by Tessa Layne
He reached out and patted her arm, the words I love you nearly tumbling out of his mouth again. He’d never do anything to hurt her. Not if he could help it.
The diner parking lot was full, and Hope found a spot on the street a block away. Ben hopped out and hurried around the front of the truck, catching the door as she opened it.
“What was that for?”
“What do you think? C’mon.” Ben placed his hand at her back and propelled her to the sidewalk.
“Ben,” she hissed. “People are looking at us.”
“Let ’em look,” he growled. This bullshit ended today. And what better place to get everything out in the open than the diner?
The diner was crowded. Crowded enough, that no one noticed Ben still had his arm protectively around Hope. A full compliment of old-timers with their worn hats and dirty boots filled the long Formica countertop. Every table was full, and a few more people, like them, waited at the door.
“Come on in, kids,” Dottie boomed from behind the counter. “Elaine will pour you some coffee while you wait.”
Hope sucked in a breath and cursed, eyes widening.
Ben instantly went on alert, scanning the room for whatever had startled Hope. “What is it? Something wrong?”
Hope’s mouth was set grimly, and she gave a small shake of her head. “It’s… nothing.”
“Bullshit. What is it?” He scanned the room again and then saw where she was focused. A booth by the window with three young cowboys openly staring at Hope. Leering was more accurate. Immediately, his hackles went up. “You know them?”
Again, she gave a small shake. “No. Not really.”
He eyed the young men again, scowling, protective instincts coiling in his belly. He’d always prided himself for not solving problems with his fists, but if it came to protecting Hope, he’d let loose in a heartbeat. “They bother you?”
She turned into him, eyes stormy. “What do you think, Ben? I can’t walk through town without someone making a comment.”
He clenched his fist at his side, overcome with the urge to punch something. Someone. Two someones. Axel and Gunnar had gone too far with their little prank, and it was hurting Hope.
“Hope?” Jimmy Benoit waved from two tables away and rose, making his way over to where they waited.
Ben tightened his arm around Hope. Maybe the diner hadn’t been such a good idea after all.
“Hey Jimmy,” Hope lifted her head in greeting.
“You get Johnny’s text about the party tonight?” Jimmy asked, looking between the two of them.
“Uh, yeah.”
“And? You coming? We have a friend we’d like you to meet.”
Something in Jimmy’s voice pushed Ben too far. This bullshit with all the men circling Hope like a school of hungry sharks stopped today. “Actually, she’s busy.”
Hope’s eyes widened in surprise and she opened her mouth to speak, but Ben swiveled and stopped her with a kiss. He didn’t care if it was seven o’clock on a Saturday morning and he was kissing her in front of God and everyone. He wasn’t keeping them a secret a second longer.
He brought a hand to her neck, caressing her jaw as he moved his mouth against hers. With a sigh that he felt more than he heard, Hope softened against him and leaned into the kiss.
“Get a room,” somebody called.
Someone else whistled.
Good. Maybe now they’d all gotten the message, loud and clear. Hope Hansen was off limits. He wanted to stand on a chair and thump his chest. Instead, he broke their kiss and touched his forehead to hers.
“So I guess we’re now a thing,” Hope murmured.
“We always were, Hope. And if anyone bothers you or looks sideways at you, including your family, I wanna know about it,” he said gruffly.
She took a deep breath and shuddered it out. “I’m scared, Ben.”
“We love each other, right?”
Well, shit. He hadn’t meant to get so confessional in the diner. But who was he kidding? He’d always loved Hope. For as long as he could remember. And he was fairly certain she’d always felt that way too. The two of them were inevitable.
She nodded slowly, giving him a grin that lit her eyes. He was overcome with the most absurd delight. Warmth erupted in his chest and spread outward. “Then we have nothing to worry about, sweetheart.”
She took another deep breath, but this time doubt flickered across her face. No matter. He’d show her they were a team, that they could tackle anything that life threw at them, together.
CHAPTER 18
“Hope.” Her mother called quietly from the edge of the pen where Hope and Ben were working Buttercup.
