“Let’s let little Hannah decide, although she’s not so little anymore.” He tipped his broad-brimmed cowboy hat back and looked her over like she was fresh meat. “You’ve filled out nicely. Now that you aren’t with McAllister, maybe you’re ready for a real man. Want to go somewhere?”
“No, Owen, I really don’t.”
He licked his lips slowly as his eyes turned hard. “Oh…so you’re still all high and mighty. Well, just wait until you and my sister meet. She’s mighty angry you’re back.”
Hannah fought the shiver. Amber was frightening on a normal day, so she couldn’t imagine how awful she could be now, given the circumstances.
“Owen Kincaid, I told you to leave,” Jolene bit out, striding closer.
Neil finally stood, towering over Owen. “You heard the ladies. The bar is closed. You’d best head out.”
“You’re the fellow they say wears a dress, right?” Owen snickered. “Boys, what do you think about that? A man wearing a dress like a woman.”
The smile that spread across Neil’s face portended trouble. Jolene slapped her hand hard on the bar. “Owen, if you don’tleave now, you won’t step foot in here for another six months. I’ll put you on the blacklist.”
He lifted his hands in mock surrender and started backing up. “Fine! You’re all super touchy tonight. I was only trying to buy the lady a drink. Hannah, I’ll see you around. Seeing as how we’re neighbors with you at the ranch next door and all.”
Blowing her a kiss, he headed to the door laughing with his cowboy friends in tow.
When he left, she made a gagging motion. “He still makes my skin crawl.”
“If he doesn’t, something’s wrong with you.” Jolene gave a frustrated sound. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that, Hannah. Especially in my place.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” she told her friend. “I’m going to have another margarita since Neil is driving. Neil, sit down and have one of my tater tots. I am not letting Owen Kincaid ruin my night.”
Having one of those spicy treats herself, she suppressed another shiver as she remembered him saying he’d see her around.
She had a bad feeling she would.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
She would stay out late.
He’d listened for her return all evening, even going so far as to put Cooper to bed earlier than usual. Not that his son was one for staying up late. He rose early like the rest of them and played most of the day when he wasn’t doing his chores.
“You waiting up for Hannah?” Will asked, coming down the stairs in a pair of faded boxers.
“Yeah,” he replied with a heavy sigh, rearranging himself in his favorite chair in the den. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m still dressed, and I even shaved tonight.”
Should he keep on waiting? He’d barely had any shut-eye creating her healing space last night, and tomorrow he had a million chores to handle along with helping Will with the lumber situation.
Will padded in his bare feet closer to his chair. “Want some advice?”
“Don’t round up every wounded animal or person in the county for her to heal? Tell me what you have in mind.”
“She stayed in town because she tapped into her happiness being back home. More of that will help her rememberall the reasons to stay.” Will sat on the edge of the couch. “I’ll bet she’s at The Lucky Horseshoe with the Prentices.”
“She hangs the moon in those boys’ eyes, and God knows she and Jolene are tight. You should have seen their protective postures when I arrived at their house today to ask them to help build the center. If they had to choose between me or her, there’s no question.”
“Can you blame them?” Will picked up one of Cooper’s trucks off the coffee table. “She practically helped raise them with Jolene until she left. Now, I have something on my mind I need to discuss.”
A muscle leaped in his cheek. He knew what was coming. “If you’re going to try to talk me out of buying the lumber, forget it.”
Will dipped his chin, a picture of pure struggle. “I’m having trouble accepting the help. Even though we’re brothers.”
“Family always helps, Will.” His eyes lowered to Will’s scar. “You know that.”
“I do, and I’m grateful, but I want to assure you that I’ll pay the money back to the ranch as soon as I can. But the money situation has given me another idea. I know Hannah is still in her trial period, but maybe I should give her a stake in the whole center. What do you think?”
