by Jillian Hart
“Hey, Ford.” Shay bounded up to him, a carry-on swinging from his shoulder. “You look lost in space. What are you looking at?”
“The tall redhead.” There was only silence around him and stillness within him as he watched Autumn step out of the sisterly hug and steal a book bag from the littlest Granger daughter. Every time he saw Autumn, he saw more of her. Today he saw pieces of her spirit—loving, devoted and kind.
“I’m going to marry her,” he said.
“Marry her? You?” Shay’s jaw dropped. “I thought you didn’t believe in that stuff.”
“I did, too.” He’d heard before that a man knew who he was going to marry right from the start. He’d never really believed it, not until it happened to him. He could see glimpses of the future with Autumn in it. He could hear the music of her laughter. He could feel the comfort of her loving kindness. It was as if Heaven was with him again, gently guiding him. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God. The verse from Romans reminded him who was leading him where he was meant to go.
Autumn gave him a smile and a little finger wave as she headed toward the door, flanked by her sisters, their conversation merry. Her voice stood out above all the rest. The places in his heart he’d thought he had lost long ago came fully alive as she strolled through the doors and away from him in the sun-swept lot.
Ford Sherman stayed in her thoughts all the way home. Not at the back of her mind, where he had been dwelling lately, but right up front where she couldn’t ignore him. Where she could hardly pay attention to her sisters because he was there.
“Ooh, your phone beeped, Cheyenne.” Addison strained against the seat belt as the truck chugged up the driveway. “Is it from Edward?”
“How should I know? I haven’t looked at it.” Cheyenne was doing her best to appear unaffected, but no one was fooled. This was her first love, and the way her eyes sparkled said more than she probably intended. “How about you? There have to be some cute guys at the U-Dub.”
“Tons.” Addy shrugged. “But am I interested? Not enough to let a single one of them catch me. I have a lot of guy friends, but that’s it.”
“Keeping your options open?” Chey teased.
“Way open. Permanently open.” Addy’s big blue eyes sparkled, just the way Dad’s did, and no doubt there was a large group of very disappointed, besotted college men at the University of Washington. “I’m glad Rori is taking Justin off our hands, don’t get me wrong, but marriage isn’t for me. No one can rope me in.”
“You sound way too much like Tucker.” Cheyenne laughed. “And me, not too long ago.”
It was good to see Cheyenne happy. She hadn’t always been lucky in love. She’d never even had a boyfriend before. Cheyenne’s problems were shyness and intelligence that had stymied most of the boys in high school. Autumn and her sisters had both spent a lot of weekend nights at home putting together jigsaw puzzles with their dad. Autumn still did.
“You aren’t going to move away from us if things get more serious with Edward?” Addison’s seat belt was the first one unbuckled as the truck rolled to a stop in front of the garage. “You are going to make him move here, aren’t you?”
“We haven’t discussed that exactly.” Cheyenne blushed, as if she had been thinking a lot on that subject. “He wants to be an equine vet. He needs to be near horses to do that.”
“Cool. We have a lot of horses here.” Addy launched out of the door and landed with a two-footed thud. “Whose car is that?”
“Mrs. Gunderson’s.” Autumn turned off the engine and pocketed her keys. “The new housekeeper.”
“Rori found someone already?” Cheyenne perked up. “That’s great news. Is she a good cook?”
“I guess we’ll find out. She promised to have lunch ready when we pulled in.” She looked for her keys and realized she had just put them in her pocket. Showed her mind was back in the airport terminal. She shut the door and followed her sisters up the back walkway to the porch.
She had witnessed another side of Ford Sherman today, a deeper layer she hadn’t guessed was there. He had gone beyond the call of duty for little Owen. Very hard not to like him more for that.
How do I get him out of my head, Lord? She took it to prayer because she was desperate.
“Autumn?” Her name brought her back to the present.
She realized she was standing in the mudroom door, coat hanging behind her on the coat tree. Mrs. Gunderson, a short, pleasantly plump, sixtyish woman with a fringe of pretty gray curls, posed next to the table, looking at her expectantly.
