Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Hannah touched the sunburned skin on her nose as she finished dressing for their date.
Date. When he’d used the word, her heart had given a leap. Yes, they were having a date, and she told herself to be smart and to keep her heart open. Because the direction they were headed felt right…
She frowned at her nose. Even with sunscreen and a hat, she’d gotten too much sun, but it had been worth it. Hiking up and around familiar trails on Wild Mountain, they’d found a treasure trove of more plants to add to her blooming herbal supply.
“Hannah!” Neil called. “There’s a cowboy here to see you.”
She ran down the stairs, excited to see Ben.
How nice of him to pick her up at the door.
She practically danced her way there, grinning at their multiple drying stations.
Nearly every counter or table was covered with old towels or tablecloths Reba had given her, plants and flowers laid out carefully on top—the same setup in her healing space.
Creating an apothecary was critical work, and since plants had to be carefully dried to prevent mold, it took precious time and space.
When she arrived at the door, she faltered. Instead of Ben, their guest was an actual cowboy standing on the front porch.
He tipped his well-used, dusty hat at her.
“Ma’am. My name is Hudson Sanders, and I work with Barney and the horses.
Everyone around here knows about you helping Dylan Prentice and that scrape on Ben’s little mare.
I went down to your healing place, but it was closed, so I hope it’s okay that I came here.
I got in the way of an angry mustang we’re breaking, and the darn thing got me in the ribs. ”
Hudson then ripped open his shirt, the snaps popping. She gasped at the reddening inflammation and the darkening tissue on his right side, and before she knew it, she was stepping closer to examine the wound as Neil shifted to give her space. “Goodness! Do you feel like the mustang broke anything?”
“It’s possible, ma’am. I’ve had a broken rib a time or two being a bronco rider, and it hurt like the dickens to laugh. Maybe you should tell me a joke so we can find out?”
Another tough-as-nails cowboy and one with a sense of humor to boot. “Come inside. I’m sorry. What’s your name again?”
“Hudson, ma’am.” He reluctantly stepped back on the porch. “No need to put yourself out. I only wanted to see if I could pay you for a bit of salve. I need to get back to work. We’ve got a lot of horses that need handling right now.”
She’d dealt with cowboys before. “Of course, but how about I wrap some herbs around your ribs to take the inflammation down and heal any possible fracture? Tomorrow, before you start work, you can take it off and shower, then put some salve on it.”
He finally stepped inside with them. “Sounds mighty fine. Barney didn’t think you’d mind helping, especially with the boss making you a healing place. I hope that’s right.”
“Of course it is.” She led him over to the table. “You tell the hands to come if they need something.”
Tipping his hat again, he smiled tightly.
“Much appreciated. It’s tough to take time off to make an appointment to see the doc—your pa—in town.
He probably couldn’t see me tomorrow or the next day.
Except Barney told me Will’s hand looked almost normal today, and after how Dylan Prentice’s head healed up after that hit he took in the baseball game with Hastings, near every cowpoke on the Triple M thinks you’re a miracle worker, ma’am. ”
“The herbs are the miracle workers,” she replied. “I’m just the lucky one who gets to introduce people to their healing.”
“Mighty modest of you, if you don’t mind me saying. But thank you all the same.”
She picked some freshly picked mullein leaves and wrapped his ribs in bandages.
After she’d bound them, she gave him a small tin of plantain salve.
“The famous salve everyone’s talking about.
Apply it as often as you feel you need. I think you’ll be mostly fine in a couple of days, but if you still have problems, we can wrap your ribs in mullein leaves again.
It sets breaks, and since ribs are tough to heal, the plant’s a good helper. ”
“Thank you again, ma’am.” He started closing his shirt. “What do I owe you?”
She winced, remembering Ben asking for a price list. “Well, I don’t rightly know yet. There’s been so much foraging to do. How about I get back to you?”
