“I can’t believe you have so many of these.”
“They’re small and fun to collect,” she pointed out as she carefully wrapped a pair of small ceramic cardinals in socks to keep them from breaking.
“Oh, I remember this set,” he said, holding up a pair of elephants.“Grandma Cherry, right?”
“Yep.She loved elephants, said having them in the house was good luck.”Her mind flitted to the safari park and the elephant shifters she’d heard about, and smiled to herself.They must bereallygood luck.
They talked about her collection, sharing memories of happier times like the vacation to Hawaii when they were young, when her mom had started her love of salt and pepper shakers with a pair of hula dancer ones.
By the time Ford came back from loading things into the truck, they’d filled up a few more boxes and bags, and she felt like she had what she needed for a while to get settled.
“So tell me more about this farmhouse?You guys just live together like one big family?”Cruz asked.He set the box of salt and pepper shakers into the back of the truck and turned to face them.
“Pretty much,” Ford said.“We’ve been friends for a long time.We share duties on the farm, and also work off-season for our friend Dexter’s construction company.He and his son have homes a short distance from the farm.We live in the farmhouse, though.We’ve all got suites and usually have dinner together.”
“Sounds cool,” he said.
Darcy smiled at him and then smiled at Ford.
“So,” she said.“About the apartment.If you’d like to stay, I can sublet it to you.I already talked to the landlord and it’s a simple form we’d have to sign, which we can do anytime.”
“I’d definitely like to stay,” he said.“Thanks.”
“You bet.”
They stopped at the landlord’s and signed the paperwork, and then she hugged Cruz goodbye.He shook Ford’s hand.“Take good care of my sister.”
“I will.One of these nights when you’re not working the night shift, you can join us for dinner.”
“I’d love that.”
They parted ways, her brother going back to the apartment that was his now, and she and Ford heading to Little River and the farmhouse.
And the herd.
Her new, extended family.
“This was the best possible outcome,” she said.“I get you and I also get to keep my relationship with Cruz intact.”
“I’m happy for you, sweetheart.”
“So,” she said, leaning against his shoulder.“Tell me about this spectacular date you’re planning for us.”
“Spectacular?I better make sure I bring my A game,” he said with a laugh.
“You better,” she said.“Because I’ll bringminelater.”
Ford woke while it was just starting to get light outside, the barest hint of dawn visible around the blinds.Next to him, Darcy slept, the sheet pooled at her waist, her upper body on display for him.
Sexy female.
The night before, as they’d been cuddled up in the dark after making love, they’d talked about things they liked, and he knew she loved him going down on her.And he loved it too.There was nothing quite like watching her climax and tasting her sweet honey.He was addicted to her, craved her on a cellular level.
And he could feel that she craved him too.
He turned on his side toward her, slipping his hand slowly down her soft belly and under the sheet.He slid his fingers in aimless patterns along her thighs and across her folds, watching as she gently roused from sleep.
When he saw she was halfway between asleep and awake, he slid down the bed and moved between her thighs, pushing the sheet out of the way.