“Milk or juice?” the woman asked again, a container in either hand.
“Milk.” She noticed the curious glances her sisters shared, and she certainly hoped they hadn’t leaped to any conclusions. No one had mentioned the new sheriff on the way home, but that didn’t mean her sharp-eyed sisters hadn’t noticed that she’d been talking with the drop-dead-gorgeous sheriff.
“The lasagna smells delicious, Mrs. Gunderson.” She slipped into her chair. Her stomach growled. She couldn’t remember any meal looking so appealing. The casserole had been prepared with care, topped with melted cheese, and the salad and homemade garlic bread could have been the highlight of a food channel show.
“Whew, that’s a relief. I hope you girls enjoy.” The older woman smiled self-consciously and perhaps a tad nervously. First days on the job were always so hard. She finished pouring Autumn’s milk and backed away. “Your father said to tell you he and Justin already ate.”
“Have you eaten?” Autumn asked as she folded her hands. She felt her sisters’ interest as they watched the kindly lady blush.
“Well, no.”
“Join us,” Cheyenne urged. “We want to get to know you.”
“Yeah,” Addy seconded.
“We’ll let Addy grill you instead of me,” Cheyenne added.
“Oh, all right. After all, I do work for you. I have to do what you say.” With a smile of pleasure, Mrs. Gunderson tapped toward the cupboards. “Let me just get a plate.”
Autumn’s mind kept wanting to loop back to Ford. To the man who had done more in his first week as a resident of Wild Horse than the last sheriff had managed to do in his two-year term. That said something about the man. A tiny piece of longing slipped into her heart, the old longings of a long-ago, more optimistic Autumn Granger.
A smart woman wouldn’t let even the tiniest of wishes in. She did her best to push them out. She had to stop thinking about him. She bowed her head as Addy began the blessing.
“You live in a barn.”
“Yes, but it’s a small barn. A stable, really. It’s trendy.” Ford watched his brother scratch his head in puzzlement. He hopped out of the truck. In the shelter of the carport the timid first fall of snow didn’t touch him. The cottony clouds overhead had moved in swiftly. The forecasters were calling for four inches before the night was over.
“Dude, you live in a barn.” Shay laughed, shaking his shaggy blond hair. “Grandpop would love it.”
“He would love everything about this place.” Snowflakes danced and whirled as he trudged up the shoveled walkway toward the house. A fine sheen of white spread out as he unlocked the front door. There was someone Grandpop would particularly like. Why couldn’t he get Autumn Granger out of his mind?
Because seeing her today had only solidified his suspicions. He wasn’t going to get over her. His feelings were too deep. What did a man do when the woman he’d fallen in love with didn’t feel the same? Not even close to it?
He left it to God, that’s what. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
“Bro, someone’s comin’.” Shay hopped onto the narrow porch and gestured toward the driveway.
His first thought turned to Autumn even as he knew it wasn’t her. He recognized the old Chevy pickup ambling to a stop. The passenger window rolled down, revealing a gray-haired
lady with wire-rimmed glasses and a friendly smile.
“Good afternoon, Sheriff. We just wanted to check up on you. See how you are getting along.” Velma Plum leaned out her window. “Hal, go ahead and give this to him. Sheriff, I made tuna casserole for lunch, and there was simply too much. Hal and I can’t eat all of that, I said to myself, and do I know someone who could use a good home cooked meal? You came to mind.”
Ford left his keys in the lock and jogged the few steps to the truck. “That’s mighty thoughtful of you. If it tastes as good as it smells, you’ve made me a very happy man.”
Velma blushed. Her husband lifted the covered bowl from the bench seat and handed it to her. “As you can see, I’m always grinning ear to ear. My wife is a fine cook.”
“Thanks for thinking of me. I appreciate it.” He took the bowl. It was heavy and still blazing hot. Their thoughtfulness touched him. “This is the third time you’ve come over with something for me. You’re spoiling me, Velma.”
