“But they’re only friends now,” Will assured him, to which he easily nodded.
“I know that.” He gripped his brother’s shoulder. “If he stays, he’s going to have to find another place to live. I want to be alone with Hannah in your house until we get married. Right now, I’m feeling out the best time to ask about that.”
He’d ask her today except they’d just gotten back together. He knew they deserved more time. Hell, she probably appreciated it.
“I’ll find him a place, don’t worry.” Will tried and failed to stop the grin from spreading across his face. “In fact, I’ll go up and tell him the good news now. The sooner, the better, right?”
Ben clapped him on the back. “Right. Now, I need to go about my day. Are you good?”
“Are you?” Will countered, resting his hands on his belt buckle. “You’re well known for gritting your teeth and then blowing your top later.”
God, how he wanted to deny it, but facts were facts. “I need to turn over a new leaf, to keep you and Hannah happy. That’s a powerful incentive. Now then, can I get along?”
Will gave him a boyish shove as he rushed out, calling over his shoulder, “Sure thing, brother. I’m done with you.”
Ben was laughing as he left the barn, but he stopped short, seeing Logan pulling up in his official vehicle in front of his house. Logan was waiting for him when he reached him, arms crossed and all business. “Wish I could say I’m happy to see you, Logan.”
“Amber just made her statement down at the sheriff’s office with me,” he informed Ben without any preliminaries. “You won’t believe who brought her in.”
Hearing she’d voluntarily come in was enough of a shock, but he didn’t have scope for his friend’s mysterious question. “I’m not good at guessing games.”
“James Taft.”
“Taft?” Ben rocked back on his boots and cursed softly. “What the hell does he have to do with Amber?”
Logan’s mouth flattened. “He talkedmorethan Amber, if you must know. Since he wasn’t the one giving an official statement, I’m free to share the highlights. Taft said he was a concerned citizen and used his influence to find your ex-wife. For the good of the community. He thought everyone would feel safer knowing she wasn’t hiding out waiting to hurt anyone.”
“What a bunch of bull?—”
“Yes, but that’s not the worst of it.”
He thought about kicking in Logan’s tires but checked himself. “Might as well lay it on me. It’s been a day for bad news.”
“I won’t ask,” Logan commented, lifting his uniformed shoulder. “Amber assured me she didn’t mean any harm. She was acting as a concerned mother, looking out for her child. One she misses deeply. She did a pretty impressive dog and pony show, talking about how she’s been trying to be a better person to her son, whom she loves so much.”
“Better person, my ass. Did you question her about being drunk and high when she came onto the ranch and threatened to kill Hannah?”
“I did. She denies it, of course. Ready for the rest?”
Ben pressed his fingers to his brow, which was starting to pound. “Sure, I haven’t had my fill of shit today apparently.”
“Right. Well, Amber asserts that hearing another woman was taking care of Cooper—one who was living with another man not from around here—concerned her mightily. That it was Hannah Montgomery, who has always wished her ill since childhood, made the situation feel even graver. Amber talked her brother into helping her come to the Triple M out of concern for Cooper. She deeply regrets the misunderstanding. You can imagine the rest.”
Scanning the yard to make sure Cooper wasn’t around, he gave in to the urge and kicked one of Logan’s tires. His friend didn’t say a word.
“Taft must have coached her, Logan. Amber would never have come up with that crap on her own.”
“I know it, and you know it, but you and I have discussed how there’s not much to go on legally here. Coming in voluntarily with Taft is going to make it harder for me to do much more than slap her wrist. She didn’t physically hit anyone. Legally, it might have been better if she had.”
Ben glared daggers at him.
Logan lifted his hands in surrender. “I’m on your side. The trespassing is going to be tough to stick. Your family lawyer will know how to handle her appearing without having a scheduled visitation.”
“What about the protection order concerning Hannah?” Ben asked.
Logan’s eyes narrowed in disgust. “I’d say it’s uphill as well, seeing as Amber mentioned there are plenty of witnesses in town who can attest to her and Hannah’s feud since childhood. A good lawyer will point out that all your witnesses here at the ranch saying she threatened to kill Hannah either misunderstood or are loyal to your brand. I’d go ahead with it since it shows a pattern. But after hearing the statement Amber gave, I’m not sure it will stick. Taft has her in hand.”
Ben’s gut trembled. “That scares the ever-loving hell out of me.”
