The older man had deep grooves on his face as if he hadn’t slept. Ben knew this was Paul’s way of making up for what had happened.
He extended his hand. “We’re grateful for the help, Paul. The lumber arrived this morning. Now that the foundation is cured, it’s every hand on deck, so to speak.”
“So I heard.” Paul reached inside his vest and pulled out an envelope, handing it to him. “I also wanted to show you this. Ben, I’ve changed my will and made Cooper my beneficiary. He’ll inherit the Flying K—with you as the executor if I pass before he’s of age.”
Ben smashed his lips together, wanting to tread carefully on the man’s family issues. “If that’s what you want, Paul. Does anyone know?”
He tipped his worn cowboy hat back after giving aresigned sigh. “I wanted to talk to you first. But yes, my plan is to tell Owen and Amber. Neither one is going to like it, but after what they pulled, I’ve had enough. Owen’s been off with those hell-raisers he calls friends, and you probably heard Amber is out on Taft’s spread doing God knows what. Makes a father’s blood cold. If that man thinks taking advantage of my daughter is going to give him brownie points with me, he has another thing coming. Told him so to his face too.”
Ben nodded crisply, tucking the envelope inside his work vest. “I wasn’t thrilled to hear it either, Paul.”
“We’ll keep Cooper safe. Anything you need, Ben. That boy is the best of everything in my line. I’m grateful to call him my grandson.”
The man was clearly hurting, weighed down by regrets and disappointments. Ben knew how that felt. But he also knew that Cooper wouldn’t be the awesome kid he was if it weren’t for the many in his circle who loved him unconditionally.Paul Kincaid included.
Not being good with words, he said, “You’re part of why Cooper is a good kid, Paul.”
He cleared his throat at Paul’s quick nod, then clapped him on the back lightly. “Why don’t we head up to the construction site and get started?”
Paul finally gave a short smile. Together, they started walking. When they reached the site, Ben nearly smiled. There looked to be about two hundred men milling about the site, hammering and lifting already constructed framing under Will’s and the construction manager’s supervision. Reba had tables set up with everything from water to snacks and sandwiches. Yes, they were going to get Will’s center built. Today even. The energy was palpable.
“Grandpa Kincaid!”
Ben watched as Cooper ran toward them, carrying a small hammer of his own. Tank was herding him like usual. Seeing his son, he felt the weight of the envelope Paul had givenhim.His son will inherit the Flying K.If he ended up wanting to ranch like his forefathers, he would be running one of the biggest ranches in Montana. Looking at him now, with his skinny little body and bright gap-toothed smile, all Ben could see was a boy happy to be out in the sunshine with a purpose.
But he knew his job was to help his son grow into the man he wanted to become. The rest was up to Cooper.
“Cooper!” Paul stepped forward and grabbed him in a bear hug. “Did you see all the help I brought over for your uncle Will?”
“Yeah! It’s so cool. Uncle Will’s nose got all red, he was so happy. We’re going to be able to build the center today, Grandpa McAllister thinks.”
Paul looked around and smiled more easily. “So do I. Want to show me where I can help out?”
“Sure!” Cooper took Paul’s hand. “Papa, are you coming?”
Ben reached out and tousled Cooper’s hair. “In a bit. I need to make the rounds first. You two go off and have fun.”
“We will!” He swung Paul’s hand. “Gramps says this is the kind of day a man never forgets. People coming together to help each other. It’s the best kind of day a man can have.”
Paul looked over and held Ben’s gaze. “I couldn’t agree more. Let’s get started.”
Ben inclined his chin and watched as they walked off. Will spied him and lifted his hand, making his way over to where he was standing. “Can you believe this? Brother, we’re going to get this center done today with all the extra help. Like a barn raising of old.”
He clapped him on the back. “It’s terrific, Will. I couldn’t be happier for you.”
Will’s eyes narrowed, and his dimpled smile disappeared from his face. “Then what’s troubling you?”
He should have known Will would see. “Paul just gaveme papers making Cooper his sole beneficiary. He’s to inherit the Flying K.”
Will made a sound between a whistle and a sigh. “Whoa, that’s…”
“Yeah,” Ben added, exhaling heavily.
“But Owen and Amber won’t like it.”
Taft won’t either, Ben thought with a twist to his guts, and that meant more trouble. “When did those two like anything?”
“Do they know yet?”
