Suddenly, she could see him clearly too. He’d hurt her, yes, but he’d been hurt too. She had agreed to marry him after college, and when she’d suggested they go another year, he’d been crushed in a way she hadn’t seen or acknowledged. And she was supposed to be his partner.
Compounding it all, he’d made a huge mistake with Amber while in pain. That still stung, but now she knew he’d paid dearly for that drunken moment. Some men wouldn’t have stood up. Ben had done that and more with Cooper. He’d taken over running the ranch, and Neil was right. People respected him.
There was still something good and honorable about Ben McAllister.
She leaned her head back against the door. She and Ben didn’t feel like they were at odds with each other anymore.
She smiled all the way up to her room.
FORGIVENESS TEA
2 parts hawthorn leaves and flowers—to heal emotional wounds and encourage compassion
1 part crushed rose petals—to open yourself up to love
1 part helichrysum flowers—to encourage emotional release and restore eternal love in the heart
—
Brew for ten minutes and serve with a teaspoon of especially tasty honey to make the notion of forgiving someone completely all the sweeter.
Drink until water sloshes around in your stomach while hoping for the best.
Diary Entry
Hannah Montgomery
CHAPTER TWENTY
An old rose-printteapot had been placed on the front porch the following morning when Hannah let herself out of the house at dawn.
She couldn’t contain a silly smile as she plucked the note taped to the lid.
Morning sunshine.
Come down to the south bunkhouse.
Memories of him calling her “sunshine” swam through her. His chicken scratch was the same, hastily scrawled, but even so, she pressed the note to her chest before she headed off to see what he had in store for her.
She’d stayed awake for a long while after she’d formulated a Forgiveness Tea and had a cup, thinking about his apology and what he’d said. How could she not? Later, with her eyes closed, she’d put her hand to her heart and simply breathed, letting the lingering hurt rise, the memories, and yeah, even the pain of old dreams—of family dinners and making a home together.
By the time she’d finally drifted off to sleep, she felt the first frissons of gratitude. She felt freer of the past than ever before. Her heart was more open. The irony of the person who’d hurt her helping her heal had been with her when she’d awoken.
But with his honesty and his regret, Benwashelping her. She hoped she was doing the same for him. Some people might call her crazy after how he’d hurt her, yet maybe it was her healing nature. But she couldn’t and didn’t want to carry a grudge or any of this pain forward.
Clearly, neither did Ben.
She wrapped her arms around herself at the chill in the yard. Animals munched on their breakfast, and ranch hands were beginning their day. She waved to a few in the quiet morning light covering the ranch. Mornings were peaceful here, and she’d always loved them.
When she reached the south bunkhouse, her heart turned over. A young black foal slept on a bed of hay, covered with a blanket, with her gorgeous mama, a black Arabian, standing guard. Ben had taped another sign there.
Hi, I’m Windgate!
Orion and Frenzy’s little girl.
My leg got cut.
Will you help me?