“I don’t like owing anything.” He dug out his wallet slowly from the back of his jeans with one hand and pulled out a few bills. “Would this cover it?”
She probably would have charged a little more, but understanding pride, she nodded. “That would be fine.”
“You need more, you ask for me. Thanks again.”
Seeing him to the door, she noted his lean, hard frame—all cowboy. Man, she’d kinda missed this kind of man. Not exactly ones she’d run into in Edinburgh, although the Scots didn’t like to owe anyone either and could be equally tough. “You’re most welcome, Hudson. I hope you feel better.”
When she and Neil closed the door, her friend turned to her with a knowing smile.
“I guess everyone was waiting to see what Ben setting you up with a healing space meant. Well, now they know. Word of you helping is going to spread, lass. Better create your price list fast, because I’ll bet you have a line of cowboys at the door tomorrow. ”
She felt that familiar thrill of satisfaction for helping someone feel less pain and heal faster. “Be nice to help out around here, but we’re going to need to find more space for the herbs to dry if I’m going to use the space Ben set up.”
Another knock sounded on the door. “Another client this fast?” Neil teased.
This time, Ben McAllister filled the doorway with his tantalizing masculine presence, carrying his saddlebags. “What was Hudson doing up here? He was off before I could chase him down.”
She stepped aside to let him in. “He was hurt and thought I could help. Give me a sec to grab the fried chicken.”
Ben whistled as he came in. “Evening, Neil. I see you two haven’t wasted time grabbing every living plant from Wild Mountain. I thought you had everything drying in the space I gave you, but I should have known better. My God, how many species do you have drying?”
After detouring to the kitchen around the corner, she grabbed the containers and returned. “I don’t know. Neil? About sixty, do you think?”
Neil hooked his foot on the stone hearth. “Probably close to seventy, lass. I’ll do inventory tomorrow since I know it’s not someone’s favorite.”
She made a face at him, noticing how Ben’s frame tensed. He was jealous, and she’d known it from the beginning. Now she felt she might need to assure him more that she and Neil were only friends.
“Be good to have everything cataloged,” Neil added with a wry twist of his mouth, “since you’ll be having more cowboys showing up for help. You should have seen her face when that Hudson fella up and popped open his shirt.”
What the hell! Was Neil trying to distract Ben from glowering at him?
Ben turned his head swiftly in her direction. “He did what?”
The moment had been kinda funny in retrospect. “Normally, clothes don’t come off in a client session, but he was showing me the inflammation around his ribs and the likely fracture.”
He growled. “Hannah, I’d hoped you could use the healing space I gave you. I don’t like my hands showing up at your doorstep at any hour. Especially if they’re taking their clothes off.”
Her lips twitched. “Ben McAllister, you’ve been kicked in the ribs by a horse a time or two, and you know it hurts like hell.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Clearly, you need more space to dry herbs. I’ll find you somewhere tomorrow, and we can move the ones you have in your healing place there so you can treat people. Then we’ll lay down some ground rules for your…whatever it is you call the people you treat.”
“I call them clients,” she informed him, trying not to laugh.
The look he shot her was filled with amusement at her sass. “Clients. Noted. Did he pay you?”
“He did.” She worried her lip. “I still haven’t worked on my price list yet—”
“Was it enough?” he pressed with the raising of a dark brow.
Neil answered for her. “A little under, if she’s being honest, which is sometimes tough for her where money is concerned.”
She wished she could heal everyone for free, but she needed to make a living. Neil had no such qualms. You paid for a service—it was as simple as that. And didn’t people pay doctors? How were other healing professionals all that different?
Ben walked over to her and touched her arm gently, smiling at her. “It’s because she has a tender heart. Hannah, you keep track of who you help around here. The Triple M will be paying you. I’m sorry I didn’t make that clear when I set up your space.”
She liked this new Ben—the one in charge who took care of the ranch and the people who worked it. “I’m happy to do what I can.”
“We’re happy to have you share your gift with us.
