It was the best way to settle his mind—hard work.
He was driving the tractor with Gramps in the seat next to him, removing debris from the site so they could turn to grading and leveling the area when he stilled, sensing something.
“Hannah’s arrived.” Gramps nudged him in the side. “Best pull up. You’ll want to be friendly and say hello.”
The Hannah he remembered was back, wearing a red plaid shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. She was carrying her foraging basket, one he’d toted along himself as he’d trailed her while she collected herbs and plants. She wore the cream cowboy hat he’d given her in the barn the other day. Her auburn hair was braided and flowing over her shoulder. The entire package still made his heart trip and his blood race.
Even though she was a fair distance, he could see the tension in her shoulders. Being here was no easier for her than it was for him right now, but she’d shown up. That was Hannah. If she said she was going to give something a go, then she’d put her head down and do it. Like him.
They had that in common.
Dammit if he didn’t still respect her for it.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The groundunder her feet felt right.
Familiar.
Standing in front of the hot springs she had so many good memories of, she inhaled the acrid smell of sulfur. The sound of the waterfalls mingled with the familiar birdcalls from western meadowlark, red-breasted nuthatches, and chickadees. Even knowing Ben was watching, she couldn’t help but smile as a warm summer breeze rushed over her.
God, she’d missed this place. Like so many places she was rediscovering since coming back. Walking down the street in town, she was stopped almost every block by someone she knew. Everyone had welcomed her back warmly, praising her for helping that girl in Scotland and for how quickly Dylan’s forehead had healed. They’d shared a little about what they’d been up to while she was gone, expressing their hope she would be able to help the people in town with her clear gift of healing. Every time they’d finished shooting the breeze, she’d moved on with a lighter feeling in her heart.
This place was home.
Even if Ben was no longer part of her landscape. Now thatwas weird and different and even uncomfortable in some moments.
Like these…
Seeing all the ranch hands look up from their work before glancing back to where Ben sat in the idling tractor with his grandfather. They were the talk of the town, and she knew everyone wondered about them. Would they get back together? Was she really staying? No wonder her nerves were jangly.
“Hannah!” Will called out, heading toward her.
She noted the limp in his gait, likely from overwork. “You need a good soak in the springs and some plantain salve.”
He kissed her cheek. “The whole town’s talking about the salve. We’ll have to think about selling it.”
That’s not all the town was talking about…“Might be a good idea, but I need a place first. Looks like you’re making good progress already.”
“That’s all thanks to Ben,” he told her. “He sent up a bunch of extra hands to help. We’ll be ready to start building the framing after the foundation is poured and cured. I already ordered the lumber.”
Hearing Ben had taken hands away from his bottom line made her heart clench. He was making good on his promise. “I like that you’re moving so fast, Will.”
“I have a month to convince you to stay.” His gaze searched her face. “I plan to pull out all the stops. Seems I’m not the only one.”
He meant Ben. She politely nodded. When she felt a hand on her back, she turned around. “You look so happy, Neil, that I almost hate to pull you away to go foraging. Almost.”
When he’d told her his intent to help them clear the site and stake out the foundation, she’d known he was going for her, and she’d been touched. But that was Neil. She was still hoping there would be a way he could work with her here if she decided to stay, but she told herself one step at a time.
Neil wiped his brow and took the water bottle she offered. “Nothing feeds the soul better than working outdoors.”
“Neil mentioned he’d built sheds and barns like the rest of us on his family’s farm,” Will said, clapping the man on the back. “I had no idea he’d be handy.”
“There’s little Neil can’t do when he sets his mind to it,” she remarked with a laugh. “You should have seen him build a ten-foot plant tower in the community garden our healing practice used.”
“We needed more space, and there were no rules about planting up.”
Will hooted. “That’s the kind of ideas that get me excited. Hannah, do you see the land to the right of the falls? I know you love to forage, but I thought you might like to plant a healing garden like Grandma Elena had planned. All that space is yours if you’re game. Two acres more or less.”
