Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The times spent with Hannah as dawn’s majestic pink rays graced the sky were the sweetest of his life.
Like days of old, they’d ride out together after he snuck out of the house so he wouldn’t wake Cooper and start their race across the meadow.
His heart thundered along with the earth under him.
Her joyful face would look over time and again to urge him on.
With her hair trailing behind her, Flame running for all she was worth, he swore he’d never seen a more beautiful sight.
Until she lay under him, her hair fanning out, body straining to meet his as they made up for lost time and made new memories. Even though he was always rushing back to have breakfast with Cooper.
Holding her in his arms after as they lay replete was the only part of his day where his mind wasn’t running on where Amber was and what Taft would pull next.
He craved the peace and savored the feel of her body next to his, even as he longed for her at night. Somehow, his bed hadn’t stopped feeling less cold, knowing she was in hers only a stone’s throw away.
The subject of Neil didn’t come up again, and Ben rode his presence out. Sure, he was cordial. Certainly, he appreciated the man's help with the construction when he and Hannah weren’t occupied with their work.
Now that she was his completely again, he couldn’t help but feel more protective of her.
That was what he told himself, but when it came down to it, he was being possessive, and that didn’t sit too well with him.
Or her, for that matter, from the anxious looks she gave him when she caught his scowl.
So he bided his time.
Until Will came looking for him, with one of those I’ve got an idea you won’t like looks on his face. Ben continued unsaddling Orion. “Spit it out, brother. We both know neither one of us is looking forward to whatever you’re about to say.”
Leaning against the side of the barn, Will gave his most charming, dimpled smile. “What if I told you I’d just stumbled into a way to bring even more immediate credibility to the rehab center and attract big-name clients?”
“I’d say that sounds like a great situation to find yourself in. Why don’t you think I’ll like it?”
After storing all the tack and equipment, Ben led Orion over to the cooldown area and started hosing him off. Will jumped back when Ben turned the hose in his direction, ducking out of sight so he wouldn’t get sprayed.
“I probably should have found you when you weren’t armed,” his brother joked with a laugh. “Fine. Here goes. Neil could bring some pretty high-profile athletes to the center right away, from soccer and rugby to a few other sports played in Europe.”
Ben felt his jaw lock. He’d feared this might happen. “Be a long way to come for rehab, wouldn’t it?”
“Neil’s got established relationships with them. He thinks they’ll come, as Montana is a dream place to rehab. Plus, he thinks rehabbing and doing some mild training at this elevation will be a draw. Increases conditioning, you know. Olympic athletes do it all the time.”
He reminded himself that he’d promised to be behind his brother all the way, and now there was Hannah to consider.
She’d want this too, he expected, which put him in a bind.
He’d promised to support her professionally.
God knows he wanted her to be happy. He was going to have to cowboy up.
“The rehab center is your domain, Will. You call the shots.”
“Neil’s also willing to invest,” Will told him. “He said it would be nice to be closer to his family in the States this way.”
Waiting until the steam stopped coming off Orion, he continued to wet the horse down.
The day was a hot one, and honestly, he could use some cooling down himself.
He took off his cowboy hat and leaned over, running the hose down his neck.
“Putting down money with the right people is always a good business move. You like him. That’s important. ”
“So does Hannah, as you well know.” Will crept closer. “Don’t spray me for saying it.”
Ben turned the hose off and started leading Orion back to his stall. “You’re safe now, but you should look under your bed for the next week, you numbskull.”
That made Will hoot.
“Look, I promised to be behind you.” He let out a harsh sigh. “Will I grit my teeth a little with Neil around all the time? Sure. It’s not personal. In fact, he’s been as helpful as they come.”
“Maybe a little too helpful for you, though,” Will commented, searching his face.
He closed the gate and leaned back against it, rubbing his jaw. “I don’t like being jealous or possessive, but I feel it, nonetheless. She’s mine. Having her be close with another man—one who loved her and one she wanted to love—is a stretch for me. I won’t lie.”
“But they’re only friends now,” Will assured him, to which he easily nodded.
“I know that.” He gripped his brother’s shoulder. “If he stays, he’s going to have to find another place to live. I want to be alone with Hannah in your house until we get married. Right now, I’m feeling out the best time to ask about that.”
He’d ask her today except they’d just gotten back together. He knew they deserved more time. Hell, she probably appreciated it.
“I’ll find him a place, don’t worry.” Will tried and failed to stop the grin from spreading across his face. “In fact, I’ll go up and tell him the good news now. The sooner, the better, right?”
Ben clapped him on the back. “Right. Now, I need to go about my day. Are you good?”
“Are you?” Will countered, resting his hands on his belt buckle. “You’re well known for gritting your teeth and then blowing your top later.”
God, how he wanted to deny it, but facts were facts. “I need to turn over a new leaf, to keep you and Hannah happy. That’s a powerful incentive. Now then, can I get along?”
Will gave him a boyish shove as he rushed out, calling over his shoulder, “Sure thing, brother. I’m done with you.”
Ben was laughing as he left the barn, but he stopped short, seeing Logan pulling up in his official vehicle in front of his house. Logan was waiting for him when he reached him, arms crossed and all business. “Wish I could say I’m happy to see you, Logan.”