“Just a sec, Ma.” She turned to Ben. “Can you walk her?” Ben nodded, taking the leader rope. “C’mon Buttercup.”
Hope turned, then stopped, staring. Her mother stood at the edge of the pen, wearing a green glittery sweatshirt and a Kiss me, I’m Irish tiara. “What on earth? What’s with the St. Paddy’s getup?”
She looked worried as Hope approached. “Don’t you remember? The Posse is throwing Jamey her Irish-themed wedding shower down at the hunting lodge. I’m already late.”
Shit.
She’d been so wrapped up in the progress she’d been making with Buttercup, she’d completely forgotten.
Ben approached behind her, Buttercup following, wearing the saddle blanket. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Hansen–”
“Hush. You call me Martha, Ben. You’re family.”
“Fine, Martha. I can help Hope finish up here with Buttercup and drop her by the lodge on my way back to the Big House.”
Martha flashed him a relieved smile. “That will be a huge help. I’m already late.” She swung her gaze to Hope. “Do try and hurry dear.”
“Sure thing, Ma. Just a few more minutes with Buttercup, then I’ll head up to change.”
Martha left, and Ben turned to grin at her. “I’ve heard about the parties the Posse throws.”
Hope grinned back, “Yeah, Maddie secretly calls them Grannies Gone Wild. Let’s take the blanket off Buttercup and start again.”
The two of them worked another twenty minutes, taking turns walking Buttercup around the ring then stopping her and placing the blanket on her back. They’d have to start over tomorrow, but each day, Buttercup got closer to accepting the saddle. She had a little less than a month to complete Buttercup’s training. The timing would be close, but she still thought she had a shot at the extreme mustang event.
Leaving Ben to put away the tack, Hope hurried up the hill and quickly showered and changed into a clean pair of jeans and a blue western shirt that Ben had mentioned matched her eyes.
By the time she walked back down to the stable complex, Ben had his horse, Sergeant Pepper, saddled and ready. “We can ride together over to the lodge.”
“Will he be okay with two of us?”
“He’ll be fine.” Ben offered her a leg up and then settled behind her, and turned the horse toward the creek.
Ben nuzzled her neck as they rode, sending pleasant tingles cascading over her. It had been a little over a week since Ben had kissed her at the diner, but they hadn’t had a chance to sneak away. Hope was hungry for him again.
“So I was thinking,” his voice was warm against her skin.
“Mmm?”
“I think you should spend the night with me tonight. Let me cook you dinner.”
She stiffened in the saddle. “What would my parents say?”
Laughter rumbled in his chest. “Nothing. We’re adults, Hope. Besides, you need to get out of the house. And I’m done sneaking in your window. I’m thirty years old.”
What would her parents say? Worse, what would her brothers say? While they were as nice to Ben as they’d always been, her brothers still hadn’t warmed up to the two of them as a couple.
Tightening his arm at her waist, Ben spoke again. “Do your parents say anything about your brothers’ late night activities down at their bunkhouse?”
“Not a word.
”
“What makes you think they’ll say anything about us?” He placed a kiss behind her ear.
“Double standard.”
“Hmmm.” Ben’s hand stroked over her hip. His hands were entirely distracting and slowly but surely ratcheting up the heat swirling between her thighs. “I think it’s time we break them of that, then.” He nipped at her neck then brushed his tongue over the spot, sending a jolt through her that had her nipples standing at attention. “Pick you up from the party?”
She had to admit, she enjoyed his persistence. She’d love a quiet night with him someplace warm. It had grown too cold for the tree house. And the thought of making love to Ben in a real bed where they could stay wrapped up in each other all night long was very appealing. “Okay.”
He gave her another squeeze as Sergeant Pepper splashed through Steele Creek in front of the tree house. Ben was taking the long way, which she didn’t mind in the least. She leaned back against his strong, warm chest, and sighed.
“What is it?”
“I was just thinking how I wished the tree house had a fireplace.”
