Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Ford went nose-to-nose with her, his eyes full of concern and his expression serious. He gripped her chin with his fingers. “See? I’m okay. Nothing happened to me.” He helped her to her feet but still kept her locked in his embrace. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Dylan now had one hand planted on her back and the other swept strands of hair away from her face. “You okay?”
She nodded despite still being chilled to the bone. “I can’t lose you, Ford.”
His voice caught when he assured her, “You won’t.”
She knocked the side of her fist gently against his chest. “You can’t make that promise when you do things like that.”
“Darlin’, it’s my job. I go on roofs all the time.”
“You didn’t tell me that.” She also never asked—on purpose—hoping his employees had been doing the more dangerous work. But it was hard to block out him climbing ladders and working two stories up when she actually witnessed it.
“This was exactly why I didn’t. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Of course I would worry. I love you and don’t want to lose you.” She didn’t think she’d survive having another loved one ripped away from her so soon.
His fingers, now gripping her biceps, flexed. It took him a few more seconds before he responded, “I love you, too.”
Since the bulky tool belt hanging around Ford’s hips pressed against her painfully, she leaned back until he freed her. It also gave her the opportunity to search his face after that confession. “You do?”
His answer included a soft smile. “Of course. I have for years.”
“You never said anything.” Just like working on roofs.
“Because we didn’t have that kind of relationship. We agreed to keep it open and easy.” He stroked her cheek with his knuckle. “You never told me, either.”
“Because…” She shook her head. “I didn’t for the same reason as you. I didn’t want you to think I was pressuring you into an exclusive relationship.”
He tipped his head to the side. “You have never pressured me for anything, darlin’. Not once. You are the most flexible person I’ve ever met. It’s why our unconventional relationship still works after all these years.”
Despite knowing Dylan stood listening closely behind her, this conversation was important. Especially when they just revealed that they loved each other.
It wasn’t a surprise, but more of a relief.
“I loved what we had.” Would they lose it?
“And now?” Ford’s concerned expression returned.
No, they could only make it better. “I’m loving what we’re building here. All three of us.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead, murmuring, “I do, too. I never thought I’d want to be in any kind of committed relationship, but I see it headed in that direction.”
She tipped her face up to him. “Does that bother you?”
Ford shook his head and glanced over her shoulder.
She knew at exactly who. She turned. “I’m sorry, Dylan. I don’t want you to feel left out.”
“I don’t. What we had is old, but this is also new. There will be some growing pains. Truthfully, I wasn’t looking for a committed relationship, either. But, I agree, it’s working toward that.”
He was right. What she had in the past with Dylan was old, but what they were building was new. They needed to keep looking forward.
“Do you mind?” she asked tentatively.
“I wouldn’t keep inviting you two over if I did.” Dylan’s answer rang true.
Ford gave him a nod. “And we wouldn’t keep coming over if we did, either.”
When she stepped into Dylan’s arms, he squeezed her tight and put his lips against her temple. “When you’re ready, and only when you’re ready, I want to hear about your reaction to Ford being on the roof. I can guess but I never want to assume.”
After all these years, she thought she had that grief under control, but seeing Ford working on the roof brought it roaring back to the surface.
“It’s up to you if and when you want to have that conversation, darlin’. If you don’t and I have your permission, I can tell Dylan another time.”
She nodded. Ford had been on site when the accident occurred, so he knew more details than her. He had shielded her from the worst of it. He’d also dealt with heavy guilt since it happened while Kyle was on a job for Ford’s construction company.
Of course, Erin never held it against him. An accident was just that. Ford had always followed safety protocols and required his employees to do the same, especially since it had been his business, insurance and reputation on the line.
But sometimes, no matter how careful someone was, things happened…
“Please. I don’t need to relive it.” Pulling in a bolstering breath, she picked up the small cooler from the ground where she’d dropped it. She didn’t want the day to be ruined due to her unexpected meltdown. “Dani took the time to pack us a delicious lunch. I don’t want it, or this beautiful weather, to go to waste. We won’t be able to do this come winter and it’ll be here before we know it.”