Ben shook his head. “Expect fireworks when they do. But that’s not for today. So where can I help out?”
“You want me to put you to work?” Will asked brightly, his excitement contagious.
“I’m not going to stand here all day and watch.”
Will nudged him in the arm. “No? Then you’d best come with me. I’d be happy to show you what you can do.”
“I’ll bet.” But he was already grinning. Good, solid work had its own rewards, and when it was done on a beautiful summer day, few things were better.
He hammered the framing into place along with the rest, and then they worked together to lift it and secure it in place. The walls went up pretty fast, and as the sun passed overhead, Ben didn’t notice the smell of sulfur as much anymore; the progress was clear.
The original project Grandma Elena had envisioned well over a hundred years ago was finally becoming a reality. The thought had him smiling as he and the others started putting in the flooring.
Paul had brought over his best electrical guys, and soon they were even teaching Cooper how to make an electrical pigtail. His son was a respectful helper and stayed close to Paul, likely sensing that his grandfather needed companionship. He’d run over to Ben from time to time to show himwhat he’d done or a new thing he learned before running back over to Paul’s side.
That warmed him to his bones. Since Cooper had been born, he’d lived by one principle as a father. How could your son look up to you if you looked down on him? He was glad his son knew he was a source of encouragement and support.
Ben finally made Gramps sit down in a lawn chair under a nearby tree, and before long, he’d talked his father into doing the same. When he told them about Paul’s will, they didn’t say much either. No one needed to. But he noted they were doing their best to hide their worry along with him.
When Hannah arrived at the site, he watched as Dylan Prentice raced over to welcome her, with Cooper following quickly in his wake. She listened to what both boys had to say before they ran back to work. She waved at a few more people she knew—Ford and Luke included—before finally sighting him at the north end of the site. He finished what he was doing and headed her way.
She was taking a paper cup of water from the table when he arrived. “Here. You men never drink enough.”
He drank almost the whole glass before bending over and pouring the rest over his neck. “Man, that felt good.”
“I’ll bet.” She wiped the droplets off his neck, letting her fingers linger playfully before dropping her hands and pointing at the site. “My goodness! I’d heard Paul had brought nearly every hand on the Flying K over, but it’s like a pack of work ants here.”
He pulled gently on the end of her hair. “Hannah, don’t call men ants. It hurts their dignity.”
“Oh, excuse me.” She wiggled her cute little hips. “How about a bunch of hot studs?”
He rubbed his jaw, considering, before sending her a playful wink. “Better—so long asI’mthe only stud you’re interested in.”
She leaned against his side. “You know it, cowboy. Howfar do you think you’ll get today? I mean, the walls are up already.”
“That part goes pretty fast. It’s the inside stuff that starts to take up the time. I figure we’ll keep going until dark, so we might get the sheetrock walls done. We’ve got good electrical and plumbing people here. Will called in a favor to have the city inspectors come out to make sure everything is up to code and sign off. I’d say you rubbed some luck onto me but good, wouldn’t you?”
She gave him a playful swat. “Will must be happy to have all this help.”
“He is.” Putting his arm around her, he inhaled that familiar smell of woman and lavender on her skin. “So am I. Would you like to see your section? In fact, how about you tell me what you have in mind for cabinetry and we’ll draw it up? We’ve got some pretty good carpenters. We can get them started today if time permits.”
Her hands flew to her cheeks. “My cabinets. Oh my goodness. I’m not prepared. I wish Neil was here. He’s usually the one who organizes things.”
Ben bit the inside of his lip, ordering himself to say nothing.
“Of course, I’m sure with your help, I can figure out what I need.” She laid her hand on his chest, cajoling.
He simply took her hand and led her to the center. Her school would come another time since the center was a priority, but he was already looking forward to the happiness he could bring her while building that space for her as well.
For the next hour, they talked out what she needed while he and a few other men constructed what she had in mind. Since Will was keeping to the rustic look, they wouldn’t need to worry about any painting or varnishing. He figured they could build the frame and attach it later when the walls went up.
She had ideas for all sorts of cubbies, of course, where shewanted to store things like herbal tinctures and the like. Much like her apothecary cabinet currently in her healing space. But for her herbs, she insisted on a closet, saying she didn’t want to expose them to sunlight. They aged faster that way.
He liked the way she’d purse her lips when she was thinking, or how she’d stand in the corner and watch them work, a slight smile on her face. He figured she was learning all over again that he could help her however she needed, and that was the very reminder he’d been waiting to give her.
Neil might have been her right hand while Ben had been out of her life, but he was back. He was here to help her whenever she needed it. Somehow, it was important she remember that.
As the light faded through the new windows the men had installed and sealed, Ben helped rig up a single light for the time being so they could continue to see. When Will finally called it for the day, everyone felt bolstered by the work they’d completed. You couldn’t spot a frown among anyone standing there in summer’s waning light.