” He slapped his hat against his thigh. “Thanks for letting Cooper forage with you today. He was so tuckered out that he was asleep when I left. Will wasn’t sure he’d wake up for the special dinner and movie they’d planned, but maybe it’s for the best. This ensures he’ll be awake when I get back. ”
She could see the struggle on his face. He’d wanted to go on the picnic and be with his boy later. She felt a pinch of guilt, but he instantly shook his head, reading her like he used to.
“On another topic, and while I have you two here, I wanted to talk about why I told you to lock the doors. I’ve heard through a sheriff in Jackson Hole that Amber’s been talking about roughing you up some, Hannah. I want you to stay extra vigilant.”
She set the containers down and fitted her hands on her waist. That bitch! “She said what?”
“You heard me.” He met her eyes, and she could see the guilt there.
“I didn’t want to scare you last night, but I also can’t keep it from you.
The hands are on the lookout for her, but she can steal in a hundred ways coming from her father’s ranch next door.
Dusty’s going to install some additional safety measures, but I’m mighty glad Neil’s here with you.
He caught me throwing pebbles at your window, so I’m hoping he can catch any trouble. ”
Neil crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Aye, I grew up with sisters I looked out for. Thanks for telling us, lad.”
Yeah, even Neil had to know asking another man to help protect her was hard on Ben. “I echo that. I’m sure you didn’t want to, Ben. Besides, Amber and I have tangled before.”
He looked off before meeting her gaze. “She’s different now.
Meaner and more unbalanced with all the drug and alcohol use.
You don’t face her head-on if she comes around.
You walk away and call the sheriff or me.
Logan is trying to get a bead on her whereabouts, and Paul Kincaid is doing what he can. ”
“Really?” She frowned darkly. “He never tried to punish Amber for any of the horrible things she did to me or others growing up.”
“He regrets that now.” He shoved his hat on his head. “Come on, the evening is passing, and we have a picnic to have.”
The heavy weights of regret were clear as day, but she knew a good ride and company would change that. “Let’s go, then.”
“I talked Grams into making a huckleberry pie.” He sent her a mischievous wink. “Ah…Neil, she sent you up a slice.”
He pulled a container out of the saddlebag and held it out.
Neil’s brows went to his forehead in surprise before he took it. “That’s kind of her.”
“You’re invited to dinner tonight at the main house if you don’t have other plans,” Ben added, looking him squarely in the eye.
She kept silent as the two men did their male thing. Sizing each other up. Making sure to show strength. Coming to some kind of mutual respect.
“I’d love to,” Neil finally stated.
Ben lifted his chin. “Good. Seven?”
Hannah bit back a smile.
“Fine.” Neil tucked his pie against his chest. “You two have a good time.”
Ben led her out after giving her a sharp look when she smothered a laugh. “Something funny?” he asked as they walked down the porch steps to the barn.
“You men.” She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. “That’s for making nice with my friend.”
Hell, that was what invited the first kiss from her? Women! “You’re welcome,” Ben begrudgingly responded. “Now, shall we leave the world behind and everyone in it?”
She nodded as a shiver stole over her. He’d often said that after a long day—that being together was somehow out of normal time. Their bond cocooned them into something pure and good and special.
She couldn’t blame him for wanting to get away for a while. He had a billionaire causing trouble and his ex-wife out looking for blood.
Was she worried about any of it? Sure. She wasn’t stupid.
But she’d made herself a place here today by healing one of the Triple M’s cowboys, and that set her roots even deeper.
They walked side by side in clear sight of the remaining ranch hands, and she was aware of the urge to twine her hand in his. Later, she told herself as they reached the horses and rode out.
This feels…right.
Being on Triple M land…making a new future that uses my gifts. Giving back to Sanctuary Springs the best way she knew how.
And then there was Ben.
She didn’t plan to play it safe with him tonight. He’d stolen her heart many years ago, and she realized that she’d never truly taken it back.
Until now...