“Maybe that’s why this center is so important. Will wants it to help heal people, and God knows I need closure. I won’t speak for you. But I’ll help Will build this center of his, one that also serves your own calling, even though you well knowI’ve never wanted anything on Triple M land but cattle and horses.”
That had her giving a quiet nod of acknowledgment at least.
He reached down and dusted his cowboy hat off, preparing to stride out. Ben wanted Will’s dream to come to fruition, and she was the only way that would happen. “I’ll do my part to get along,” he assured her quickly to keep her from saying no. “Maybe you might even learn to forgive me. Because I know sure as shooting, you must still hate me for my betrayal.”
“Oh, Ben, I don’t hate you.” She gave a defeated sigh. “But I am angrier and more hurt than I thought I was after all this time, so you’re right about me needing some healing too.”
He rocked back on his heels at her heartbreaking honesty, telling himself that holding her like he would have long ago wouldn’t make things right again. Not this time. Not like before.
“Then will you come home, Hannah?” he simply asked.
CHAPTER FIVE
The wayhe still said her name…
Tenderness caressed every letter. But there was a new hitch at the end. Her heart overflowed with all the emotion between them. She reminded herself that this was their first meeting, so naturally, things would be intense.
As she studied him, clutching his black Stetson, he was the same yet so different. Rougher. Harder. As wary as a wounded horse.
But yes, wounded, as much in need of healing as she apparently was.
Sure, he was broader across the chest, probably from swinging an axe and lifting hay or maybe from all the new responsibilities on his shoulders. Bull-strong and iron-hard, as the saying went. The cleft in his chin looked more like a pothole now, and he had a new scar beside his sexy mouth. She wondered if he’d gotten it the same night he’d broken his nose during those times when he’d run wild. Because she’d noticed the slight crook to the right the moment he’d entered the shed.
He still had a slow Western drawl and the same work-roughened fingers that had touched her and delighted herand given her more pleasure still than any other man she’d known.
Oh, Ben, how had it come to this?
She swallowed thickly, knowing he was starting to get anxious from the way his fingers were clenching the rim of his cowboy hat. But this was a significant decision. Could she commit to coming back and working with Will, knowing how everything stood between her and Ben?
Except here he was, asking her to heal it with him. Didn’t she know how hard it was for him to talk about his feelings? She’d been there when his mother had left. Only this time, she would be healing the hurt she’d caused him by leaving as much as the hurt he’d caused her. Hearing the depths of despair he’d suffered hadn’t been easy, and God knew they had more to talk out.
Will’s plan would give her a purpose, doing what she loved, what she was called to do—if she and Ben could coexist.
“Well, what’s your answer?” Ben asked almost impatiently.
She took a moment to check in with herself. The offer was the ticket to the full emotional freedom she’d been hoping for and a new path for herself in Sanctuary Springs. “All right, I’ll consent to the trial run,” she finally said softly. “For a month.”
Ben’s breath whooshed out in the ensuing silence. “Fine, that’s fine, Hannah.”
She held up a hand. “Before you agree, there’s something you should know. Neil and I have talked about continuing to work together, and we have a lot to discuss after today.”
His right eye started twitching, making him rub it. She almost laughed at that reaction.
“Besides being my best friend, he’s been my partner since I started working at the wellness practice. We have a joint following online for our herbal education programs, ones weboth make money from. More urgently, Neil and I need to finish up an important project together. We can’t do it separately, so he’ll need to stay here with me to complete it. Can you handle that?”
His cheek joined in the tic harassing his eye. She almost suggested she could offer him some eyebright solution to calm it.
“Like I told you, I’ll do anything that’s needed.” His voice might as well be grinding rocks. “He helped Will, and for that alone, he has my eternal thanks.”
So he wasn’t going to ask if she and Neil were together. He must be biting his tongue to keep from asking. Right now, she didn’t feel like telling him about their relationship.
“All right, then. I know I’ll be in touch with Will, but I have to be out of Scotland technically in two weeks, so I’ll see you then.”
He shoved his Stetson on. “Fine. If you want to and think you can…I’d like you to meet Cooper, but I’d understand if you needed to wait to gather yourself. I don’t want him hurt by anything between us.”
God, that tore at her heart. His boy—the one the sun rose and set on. Hearing how much he loved that child had filled her with so many conflicting emotions. Certainly, hearing him talk like a father was a new side to Ben McAllister, and if she were being honest, that facet was as protective, caring, and compelling as she had dreamed it would be when she imagined them having a family.
“I wouldn’t want anyone to be hurt, Ben, least of all a little boy,” she finally said.
