He wrapped his good arm around her, his other one holding her hip, and leaned his chin on her shoulder. “I’d like to say it’s the community spirit of the Cherry Festival, buthe’s been different since you called him for help,” he murmured near her ear.
“Have you been hinting I’ve been aiding your speedy recovery on your checkups?”
He laughed. “Every chance I get. I’ve come to value harmony and peace even more in my life, and if there’s a chance to bring it to something out of whack, then I will.”
“Out of whack.” She snorted. “My parents and I are more than out of whack, but I see your point and appreciate your help. I am remaining open.”
“Like Grams says, you always were a smart cookie.” He kissed her cheek. “It’s a good day. It feels right, seeing you here among everyone, sitting at the McAllister table.”
“I admit to there being a certain thrill. Before I was tucked away with my parents and had to sneak off to see you. My, how things change. Speaking of… You’ve turned into a pretty great grill master. Have you been holding out on me, Ben McAllister? I remember you burning fish when we used to go camping.”
He played with the ends of her hair. “Dad and Gramps set me and Will aside when they gave up their duties and told us their secrets. We had to keep up the family standard, so Will and I practiced for a time until we had it right. You should have seen the first few sets of meat I grilled. Charred on the outside. Still raw on the inside. Disaster. But we’ve mastered it now.”
“I’d say,” she drawled, spinning around and kissing him on the cheek, discreetly checking his color to see if he was overdoing it. “Are you planning on sitting down and finishing your meal?”
“Stop your worrying, sweetheart. I’m fine.”
So far, she had been more traumatized by the incident than he had, but he mostly humored her need to hover. “I have some desserts to enjoy, and I’ll share some with you if you’re good.”
“I’m always good.” His gorgeous eyes danced with mischief, and she was glad no shadows came into his eyes. “I had something else in mind. Can you drag yourself away from your food for a bit?”
Since he looked so boyish, she couldn’t turn down his request. Besides, she was curious what he had up his sleeve.
After all, this was Ben McAllister—the man who’d captured her heart years ago and managed to win it back.
CHAPTER FIFTY
Ben had checkedto make sure everything was set up before he’d swung back around to grab Hannah.
Being secretive with all their friends and neighbors around them proved to be extra difficult, but he’d managed. Signaling to Cooper, he watched his son nearly stumble in his haste as he left the table to run and join him and Hannah.
“Hannah! Are you ready for Papa to show you his surprise?”
He watched as the woman he loved lifted her slender brows. “Another surprise? After the tree house? What did I do to become such a lucky girl?”
Reaching for her hand, Ben looked straight into her breathtaking face, thinking she was the prettiest girl in the world. Always would be. He’d watched her all day, walking around in a spring-green summer dress and tan cowboy boots, her auburn hair glinting red in the sunshine when she’d taken her cowboy hat off due to the heat. “You gave me another chance, that’s what. Now come on.”
Cooper took her other hand as they walked toward the orchard. They passed the small green apples and the lush peaches, still putting on weight, before coming to the fragrantcherry trees. Freshly picked, their green leaves seemed brighter with all the weight from the harvest gone.
Another beautiful moment of nature’s wisdom. Something flowers. Something grows. From flower to fruit. Standing in another part of the ranch Grandma Elena had put her stamp on, Ben couldn’t help but feel her presence around them.
He let go of Hannah’s hand to grab the shovel he’d tucked out of sight. Cooper took the cue to rush over and pick up the tree.
She eyed them with a smile on her face as they returned. “Do I get to help plant the special tree this year?” she asked brightly.
He’d hoped she’d remember the McAllister tradition of planting a new tree—any species—in the orchard.
He’d wanted to propose at the McAllister Cherry Festival, but he was damned if he’d do it when he wasn’t back to his usual self. So he’d consulted Neil and initiated a new plan.
Nodding, Ben led her to the hole Will had insisted on digging earlier. Cooper came to stand beside him.
“We thought we might plant a tree from your world, so to speak, one that could join ours here on the Triple M.”
Cooper thrust it out, and that’s when she raised her hands to her cheeks. “Oh, you two sweethearts,” she only whispered. “That’s a ginkgo biloba tree.”
“Yep,” Cooper confirmed, smiling for all he was worth. “It helps with people’s memory. Gramps hopes it grows fast. Says he can use all the help he can get.”
She touched the leaves and looked up. “You can’t know what this means to me.”
