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Aaron laughed. “I’d like to see you try.”
He left Ben’s room, pulling the door shut behind him and quietly stepped into Betsey’s room as Samuel let out another wail. Betsey was standing by the cradle, her shift now back on as Samuel cried. She picked him up again, hugging him to her and he stopped crying instantly. The soft smile she threw his way when he shut the door behind him made him want to strip down and crawl into that small bed with her regardless of what Ben said.
“I don’t think he’s going to be happy in his own bed tonight.”
Aaron crossed the room. “It doesn’t sound like it.” He ran a hand over the soft downy hair on his head. “With Ben telling menot to sleep with you and Samuel crying, its pretty clear I’m meant to go home tonight.”
She gave him a tiny smile. “I’m sorry.” Her eyes roamed his face before she looked down at Samuel. “I really wanted you to stay.”
Aaron cupped her chin and turned her head so she’d look at him. “Does that mean you’re no longer angry at me?”
She blew out a long breath. “A part of me will always be angry at you but—I forgive you. Staying angry solves nothing and Samuel needs you.” She took a deep breath. “I need you. I want you. I always have.”
“I know.” He leaned in and kissed her, lingering long enough he was tempted to listen to Ben rant come morning because he stayed. He pulled away and tucked her hair behind her shoulder. “I have to work in the morning anyway and there’s no way I’d be able to get up and go if I woke up with you, beautiful and naked in that tiny bed.”
She smiled. “Sweet talking me will get you everything, you know.”
“Well, in that case, I’ll be sure to fill your ears with honey-filled words every chance I get.” He gave her another kiss, then placed one on Samuel’s head before saying his goodbyes and letting himself out, every step harder than the one before it. Leaving was the last thing he wanted to do and now that Betsey had forgiven him, it was time to set all his plans into motion. Come tomorrow afternoon, he’d go see about buying that piece of land and talk to Noah about building a house. Once he had the deed in his hand and the lumber for the house ordered, he’d ask Betsey to marry him. And come this time next month, his life would finally be exactly as it should be.
Betsey was hummingunder her breath, wondering if Aaron would show up for supper when Ben walked in the back door. His eyes were red, his clothes disheveled, and when he took off his hat, his hair looked as if he’d been combing his hands through it all day. “You look terrible.”
“I feel terrible.” He hung his hat on the peg by the door and crossed to the table and sat down. “Remind me to never go drinking with those cowpokes from the Avery ranch again. They don’t know when to stop.”
“Apparently, neither do you.”
He threw her a nasty look moments before someone knocked on the door. “Is he going to come over her every day now?”
“He who?”
Ben rolled his eyes as she giggled, and stood, heaving a breath as he started across the room. “He didn’t stay last night, did he?”
“No, he left after seeing your drunk behind to bed.”
He raised his hand and gave her a rude gesture before reaching for the door handle. When he pulled the door open, Betsey’s heart nearly stopped when she saw who was standing there.
“Good afternoon. Is your sister at home?”
Harrison McBride looked as spiffy and rich as he had the day she first met him in the saloon. His fine black suit was paired with a deep red vest shot with gold threads and it only took a glance to know this man had more money than he knew what to do with.
Betsey took a step toward the table, the movement enough for Harrison to turn his head her way.
He smiled and pulled off his hat, laying it against his chest. “Miss Atwater, I’ve been looking high and low for you.”
Betsey glanced at Ben when he looked her way. Confusion was etched over every inch of his face. She ignored him andgrabbed the back of the kitchen chair she was standing behind. “Mr. McBride. What brings you way out here?”
He laughed, that rich, smokey sound she’d found so fascinating the day she met him once again sent gooseflesh trailing up her arms. “Why, I came to see you, my dear. I’ve been back to the saloon half a dozen times but you’re never there.”
“I only work three days, at week’s end.”
“Well, that would explain it then.”
“Excuse me,” Ben said, interrupting the conversation. “Who exactly are you and how do you know my sister?”
Harrison threw a brief smile Ben’s way and inclined his head before saying, “Harrison McBride. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Ben didn’t look as if he shared the feeling. “What do you want?”
Blunt as always. Betsey moved out from behind the table. She knew why Harrison was here and now that he was, she could tell him she’d changed her mind. “Mr. McBride, I appreciate the offer but I’m afraid I can no longer accept.”