“After I heard what you did for Owen Baker,” Velma said, waving off all concern, “it’s the least I can do. Now, who do we have here?”
Hard to miss the pointed look she projected a few paces behind him. No doubt Shay had perked up at the mention of food and was showing off his grin to the lady. “That’s my brother, Shay, but I do my best not to claim him.”
“Don’t blame you there. He’s as handsome as you are, Sheriff. Maybe even a tad more.” Velma was a kidder.
“Hey, that’s what I think, too.” Shay’s boots tapped closer. “I’m the better-looking of the Sherman brothers. It’s nice to have confirmation.”
“Don’t encourage him, Velma,” Ford advised. It was a joke between brothers. “Where are you two headed?”
“The Glam-a-rama. Got to get my hair done for the big wedding day.” Velma glittered with excitement. “I’m sending Hal out with my honey-do list.”
“Might as well be useful while she’s gettin’ all dolled up.” Hal was always in good humor. “I’m gonna have the prettiest gal in the church tomorrow.”
“Hal, what about the bride?” Velma laid her hand on his, affection strengthened by a lifetime together unmistakable in her gentle eyes.
“You’ll always be my bride.” Hal locked his fingers with hers. “Well, good seein’ ya, Sheriff.”
“You drive safe and give me a call if you need anything.” He stepped away as the clutch ground a little and the truck slowly eased into reverse.
“You’re a good neighbor.” Velma smiled at him in approval. “Nice to meet you, Shay.”
With a final wave, she rolled up her window and the truck crept down the drive.
“I can see why you like it here.” Shay led the way into the house. “Folks bring you food. I saw the livestock in the field next door. This is the coolest house I’ve ever seen. Well, one without an ocean view.”
“We all can’t live near the beach.” And some of us don’t want to. Ford closed the door, dropped his keys on the small table and carried the bowl around the edge of the counter into the kitchen space. Wintry views from every window hid the fact that there wasn’t a single picture on the wall, but nothing could help soften the effect of all his personal belongings stuffed where the movers had dropped them.
“Dude, you weren’t kidding.” Shay dragged his fingers through his fringe of dark blond hair. He looked over the work awaiting him. “Good thing I could get away. You need help.”
“More than you know.” And not only about getting moved in. He grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge and two plastic forks from the bag on the counter, doing his best not to think about Autumn. When he set everything on the small kitchen table, he spotted the Plums’ house across the field.
Framed by the window, it could have been a picture—the soft yellow siding muted by the snowfall, the cheerful porch and cozy dormers. He thought of the couple’s sweet and enduring love. They had spent their entire lives together.
Was it a sign, or just wishful thinking? He’d never believed in forever until now. Not until Autumn Granger had smiled at him today. Now it was all he wanted.
And she did not.
Chapter Nine
“Hold still, Dad.” Autumn leaned in to fuss with her father’s tie. Not liking how the knot was sitting, she loosened it and tried again. Around her rang the merry voices of Rori speaking with her grandmother, the bridesmaids chatting and the minister’s wife, Doris, letting everyone know it was nearly time.
“Are you done yet, girl?” Dad asked, fidgeting. He wasn’t fond of monkey suits, as he called the black tux that made him look distinguished. “There’s no sense fussin’ over me. It’s not like you can improve on me much. I’m a hopeless case.”
“Yes, you are, but you’re our hopeless case.” She tugged the bow until it was perfect, wobbling a teeny bit on her heels. She didn’t wear them often, and she kept having to fight off visions of tripping on her way down the aisle.
Think positive, she told herself. There will be no tripping and no disasters of any kind, including those of the male variety. It didn’t help to know that Ford was sitting on a bench somewhere in the church sanctuary and he would be watching her. Heat crept across her face at the thought.
“Good enough.” Her dad gave her nose the lightest of tweaks, as he used to do when she was a little girl and he would pretend to have stolen it. Affection reflected deep in his lapis-blue eyes. “You look beautiful, princess. Any chance you can save me a dance on your card?”
