Her inner responses were tangled up.
Shit.
Oh boy…
Andah…
A burgeoning attraction would muddy the waters of their developing trust.
Wouldn’t it?
He greeted them with a finger to his cowboy hat. “I was coming into town and heard you were going through your clothes at your parents’ house this morning, Hannah. I thought you might need some backup.”
Backup? Gosh. Her heart did another flip. How many times had Ben been at her side when facing her parents? More than she’d ever wanted, that’s for sure. “How did you know that?”
He gave her an amused wink as the Prentice boys looked on. “Reba.”
Of course. The older woman was clearly working hard to bring them together. “Well, Dad and I had another bout. He sent my boxes over to the Prentice house. Don’t ask.”
His brow furrowed. “As you wish. Actually, while I’m here, I have some business with the Prentice boys. Do you guys have a moment?”
“Sure thing, Ben.” Dylan stuck a thumb in her direction. “We don’t want to watch her go through her undies and all that girl stuff anyway.”
She flushed as Ben’s silver eyes twinkled, but thank God he kept mute. Otherwise, she might have to shove him off the front porch. “You all go on, then, and have your man talk. Only, Ben McAllister, you find me when you’re finished. Do you hear?”
He tipped his black Stetson her way. “Yes, ma’am. Like I told you, I’m all ears.”
He and the boys went into the house, leaving her feeling out of sorts. Last night he’d said the same thing, but they’d had another item to discuss. Why in the hell hadn’t anyone told her she was driving his truck?
“You should see the look on your face,” Neil observed, crossing his arms over his massive chest.
“Can you blame me? He gave me his truck—and this was before our recent détente.”
“Looks more than a détente to me, but what do I know? I’m only a guy.”
She glared at him. “After this, we’re heading to The Lucky Horseshoe for the best double bacon cheddar bison burger you’ll ever have. Come on, Neil. The garage is around back.”
She was sorting through clothes while Neil checked his phone when she heard the low rumble of Ben’s voice. Dylan peeked his head inside. “All clear?”
Deciding not to tease them anymore, she only nodded. Ben was grinning from ear to ear as he entered the garage with the other boys in tow.
“How’s the sorting going?” he lazily drawled.
She frowned. She was two sizes bigger than she’d been when she left. Blame it on all the good food and happy hours in Edinburgh. At least her boots and hats fit. Some of the winter clothes might just work, since she usually wore them on the big side with an extra layer of thermal underwear. “Fine, but I think I’m going to need Jolene and a girls’ night to handle the rest. Ah…Ben, can I see you a sec?”
“Sure.” He walked to the garage door as she grabbed her purse. “I wish I could stay to take you all out to lunch, but I have a meeting.”
His offer had her dropping the socks she’d been putting into a box. When did he have that kind of time?
He wants to spend time with me.
First the picnic invite and now this.Oh boy.
She stuck her tongue out at the boys as she walked past since their faces were a mix of outright concern and horror. Like her and Ben alone talking? The end of the world was nigh.
He rested against the hood of Gramps’ old truck when they were out of earshot, crossing his cowboy boots at the ankle. “You rang, milady.”
She smirked. “Ben, why am I drivingyourtruck?”
