“See, we have that in common. I can’t imagine living in a big city. I don’t even need to leave to know that.” He reached and grasped her hands. “I’m sorry for what that guy did three years ago. I’ve always been up front with my intentions. The women I dated knew I wasn’t looking for a serious relationship. The truth will always find a way to come out.”
She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. “We’d better get to the celebration before your grandmother comes back for us.”
“Hardly. She’s hoping we’ll stay here,” he said with a chuckle.
Ben started the truck and pulled out onto the highway. At least now he knew why she was leery of any relationship. If he was honest with himself, he couldn’t blame her for feeling that way about him. For years, he’d tried his best to stay single with no obligations except to the ranch. Now he had to face the consequences of that behavior.
* * *
As the hour grew late, Lucy stood back from the crowd at Stillwater Ranch and sipped her punch while she watched the expressions on the guests’ faces. Ben’s house was big enough that it could accommodate more than fifty people at the wedding celebration. Chloe looked beautiful in her ivory-colored silk dress, and her face glowed, especially when she was with Grady.
I want that. I want to look at someone with love and have it returned. I want a family. Those thoughts flitted through Lucy’s mind as she took in the joy. How had Chloe let go of the fear Grady would end up like her first husband? Chloe had known Grady most of her life, but Lucy had first worked with Jesse, then dated him for months before she’d fallen in love with him. She’d thought she knew him well and that he would never cheat on her, like some of the people she’d worked with. Sure, Chloe had an unborn baby to think about, but still... How do you know if it’s forever?
Amelia planted herself next to Lucy. “I’m so glad to see Chloe happily married. Grady will be a great dad for her baby. Remember when we used to talk about who was going to get married first? You were to supposed to marry before me, not be the last holdout.”
“I’ve got three weeks before you walk down the aisle.”
“And who are you pursuing?” Amelia asked with a chuckle.
“That is a problem. Just dodging Byron has taken all my extra time.”
“Are you close to apprehending someone?”
Lucy turned toward her friend. “Yes, but until I have the evidence, I’m not accusing anyone. We’ve had enough people being accused without good evidence.”
“I agree. Ruby’s brother, Derek, was a good example of some people pushing for a solution without any proof. Speaking of that, where is Byron?”
“I don’t think he was invited. Chloe told me she didn’t want anything to spoil her day.”
“Good for her, but that may make things dicey for Grady and Ben.”
“What will be dicey?” Ben asked as he joined them.
“Not inviting Byron.” Amelia waved to her fiancé, Finn, who wove his way through the crush of people toward them.
“He’ll have two Stillwaters to go through if he makes a ruckus about it. It’s time we stand up to him. He’s a bully. No wonder his sons have that reputation, too. He may have the largest ranch in this part of Texas, but he can’t plow through everyone in his way.”
Finn put his arm around Amelia’s waist. “If you need help, I’m with you.”
“I imagine the next Lone Star Cowboy League meeting will be interesting. I hope by then I’ll know where Betsy is. I want to persuade her to return to Little Horn.” Ben moved close to Lucy, goose bumps appearing on her arms.
“That won’t set well with Byron.” Amelia glanced at Finn. “We had a great time tonight. Thanks, Ben, for opening your home to us. I’m looking forward to next Saturday with the Easter-egg hunt and festivities.”
“We’re meeting with the teens tomorrow to work out the setup in the tent and the races. I have to say I’m getting excited.” Ben shook Finn’s hand and then he and Amelia walked off together.
“I’m glad Amelia found Finn. She’s always giving to others. It’s nice to see her happy. She deserves it.” Lucy couldn’t keep the wistful tone from her voice.
“And so do you.” He clasped her hand and drew her away from the crowd. “Lately I’ve seen how hard you work, putting in long hours, and the thanks you get is Byron accusing you of not doing your job. Have you heard anything from the Oklahoma State Police yet?” Ben stepped in front of her, blocking her from the guests around them.
“No, but I’ll let you know when I do. I want this settled, but if it’s the McKay twins, I don’t look forward to telling Byron.”
“That’s why I think you’re right about getting the evidence first. Byron won’t make it easy for you or anyone.”
She needed to change the subject. She was so tired of thinking about the Robin Hoods case. It affected so many people in the county, especially around here. “I can’t believe how Maddy managed to get Cody to go to bed. He was loving all the attention. I have a feeling you’re gonna have your hands full with him.”
Ben’s expression brightened, his eyes twinkling. “Takes after his dad. A real charmer.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “Incorrigible is more like it.”
“Who me? Never. I’m a guy who goes with the flow.”
Lucy cocked her head to the side and thought about how he’d been through the years. “Yeah, you’re right. I have to admit it has been easy working with you the past few weeks, and the plans for the Easter-egg hunt are turning out to be much better. The kids have always enjoyed it every year, but this one will be special. I’m glad you woke up.”
He placed his hand flat on the wall behind her and leaned close. “So am I. I feel as if I’ve been given a new life.”
“When I returned to Little Horn three years ago, I felt like that.” Normally when someone stepped into her personal space, she got defensive. So many suspects had over the course of her career, she’d become protective of that space. But Ben didn’t make her feel like that. Maybe because she had known him for years and knew where he stood—or did she?