“Are you kidding? You won’t have time for me. The eligible women in White Horse County will be fighting over you.” She picked a speck of lint off his sleeve and stepped back. “You look nice, too, Dad.”
“Nah. I’m just an old cattle rancher.” He flushed a bit, bashful at heart.
That was her dad. A great man and he didn’t even know it. Cheyenne bolted up, her silk gown whispering as she skidded to a stop. “Dad, look at you. Addy, get over here with the camera.”
“Now, don’t you go taking my picture.” He shook his head, holding up one hand as if to bolt for the door.
He wasn’t going anywhere, because she grabbed his elbow and held him captive. “Don’t make me wish I’d brought my lasso.”
“Okay, I’ve got enough shots of the bride for now.” Addy tapped over, the most at home of any of the Granger girls in her heels. She looked adorable in the soft sage-green dress, and her big baby-blues lit up when she spotted their father. “Oh, wow. Dad. Wow. Group picture!”
“We need to get one of you ladies first.” He wriggled out of their grips, slicker than rain rolling off a tin roof. “Give me that camera.”
“Dad,” Cheyenne complained. “We want one with you.”
“You all are too beautiful for the likes of me.” He snatched Addy’s little camera from her. No one was better at escaping the center of attention than their dad. “Go on. Get together. I want a picture of my girls.”
It was the love in his words that hit her hard. She shuffled into place with her sisters, winding up in the center because she was the tallest. Addy snuggled up on her left, Cheyenne on her right. They must appear like three peas in a pod with their identically styled hair and matching princess dresses. It wasn’t often Dad had this opportunity.
“You three are my dream come true. My beautiful little girls, all grown up.” Frank lifted the camera and squinted. Hard not to think about the kind of father he was. Always there, always loving, always good. They didn’t make men like her dad these days. Maybe that was her problem. No man had really ever measured up to her dad. And if Ford Sherman came to mind, she didn’t have to acknowledge it.
“Great.” Dad snapped a few pictures. “Now we need one with Rori.”
“First, one with you.” Autumn stepped out of line to wrestle the camera from him. He didn’t struggle too hard. Maybe he was more emotional than she suspected, or maybe he simply understood her without words, the way he did so often. “Aunt Carol. Will you help us out?”
“I would love to,
dear.” She tapped across the crowded little room, neatly dodging the chaos. She had raised three rough-and-tumble sons, so she was a pro at chaos and cameras. “Get in there, Frank. Don’t be shy.”
“Shy? I don’t want to mess up the pretty picture.” His protest fell on deaf ears.
Autumn pulled him over, and her sisters held on. They gathered around him, refusing to let him go. This would be a moment they would want to remember for all time.
“Smile, now,” Aunt Carol sang. “That means you, Frank. I want to see your matching dimples. That’s it. Perfect.”
A few clicks and he was free to step away.
“Rori!” Addy called, shouting over the tops of heads. “We need you, Sage and Giselle, too.”
“There’s no time!” Doris clapped her hands. “You must take your positions. Calling all bridesmaids! Follow me. Frank, you had best go find Justin. He’s probably wondering what’s become of you.”
“Will do.” He remembered what it was like to be a groom moments before the ceremony started. “But first things first. You will have to start late, Doris, because I want a moment alone with Rori.”
“Frank Granger, if you mess up my schedule, so help me.” Doris might threaten, but she didn’t look as if she meant it.
“It will just take a moment.” He flashed her his best smile. It always seemed to work wonders. “Rori, is that all right with you?”
“Yes, Frank.” The gal beamed, tears already glistening. “You aren’t going to make me cry, are you? I don’t want to mess up my makeup.”
“Honey, you had best get used to it. It’s going to be that kind of a day.” While Doris clapped her hands, ushering the bridesmaids from the rooms and ordering the others back to the sanctuary, he pulled a black jeweler’s box from his tux’s pocket. She was really surprised, and that delighted him. A man didn’t gain a daughter-in-law every day, so he intended to do this right. “This was my mother’s.”