“Amber just made her statement down at the sheriff’s office with me,” he informed Ben without any preliminaries. “You won’t believe who brought her in.”
Hearing she’d voluntarily come in was enough of a shock, but he didn’t have scope for his friend’s mysterious question. “I’m not good at guessing games.”
“James Taft.”
“Taft?” Ben rocked back on his boots and cursed softly. “What the hell does he have to do with Amber?”
Logan’s mouth flattened. “He talked more than Amber, if you must know. Since he wasn’t the one giving an official statement, I’m free to share the highlights.
Taft said he was a concerned citizen and used his influence to find your ex-wife.
For the good of the community. He thought everyone would feel safer knowing she wasn’t hiding out waiting to hurt anyone. ”
“What a bunch of bull—”
“Yes, but that’s not the worst of it.”
He thought about kicking in Logan’s tires but checked himself. “Might as well lay it on me. It’s been a day for bad news.”
“I won’t ask,” Logan commented, lifting his uniformed shoulder.
“Amber assured me she didn’t mean any harm.
She was acting as a concerned mother, looking out for her child.
One she misses deeply. She did a pretty impressive dog and pony show, talking about how she’s been trying to be a better person to her son, whom she loves so much. ”
“Better person, my ass. Did you question her about being drunk and high when she came onto the ranch and threatened to kill Hannah?”
“I did. She denies it, of course. Ready for the rest?”
Ben pressed his fingers to his brow, which was starting to pound. “Sure, I haven’t had my fill of shit today apparently.”
“Right. Well, Amber asserts that hearing another woman was taking care of Cooper—one who was living with another man not from around here—concerned her mightily. That it was Hannah Montgomery, who has always wished her ill since childhood, made the situation feel even graver. Amber talked her brother into helping her come to the Triple M out of concern for Cooper. She deeply regrets the misunderstanding. You can imagine the rest.”
Scanning the yard to make sure Cooper wasn’t around, he gave in to the urge and kicked one of Logan’s tires. His friend didn’t say a word.
“Taft must have coached her, Logan. Amber would never have come up with that crap on her own.”
“I know it, and you know it, but you and I have discussed how there’s not much to go on legally here. Coming in voluntarily with Taft is going to make it harder for me to do much more than slap her wrist. She didn’t physically hit anyone. Legally, it might have been better if she had.”
Ben glared daggers at him.
Logan lifted his hands in surrender. “I’m on your side. The trespassing is going to be tough to stick. Your family lawyer will know how to handle her appearing without having a scheduled visitation.”
“What about the protection order concerning Hannah?” Ben asked.
Logan’s eyes narrowed in disgust. “I’d say it’s uphill as well, seeing as Amber mentioned there are plenty of witnesses in town who can attest to her and Hannah’s feud since childhood.
A good lawyer will point out that all your witnesses here at the ranch saying she threatened to kill Hannah either misunderstood or are loyal to your brand.
I’d go ahead with it since it shows a pattern.
But after hearing the statement Amber gave, I’m not sure it will stick. Taft has her in hand.”
Ben’s gut trembled. “That scares the ever-loving hell out of me.”
“It should.” Logan grimaced when Ben shot him a look. “Ben, they left pretty cozy-like. Taft made sure to mention Amber was staying with him for a while in case I had more questions.”
“You’re kidding!”
“Wish I was,” Logan responded darkly. “Taft also managed to mention he’d heard that Hannah hadn’t decided to leave for Scotland after he’d handled her immigration issues. He assured me he’d do his part to keep the peace between the two women for the good of Sanctuary Springs.”
He pressed his hands to the hood of Logan’s vehicle, fighting the rage rising inside him.
He’d been waiting to see what move Taft would make after Hannah hadn’t done his bidding and taken off.
But Amber! He could only hope the man had as much trouble with her as Ben did.
After all, a leopard doesn’t change its spots, and Amber was vicious to her core.
Taft better sleep with one eye open.
Logan drew closer as Ben pushed off his hood. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Taft’s paid Amber or made her promises. Bottom line. You aren’t out of hot water yet.”
No, they might be in even hotter water now. Taft continued to turn up the temperature. “I’ll have to tell Paul.”
Logan gave an empty laugh. “Taft already told him. He paid a call on Paul right before he and Amber appeared in my office.”
Ben sank back against the vehicle and frowned. “Do you think Taft’s trying to leverage Paul into selling some land to him by helping Amber?”
Squinting as a strong wind blew dust in his eyes, Logan drew out his sunglasses. “I don’t rightly know, but Taft’s got more angles than an octopus has tentacles. Also, the lumber shipment going missing hasn’t proved any new leads. I don’t have any more threads to pull.”
And their lawyer didn’t think they had a leg to stand on legally without additional proof, meaning they’d have to eat the cost.
God, he had a headache now. “I figured as much, but dammit. I feel like we’re bent over a barrel right, and I don’t like it none.”
“Maybe you’ve got a windfall coming.” Logan clapped him on the arm. “This kind of bad luck always turns around.”
Ben spotted Hannah in the window of Will’s house and felt his heart lift. She was his windfall. His luck had returned where she was concerned.
Now all he had to do was make sure it stayed that way.
Despite what Taft was cooking up with his ex-wife.