Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)(54)

Montana smiled at him. “I’m fine. If I need you to slice up my brother into tiny pieces, I’ll let you know.”

Simon kissed her. “I would appreciate that.”

He returned to the game.

“Who’s Kent seeing?” Denise asked, lowering her voice. “One of the women I suggested?”

“I don’t think she was on the list.”

Over Fourth of July, Denise had set up a booth at the festival—looking for a wife for Kent and for Ford. She’d had baby pictures of her boys so interested women could get an idea of what their children might look like, and she’d taken applications.

“Do you know Consuelo Ly?” Montana asked.

Denise frowned. “Why is that name familiar?”

“She teaches at the bodyguard academy,” Isabel said, wondering why her friend hadn’t mentioned dating Kent. “Have they been seeing each other long?”

“No,” Montana said. “I don’t think so.”

Isabel figured Montana had been talking to Carter—Reese’s friend. Reese was Kent’s son and would be the person to know if his dad was seeing anyone.

Ah, the thrill of small-town living.

* * *

“HE’S A FLIRT,” Dakota said with a sigh. “I don’t want to think about what he’s going to be like when he’s in high school.”

“It’ll start before high school,” Nevada said with a grin. “Look at those dimples.”

“Speaking of dimples and babies,” Denise said, passing around the sliced roast. “Are you and Tucker ready to have another baby?”

Nevada grimaced. “Mom, get off me. It hasn’t even been six months.”

“I know, but you waited awhile to get started. Grandbabies, people. I can’t have too many.”

“Denise,” Max said gently from the far end of the table. “Don’t torture your children.”

She smiled at him. “You’re right.”

Dakota leaned toward Isabel. “Max is the voice of reason. He keeps Mom in check and for that we’re grateful.”

Isabel knew that Denise had been seeing Max for a few years, but so far they hadn’t decided to marry. He was a great guy, very calm and centered.

The Hendrix family had produced a lot of kids, Isabel thought, feeling a twinge of longing. She and Eric hadn’t discussed having children very often. She’d thought they had plenty of time and he... Well, she didn’t know what he’d been thinking. Either way, it was good they hadn’t started a family, what with the divorce and all. But she’d always seen herself as a mother. Being single was going to complicate that situation.

More food was passed around the table. Isabel watched Ford take small portions of everything, but he didn’t seem to be eating. She put her hand on his thigh and felt the tension in his muscles.

He looked as though he was having a good time, but she could tell the evening was wearing on him.

“How are things going at work?” Denise asked him.

Isabel squeezed her fingers against his thigh. “He’s so busy,” she said with a smile. “Have you seen the facility? It’s amazing. Angel’s building an outdoor course that is incredibly challenging.” Information Consuelo had told her. “I couldn’t do it, but those of you who are more athletic should try it.”

“That would be fun,” Montana said. “Not that I’d go. I’m not very coordinated. Max, do you think we should have an obstacle course to train the dogs?”

And just like that, the attention was off Ford.

He put his hand on top of hers and then smiled at her. She smiled back.

Ford was always so funny and charming, she thought. Joking with everyone and acting as if he was just one of the guys. It was easy to forget that he’d been gone so long, serving his country in difficult and dangerous places.

He wasn’t the kind of man to brood, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have ghosts of his own. She ate her dinner and talked to people, but stayed alert to any conversation shift that might upset him.

Later, when they were driving home, she wondered if she should say anything. Or ask questions. In the end, she decided to let him speak or not.

When they arrived back at their place, she climbed out of his Jeep and started for the house. Ford stopped her and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t kiss her; instead he held on tight.

She rested her head on his shoulder and breathed in the quiet of the night.

She wondered what had happened. Was it his family? The close quarters? The questions? Just that some days he had to deal with his past and some days he didn’t?

But she didn’t ask and he didn’t offer. Instead he shifted so his arm was around her and led her toward the house.

“I’m thinking ice cream and then sex,” he said as she pulled her keys out of her purse. “What about you?”

She fumbled with the key and he took it from her. As he opened the door, she knew that she wanted this. What they had together. The fun and the conversation. The sex and the friendship. She wanted to be his buffer and have him take care of the yard and be manly with the barbecue. She liked the rhythm of their life together.

It wasn’t love, she told herself firmly. But it was still special and something she wanted to hang on to for as long as she could.