He chuckles, the rumble of his chest soothing, “Of course it is.” With a shake of his head, he kisses me softly and vows, “We’ll make your birthday special, Arden. Christmas ain’t got nothing on my woman’s birthday.”
I laugh softly and nod, liking the sound of it.
The notebook on the bench catches my eye and I make some sort of hand motion toward it. “I wrote you a letter.” I can practically feel the way he perks up, and I can’t help but smile as I burrow deeper against his chest, my eyes sliding closed. “I was going to fold it up and find an envelope, but…,” my words trail off and I shrug, letting them hang between us as I close my eyes.
I’m not even a little bit concerned about falling asleep out here. I know Ford’s got me. He’ll carry me inside and tuck me into bed.
The crinkle of the paper has me peeling one eye open. I watch Ford’s face as he reads my letter, my heart soaring at the soft look of love on his face.
This man. My man.
When he glances down at me and sees me watching him, the smile he shoots me is shy and boyish. “I love you, Arden.” He stands up and kisses my temple, as I tighten my hold on him. “You’re more than enough as far as gifts go.”
“I think you’ll like it,” the words come out slurred and then I’m being laid down in bed before Ford’s strong and steady presence wraps around me.
I fall asleep thinking about balloons and Valentines. And mistletoe and birthday candles.
CHAPTER 15
FORD
As I step up to the front door of the house that has kept Arden and her mom safe since they arrived in Seneca Falls, I’m nervous as hell. I’m already lying to her about where I am, and now I’m doing something I’m not sure my woman would like.
But I couldn’t ignore this need; I had to talk to the woman I know is so important to Arden.
She should be up since she’s coming off night shifts and is trying to get back on a regular sleep schedule. I hope I’m not catching her during a nap.
When I knock, I try to keep it polite and respectful. I’m not entirely sure I manage it, but the woman who answers the door isn’t startled. And she doesn’t look surprised to see me.
“Hello, Ms. Mathis, my name is Ford Conners.”
She huffs and rolls her eyes; the move reminds me so much of Arden that I smile. “I know who you are Ford,” she admonishes me gently. “Please call me Ginger, and come in.”
She opens the door wider and directs me toward the living room once I step inside. The house is lived in; nothing about it feels like the house at Sagebrush where you’re afraid of touching anything.
Hopefully, soon my woman will be comfortable turning it into a house we can build our family in. I’m not touching a thing until she’s living with me and we’re doing it together.
As we settle into our seats, Ginger eyes me. There’s a wariness in her expression she tries to cover, but I see it. Maybe because I see the same kind of guardedness in Arden. My heart aches for her. Yesterday, as part of my birthday celebration, we laid in bed and talked for hours. She opened up to me about her mom, the past, and how much she wishes better resources were available. I know she dreams of being able to help bridge that gap.
And I’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure her dreams come true.
“I think I know why you’re here to see me,” Ginger begins.
I swallow hard and nod. I’ve never done this before and it’s different than I expected. This feels bigger than I imagined.
Maybe it’s because getting this right means so much to me.
“I’m in love with your daughter,” I blurt out the words. “I fully intend to marry her and build a future with her.”
Ginger’s eyebrows pull together, the confusion evident on her face. She sits back and huffs out a short laugh. “Well, I guess I don’t know why you’re here then,” she sounds bewildered. “Ithought you were coming here to ask permission to date my daughter.”
“No offense, Ginger,” I try not to twist my face up at the notion, but I understand it was expected not that long ago, “but your daughter is more than capable of making that decision on her own. I understand the tradition of asking permission to marry someone, but I’m not even here to ask you that. When I ask, the only person I will ask is Arden.”
“You sound sure of yourself that she’ll say yes,” Ginger eyes me, but I swear I see a hint of respect in her gaze.
Or maybe I’m just making that part up.
“I am,” I tell her honestly. “I love her.”
