I swallowed against the tears that were gathering at the back of my throat. “It hurt so bad when he left before. And I wasn’t in love with him then. Not like this.” I hadn’t known what it was like to truly have Ford. Now, I did. The touch of his fingers on my skin, how safe I felt in his arms, how understood and seen he made me feel just in the way he listened.

Kara squeezed my hand. “I wish I could protect you from all the hurts in this world, but the only way to do that is not to live, and I don’t want that for you.”

I bit down on my bottom lip, nodding. “I’m just so tired of all the unknowns. Tired of being scared that I’m going to get hurt. I realized I’ve had my walls up so high.” I lifted my head. “Kara, I don’t let anyone new into my life. It’s you, Frank, Hunter, and my girls. That’s it. Sure, I’m friendly with other people, but I don’t let them in. I don’t want to live my life in fear all the time.”

“Then you’re just going to have to let yourself fall.”

“I already have.” I only hoped the landing didn’t kill me.

40

FORD

“Mom said you and Bell came by for a visit.”

I handed Hunter his local ale and Crosby his Guinness. “We did. But they kicked Dad and me out so they could have their girl talk.”

Hunter chuckled. “Pouting isn’t a good look on you, bro.”

I grimaced. I was pouting, and it was pathetic. “I think being with Mom helped. Bell seemed a little better after their time together.”

“Mom always knows how to tend to any wound.”

I grabbed a rag and wiped down the bar top. “I just wish she’d give me a clue how to do the same.” When Dad and I returned from our walk, it was clear that both my mom and Bell had been crying. I’d pulled Bell into my arms and given Mom a dirty look. She’d just laughed and told me not to be so overdramatic. But neither of them would tell me what the hell was going on. I’d even cornered Mom alone in the kitchen to ask her, and she’d said that the conversations between Bell and her would always be private.

Hunter chuckled. “She wouldn’t tell you what they talked about, would she?”

“No,” I growled.

Crosby grinned as he took a sip of his beer. “Your mom is the best.”

“Not when she’s keeping secrets and won’t tell me why Bell’s been upset for the past few days.”

“There has been a lot going on, brother. Cut her some slack.”