Love a Woman Right (The American Soldier Collection 17)

Ford stepped closer and placed his hands on her shoulders from behind. She tightened up and he had a bad feeling in his gut, but he quickly pushed it out of his mind. “I’ll drive you into town for the supplies you need and then we can drop everything off at our house,” he said to her.

“Sounds like a plan. Then I can finish up what needs to be done for tomorrow so we can help Lois package and label the cookies,” Laverty added.

“Great. What a team you guys are,” Dora said and winked at Lois.

“I appreciate all the help and support. I really can’t believe how everyone likes the cookies I made,” Lois said. Ford slid his arm around her waist, kissed her shoulder, and then whispered into her ear, “Of course they like them. They’re delicious.” She tightened up again and he knew it was because she read into his words.

“So you’ll bake at our place tomorrow?” Laverty asked.

“Yup, it’s going to take me all day to get those orders done plus the regular orders for the store, too.”

“Don’t worry, we’re here to help you,” Evan said and gave her a wink.

Ford took her hand after they said good-bye to everyone and then headed out.

* * * *

Lois was feeling a little uneasy at first, being in the truck and then the supermarket in town with Ford. He was so mysterious looking, with his dark hair and dark eyes and that black Stetson he wore all the time. It was his day off from being the sheriff, but he still had that authoritative look and demeanor about him. When people saw him they said hello and they looked at her and smiled. He kept a hand at her lower back or on her shoulder in a possessive manner and she liked it. She was getting more and more comfortable with him staying so close to her.

When he placed his arm around her waist when she was standing still, looking at the shelves of products in the store, she felt his muscles and the hard cords of his body against her. It aroused her but also made her wonder what he was capable of.

“I like being able to hold you in my arms and kiss you when I want to,” he said to her and when she turned around to look up into his eyes, he cupped her cheek and kissed her lips softly. When he released her lips, she shyly lowered her eyes and went back to pulling items off the shelves in the store.

As they headed out twenty minutes later, they bumped into some more people he knew.

“Sandman, I’d like you to meet Lois Willow.”

Lois was shocked at the size of the man. She thought Ford was big and tall, but this guy was even bigger. She reached out to shake his hand and he gave her a wink and a smile.

“It’s nice to meet you. I take it you’re off today, Sheriff,” he said and then looked at Lois with a huge smile. She felt her cheeks warm. Ford held her around the waist and nodded.

“Got the day off and was helping Lois get her baking supplies.”

“Oh, man, what are you baking?” Sandman asked and Ford told him about her cookies and selling them at the farm.

“No way, I can’t believe this. Wait until I tell Grace. She was in there the other day and wanted to get some for us, but they were sold out. She was there this morning and the jelly-filled ones were gone, too. You’re the one who makes them?” Sandman asked and she couldn’t believe how proud she felt.

“Yes, sir.”

“I think Grace put in a special order with your mom, Ford.”

“Oh, she must be on my list then.”

“If it makes it easier, I’ll stop by your place to

pick them up when you’re done?” he said to her.

“Well, she’ll be baking them at our place. We have a bigger kitchen than the cottage she and her sister live in.” Sandman squinted.

“Wait, you’re Valentina’s sister. Damn, I don’t know why I hadn’t put that together sooner. I’ve had like three hours’ sleep in the last week.”

“What’s going on?” Ford asked.

“Just this case and some connections nearby.”

“Do you need any assistance?” Ford asked and she couldn’t help but find him to be so sexy as the sheriff of the town. She noticed how a lot of women looked at him and snarled at her because he was holding Lois’s hand and giving her his full attention.

“I don’t think so, but I’ll keep you posted. It’s a government situation as of right now. I may need to contact some of our friends in Dallas, but I’ll see.”