My car eased around the curve of the private lane that led to Ford’s new house. The warm breeze cut through my open window, the faint scent of the sea and the blissful quiet easing something in me. This truly was the perfect property. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Ford’s rental, but it was so sterile, almost overly modern. I’d always been afraid I would break something worth thousands of dollars.

I smiled as my car crested the hill and the old farmhouse came into view. This place fit us. Lush grass and brightly colored blooms filled a large yard that was surrounded by forest. While the property didn’t have beach access, it had a gorgeous view of the ocean. I couldn’t help the image of little blond-haired children running around the yard while Ford and I sat on the front porch sipping lemonade.

I gave my head a little shake. Not the time. I pulled my car in next to Ford’s on the gravel drive. Climbing out, I took a minute to soak in the house. It needed work, sure, but the bones were wonderful, and it was a project Ford and I could take on together. If he wanted me.

I climbed the stairs, pulling open the screen door. “Ford?”

“Back here.”

My breath caught as I stepped into the foyer. All around and leading the way down the hallway were pots full of the most brightly colored flowers of every shape and size. A smile slowly stretched across my face. “What did you do, Cupcake?”

“Why don’t you come in and find out, Trouble?” Ford’s voice came from what sounded like the sun porch—a room enclosed by paned windows that would be perfect during the winter months, when it became too cold to sit outside.

I let my fingers trail lightly over the leaves and petals of each plant as I passed, their heavenly scents filling the air. As I stepped through to the sun porch, I gasped. There were flowers everywhere, filling every corner and crevice of the space. I’d never seen so many outside a nursery.

When my gaze caught on Ford, I stopped breathing altogether. The blue of his button-down shirt seemed to make his eyes glow, but it was the love in them that seared me, simultaneously freezing me to the spot.

His lips twitched. “Bell, come here.”

My legs seemed to obey without my brain even reasoning through the command, taking me right to the man. I inhaled deeply as Ford wrapped his arms around me, his unique, woodsy scent cutting through the floral-scented air around us. I pressed my face to his pec, lifting my lips to kiss his throat.

“I missed you.”

“Me, too.” It was all I seemed to be able to return.

Ford chuckled, pulling me tighter against him. “You like this place?”

I nodded.

“You want to make it a home with me?”