The weight of those memories settled low in her belly. Usually, she’d thrown a boot at him after he’d plucked up her clothing and said he wasn’t letting her get dressed.
What was he doing?
The heated warmth in his slumberous blue-gray eyes meant he wanted her, but there was more than mere lust there. Sure, electricity had arced between them since the first day in the barn, but the longer she was back, the stronger the memories, bringing up old feelings she didn’t want. He’d better watch it, or she would throw something at him again. Once she finished her tour.
“Did she ever hit you with one?” Cooper asked in an astonished voice.
“Her aim isn’t too bad.” He cocked his head. “Hannah usually got what she wanted, although I shouldn’t have riled her up to begin with.”
His sleepy expression drove her crazy. She shot him a look and then pantomimed tearing out her hair since Cooper wasn’t looking.
“Ah, I’ve missed that warning.”
Troubling warmth heated her skin at the deep timbre of his voice. “I need to get back to the cabin.” She turned and smiled at Cooper. “Thanks for showing me your room. Tomorrow, why don’t you come and see how Neil laid out the plants and herbs we picked for drying?”
“I can’t wait.” He jumped like a kangaroo over to her. “When do you wake up? We get up with the cows, as Papa says.”
Ben used to tease her about sleeping in and how tempted he was to join her. Suddenly, the air was heavy. He was remembering too. “How about after breakfast?”
“Great. Can I bring Tank? He won’t jump on the furniture, I promise.”
She ruffled his hair, his youthful enthusiasm catching. Both Neil and Jolene had talked about Cooper being proof of Ben’s character now. In his son, she could see his good humor, curiosity, and sweetness. But most of all, the love he had to share and give. She stopped short.
What wasshedoing?
“Of course he can come,” she finally answered, making sure to smile.
“I still need to show you my other animals.”
Ben uncurled slowly from the doorway. “Tomorrow is soon enough. Son, why don’t you start your bath? I’ll be back in a sec. I want to walk Hannah back to the cabin.”
“That’s not?—”
“There’s a mountain lion we’ve been tracking around the ranch a spell. I’d feel better escorting you.”
Mountain lion, her ass. But she couldn’t refuse in front of Cooper. “Fine. But we’ll hurry so you can be back for Cooper’s bath. Good night, Cooper.”
Rushing over, the little boy hugged her tightly. “’Night, Hannah. I don’t know how I’m going to possibly sleep. I can’t wait until tomorrow.”
Inside, she stilled. Ben used to say that. Some days, he swore he couldn’t wait until the next sunrise to see her. “Morning will come soon enough. Just think of all the incredible surprises in store.”
“Oh, I like that. Come on, Tank. It’s tubby time.”
The puppy barked as they streaked out. Ben was already walking ahead.
“I really don’t need an escort?—”
His boots started clomping. Nice.
He was holding the front door open when she reached the landing. “It’s only a little ways up the road.”
“Be silly to get mauled by a mountain lion right as you got back,” he teased, gesturing for her to walk through the door.
She looked up as if imploring heaven before going out onto the front porch. He sailed past her with a hint of a smile on his lips. She followed him down the porch steps, fists clenched. “You’re making that up. Otherwise, you’d never let me and Cooper walk alone from the main house.”
He lifted his wrist and tapped it. “It’s later now. Don’t poke at me, Hannah. It’s been a nice evening.”
“Has it?” She increased her pace until she stood in front of him, making him come to a stop. “You didn’t say two words at dinner. Now you want to talk?”
