Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)(53)

Ford walked over and patted him on the back. “I sure can. We’ll make a schedule and I’ll get you started. Just remember, it’s not a good workout if you don’t puke.”

Leonard’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re kidding, right?”

“You’re going to have to wait and see.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

“YOU HAVE TO LET GO of the door handle,” Ford said.

“Technically, I don’t.”

Isabel hung on to the Jeep with both hands. If she stayed where she was, she didn’t have to go into the house. She didn’t have to see anyone and she didn’t have to lie. If she let go, Ford was going to make her walk into the family dinner. And then what? Denise would take one look at them and know they’d had sex.

Ford stood in front of her. “What’s the problem? You know everyone in the family. We’re all friendly. They like you.”

“I glow.”

He smiled slowly, looking more than a little self-satisfied.

“Stop it!” She glared at him. “Denise is your mother.”

“She thinks we’re together, so why is your glowing a bad thing?”

“It’s tacky. And I don’t want to talk about it.”

He moved close, crowding her. “That’s not what you said this morning.”

Isabel kept her chin up and refused to blush. It wasn’t as though she was exaggerating. Now that she’d discovered what all the fuss was really about, she couldn’t seem to stop wanting Ford. While he hadn’t moved in or anything, he was spending every night in her bed.

“What I said this morning has nothing to do with your family. Especially your mother.” She drew in a breath. “Fine. I can do this. Just don’t look at me that way.”

His gaze turned predatory.

“That way. You know you’re doing it. Just stop.”

He chuckled and pulled her hands free of the handle, then lightly kissed her knuckles. “Just know that in three hours we’ll be able to leave. We’ll head home and you can be on top.”

The image of what happened when she was on top quickened her breathing. “Don’t do that!” she pleaded.

“Kittens,” he told her. “Think about kittens. It really helps.”

They walked up to the front of the house. The door opened before they got there.

“You made it,” Denise said with a smile. “Welcome, Isabel.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Isabel said as Denise pulled her son close and hugged him. Then she was hugged as well, and they all went into the house.

The spacious living room was empty and quiet, but plenty of noise spilled out from down the hall.

“Brace yourself,” Ford murmured as they followed his mother. “It’s going to be chaos.”

He wasn’t kidding. They stepped into the huge family room and found themselves surrounded by people. Ford was one of six kids. Four of his siblings were married and every one of them had at least one child. Some more. Which meant there were thirteen adults and eight kids, a number of dogs and more noise than a rock concert.

“Ford!” Montana called when she saw her brother. She rushed toward him. His other sisters followed suit.

Isabel stayed close and greeted everyone. As Ford had promised, the family was friendly and welcoming. But as the minutes passed and Ford was hugged and patted on the back and attacked by toddlers who thought he was cool, she felt a subtle tension invading him.

She studied him closely, wondering at the cause. He was still smiling and joking. But she saw the tightness of the muscles in his jaw and the way he kept glancing toward the exit. She felt the extra beat before he responded to questions about settling into town.

She didn’t know if it was the press of people or the fact that he was dealing with his family at close range and all at once, but she realized the situation was difficult for him.

Not sure what to do, she moved next to him and took his hand. “Can we get something to drink?”

Her request caused a flurry of activity. While the family was distracted, she squeezed his fingers. She raised herself on tiptoe.

“Three hours, big guy. Then I get to be on top.”

He flashed her a smile and she felt him relax.

By the time the bottles of wine had been opened, the guys had gone back to watching the game and the women were collecting in the kitchen. The older kids disappeared into the game room, while the babies were passed around.

“Can I help with anything?” Isabel asked Denise.

“I’ve got it under control,” Ford’s mother said, then sighed. “It’s so nice to have the whole family here.”

Montana joined them. “Kent’s by himself.”

“You say that like you’re surprised,” Denise said.

“I am. He’s seeing someone. I thought he’d bring her.”

Denise turned around and stared at her middle son. “Kent is dating?” She raised her voice to be heard across the room and over the game. “Kent, you’re dating?”

Kent looked at her, then stared at Montana. “Really?” he asked. “You couldn’t give me a couple of weeks of privacy?”

Montana winced. “Sorry. It just slipped out.”

Simon, Montana’s husband, was instantly at her side, as if to protect her. “Is everything all right?” he asked.