His low laugh vibrated against her. “I’ll build us a fire pit this spring. How ’bout that?”
This spring?
The thought of making long-term plans with Ben simultaneously thrilled and terrified her. Could she make a go of things with him? At one point in her life, that had been the only thing she’d thought of. And she could see now, her heart had never really been in her previous relationships.
A vision of her future with Ben stretched out before her. In the past, that fantasy had always included her being a veterinarian. But what now? She’d grow restless doing nothing more than her mother. Martha was the quintessential rancher’s wife – in love with her husband, and content to nurture and care for her family. But Hope wanted more than that. Maddie had a career and a supportive husband. Jamey and Brodie were partners, each with their strengths. She wanted what they had. What was there for her and Ben to partner on? Ben was ensconced in helping Blake run Sinclaire and Sons. What would there be for her?
Ben’s voice, filled with concern, interrupted her thoughts. “Hey. You okay? Where’d you drift off to?”
“Nowhere. A fire pit would be nice.”
“You know, you can tell me anything, Hope.”
If only it were that easy. “I know.”
As if reading her mind, Ben continued. “So you ever going to tell me why you quit veterinary school so close to the end?”
Somehow this conversation was easier on the back of a horse. She didn’t have to squirm under his penetrating gaze. “It doesn’t really matter, Ben. I’m home now, and I’m not going back.”
“I don’t understand. Growing up, being a veterinarian was all you talked about. You followed Doc Lindsay around when you were, what? Ten, Twelve?”
She nodded, remembering those countless Saturday mornings when he’d let her hand him tools from his bag. She’d learned how to administer horse shots when she was eleven.
“So what gives? I always got the feeling Lindsay would retire and hand the practice to you.”
The confession sat in her throat. Constricted it. But she just… couldn’t. It would ruin everything and, ultimately, didn’t matter anyway. She couldn’t go back. Wouldn’t go back. The only circumstances she could change were the ones in front of her. “I… I think I want to concentrate on training Buttercup. She’s doing well, don’t you think?”
Ben sagged a little behind her. She could feel disappointment coming off him in waves. “You’re doing great with her, Hope. You’ve always been brilliant with horses.”
The sincerity in his voice was evident. As well as the tiniest hint of disappointment. And that hurt. She hated it when she let people down. Ben most of all. She’d avoided stopping in to see Dr. Lindsay for the same reason. He’d hinted before that he’d love to take her on as an associate if she ever returned home permanently. At some point, her chickens were going to come home to roost. And she hoped that when they did, she’d at least have a foothold on some new career path.
Sergeant Pepper brought them over a rise, and she could see the hunting lodge and its sole outbuilding situated perfectly in a little dip in the land. Ben easily guided Sergeant Pepper down the hill and pulled up near the front door, hopping off and offering Hope a hand. As she landed, he pulled her close. “Don’t go crazy in there. I hear they can get pretty wild.”
She turned her face up for a kiss. “I’ll take that under advisement.”
His mouth covered hers, and she let herself sink into the sensation. She ran her hands underneath his Carhartt, just for a moment. She’d get to enjoy him later. “Maddie said they had pink condoms at her shower. Shall I swipe some if I see them?”
His eyes crinkled with amusement. “I’m fully stocked.”
“It would be a shame to come up short.”
“Not a chance,” he answered roughly, giving her another hot kiss. Stepping aside, he swung back up on Sergeant Pepper, tipped his hat, and wheeled the horse around.
Hope watched his retreat, her heart thumping erratically.
CHAPTER 19
The party was at full bore when she let herself in and stopped short. The great room looked like a leprechaun and a Thanksgiving turkey had vomited everywhere. Green shamrock garlands festooned the mantle, and two large plastic turkeys stood on the hearth. Green votives flickered from the side tables. More turkeys stood on the long dining table, which was laden with goodies. Dottie stood over the punch bowl at the end of the table. Was that a bottle of Irish Whiskey she was adding to the eggnog? Grannies gone wild, indeed.
