As I started to laugh, a throat cleared from the entryway, and I whirled around. Ford leaned against the wall, a smile that seemed to be holding back a laugh spread across his face. He wore a navy sweater that hugged those broad shoulders and defined chest, and dark-wash jeans that clung to muscular thighs. I swallowed hard. “Hi.” The greeting came out as a squeak.

“That was some victory dance there.”

My cheeks heated. “Gotta celebrate the wins in life.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me.”

I shuffled my feet. “Well, I better get going.” I turned back to Frank. “Thanks again for letting me borrow your truck.”

Frank stood and tossed his keys to Ford. “Why don’t you drive Bell? You can help her get the credenza in and out of the pickup.”

My eyes narrowed on Frank. “I was going to call Kenna to help me.”

“But Ford’s right here. So, why bother Kenna?”

Ford eyed me cautiously. “I’m happy to help.”

My gaze jumped around the room, looking for some invisible excuse, a way of escape. There was nothing. “All right. Thank you.”

Ford chuckled. “You sound like I just offered to give you a root canal with no Novocain.”

I scowled at him. “I just don’t want you to have to go out of your way on your morning off.”

“Bell.” Ford took a few steps towards me. “I want to help. Let me.”

I swallowed the emotion gathering at the back of my throat. So many different things swimming around, and that damn longing strongest of all. I wanted nothing more than to hurl myself at Ford, to have him wrap me in his arms and tell me that everything would be okay. I straightened my spine. I didn’t need that. I’d made everything okay without him. I didn’t need him now.

“Let’s go.” My tone was clipped, cold, but it couldn’t be helped.

Ford led the way out of his childhood home. I looked back to give Frank a wave and saw a look of worry etched along the lines of his face. Crap. I didn’t want to put any added stress on the man’s shoulders, that was the last thing he needed. I forced a smile and then turned to the driveway.

Ford beeped the locks on his dad’s truck. “So, where’s this furniture we’re picking up?”

“Just a couple of blocks away. On Cedar.” I climbed into the passenger seat and buckled myself in.