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)
Currently, Asher is playing cards with Lyla and baby Tamsin is in a pack-n-play travel bed taking a nap. I’ve been able to relax a little bit. T and Lyla got me settled on the sofa and then T called a doctor to come look me over. The doctor checked me out and treated me. He went so far as to hook me to an IV to help flush the suspected drugs in my system, as well as getting nutrition back into my system. The doctor said he was licensed, although he mostly just worked for Ford’s club. When I asked Lyla why Ford would have the doctor from his club drive here, she’d laughed. Then she informed me that her father had most of his club out here to help get me back. Next, she quite calmly let me know he had told her that he was in love. I’m not sure I can describe how that made me feel. I’m not sure what I expected, but knowing he told his daughter that he was in love with me took my breath.
I’m in more than a little pain. The doctor—which they nicknamed Sawbones—left me some pain medication, but I haven’t taken one yet. I wanted to be as present as possible for Asher. I needed time with him. I have been so worried about him, but seeing how good he’s been taken care of makes me want to just grab hold of Ford and never let him go. Which is crazy. Ford deserves much better than me.
He's everything I’d always dreamed of having in my life. I still can’t understand why Ford went to get Asher and kept him safe through this. Heck, I can’t understand why he came after me. The fact he did is something I’m still having trouble processing.
“Are you okay, Grace?”
I lift my gaze to look at Lyla and make myself smile at her. “I’m good,” I respond, still sifting my fingers through Asher’s hair. I have to touch him almost constantly right now to reassure myself we’re safe. “I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Everything is going to work out, you know,” Lyla responds. I give her a tight smile. There’s not much I can say to that. Nothing has ever just worked out in my life.
“It will, Mommy! Ford will take care of everything. He called in all his friends and they’re superheroes.”
A laugh bubbles up before I can stop it. “Superheroes?” I ask.
“Yeah. He promised they’d get you back and told me I had to stop crying because you wouldn’t like it, and he did it. You’re home now. They all brought you home to me, just like he said.”
I am speechless. I don’t even know what to say to my son. So, I just smile at him before adding, “I guess he did.”
“You’ll see, Mom. Ford will take care of everything. He loves us.”
I start to admonish him and try to get control of this conversation. It hasn’t taken me long to realize that my son has a real case of hero worship going on where Ford is involved. I can understand it, but still, I don’t want him to get carried away. When Ford and I go our separate ways, he’ll be hurt if I don’t stop this.
“Asher, Ford is a good man, he’s just trying to help us,” I try to explain. I can tell Asher just ignores me.
“He’s awesome, and do you know what he told me, Mom?”
“I’m almost afraid to ask,” I mutter, and Lyla giggles. I smile at her before I can stop myself.
“He said he was scared sometimes, too,” Asher replies while vigorously nodding his head. “He said it was okay to be scared. I want to be just like Ford when I grow up.”
“You do?” I question, shocked. How in the hell did all of this happen in just two days?
“Of course! He wants us to be a family.”
“Honey, I don’t think that’s what Ford meant.”
“Oh, it’s exactly what he meant, Grace,” Lyla says. Before I can argue with her, Ford walks through the front door.
“Now there’s a scene I’ve been waiting a lifetime to see.”
My eyes lock on him and he holds my gaze, smiling in a way that makes me feel flushed all over. The moment doesn’t last long because Asher takes off running to him. Ford immediately picks him up, cradling him like the precious bundle he is. I feel my heart squeeze in my chest.
“Ford! You did it. You got Mommy.”
“Didn’t I tell you I would, buddy?”
“You did! I told Mommy you promised to bring her back and you did.”
Ford’s gaze moves back to me then. “Did you now?” he jokes, winking at me.
“Yep,” Lyla answers. “He told Grace all about your superhero friends.”
Ford lets out an easy laugh, ruffling my son’s hair much like I have been doing all evening. “That’s my boy,” he brags, and again my heart squeezes in my chest.