Chapter Fifteen
On the way to the ranch, they turned at the For Sale sign. Sarah saw Ben inspecting it again. Why in the world was he so interested? He didn’t live here.
Farther down the road, they found the ranch gate locked up tight. With the skies clearing, spears of sunlight broke through the fog and made their way to earth. The day brightened. As the gate opened, Sarah saw her neighbor, Travis Butler, on the other side of the fence.
He was horseback, on his favorite mount, a chestnut gelding. Something about the way he sat his mount suggested he’d been waiting for her. She rolled her window down to greet him, but Ben kept the truck rolling.
“Ben,” she protested, craning behind her at the rapidly disappearing man. Travis watched them drive past, his face unsmiling. “That’s my neighbor. Why’d you go right by him? I don’t like being rude.”
“Butler and I’ve met,” he said mildly. “We had a ... conversation. But right now, we’ve got other things more pressing than standing around talking to the neighbor.”
“Like what?”
“Like finding Willie and getting an explanation about the open gate. After that, I’ve a gift for you.”
Despite herself, she gave him a quick look. “A gift?”
“Yep. Bought it in town this morning when you were at the diner. It’s something useful. I’ll give it to you later.”
“Okay.” She couldn’t imagine what it might be, and also couldn’t deny a certain feminine curiosity.
“About Butler,” he asked in clipped tones, “are you dating him?”
“Dating? No. Well ... we’ve had a few meals out. I’ve known him all my life. He grew up next door, and after his parents passed, he’s kept the ranch going.”
“A few meals, huh?” he said, sounding displeased. “He warned me off you. Said I wasn’t needed. Said he’s watching over you.”
Sarah blinked in surprise.
“What’s with all the men in your orbit?” Ben’s brows lowered.
“What do you mean?”
“Every male over the age of eighteen seems to be totally enamored. They fall all over you.”
She let out a barked laugh. “Oh, that’s ridiculous. Of course they don’t.”
“I’m not wrong.” At the house, he coasted to a stop and set the car in park. “Sinclair, Willie, Butler.”
Sarah drew in a deep breath. “And you?”
He returned her gaze unapologetically. “And me.”
For a long moment, Sarah didn’t know if she wanted to remind him of her edict last night to keep away, or to throw herself into his arms.
She did nothing.
Reaching for her hand, he took it and chafed it between his. “It’s okay, Sarah. Don’t be nervous. I’m respecting your wishes. No more kissing.”
She looked into his eyes. She’d asked for that. And she guessed that’s what she wanted.
Then he smiled and leaned forward to touch his index finger to her nose. “For now.”
They found Willie at the barn, deep in construction of the chicken coop. Two-by-fours lay in cut piles and a roll of chicken wire leaned up against the wall. Nearby the chicks peeped in their box.
As they approached, Ben said to Sarah, “You let me handle Willie, okay?”
She wasn’t sure what he meant about handling Willie, but she’d stay quiet.
“Willie. Put down your tools and come here.” Ben crossed his brawny arms and drew himself to his fullest height.
Surprised, the youth set aside his hammer and walked over to Ben and Sarah. He nodded to Sarah and stopped before Ben. “Yeah?”
“You know why I’m here at the ranch, right?” Ben made his voice ring with authority.
“Yeah. To stop some guy from bothering Sarah.”
“That’s yes Sir, Willie.”
Willie’s Adams apple bobbed. He shot a questioning glance at Sarah. When she remained silent, he said, “Yes, Sir.”
“And you’re correct. It’s my job to protect Sarah. That’s why I installed those cameras. That’s why I’m always armed. That’s why the front gate must remain closed.”
“Yeah.”
Ben narrowed his eyes.
“Yes, Sir,” he hurried out.
“Where were you this morning?” Ben’s tone held a note of accusation, and Sarah realized that he was putting Willie through a process.
“Still cleaning out that watering hole for Big Jim in the lower pasture.” Willie indicated his mud-spattered jeans.
“Did you leave the ranch and come back?”
“I ran out and got a breakfast sandwich, then went to finish the hole.”
