Page 108 of A Tempting Seduction

“No, I’m not saying that at all.” I snuggled closer to him, resting my tired head on his shoulder. “Not at all.”

“Then you're richer than most people ever get to be,” Little Grandma said firmly. “You have a big family here by blood and you have something else just as special. Maybe even more so. Found families, chosen families, communities that love you for who you are instead of what you can do for them... that's the real treasure in this life.”

Lettie appeared with platters of food, setting down enough to feed a small army. Fluffy buttermilk biscuits that steamed when she split them open. Golden cinnamon rolls dripping with icing. Crispy bacon and creamy scrambled eggs. A small plate in front of Little Grandma held just a single biscuit and a cup of tea.

“Now eat,” Little Grandma commanded. “You can't heal on an empty stomach.”

I started off slow, not sure if my stomach could handle food. But as soon as I started eating some of the Down Home delicacies, I found I actually could eat. The food was perfect comfort food, warm and filling and infused with the kind of love that only comes from someone who's spent decades feeding people. I managed to put away half a cinnamon roll, a full biscuit with butter and homemade strawberry preserves, and most of the cheesy scrambled eggs.

But halfway through the meal, exhaustion hit me like a freight train. The combination of warm food, emotional release, and two days of running on adrenaline finally caught up with me. My eyelids grew heavy, and I found myself leaning more and more against Ford's solid shoulder.

“I think I need to get you home,” Ford said quietly, stroking my hair.

I nodded, already half-asleep. Ford stood and helped me out of the booth, keeping one arm around my waist to steady me.

“Thank you,” he said to Little Grandma, pulling out his wallet.

She waved him away. “Your money's no good here, son. Just take care of our girl.”

“I will.”

Little Grandma smiled, and something knowing sparkled in her ancient eyes. “I can see that. It's good to know Ruby's found a home with you, Ford Larson.”

Ford's cheeks went slightly pink, but he smiled back. “I'm the lucky one.”

I was too tired to be embarrassed by their conversation. All I could think about was my bed, or Ford’s bed. Actually, any bed with Ford's arms around me, and the amazing truth that I really had found a home here.

Not just with Ford, though that was definitely the biggest part of it. But with this whole community of people who'd chosen to love me. Who'd made space for me in their lives not because they had to, but because they wanted to.

Ford guided me toward the door, one hand on the small of my back. The morning sun felt warm on my face, and for the first time in days, my chest didn't feel like someone was sitting on it.

“Ready to go home?” Ford asked, opening the passenger door of his truck.

I looked back at the diner, where Little Grandma was already greeting the next customers with the same warmth she'd shown us. Then I looked at Ford, at this man who'd flown across the country to protect me, who'd held me while I cried, who'd never once made me feel like my baggage was too heavy to carry.

“Yeah,” I said, letting him help me into the truck. “I'm ready to go home.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

I saw Carrie’s car coming up my drive and was out my front door before she had a chance to get out of her car.

“Anxious much?” She grinned at me and handed me the sack of clothes and sundries she’d picked up from Ruby’s place.

“I just didn’t want you to knock on the door and wake Ruby.”

Carrie’s expression changed to one of concern. “How is she?” she asked as she handed me back Ruby’s house key.

“She’s been better. Idiot, Carrie, those sisters of hers are stone-cold jerks, and they about broke her heart.”

Carrie shook her head. “It’s not fair that someone as good as Ruby has to deal with women like that.”

I blew out a breath. “I agree. In good news, turns out she’s blood related to half of Jasper Creek.”

“What?”

“Yeah,” I smirked. “Turns out Miss Gladiola is her great-granny, and Little Grandma is her great-aunt. So, all those Magills floating around here are kin.”

“Whoa.” Carrie had the same dazed look on her face that I must have had at the diner. “You’re going to be marrying into Jasper Creek royalty.”