at the placement of the constellations like you’re on the high seas and know what time it was?” He smirks and I shake my head, “The placement of the moon in the sky?”
He tucks me deeper into his side, cocooning me in his warmth and making me melt into him. “I don’t really know, but is that the answer you were looking for?”
My cheeks heat, but I don’t even care. “Yes,” I breathe out. When I move to straddle his lap, I’m clumsy, but he helps me and guides my body like he was made to do it. Maybe he was.
“Ford,” his whiskey-colored eyes find mine and for a moment I’m lost. The longer I look into his eyes, the more it feels like I’m getting drunk on them. But there’s something more here too. Because out here, with the house that could feel like home cradling us, I know this is where my future begins. “Happy birthday.”
So many emotions flit across his face. It’s overwhelming in the sweetest of ways. His large hands cup my cheeks, and he presses a soft kiss against my lips. It’s over far too soon.
He tries to hide it, but I see the sheen in his eyes when he looks down at me.
“Thank you, my Sunflower.”
