Ford arrives at work the next day, and Rosie is on the phone with his mother. Gemma is a sex therapist and has never shied away from talking about sex. She tells Rosie that Ford needs to have sex to relieve his stress. Hearing Rosie talk about sex with his mother embarrasses Ford, and Rosie uses his discomfort to her advantage and flirtatiously looks at him while she talks. Rosie has menstrual cramps, and Gemma tells her than an orgasm will help relieve the pain. Rosie then leaves another diary entry on Ford’s desk. In the entry, she recounts seeing Ford flirt with another girl, which made her jealous. Past Rosie thought that Ford was sexually inexperienced, and she contemplated the idea of having sex with him to help him gain confidence.

Rosie ends the call and sits on Ford’s desk in front of him, wearing a short dress. She asks him to tell her about his previous sexual partners. Ford has only been with two women. His last relationship ended because the woman was more interested in his money than him. Ford says that he’s reluctant to trust people but that he trusts Rosie. Rosie wraps her legs around Ford’s legs, trapping him against her. She jokes that she will take Gemma’s advice and pleasure herself later to relieve her pain. Ford says that Rosie was wrong about his inexperience and that he knows how to give a woman pleasure. He demonstrates this by giving Rosie an orgasm. Just as they are about to have sex, West calls to him from outside. They quickly disguise what is happening, and Ford leaves for coffee with West. Before he leaves, Rosie jabs Ford, saying that he “missed the spot,” which Ford sees as a challenge and invitation.

Ford doesn’t return to the office, so Rosie goes to the bunkhouse and makes lunch. She leaves behind crumbs for the mouse, now her bunkhouse roommate. She takes her lunch to the dock, but Cora calls from school before she can eat. She’s in trouble and wants Rosie to come because she’s afraid of disappointing Ford. Rosie assures her that Ford isn’t as intense as he comes off as and races to get to the school. Ford is already there because the principal called him. Rosie watches from afar as Ford crouches in front of a sobbing Cora and silently wishes that he would hug her. He finally does, and Rosie feels a surge of attraction to him.

Ford and Rosie attend the meeting with the principal, who mistakes Rosie for Ford’s wife, and she doesn’t correct him. Before the meeting, Ford explains that he had told Cora that she could pick an artist to help him and that she chose Skylar Stone, a beautiful country star who had recently had trouble with the media. While discussing current events in history class, the teacher made a disparaging remark about Skylar, and Cora called him a “chauvinist piece of shit” (265). During the meeting, Ford tells the principal that the history teacher said that “women just aren’t cut out to handle pressure the way men are” and defends Cora’s outburst (266). However, the principal claims that Cora must be suspended. The scene reminds Rosie of what happened at her last job and how people in power abuse those below them. Ford withdraws Cora from the class and lets her complete the coursework from home. Ford and Rosie leave the school hand in hand.

Ford takes Cora to school but offers her the chance to stay home. He can tell that she is down and reminds her of their planned visit to see her mother over the weekend. Cora says that they should mow the lawn there, but Ford says that he hired someone to care for the house. He reminds her that he is there for her and her mother in any way they need. Cora misses her father but is grateful to have Ford in her life. She wonders if Ford likes Rosie, and Ford says that he does but tells her to keep it a secret. Cora is looking forward to helping Ford produce Skylar’s album, and he promises that they will bring her to Rose Hill as soon as the recording studio is ready.

Ford admires the newly renovated barn that Rosie oversaw. He dreams of having small cottages nearby where artists can stay while they create their albums. Rosie meets with the painter, Derek Scott, or “Scotty,” and Ford is instantly jealous of the way Scotty looks at Rosie. While Scotty works, Ford and Rosie exchange bantering emails, in which Ford insists that she work from home because she has cramps, and Rosie knows he’s just trying to get her out of Scotty’s eyesight. Rosie jokes with him about needing a magazine for masturbating when he gave the sperm donation. Ford replies that he didn’t use one and thought only of her. Rosie’s phone rings, and it’s Cora. She started her period for the first time and needs Rosie’s help. Rosie dashes away to bring Cora fresh clothes and supplies, leaving Ford contemplating this latest development as a father to a teenage girl.

Rosie brings the clothes and supplies to Cora at school and talks her through the basics of handling her period. Cora is confused and a bit frightened, but Rosie assures her that everything is normal and promises to guide her through the process. Cora asks if Rosie likes Ford, and Rosie jokingly says that everyone would like to be “Mrs. Grant.” Rosie checks Cora out of school and takes her shopping. When they return to the office, Ford has purchased a load of period supplies, which embarrasses Cora. He explains that he’s trying to honor what he thinks her father would have wanted by caring for her. Cora assures him that he’s doing a great job.

