Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Their lumber was missing.
Ben swung down from Flame and faced Will. His brother winced after he’d delivered that terrific piece of news as Ben rode back in from the north pasture. He’d been having a pretty great morning too, thinking about Hannah finding his presents. Now he knew it was going to be a bitch of a day.
“What do you mean the lumberyard can’t find it?” he bit out.
His brother took his cowboy hat off and ran his hand through his hair. “Well, that’s not exactly accurate. For a while, we didn’t know where it was. The shipment was sent to Braden Springs and unloaded downriver. Which flooded and ruined the lumber.”
He’d hated to forgo using their local lumbermill, but Will’s order was too big for the small operation.
They’d agreed that using Engelmann spruce and lodgepole pine for the walls and Douglas fir and western larch for the trusses and support beams was the best course.
All soft wood—that water wrecked unless it was treated right. “All of it?”
“Yeah. I’m trying to be grateful I didn’t order the western red and Port Orford cedar for accents now.
I thought I’d wait until we progressed to the interiors.
Of course, Gramps suggested we find some dead standing, dry seasoned logs from the northwest side of Wild Mountain with a moisture content of nineteen percent or less and then hand peel them with a drawknife. ”
“Which keeps the protective insulating layer just under the bark, maintaining the natural color, taper, and character of each log,” Ben finished, appreciating the old-school gesture.
Gramps would do it like they used to on Wild Mountain.
“But how in the hell did our lumber get delivered to the wrong place?”
“The manager at the lumberyard pulled the invoice.” His entire face tightened. “He couldn’t read my name, but the address is correct except for the town.”
Ben leaned back against the saddle in shock. “You’re telling me the invoice has the town being Braden Springs, but the address is right?” His gut was starting to twitch. “What about the delivery phone number?”
“Couldn’t read it,” Will replied, shoving his cowboy hat back onto his head.
“I told the manager they could have looked us up. He didn’t take too well to that suggestion.
He says there are no phone books anymore, and they don’t have a computer at the yard.
Right now, the manager is saying they aren’t going to send out another shipment. ”
Ben bit off a curse in case Cooper was around and led Flame into the barn, handing him to their stablemaster. Usually, he would take care of his horse himself and not hand him off to Barney, but he had a man to call. “I’ll give them a holler now.”
“Dad already did.” Will’s mouth was one tight line. “No go.”
Not good news. Their father was a tough negotiator. If he hadn’t been able to make them see sense…
“This asshole is expecting us to eat the costs of a whole shipment of lumber?” He stopped short in the yard, watching as Cooper came running down from Will’s cabin with Tank in tow. “When they delivered it to the wrong address?”
“They’re saying I must have written Braden Springs accidentally.” Will looked sick. “I didn’t, Ben.”
He slapped his brother on the back. “Of course you didn’t. Will, this stinks to high heaven.”
“That’s what we all think too, but finding out what happened is going to take time, and you know our time frame.”
They were planning a fast build since Will had everything in place. Given that they wanted Hannah to stay, they needed progress. “I can dip into our emergency fund.”
Will cringed and shook his head. “I knew you were going to say that. Ben, I’ll handle it.”
“Brother, I know you’ve got your own money, but I doubt you can afford to pay for another lumber shipment right now until we sort this out. I’m giving you the money, numbskull, and I don’t want to hear any arguments.”
Will hugged him. “Fine, blockhead. I’ll take the help, but we’re working it out.”
He playfully bearhugged his brother before shoving him back. “You’d better believe we are. In the meantime, I’ll call the lawyer and maybe Logan.”
“Good idea. Only I’ll call Logan. It’s my problem. I heard you were busy working on other matters until the early hours of the morning. Gramps said he cut through the crap and lit a fire under you.”
“With a torch.” Ben scanned the yard. Hannah was nowhere to be found. “Any news on how she received my gifts?”
“Barney said she was smiling and clutching things to her chest. The foal was a brilliant patient. She’s always been a sucker for hurt animals.”
He sent him a knowing wink as Will took off, right as Cooper arrived like a tornado.
His son plowed into him and hugged him around the waist with all his little might. “Hey, Papa! You been checking things in the north pasture?”
“I was, and our cattle have eaten as much grass as you eat cookies, so we’re moving them to the south pasture.” Leaning down, he rubbed the dirt off his son’s cheek. “What have you been up to?”
“I was helping Hannah and Neil. Papa! She loves her place so much. We’re organizing the plants we foraged so they can dry. Then we’ll take them there.”
He grinned. Best news all day. “I’m glad you’re helping.”
“You had her help Windgate, and Barney said he already looks better.” Cooper laughed when Tank tried to lick his face, probably trying to make his boy take a breath in the midst of his chattering.
“Papa, did you know there’s a flower and plant to help everything?
Hannah said smelling lavender makes you relax when you’re nervous.
Like I sometimes get with my tests. She sniffs it all the time, Papa. Isn’t that funny?”
He knew that wasn’t the only reason, but she wouldn’t tell Cooper. Reba had given her a sachet of lavender from the plants growing around the ranch when Sarah died to help her calm her volatile emotions.
“Being calm is a good attribute, especially around animals.” He rubbed Tank under the chin when he gave a bark. “Your puppy could sure use some. He’s like a windup toy that never winds down. So are you, in fact.”
“I can’t help it.” His gap-toothed grin had Ben ruffling his hair. “I’m just so excited.”
“Makes me happy to see, son,” he answered, straightening to his full height as Hannah came out of the cabin with Neil, carrying a basket of assorted flowers and plants.
After last night, seeing her had his heart rapping against his ribs.
She wore a red and black plaid shirt and jeans with her red cowboy boots.
