Will cringed and shook his head. “I knew you were going to say that. Ben, I’ll handle it.”
“Brother, I know you’ve got your own money, but I doubt you can afford to pay for another lumber shipment right now until we sort this out. I’m giving you the money, numbskull, and I don’t want to hear any arguments.”
Will hugged him. “Fine, blockhead. I’ll take the help, but we’re working it out.”
He playfully bearhugged his brother before shoving him back. “You’d better believe we are. In the meantime, I’ll call the lawyer and maybe Logan.”
“Good idea. OnlyI’llcall Logan. It’s my problem. I heard you were busy working on other matters until the early hours of the morning. Gramps said he cut through the crap and lit a fire under you.”
“With a torch.” Ben scanned the yard. Hannah was nowhere to be found. “Any news on how she received my gifts?”
“Barney said she was smiling and clutching things to her chest. The foal was a brilliant patient. She’s always been a sucker for hurt animals.”
He sent him a knowing wink as Will took off, right as Cooper arrived like a tornado.
His son plowed into him and hugged him around the waist with all his little might. “Hey, Papa! You been checking things in the north pasture?”
“I was, and our cattle have eaten as much grass as you eat cookies, so we’re moving them to the south pasture.” Leaning down, he rubbed the dirt off his son’s cheek. “What have you been up to?”
“I was helping Hannah and Neil. Papa! She loves her place so much. We’re organizing the plants we foraged so they can dry. Then we’ll take them there.”
He grinned. Best news all day. “I’m glad you’re helping.”
“You had her help Windgate, and Barney said he already looks better.” Cooper laughed when Tank tried to lick his face, probably trying to make his boy take a breath in the midst of his chattering. “Papa, did you know there’s a flower and plant to helpeverything? Hannah said smelling lavender makes you relax when you’re nervous. Like I sometimes get with my tests. She sniffs it all the time, Papa. Isn’t that funny?”
He knew that wasn’t the only reason, but she wouldn’t tell Cooper. Reba had given her a sachet of lavender from the plants growing around the ranch when Sarah died to help her calm her volatile emotions.
“Being calm is a good attribute, especially around animals.” He rubbed Tank under the chin when he gave a bark. “Your puppy could sure use some. He’s like a windup toy that never winds down. So are you, in fact.”
“I can’t help it.” His gap-toothed grin had Ben ruffling his hair. “I’m just so excited.”
“Makes me happy to see, son,” he answered, straightening to his full height as Hannah came out of the cabin with Neil, carrying a basket of assorted flowers and plants.
After last night, seeing her had his heart rapping against his ribs. She wore a red and black plaid shirt and jeans with her red cowboy boots. There wasn’t a single part of her thatwasn’t beautiful to him, and after apologizing last night and admitting how wrong he’d been, a weight had lifted from his chest. Suddenly, the way ahead was clear as a bell. He had to show her, in concrete ways, why she should forgive him completely and give him another chance.
Please, God, let her give me a second chance.
Their eyes met across the yard, and a hint of the sweetest smile this side of heaven flickered on her rosy lips. She’d twisted him up like old sheets in a washer, and she could still make him burn like a wildfire, fast, impatient, and all-consuming. More, she touched that tender place in him, one that smiled when he watched a mother tending to her young or when his boy was playing alone with his trucks on the floor, making all the appropriate sounds.
He stayed where he was, hoping she’d cross over to him. After saying something to Neil, the larger man headed to his truck while she walked his way, hips twitching as she came.
He wondered if it was unconscious or if her teasing nature was playing with him.
His mouth curved. “Son, why don’t you go on and ask Reba what’s for lunch?”
“Sure, Papa! You must be really hungry after riding the range.”
As he scampered off, Ben turned his full attention to the woman weaving her magic around him like the old days. “Morning,” he lazily drawled.
She looked up at the sun coming close to being overhead. “More like afternoon, but that’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”
His lips quirked. God, he itched to reach for a strand of her hair and rub it between his fingers. For now, he needed to keep his hands to himself. “As you can see, I’m all ears.”
She gave him an exasperated look before a radiant smile broke out across her beautiful face. “Thank you for the gifts and the space and my first client.”
He tipped his cowboy hat up. “My pleasure. Speaking of…” Digging into his pocket, he drew out his wallet and plucked out some bigger bills. “Let me know if this covers it.”
She worried her lips. “I…ah…haven’t thought about pricing or anything yet.”
