Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Ford closes the small distance between us, takes me in his arms, and slams his mouth down on mine. I open immediately and he overtakes my mouth like he’s fighting a war and demanding total surrender—and I give it to him, moaning at the pleasure his hungry kiss is giving me.
“Mom! Can I go play with Daisy? She’s here visiting Lyla,” Asher asks, as he comes running through the door. Ford ends the kiss but doesn’t let me go. He presses his forehead against mine. “Are you guys seriously kissing again? Why do you have to kiss so much?”
I laugh as I turn my head to take in my son. He has a basketball under his arm, wearing basketball shorts, a blue T-shirt, and his leather cut that Ford gave him.
“I kiss Ford because I love him,” I laugh.
My son looks at me, his face going serious. He turns to look at Ford. “Do you still love Mommy?”
“Absolutely, buddy.”
Something comes over my son’s face that I can’t quite decipher, but I’m not sure I like it. It looks like he’s upset. I thought he loved being here. I should have spoken with him more before I decided and told Ford.
“Asher, sweetheart, tell me what’s wrong. Are you upset? I thought you liked Ford.”
He doesn’t look at me. He just keeps staring at Ford. “I do,” he says simply.
I can see my worries mirrored on Ford’s face. He moves quickly and picks up my son. He carries him to a worktable beside us and sits him down. “Tell me what’s wrong, Hoops?” he asks, using the nickname he gave our son. I know he did it because he knows how much that name means to Asher.
“Nothing. I was scared we would have to leave, and I didn’t want to. I want to live here forever. I love it here. I also have a best friend. Daisy is really fun and she’s pretty, too.”
Ford and I share a look. He laughs and ruffles Asher’s hair. “Then tell your mom and me why you’re so upset. We don’t want to do anything to hurt you, buddy.”
“I’m not upset, but if you guys love each other, I was wondering if you are going to get married?”
Ford looks over at me. “That’s my plan,” Ford says, grinning at me before giving his attention back to my son.
“Will that make you my daddy, then?” he asks, his face worried and full of innocence.
Ford turns to look at me again. I know what he’s silently asking, and I’m not worried at all. I’ve seen first-hand how much he loves Asher, and I know how my son feels about him. Ford is his hero. I nod my acceptance, and I see so much joy on Ford’s face that it steals my breath for a second. His gaze moves back to Asher.
“Do you want me to be your dad, buddy?”
“I do,” Asher admits, his voice trembling. “I love you.” The entire time he’s talking, he’s wringing his hands together, and it hurts me that my son is so worried. I should have expected it. Besides me, there’s never been anyone else in his life. I know the fact he never had a father that visited him or wanted to get to know him has left scars.
“Asher, look at me, son,” Ford murmurs, his voice soft and full of love. Asher raises his head to look up at him. “Buddy, I need you to listen to me. In my heart, you’ve been my son since the night I first met you. The night we had the picnic in your old house was everything to me. I love you with all my heart. Nothing would make me prouder than to adopt you and give you my last name.”
Asher starts crying. Big, sloppy tears are running down his face and his tiny body trembles. I move to take a step toward him, but before I can, Ford picks him up and holds him tight against his chest. “I love you, son. I love you.” Asher’s little hands reach up to wrap around Ford’s neck.
I stand still, watching the two most important people in my life, and now I’m crying. I can’t stop it. I see the same tears on Ford’s face. He looks at me and shifts so he’s still holding Asher securely, then holds his other hand out to me. I go at once and he wraps me up, pulling me close so I can hold him and my son, too. I inhale deeply, relishing this moment. All my life, I’ve been told I’m cursed, that I bring nothing but bad luck. Today, right now, I feel like the luckiest and most blessed woman in the whole world. I make a promise to myself. From this moment forward, I’m only going to look ahead. I’m never looking behind me again. Ford and Asher are my future. And it’s damn bright.