She braced herself with a big breath. “They’re going back and forth too much. It’s confusing for them.”
“Agreed.” He had a solution for that, but before he could speak, she did.
“We could live together.” Midnight eyes stared up at him earnestly. “Think about it. It’d be easier for us to coordinate who’s walking them in the morning. It’ll be easier for whichever of us gets home from work first.”
She’d completely stolen his thunder, and now he couldn’t stop smiling. “With Paul walking them each afternoon, that’d probably work.”
Laylee stuck her head out of the bedroom. She held Tank more securely now because she’d learned her lesson, but surprisingly, she also seemed fine with Maybelline leaning into her side. “Hopefully, I’ll still be around, too. I’m happy to let them in and out and to keep an eye on things.”
Ford was speechless.
Skye gave him a blinding smile. “Who’s moving? Me or you?”
It was an effort, but he dragged his gaze away from the sight of Laylee and both dogs. “Your sister seems to be a permanent fixture in your house, so how about mine?” And once she got comfortable there, he could move on to step two: a permanent commitment. That was what he wanted, but for Skye, he could bide his time.
“Perfect.” She laced her arms around his neck. “It’s working out, isn’t it?”
“Good thing, because I’m not letting go. Not of Maybelline, or Tank.” He put his forehead to hers. “Or you.”
Her breath caught, and in the next second, she blurted, “I love you madly.”
Jerking upright, he stared at her. “What did you say?”
From behind them, Laylee sang, “She loves you madly, permanently. Forever more, amen.”
Getting a breath into his shocked lungs wasn’t easy, but he finally managed it. “You mean it?”
Now with worry inching in, she said, “Yes, but that doesn’t oblige you to—”
He lifted her off her feet, then crushed her close. Overwhelmed, thrilled, ready to shout, he said, “You love me.”
Laylee laughed. “I told you so, sis.”
Squeaking, Skye replied, “Don’t pressure him.”
Quickly, Ford set her back down. “I’ve loved you almost from the start.” His hands shook a little as he cradled her face. “All my life, I wanted something, but no matter what I got, I kept on wanting. Great job, nice house, friends who are like family.”
Softly, she covered one of his hands with her own. “I understand.”
He knew she did, because she understood him. “Now, with you, and Maybelline . . .”
Laylee said, “And me?”
He half laughed, reached out an arm, and dragged her close. “Yeah, you, too.”
She still held Tank but didn’t seem to mind when Maybelline pressed her way into the middle of them. “My house is more wrecked than it’s ever been,” he went on, “but now it feels like a real home.”
Skye’s smile wobbled. “Oh, Ford.”
“That’s my cue to mosey on,” Laylee whispered. She hugged her sister and kissed Ford on the cheek. “Love you both.” Moving up the hall, she called out, “Who wants treats?” and both dogs started barking, Tank from her arms, and Maybelline in a mad race to catch up.
“She’s getting a lot better.”
Skye nodded. “She offered to buy my house.”
His grin came slow and easy. “In that case, how would you feel about making things permanent?”
“Permanent?” Her gaze searched his.
