“It should.” Logan grimaced when Ben shot him a look. “Ben, they left pretty cozy-like. Taft made sure to mention Amber was staying with him for a while in case I had more questions.”
“You’re kidding!”
“Wish I was,” Logan responded darkly. “Taft alsomanaged to mention he’d heard that Hannah hadn’t decided to leave for Scotland after he’d handled her immigration issues. He assured me he’d do his part to keep the peace between the two women for the good of Sanctuary Springs.”
He pressed his hands to the hood of Logan’s vehicle, fighting the rage rising inside him. He’d been waiting to see what move Taft would make after Hannah hadn’t done his bidding and taken off. But Amber! He could only hope the man had as much trouble with her as Ben did. After all, a leopard doesn’t change its spots, and Amber was vicious to her core.
Taft better sleep with one eye open.
Logan drew closer as Ben pushed off his hood. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Taft’s paid Amber or made her promises. Bottom line. You aren’t out of hot water yet.”
No, they might be in even hotter water now. Taft continued to turn up the temperature. “I’ll have to tell Paul.”
Logan gave an empty laugh. “Taft already told him. He paid a call on Paul right before he and Amber appeared in my office.”
Ben sank back against the vehicle and frowned. “Do you think Taft’s trying to leverage Paul into selling some land to him by helping Amber?”
Squinting as a strong wind blew dust in his eyes, Logan drew out his sunglasses. “I don’t rightly know, but Taft’s got more angles than an octopus has tentacles. Also, the lumber shipment going missing hasn’t proved any new leads. I don’t have any more threads to pull.”
And their lawyer didn’t think they had a leg to stand on legally without additional proof, meaning they’d have to eat the cost.
God, he had a headache now. “I figured as much, but dammit. I feel like we’re bent over a barrel right, and I don’t like it none.”
“Maybe you’ve got a windfall coming.” Logan clapped him on the arm. “This kind of bad luck always turns around.”
Ben spotted Hannah in the window of Will’s house and felt his heart lift. She was his windfall. His luck had returned where she was concerned.
Now all he had to do was make sure it stayed that way.
Despite what Taft was cooking up with his ex-wife.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Hearingthat Will had asked Neil to join them at the center made her do a happy little dance and hug them both.
“I can’t believe it.” She couldn’t help beaming at both men, who were equally grinning. “We’re all going to be working together. Neil, in my hometown. Talk about a dream come true.”
Neil lifted his brows precociously. “Are you sure you’re up to it? With Will and me, you’ll be outnumbered.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I think I can handle it.”
The bigger unspoken question was whether Ben could.
Hannah decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. Ben had agreed. Will wouldn’t have gone forward with Neil’s involvement if he hadn’t. Now all she had to do was show Ben he had nothing to be worried about.
Because he didn’t.
The three of them decided to celebrate their newfound partnership at The Lucky Horseshoe. Jolene was as thrilled as they were—for reasons Hannah wondered if her good friend would ever confess.
“First round is on me,” Jolene announced with anexaggerated wink. “Maybe you can swing by the Prentice house after I close—which should be early—to tell the boys.”
Hannah had thought that was a terrific idea, and after a delicious meal of burgers, tater tots, and a brownie sundae, they’d headed over.
When they pulled into the driveway, she watched as her father came out and started walking across the yard. She’d called to check on her mother a couple of times, but she’d only gotten the answering machine. Her messages had gone unanswered, and she’d let it go.
Today, however, his determined stride meant her father wanted to speak to her. She let herself out of Will’s truck and reluctantly headed his way. He was polishing his spectacles when she reached him, and she wondered if it was because he hadn’t wanted to meet her eyes.
“How’s Mom?” she asked, not knowing where to begin after their last encounter.
