She put her hand on Will’s knee. “That’s because the plant I used—plantain—heals all the way inside the bone to the marrow. Given your injuries, you needed to be rebuilt from the inside out.”
“Physical therapy is important, but if your body still has unhealed internal wounds,” Neil added, “as I suspect you did, lad, you can only progress so far. As someone who has a nursing degree, I can honestly say those so-called hidden or deeper factors aren’t something many medical personnel know to look for or evaluate.”
“Exactly.” Will squeezed her hand. “When I was told I would never walk again, and it was the second scariest moment of my life. I’m not the only person out there who’s dealt with major injuries or was told there was no hope. I know we can impact people’s lives by providing a broader view and a plan.”
Hannah swallowed thickly. Didn’t she still wonder if Sarah would have lived had she been given healing herbs when all the medical people, her father included, had given up hope?
She’d been helping in Scotland with such a mission, but coming back to Sanctuary Springs? “You know I agree with everything you’ve said, Will.”
“I do, but you should know that I’ve become certified in yoga and somatic movement, and I hope to continue to expand my skills. Racing is in my past, and everyone at the ranch knows the Triple M isn’t my future. I have the capital to get it started. I also want my profit to help the ranch, because the costs of doing business and taxes keep rising every year. But more than anything, I hope you and I can start helping people together, because I think we’ll do a lot of good.”
God, he’d come a long way from the easygoing boy she’d grown up with. Except the hurdles seemed insurmountable.
“My father isn’t going to be happy about your idea.” She worried her mouth. “He likes being the only medical authority in town, and he still hasn’t forgiven me for choosing herbalism over medical school and not working at his practice.”
Neil glanced over her way, and she knew what he wasthinking. Moving to Scotland hadn’t resolved the hurt between them.
Will patted the back of her hand. “So you need a trial run with your father too. Well, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I just believe it will be worth it for you to try. If there’s one thing I’ve learned after the accident, it’s that you can’t be too attached to how you think things are going to turn out. All you can do is follow the path that feels right and hope for the best. Hannah, you’ll have to tell me what you want to do.”
She laced her fingers together and rested them against her mouth. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, but I need to talk to Ben.” Just the thought of it made her heart pound.
Will gave a rusty laugh. “I couldn’t agree more. I’ll tell him you’re ready to talk. Neil, do you want to join the others outside?”
Neil turned to Hannah and took her hands, searching her face. “What do you want?”
From the moment they’d met in Scotland when she’d joined the wellness practice first as an intern and later after her scholarship ended, he’d been a strong, steady rock she could count on. But, God, what did she want? If someone had told her this trip would involve dredging up the past with Ben, she would have gladly turned down the five thousand—and that was a lot of money.
She didn’t want to speak to Ben with any idea of rekindling past love—I feel I’m back in Sanctuary Springs for a greater purpose than that—but she was older and wiser and could evaluate an exciting business challenge in that space. “I’m here. I’ll talk to him alone.”
Neil rose and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be within shouting distance if you need me, lass.”
“So will I,” Will added, clapping Neil on the back. “I won’t tell you how to handle him, Hannah. He’s not exactly the same, but in the ways that matter, he is. Only he growls like a grizzly now. Fair warning.”
Her stomach turned over. “Terrific. Anyone have any bear spray? Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”
As they left, she wrapped her arms around herself.Stop pretending. Seeing Ben isn’t going to be a walk in the park.
But Will’s offer was tempting—to have her own practice. In her hometown. She’d missed the people she loved. Hell, she’d missed her horse. She’d also missed Wild Mountain. And the place where she would go to talk to Sarah, where she and Ben had buried Sarah’s hope chest in the little meadow off where Big Red had been struck by lightning, apparently on the same day she’d left.
She stood and gripped the back of the chair. Facing him now felt like the next step to the complete freedom she’d been craving. To move on all the way and start anew in a place she loved.
She could get through this meeting.
Her future—and her heart—depended on it.
CHAPTER FOUR
What the hellwas he supposed to say?
To Will…or to Hannah?
He felt even greater shame now. With Will, as he’d had no idea about seeing Sarahandhis plans, and with Hannah for gripping him by the guts as he watched her face.Had she stayed away for so many years because of my actions?He feared so.
Ben unclenched his eyes when he heard the shed door scrape open. He didn’t know how to begin as Will shut the door and stood there, cowboy hat resting against his thigh, looking as uncertain as he had the day he’d come home from the rehab hospital. Ben’s chest hurt as the words tried to push their way out. Then he knew what to say. “Get me out of these handcuffs, you numbskull, so I can hug you.”
Will ducked his head and strolled over. Ben didn’t ignore the slight hitch in his gait. He’d done his best to ignore it, not wanting to make Will feel bad. But maybe he shouldn’t have. Maybe the limp was a sign of the true pain his brother had been carrying around. The cuffs came off, and he thrust out of the chair, grabbing Will in a bear hug. Which only made himthink about his brother calling him a grizzly. He pounded him on the back brother-like, squeezing him for all he was worth.
“I may roar like a bear, but you can roar back too, you know.” He felt Will rest his head against his shoulder, and the vulnerable gesture made his eyes burn. “Dammit, Will. You’re my brother. My twin. You should have told me all this. If you can’t tell me…”