After bowling, Ford returns home and talks with Rosie, admitting that he’s confused about where his life is going and nervous that he’s messing it up, especially Cora. Rosie assures him that he’s doing his best and that Cora is bright, healthy, and well-adjusted, considering what she’s been through. Ford confesses that his college friends, who became his partners at Gramophone, dismissed him because of their greed. Though he’s tried to make good decisions with his wealth and be generous, he still feels like a failure. Mostly, he’s confused about where to go with their relationship.

Ford’s chain falls forward, and Rosie sees that it’s her diary key. He’s worn it on the chain since he rescued the diary from the ditch. Rosie can barely hold back tears at the tenderness of his action. Rosie says that Ford is the best person she knows and that if being with her is causing him pain, she is willing to put their relationship aside for the time being, primarily to protect Cora. Rosie is lying, though, because she wants nothing more than to be with him. He walks her home to the bunkhouse, and she cries after he leaves.

Ford takes Cora to the city for the weekend to visit her mother. He emails Rosie to explain his absence and asks her to keep things running in the office while he’s gone. She keeps her responses formal and businesslike, which bothers Ford, especially as he thinks about the emotional exchange before he left. He regrets not chasing after her when they parted.

When Ford returns to the office, Scotty is there flirting with Rosie, who is dressed in a suit and high heels. Ford is jealous and fires Scotty on the spot, asking him to leave immediately. After Scotty leaves, Rosie confronts Ford and accuses him of being too territorial. Ford says that he is done playing games with her. Despite having a good weekend with Cora, he could only think about Rosie. Rosie says that if he doesn’t hate her so much, then he should prove it by having sex with her. They have sex, and then Rosie says that he should do it again, but this time “like [he] love[s] [her]” (305).

Ford and Rosie have sex again, crumbling all the remaining physical and emotional barriers between them. Rosie realizes that she doesn’t hate Ford and might be in love with him.

Ford and Rosie get dressed just in time to hear a knock at the door. Ford’s parents have arrived unannounced to meet Cora. Though his father seems oblivious, his mother can tell what happened based on the mess in the office. Ford asks them to return to the house after he gets Cora from school and gives him time to prepare her to meet them. Ford reminds his parents that Cora has been through a lot and that he doesn’t want them to overwhelm her. Cora comes downstairs and confidentially introduces herself. Ford’s father has brought his guitar, and he and Cora bond instantly as he teaches her to play.

Rosie returns to her bunkhouse and sees the mouse, which she nicknames “Scotty.” Ford arrives to invite her to a bonfire later with Cora and his family. When she mentions Scotty the mouse, Ford suggests that she stay with him. Rosie says that it might seem “unprofessional” and that she’ll sleep in the guest room. They both agree that they need to tell West about them. Later, at the bonfire, Rosie enjoys watching Cora interact with her grandparents and seeing how they’ve connected so quickly. After it’s over, Rosie sits on the dock alone. Ford joins her, and Rosie shares how much she’s grown to care for Cora. Ford is anxious about when Cora will return to her mother. Rosie says that when she leaves, Cora will always be with “[them]”; Ford notes that she speaks collectively. He asks if she plans to remain in Rose Hill, and she says yes because it’s where she belongs. Rosie asks to stay with Ford for the night.

Rosie is staying in the guest bedroom but realizes that she doesn’t want to keep things professional, so she goes to Ford’s room and slips into his bed. She watches him sleep for a moment and then gently touches his face. Ford wakes up and brings Rosie into the bed. They have sex, and Ford puts the diary key in her mouth to help her stay quiet. Afterward, Rosie stays wrapped in Ford’s arms all night.

Rosie wakes up, and Ford is not in bed. Ford’s parents are in the kitchen making breakfast with Cora. Gemma casts her a knowing glance, and Rosie blushes. Ford has already gone to the office, and Gemma and Ford Sr. are taking Cora to school. Rosie notices that Cora is still wearing her pink scrunchy and mimicking her ponytail. Her heart wrenches when she once again thinks about what will happen when Cora must return home.

Ford is finishing the painting job in the office, and Rosie briefly watches him before announcing herself. Ford is surprised to see her, and she scolds him for leaving her alone in bed. Ford explains that he isn’t sure how to explain their relationship to his family. He spent so many years dreaming about Rosie that he’s struggling to believe that his dreams are now a reality. Rosie flirtatiously kicks over the paint, spilling it onto the floor. She urges Ford to let go of his need to control everything and just embrace the beauty of what’s happening with them. She tears off the diary key and tosses it into the paint puddle, loosens Ford’s belt, and kneels in front of him.

Ford watches as Rosie smears paint on his legs and performs oral sex. Afterward, he kneels in the paint with her and holds her to him, still processing the truth that Rosie is finally his. The paint stains the floor.