When he’d said it wouldn’t affect their friendship or working relationship, she’d believed him. Neil had never made her doubt it.
Neil’s daily presence in their lives would be challenging to their relationship, and she truly understood why. If the boot were on the other foot and Ben was still friends with Amber, Hannah knew she’d always feel uneasy. Mind you, that was far more complicated, given Amber had always hated Hannah.
I’ll tell him in a while—once we strengthen our relationship a bit.
She didn’t like it, but she didn’t think he could understand or trust that she and Neil were only friends now after being involved.
Then again, she feared on some level Ben already knew.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The times spentwith Hannah as dawn’s majestic pink rays graced the sky were the sweetest of his life.
Like days of old, they’d ride out together after he snuck out of the house so he wouldn’t wake Cooper and start their race across the meadow. His heart thundered along with the earth under him. Her joyful face would look over time and again to urge him on. With her hair trailing behind her, Flame running for all she was worth, he swore he’d never seen a more beautiful sight.
Until she lay under him, her hair fanning out, body straining to meet his as they made up for lost time and made new memories. Even though he was always rushing back to have breakfast with Cooper.
Holding her in his arms after as they lay replete was the only part of his day where his mind wasn’t running on where Amber was and what Taft would pull next.
He craved the peace and savored the feel of her body next to his, even as he longed for her at night. Somehow, his bed hadn’t stopped feeling less cold, knowing she was in hers only a stone’s throw away.
The subject of Neil didn’t come up again, and Ben rode his presence out. Sure, he was cordial. Certainly, he appreciated the man's help with the construction when he and Hannah weren’t occupied with their work.
Now that she was his completely again, he couldn’t help but feel more protective of her. That was what he told himself, but when it came down to it, he was being possessive, and that didn’t sit too well with him. Or her, for that matter, from the anxious looks she gave him when she caught his scowl.
So he bided his time.
Until Will came looking for him, with one of thoseI’ve got an idea you won’t likelooks on his face. Ben continued unsaddling Orion. “Spit it out, brother. We both know neither one of us is looking forward to whatever you’re about to say.”
Leaning against the side of the barn, Will gave his most charming, dimpled smile. “What if I told you I’d just stumbled into a way to bring even more immediate credibility to the rehab center and attract big-name clients?”
“I’d say that sounds like a great situation to find yourself in. Why don’t you think I’ll like it?”
After storing all the tack and equipment, Ben led Orion over to the cooldown area and started hosing him off. Will jumped back when Ben turned the hose in his direction, ducking out of sight so he wouldn’t get sprayed.
“I probably should have found you when you weren’t armed,” his brother joked with a laugh. “Fine. Here goes. Neil could bring some pretty high-profile athletes to the center right away, from soccer and rugby to a few other sports played in Europe.”
Ben felt his jaw lock. He’d feared this might happen. “Be a long way to come for rehab, wouldn’t it?”
“Neil’s got established relationships with them. He thinks they’ll come, as Montana is a dream place to rehab. Plus, he thinks rehabbing and doing some mild training at this elevationwill be a draw. Increases conditioning, you know. Olympic athletes do it all the time.”
He reminded himself that he’d promised to be behind his brother all the way, and now there was Hannah to consider. She’d want this too, he expected, which put him in a bind. He’d promised to support her professionally. God knows he wanted her to be happy. He was going to have to cowboy up. “The rehab center is your domain, Will. You call the shots.”
“Neil’s also willing to invest,” Will told him. “He said it would be nice to be closer to his family in the States this way.”
Waiting until the steam stopped coming off Orion, he continued to wet the horse down. The day was a hot one, and honestly, he could use some cooling down himself. He took off his cowboy hat and leaned over, running the hose down his neck. “Putting down money with the right people is always a good business move. You like him. That’s important.”
“So does Hannah, as you well know.” Will crept closer. “Don’t spray me for saying it.”
Ben turned the hose off and started leading Orion back to his stall. “You’re safe now, but you should look under your bed for the next week, you numbskull.”
That made Will hoot.
“Look, I promised to be behind you.” He let out a harsh sigh. “Will I grit my teeth a little with Neil around all the time? Sure. It’s not personal. In fact, he’s been as helpful as they come.”
“Maybe a little too helpful for you, though,” Will commented, searching his face.
He closed the gate and leaned back against it, rubbing his jaw. “I don’t like being jealous or possessive, but I feel it, nonetheless. She’s mine. Having her be close with another man—one who loved her and one shewantedto love—is a stretch for me. I won’t lie.”
