Holding Hannah’s hand in his, he’d watched Will thank everyone while Paul announced he and the men would be back tomorrow. Which meant Will had better go shopping for things like lighting fixtures and tile and the like. Cooper had made everyone laugh when he’d told his uncle he needed to buy some toilets for the bathrooms so they wouldn’t have to go outside.
Even Hannah’s lips had twitched at that.
Somehow, Reba managed to feed the men who didn’t head home to their wives. She’d made enough sloppy joes for a small army, and as Ben took a hamburger bun and slathered some meat inside for both him and Cooper, he was glad they could sit a spell. His son was dirty and sweaty and completely tuckered out, but he was happy. Building had a way of making a man feel good to his core. There was hope init, knowing what you’d fashioned would stand. When you built, you were tending your future.
Ben had more tending on his mind, so he left Cooper sitting with Hannah and Tank and the other Prentice boys who were gobbling up dinner and went to find his brother.
Will was standing in the twilight in front of the center, favoring his leg, but with a soft smile on his face.
“How does it feel to realize your vision?” Ben asked, remembering his brother had mentioned wanting to talk to him about how he felt on important matters.
“Damn good.” He put his arm around Ben’s shoulders. “You know, I was standing here feeling so grateful. For all the men who’d helped today. For Hannah agreeing to come and be a part of it. But mostly for you… You didn’t deck me when I first mentioned it, and because you didn’t question my desire to build it.”
Ben’s throat thickened. “I suppose since we’re having a moment, I should thank you for bringing Hannah home. Will, when you have the time, will you come with me to buy her engagement ring?”
His brother’s whoop was so loud it echoed all the way up Wild Mountain.
Ben was sure even Sarah must have heard it in heaven.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Ben suggesteda tree house celebration the next day.
All hands had lunch after a productive morning, continuing the construction begun the day before. Under Knox’s supervision, Cooper was having lunch with the Prentice boys and giggling so hard at Dylan hamming it up that he kept falling backward. Tank barked every time he did. She couldn’t help but grin. Everyone was happy, and the happy sounds of hammering and saws only added to the rough melody of progress—real, tangible progress.
“I wish I could ask them to hang around and build your school next.” He sent her a playful wink after checking on Cooper one last time. “Except I have plans I need your help drawing up and then more official stuff out the wazoo.”
My very own school!She laced her fingers through his as they walked to the barn. “We’ll get there, cowboy.”
Barney had their horses saddled when they arrived and she practically flew over to Flame. They were friends again, thank God. She hugged her, feeling her heart swell as her horse nuzzled her back. “See. Isn’t this better?”
A horse snort was her answer, making her laugh. She pulled away to see Ben talking to Hudson, who momentslater rode off on another horse, sending her a quick wave. She returned it and watched as Ben took the picnic basket Barney handed him and strapped it to his saddle. “Ready?”
Her belly tightened. Was she ever? She couldn’t get enough of him, and no surprise, he was the same. Their alone time together was precious. He was precious. She loved showing him how much every chance they had.
His hands squeezed her waist with a promise she knew he meant to make good on before lifting her into the saddle. “Race you there.” They both knew they didn’t have much time.
The heat blazing in his slumberous eyes had her knocking his cowboy hat off playfully, and then she was off. She had to take it slow from a trot to a canter until they reached the open space leading to the woods on the north face of Wild Mountain, so she heard him behind her. Craning in her saddle, she looked back to see him watching her. Oh, the thrill.
He’s already imagining what he’s going to do to me, and I can’t wait.
Spurring Flame into a gallop, she gave a loud call and charged ahead. She barely reached the tree house before he did, her blood already racing and perspiration beading between her breasts. She felt alive and free and so very much in love.
Turning toward him, she watched him lead Orion over. His stride was purposeful, determined. There was no way they were going to picnic. They’d be lucky to shove some food in their mouths before they needed to head back. Ask her if she cared.
After tying Flame’s reins to a nearby branch, she climbed the ladder and waited for him to join her. She savored the fast beating of her heart in anticipation and the way her breath was beginning to grow more shallow from wanting him. Her body was tight with longing. The picnic basket appeared first, and moments later, he appeared. Tall, strong, and all man.Standing before her, he met her gaze head-on, his heavy-lidded with desire.
“You can’t know how much I want you right now.”
She could feel a wide smile crest over her lips as she flicked the first button on her shirt open. “I can’t wait for you to show me.”
He ripped open his shirt, the snaps popping. “You’re going too slow.”
The husky intimacy of his voice was sexy as hell. Driving him mad with a playfully, flirtatious pace had always thrilled her and made him extra lusty. She continued the slow unbuttoning of her shirt as he threw his to the floor and started undoing his belt. He undressed with the haste of a man with a deep thirst, cursing when his cowboy boots took longer to yank off. When they thudded to the floor, she ran her eyes over his naked body.
All mine.
His chest was wider now and lined with muscles that rippled down his washboard stomach. The arousal he had for her was obvious, and she grew more heated as she continued her lazy sweep of his body. Strong thighs and calves, ones she hadn’t given enough attention to, she decided.
