Putting the money in her hand, he covered it and met her gaze. “You’ll get to it. In the meantime, money trading hands makes things official. Of course, I have more I’d like to contribute to your healing space.”
“But you were constrained with what you could do practically in the middle of the night all on your own?” she bandied back, laughing into his eyes. “I couldn’t believe it when I walked in. Also… I hope Reba doesn’t skin you alive for taking some of the crockery from the main house.”
“I’ll take her licks if necessary. The result was more than worth any punishment.”
She grew quiet, looking away. “By the way. Wheredidyou find an apothecary cabinet so quickly?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I’d planned to give it to you as a graduation present when you became a certified herbalist.”
Before, he’d believed she’d train online like they’d talked. But then Scotland went ahead. He had nearly destroyed that in the first month after she left…and after Amber.But something had held him back, and now he was glad that his grief hadn’t spoken louder than sense.
“Oh, Ben,” she whispered tenderly. “Whatever am I going to do about you?”
Not used to begging, he shrugged. “After forgiving me all the way?”
She lifted her face and met his gaze. “We made good progress on that last night.”
He nodded, relief washing through him. “Glad you think so. I did too. When I got home, I almost felt…cleansed. Hell, that’s a stupid thing to say.”
Her hand touched his arm, and they both froze a moment as electricity arced between them. Moments later, his pulse tripped. He cut back his response to her body before he did something stupid. Like trace her half smile or something stupider.
“No, it’s not. If we’re sharing adjectives, I’ll admit to feeling reborn.”
“Reborn, eh?” His mouth was damn near drying up with all this sharing. “Like those phoenixes you used to love to read about in those fantasy books you always had around?”
“You remembered,” she said softly.
He tapped the side of his head. “You know me and my memory. Cooper inherited it.” What was he saying? “You have that smattering of freckles on your nose again.”
She looked down shyly. “Foraging.”
Wishing he could lean in a little closer and tell her how pretty they were—she was—he made himself hold his ground. “You let me know if you need any help on that score. I’m sure you’ll want to stock your healing space. I’ve always been good at helping you find plants.”
Her mouth parted before she gave him a rueful look. “Yes, you have. In the same spirit of peace offerings, is there anything I can do for you?”
God, he almost gulped.Kiss me. Take me to heaven. Tell me you still think I’m a good man.“Maybe a picnic? You used to love them.”
“Still do.” She drew in a ragged breath. “Ben, I…”
How he longed to fold her into his arms and brush away all the worries flickering in her eyes. “I was only hoping spending some time together would help you see the man I am now, one I want you to believe you can count on. Especially seeing how we all want you to stay.”
More questions rose from the way her brows tightened. “You really want me to stay?”
“Of course.” He cleared his throat. “Before I did for Will.But since we’ve been working out our issues, I want it for you.”
I want it for me too.
“So a picnic?” She tapped her finger to her lips. “Let’s see how things go.”
“You sound so excited.” With a rusty laugh, he reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a screw he’d picked up earlier as he’d walked the range. “To give to me when I do something you don’t like. Hannah, I don’t want to screw things up ever again.”
He dropped it in her hand and sent her a teasing wink, but who was he kidding? His chest felt like a wrestler was squeezing him from behind.
She huffed out a hoarse laugh as she clutched it to her chest. “Neither do I, Ben.”
Blowing out a harsh breath, he took his cowboy hat off and rubbed the back of his head. “Well, I should be getting on. Lots of fires to put out today.”
“The gifts were beautiful.” Reaching out, she laid a tentative hand on his chest, making him jolt from its simple power.