Carson approached and slapped Ben on the back. “I’ve already told Grady good-night, but I wanted to tell you if you need help with the Easter-egg hunt, I’ll pitch in. Ruby will be coming early, so I might as well.”
“Sounds good,” Ben said, moving next to Lucy, “but work on your timing next time.”
Carson shifted his gaze to Lucy, then back to Ben. “Ah, so all the rumors are correct. Want to tell me anything?”
What rumors?
“Yeah, get lost.” Ben chuckled.
Heat scored her face as though the sun had burned her skin. “I’ll leave you two to work it out.” She slipped between the two men and made her way toward Chloe who was talking to Amelia.
Lucy pulled the two women off to the side. “Do either of you know about the rumors going around town about Ben and me? And if so, why didn’t you tell me?”
Chloe exchanged a look with Amelia, then said, “Do you mean the one about y’all dating?”
“But we’re not.”
“He brought you here tonight.” Amelia pressed her lips together as if she was trying not to smile.
“I was Chloe’s maid of honor. He was the best man. It seemed logical...” She’d let Ben steamroller her into coming with him, just like dinner the other night at Maggie’s Coffee Shop. “Okay, I can see how some busybodies might get the idea we’re dating, but I need you to set them straight. We’re on a couple of committees together. That’s all.”
“Why should you care?” Amelia asked. “You and Ben have always been part of the rumor mill. When you two are together, sparks fly.”
“They do not! Okay, maybe because he makes me exasperated at times.”
“Yeah, sure.” Chloe grinned.
Gra
dy joined them, placing his arm around Chloe and bringing her close to his side. “I’m stealing my wife. We need to leave. We still have to drive to Austin.”
“When will you be back from your honeymoon?” As Lucy stared at Grady, she saw Ben for a few seconds. It was disconcerting, especially in light of what people were saying about her and Ben.
“Tuesday. We’re spending a few days away from Little Horn, but it isn’t our official honeymoon. That’ll come later when things settle down.” Grady looked lovingly at Chloe.
“Let me know when that’ll be.” As if staking a claim to Lucy, Ben stopped beside her, so close their arms grazed each other.
“Do you have your bag packed?” Grady asked Chloe.
She nodded. “Already in the car.”
“Then, let’s go.”
Ben whistled and raised his arms. “Everyone, the bride and groom are leaving.”
Cheers and clapping thundered through the room.
Grady took Chloe’s hand and headed for the front door with everyone congratulating them again.
Ben took Lucy’s hand. “Don’t let the gossipmongers get to you. Half the stuff they spread around is wrong.”
“Half? That doesn’t change the fact we are the topic of conversations. Byron will find a way to use that against me. To him a sheriff is not allowed to have a life outside the job.”
Ben glanced down at Lucy. “Is that why you work so hard?”
“Why do you work so hard?”
“Because I like to.”
“That’s my answer, too. I grew up knowing I would be a police officer. I don’t just arrest people. I help them, too. That’s fulfilling.”
“C’mon. Wait till you see what Zed and the other ranch hands did to Grady’s car.” He tugged her toward the crowd walking outside to watch the couple leave.
Lucy broke out laughing when she saw the car in the glow of the porch lights. “It looks like a float in a parade.” She took in all the streamers tied onto everything possible.
Grady spun about, his gaze zeroing in on Ben. “Just you wait.”
Then Ben’s brother helped Chloe into the front seat, rounded the hood and climbed in behind the steering wheel. Half a minute later, the multicolored car was heading for the highway, with two yards of empty cans bouncing around behind them, clanging together.
“I have a feeling he’ll pull over soon and cut that rope with the cans,” Ben murmured in her ear.
Chills zipped down her body. Tonight would fuel the gossipmongers, and there wasn’t much she could do about it.
Shortly after Grady and Chloe left, the other guests began departing. Mamie stood at the door with Ben, saying goodbye to each one.
When the house was empty of guests, Lucy asked Ben’s grandmother, “Can I help you clean up?”
“Don’t worry about it. Maddy stayed after putting Cody to bed to help Martha Rose in the kitchen.” Mamie swept her arm to indicate the living room. “This can wait until tomorrow. Go home. I don’t know about you, but this has been a long day.”
Lucy started to insist she could help when Ben placed his hand at the small of her back, nudging her toward him.
Outside as he walked toward his truck, he said, “I’ve learned not to argue with Grandma. If you stayed to clean, she would, too.”
“I can come earlier tomorrow to help before we meet with the girls.”
“No, I’ll do a lot of it after she goes to bed.”
“You do housework?”
When Ben sat behind the steering wheel, he finally answered, “I pitch in where needed, but I draw the line at cleaning windows.”
Her laughter died when Lucy remembered Jesse not even taking his dishes to the sink after they ate, let alone helping to clean up after she fixed him dinner. “I’m impressed.”
He threw her a glance as he pulled away from the house. “As I’ve said before, I aim to please.”
“I’m not sure I can think of you as a peacemaker, but definitely a mischief maker.”
“Who, me? No way.”