“She’s here,” Dottie’s voice boomed from the table. “Come on over and let me pour you some eggnog, sweetie.”
“Or you can join me in sparkling cider,” Maddie called from a seat by the fireplace, rubbing her rapidly expanding belly.
Jamey bustled in from the kitchen carrying a tray laden with green cookies, and wearing a Kiss Me I’m Irish tiara like the one Hope had seen on her mother earlier, only hers had a little tulle veil tacked on the back. In fact, now that Hope had a moment to register what she was seeing, she noticed everyone had a green, sparkly Kiss Me I’m Irish tiara.
Hope quickly covered her mouth to keep from laughing outright. She definitely needed some eggnog.
When she reached the table, Dottie held out a glass. “Jamey and I worked for two days on this spread,” she said proudly. “I’ll be helping with the wedding reception, too.” Dottie beamed with pride, obviously thrilled to be taking on such a task.
“I’m sure it will be delicious,” Hope answered politely, the first tendrils of discomfort vining through her. Situations like these always made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t skilled at small talk, and ladies’ parties always seemed to center around the inane. She’d much rather curl up with a good book in her tree house and daydream.
“But why is Jamey working when it’s her shower?”
“Because I’m happiest in the kitchen.” Jamey answered with an easy smile as she started plating pumpkin pie.
Dottie clapped her hands. “Everyone, come help yourselves. We have some gifts to open. And Maddie, you stay right there. Someone get the little mother a plate.”
Maddie shook her head, laughing. “There’s nothing wrong with my feet, Dottie.
“Nonsense. You need to put your feet up. You should be on maternity leave already.”
“The baby isn’t due for at least six weeks. I’m fine.”
“I’ll make her a plate,” Hope offered.
“Good girl.” Dottie patted Hope’s cheek and handed her a plate. Hope filled it with a slice of pumpkin pie, some cheeses, meats and olives, and brought it to Maddie, seating herself on the wide arm of the chair.
“They did this for you too?” Hope asked.
Maddie nodded, rolling her eyes. “Oh yes. Only it wasn’t leprechauns, it was pink penises. I was mortified, but then they brought in Emmaline Andersson to work on Granny Minerva’s
dress. She did a great job too.” Maddie slid her a knowing glance. “You’ll have no problem wearing it when it’s your turn.”
Warmth rushed to Hope’s cheeks.
“It’s nice to see Ben smiling,” Maddie added.
“What do you mean?”
“He looks happier than I’ve ever seen him. You two are perfectly suited to each other.”
“We are?” This was new… people commenting on her love life. It made her want to hide. But instead, she probed. “Why do you say that?”
Maddie grinned. “It’s obvious. Both of you are the sensitive souls of your families. And seeing you two together, it’s like you’ve known each other your whole lives.”
Hope felt like she’d just swallowed a hot coal. Yearning to share one of her most closely guarded secrets burned in her, pressing fiercely against her ribs. Like the admission had to be set free.
Lowering her voice, she leaned a little closer. “Can you keep a secret?”
Maddie’s eyes lit. “Of course.”
“Pinky swear. Not even Blake.”
“Is everything all right?” Worry flashed across Maddie’s face.
“Swear. I mean it. Not a soul Maddie Jane,” Hope begged, using Maddie’s full name for emphasis.
“So it’s big, this secret?”
Hope nodded, second-guessing her decision, even as it sat on her tongue.
Maddie scanned the crowd. Hope did, too. Fortunately, most everyone stood gathered around the table, laughing and drinking, or helping themselves to the delicious green cookies Jamey had concocted.
“This better be good, Hope. Blake and I don’t keep secrets anymore.”
“Then don’t consider it a secret… more like… privileged information.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “It’s a secret, and for all the lead-up, this really better be good.”
Hope glanced around the room one last time before confiding in her cousin. “So Ben and I have known each other pretty much our whole lives.”
Maddie squeaked and clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes enormous. “Are you kidding me?” Maddie whispered urgently when she could finally talk.