There wasn’t a single part of her that wasn’t beautiful to him, and after apologizing last night and admitting how wrong he’d been, a weight had lifted from his chest. Suddenly, the way ahead was clear as a bell.
He had to show her, in concrete ways, why she should forgive him completely and give him another chance.
Please, God, let her give me a second chance.
Their eyes met across the yard, and a hint of the sweetest smile this side of heaven flickered on her rosy lips.
She’d twisted him up like old sheets in a washer, and she could still make him burn like a wildfire, fast, impatient, and all-consuming.
More, she touched that tender place in him, one that smiled when he watched a mother tending to her young or when his boy was playing alone with his trucks on the floor, making all the appropriate sounds.
He stayed where he was, hoping she’d cross over to him. After saying something to Neil, the larger man headed to his truck while she walked his way, hips twitching as she came.
He wondered if it was unconscious or if her teasing nature was playing with him.
His mouth curved. “Son, why don’t you go on and ask Reba what’s for lunch?”
“Sure, Papa! You must be really hungry after riding the range.”
As he scampered off, Ben turned his full attention to the woman weaving her magic around him like the old days. “Morning,” he lazily drawled.
She looked up at the sun coming close to being overhead. “More like afternoon, but that’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”
His lips quirked. God, he itched to reach for a strand of her hair and rub it between his fingers. For now, he needed to keep his hands to himself. “As you can see, I’m all ears.”
She gave him an exasperated look before a radiant smile broke out across her beautiful face. “Thank you for the gifts and the space and my first client.”
He tipped his cowboy hat up. “My pleasure. Speaking of…” Digging into his pocket, he drew out his wallet and plucked out some bigger bills. “Let me know if this covers it.”
She worried her lips. “I…ah…haven’t thought about pricing or anything yet.”
Putting the money in her hand, he covered it and met her gaze. “You’ll get to it. In the meantime, money trading hands makes things official. Of course, I have more I’d like to contribute to your healing space.”
“But you were constrained with what you could do practically in the middle of the night all on your own?” she bandied back, laughing into his eyes. “I couldn’t believe it when I walked in. Also… I hope Reba doesn’t skin you alive for taking some of the crockery from the main house.”
“I’ll take her licks if necessary. The result was more than worth any punishment.”
She grew quiet, looking away. “By the way. Where did you find an apothecary cabinet so quickly?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I’d planned to give it to you as a graduation present when you became a certified herbalist.”
Before, he’d believed she’d train online like they’d talked. But then Scotland went ahead. He had nearly destroyed that in the first month after she left…and after Amber. But something had held him back, and now he was glad that his grief hadn’t spoken louder than sense.
“Oh, Ben,” she whispered tenderly. “Whatever am I going to do about you?”
Not used to begging, he shrugged. “After forgiving me all the way?”
She lifted her face and met his gaze. “We made good progress on that last night.”
He nodded, relief washing through him. “Glad you think so. I did too. When I got home, I almost felt…cleansed. Hell, that’s a stupid thing to say.”
Her hand touched his arm, and they both froze a moment as electricity arced between them. Moments later, his pulse tripped. He cut back his response to her body before he did something stupid. Like trace her half smile or something stupider.
“No, it’s not. If we’re sharing adjectives, I’ll admit to feeling reborn.”
“Reborn, eh?” His mouth was damn near drying up with all this sharing. “Like those phoenixes you used to love to read about in those fantasy books you always had around?”
“You remembered,” she said softly.
He tapped the side of his head. “You know me and my memory. Cooper inherited it.” What was he saying? “You have that smattering of freckles on your nose again.”
She looked down shyly. “Foraging.”
Wishing he could lean in a little closer and tell her how pretty they were—she was—he made himself hold his ground. “You let me know if you need any help on that score. I’m sure you’ll want to stock your healing space. I’ve always been good at helping you find plants.”
Her mouth parted before she gave him a rueful look. “Yes, you have. In the same spirit of peace offerings, is there anything I can do for you?”
God, he almost gulped. Kiss me. Take me to heaven. Tell me you still think I’m a good man. “Maybe a picnic? You used to love them.”
“Still do.” She drew in a ragged breath. “Ben, I…”
How he longed to fold her into his arms and brush away all the worries flickering in her eyes. “I was only hoping spending some time together would help you see the man I am now, one I want you to believe you can count on. Especially seeing how we all want you to stay.”
More questions rose from the way her brows tightened. “You really want me to stay?”
“Of course.” He cleared his throat. “Before I did for Will. But since we’ve been working out our issues, I want it for you.”
I want it for me too.
“So a picnic?” She tapped her finger to her lips. “Let’s see how things go.”
“You sound so excited.” With a rusty laugh, he reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a screw he’d picked up earlier as he’d walked the range. “To give to me when I do something you don’t like. Hannah, I don’t want to screw things up ever again.”
He dropped it in her hand and sent her a teasing wink, but who was he kidding? His chest felt like a wrestler was squeezing him from behind.
She huffed out a hoarse laugh as she clutched it to her chest. “Neither do I, Ben.”
Blowing out a harsh breath, he took his cowboy hat off and rubbed the back of his head. “Well, I should be getting on. Lots of fires to put out today.”
“The gifts were beautiful.” Reaching out, she laid a tentative hand on his chest, making him jolt from its simple power.
He was putty in her hands. Always had been.
“They meant more than you could ever know, the foal included,” she said softly with a sweet smile.
He fought the urge to trace her cheekbone. “It’s only the beginning.”
Turning around, he made himself walk away.
She had his heart in her hands again.
Now all he needed to do was convince her to do the same.