“Somebody left the gate open.” Ben let the hammer down and his glare turned into a glower. “That’s a breach in operational security. A bunch of scum-sucking journalists and paparazzi got in. Made themselves at home around the place.”
Willie looked horrified. “I didn’t see anybody. Guess I was too far away.”
“It looks like you left the gate open.”
Willie’s hesitation in answering was telling. He screwed up one eye and looked skyward. “I think I closed it.”
“You think you did?” Ben set his hands on his hips. “What if the really bad guy had gotten in, Willie?” He pinned the other with a hard gaze. “We still don’t even know if he could be inside the fence, hiding somewhere on the property.”
Willie’s eyes grew big.
“This security breach is unacceptable.” Ben continued to stare at the younger man with all the authority of a military commander displeased with his underling.
“I’m sorry, Sir,” Willie got out, digging his toe into the dirt. He looked at Sarah. “I’m sorry, Miss Sarah. Won’t happen again. I swear it.”
Ben didn’t shout, but there was no mistaking his authority. “We can’t have strangers wandering the property. That gate will be closed each and every time any of us goes in or out. Understood?”
“I do.” He kept digging at the dirt. “Sir.”
“Today we’re forming a new team. It’s called Team Sarah. We’re going to make certain that she remains safe and sound. I don’t have a lieutenant for the team. I need a capable man to be my eyes and ears where I can’t be, and report to me.”
Willie looked up hopefully. “I—I could do it.”
“It’s an important role for Team Sarah. We can’t afford mistakes. Not one.” He studied the youth as though carefully calculating the odds of success. “A single error could put Sarah in danger. Are you sure you’re up to this?”
Willie cast adoring eyes at Sarah. “Yes,” he said. “Sir.”
Sarah smiled at the youth. “Thank you, Willie.”
She watched as Ben finally relented and clapped the young man on the shoulder.
She’d seen how tough he could be, and she’d watched while he dressed down the immature Willie.
He’d then secured a promise from him to act more responsibly, and finally drafted him to help.
And Ben had done it all without shouting, without threats of punishment, or other unsavory methods. She was impressed.
Now he had a devoted partner for what he’d called Team Sarah.
No wonder he’d been a successful military commander. It could be no surprise that he led men in a growing security company. Curious about his business, she figured that soon she’d ask him about it. Her estimation of him rose and she found herself smiling softly at his profile.
At that moment, he glanced at her and caught her expression.
Ben stilled, held her gaze.
Quickly, she realized she was gazing at him moon-eyed, and she busied herself with rummaging in her shoulder bag. She shouldn’t be giving him the wrong idea. After all, it had been her decision to halt any romantic notions between them.
He continued to study her, masculine speculation in his expression.
“Can I have my gift now?” Sarah asked to distract him.
He smiled. “It’s in my truck. I’ll get it.”
Together they left Willie to his work and walked back to the yard. She waited while he took a package out from behind the front seat.
Opening the bag, he withdrew a leather sheath and a knife. The knife was similar to his Ka-Bar, only smaller.
“This is for you,” he said, approaching.
Her mouth fell open. “I’m going to carry a knife?”
“Why not? You’ve begun to learn how to defend yourself with one.
Everyone who works for me carries a weapon, a secondary weapon, and a knife.
Just imagine you’re my employee, tasked to protect a client.
” His hands going to her belt buckle, he held her eyes while he unbuckled the leather and slowly drew it from her jean’s belt loops.
“We’ll just take your belt off and see where the sheath will fit best.” She felt the slow slither of the leather sliding over the denim, and suddenly it seemed as though he were disrobing her.
Her arms dangling at her sides, she was helpless to stop him. “You don’t need to take it off to attach the sheath,” she got out.
“I know. Guess I just want to pretend that I’m taking your clothes off.”
She flushed, still unable to move.
In a leisurely manner, Ben eased the strap of leather through each loop. His touch on her hips was electric.
She felt her nipples harden, felt a warm pooling in her sex, and a thrumming excitement sing through her veins.
Her mouth went dry.