“How about those times you teased me or tried to rile me in some way?”
“Okay, maybe a little, and I don’t do my share of the chores around the house to make peace but to help. My grandmother and Martha Rose work hard to keep the house going. It’s a big place. But I won’t complain if someone takes over for me in that department.”
“Are you hinting at turning around and going back so I can?”
With his eyebrows raised, he said, “Who, me?” then chuckled.
She playfully punched his upper arm. “It was a nice wedding. Small is good.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I haven’t really thought about it. I’m not serious about anyone. That probably needs to come first.” And yet as she said that, she began to doubt the truth to those words. Ben was charming and attractive, but he also was a rogue. She didn’t need that in her life. That was what had drawn her to Jesse and look where it got her.
“I thought all girls had their wedding planned by sixteen.”
“Where did you get that idea?”
“Oh,” he shrugged. “I don’t know. Eva?”
Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into Lucy’s driveway and started to get out of the truck.
“You don’t have to walk me to the door. I’ve got my gun in my purse.”
“You’re kidding! At a wedding and dinner party!”
“I got in the habit of taking my weapon everywhere in San Antonio, and there were a couple of times I was glad I did.”
“Any time while in Little Horn?” Ben exited the truck.
“Not yet, but it would be too late when the time came and I wasn’t prepared.”
He strolled beside her to the porch, but when she reached for her key, he clasped her arm and stopped her. Taking a few feet toward her, he stepped into her personal space. She remained where she was, her heartbeat accelerating, her throat going dry. With one of his large hands cupping the side of her face, he tilted it up. His lips hovered an inch from hers. Her breathing ceased—one, two, three seconds before he lay claim to her mouth, covering it with his.
Her knees went weak, and she grasped his shoulders as his hand slid through her hair. She’d been kissed before, but nothing like this.
When he pulled away a few inches, he rested his forehead against hers and cradled her face in both hands. “I couldn’t resist. You are beautiful, caring. You deserve happiness.”
She couldn’t think of anything to say. All she could focus on was the movement of his mouth as he talked, the warmth of his hands against her skin, the woodsy-scented aftershave teasing her nose.
“I’d better let you go to sleep. We have a long day of planning tomorrow. See you at ten.” Ben backed away. “But I’m not leaving until you’re safely inside.”
She held up her purse. “Remember the gun.”
“Don’t care.” He pointed to the floor of the porch. “Not moving until you go inside.”
She fumbled for her keys in her purse, her fingers brushing against her gun. Hurriedly she let herself into her house, hearing through the wood, “Good night, Lucy.” The words penetrated her defensive wall around her heart, but more than that, his kiss had left her changed—uncertain.
* * *
Ben stood out on his front porch, the day promising to be a gorgeous one. In the seventies and not a cloud in the sky. But what really brightened his day was that Lucy was coming. He glanced at his watch. In the next few minutes.
He should be exhausted. He’d slept very little last night. There was something about their kiss that had left him different. He’d done it on an impulse, but the sensations it had created in him had taken him by surprise. All he could think about was kissing her again.
Her sheriff’s SUV tu
rned into the ranch entrance and headed toward him. As he watched, his pulse sped up, and a smile graced his lips. But even more, he looked forward to seeing her. She wasn’t like other women he’d known. She was special.
When she parked in the front, he descended the steps and handed her a fresh cup of coffee he’d brought for her. “Good morning. The girls are cleaning the stalls. They’ll come to the house when the guys show up.”
“Who?”
“Gareth, Rob and Kent.”
“Gareth is part of the intern program?”
“No, but Maddy asked him. I couldn’t say no to it.” He offered his hand. “C’mon in. Grandma Mamie hoped you would join her in the living room before the teenagers come up to the house to talk about the Easter-egg hunt.”
“She did? Why?”
“Beats me. I thought I would go to the barn and hurry them along. But I think she’s in a matchmaking mode. Just a warning.”
“Benjamin Stillwater, don’t you go—” The ring of Lucy’s cell phone cut her words off.
She quickly answered it and turned her back to Ben. After listening to the person on the other end, she said, “I’ll be there Monday morning. This is great news.” When she pivoted toward him, excitement glowed on her face. “That was the Oklahoma State Police. Mark Ballard accepted the deal, and he is willing to talk about who he had as clients. He has ties to this area.”
Chapter Nine
A weight seemed to lift from Lucy’s shoulders as she faced Ben to tell him about the break in the case. “I’ll drive to Lawton, Oklahoma, on Monday to get his statement. This may be what I’ve been looking for. If Ballard can ID Gareth and Winston, then I can arrest them for stealing cattle at the very least.”
“Who is this Mark Ballard?” Ben sipped his coffee and headed for his front porch.
“Apparently a legit cattle broker who does illegal deals on the side. From what the Oklahoma State Police said he has some associates in this part of Texas. They had been keeping an eye on him until they had enough evidence to arrest him. They want to shut him down, but they also want the cattle rustlers selling to him, so that’s why the authorities are offering him a deal. While I’m there, I’ll see if he has bought any cattle from others in the county, although I think the most recent rustling has been by the Robin Hoods.”
A Baby for the Rancher Page 11