Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Would Amber’s destruction never end?
Ben stared down at the thin dark hair on his son’s head as he ran a comforting hand up and down his back while holding him on his bed. He couldn’t hold him tight enough.
He was doing this much too often, dammit. His boy and his woman—in danger today because of Amber. His fault.
God, he wished he could be holding Hannah the same way, but his boy needed him more right now. When he’d received the emergency call, he’d galloped back as fast as Flame could ride.
That Owen would help his sister come onto the ranch knowing what she planned shouldn’t have surprised anyone, he supposed.
He had a mean streak as wide as his sister’s.
They should have suspected the Good Samaritan lumber delivery, except Paul had sent it, according to the conversation his father had with Paul when he called to tell him what had happened.
Ben still hadn’t fully dealt with his rage. Amber had threatened to kill Hannah. Logan had arrived to take statements. Thank God Reba was good on her feet, taking the video, as per policy, even though he’d seen she was shaken up when he’d arrived.
When they caught Amber—if they caught her—there wouldn’t be much to hold her with. Trespassing was a joke, seeing that she was Cooper’s mother, and threatening Hannah wasn’t going to hold much water either.
But you could be sure that after this, his lawyer would ensure Amber didn’t step ten feet from Cooper. Or Hannah, if he could convince her to file a protection order.
The whole thing sickened him. Worse, he felt guilty again.
Maybe he’d been a fool, thinking he could get past this after Grams had all but given him absolution.
His bad choices were rearing up their ugly heads and hurting the people he loved.
God, what a lesson in losing common sense for one moment and paying forever.
Add in drink, a cock, and heartbreak, and it was a recipe to ruin your life.
“P-Papa?” Cooper finally lifted his head. “Am I e-ever going to see M-Mama after this?”
He held his son’s face between his hands and looked him straight in the eye as tears rolled down his sweet, crestfallen face.
“I’m going to be totally honest with you, Cooper.
After how she acted today against Hannah and your grandpa McAllister, I don’t want you to see her.
I know that might sound harsh, but your mother needs help.
You’re going to have to trust me on this, son. Do you trust me?”
Big tears rolled down his cheeks, but he nodded morosely. “Y-yes, Papa, but I don’t like it much.”
Ben pulled him close again and rocked him like he used to when he was a colicky baby. “I don’t blame you, Cooper. I’d be pretty upset too.”
“Are G-Granddad and Hannah o-okay?”
Closing his eyes, he rubbed Cooper’s back. “They’re from tough stock. I expect they’re a little upset like you are but managing.”
Of course he didn’t know that for sure. His father had come in to whisper a short update a while back, but he’d been closeted in Cooper’s room since he’d taken his son from Hannah’s arms about an hour ago. His son had been shaking and inconsolable. He hadn’t wanted to leave him.
Hannah’s stricken eyes had called to him, but she’d known his son was his first priority.
Hell, she’d planted her feet and blocked the door so Amber couldn’t get to Cooper.
Hearing how crazed his ex-wife had been, facing off with her would have taken nerves of steel.
But his Hannah had them. God, he couldn’t wait to hold her.
Someone knocked softly on the door before cracking it open slightly.
Grams took a couple of steps into the room.
Usually, she looked like the soft, motherly ninety-year-old she was, who wore a pink sweater and wool pants even in summer because she ran cold.
But not today. She’d weathered plenty of storms on the spread, and today her back was straight, determination visible in her whole bearing.
“Cooper, I’m going to stay with you for a little while as your papa goes to talk to some people downstairs. ”
Cooper’s arms clenched around him. “I-I don’t want you to g-go, Papa.”
Moments like this killed him. Hearing his son’s tortured voice begging him to stay. “I’ll only be gone a couple of minutes, son. I promise.”
“Please, d-don’t go!” Cooper cried.
Grams set her hand on Ben’s back before reaching for his son. Releasing him ripped his guts out.
Standing beside the bed, he watched Grams wrap his little son up with all the sweetness and spine she’d used with him at that age. “He’ll be right back, honey. You stay here with Tank and Grams, okay? Would you like a cookie and some milk?”
He sniffed before curling into her. “Y-yeah…”
“I’ll bring it back with me, Cooper.” He ruffled his son’s dark hair gently. “Back in a sec.”
Striding out, he closed the door quietly and headed downstairs. No one was in the house, probably so tiny ears wouldn’t hear things they shouldn’t. He left his house and saw Hudson in the yard walking a horse.
“They’re in the main house,” he said when he saw Ben.
“Thanks for your help,” he called back. “The lasso was inspired.”
His mouth twisted. “A man shouldn’t put his hands on a woman—ever—and certainly not one calling rape. Let me know if I can help more.”
His father had filled him in, but still, hearing how out of control things had gotten devastated him. God, there was so much to deal with.
He tipped his hat to Hudson in acknowledgment and headed to the main house. When he walked into the living room, he watched everyone’s head turn toward him. Logan had his notepad open and looked his usual official self, but the rest were pale and…off.
His belly twisted. God, when was it ever going to stop?
His father stood with an equally grim Will beside the fireplace, who had his injured leg planted on the hearth. Gramps sat in his Barcalounger looking downright sullen. Hannah sat next to Neil on the couch, looking pale. Reba hovered in the doorway, her mouth a tight line.
She was the one he spoke to first. “Reba, can you grab a plate of sweets and a glass of milk for Cooper?”
After a hasty nod, she was gone. He turned to the group. “I promised him I would be back quick. Catch me up.”
Walking over to where Hannah sat, he lowered himself to the sofa’s arm and put a comforting hand on her. When she leaned closer, he felt his heart wrench. God! Today could have gone a lot worse.
“You just missed Paul Kincaid,” Logan began after a nod from Ben’s father.
“He’s promised to call me when Owen shows up so I can question him.
As for Amber, we doubt she’ll head back to the Flying K with her brother.
I have a warrant out on her for violating her custody agreement.
It’s flimsy, but I figured it would be the best way to bring her in. ”
“Because you don’t have much to use here,” Ben concluded darkly. “Dad, did you call Lloyd and catch him up on the situation?”
“You bet I did. He’s awaiting your instructions on next steps.”
Ben rubbed Hannah’s tense back, bearing down on his own emotions. He had to get through this. “Tell him I want him to draw up whatever protective order is needed against Amber. I do not want her stepping anywhere near my son after this. Hannah, do you want to do the same?”
She looked up at him, shock raining over her drawn features. “Me?”
Ben’s mouth twisted. “From what I heard, she threatened to kill you. I want to use every law I can to keep her from getting close to either you or Cooper.”
“Would it help keep Cooper safe if I file?” she asked in a strained voice.
“Absolutely,” Logan offered immediately.
“Then it’s a no-brainer.” She expelled a harsh breath. “I don’t want her to ever come near Cooper like she was today. She’s crazy, Ben. Worse than she was when we were growing up.”
He nodded, wishing she’d never seen the full extent of Amber’s dangerous decline. “She won’t get near you or Cooper. What else?”
“Beyond Paul’s endless regret and apologies for his two children?” Will asked dryly. “Not much. I’m sorry I didn’t think about Owen coming over like he did.”
“No one is at fault here,” his father ground out, scanning the entire room. “Ben, that includes you.”
“You bet it does,” Gramps finally spoke. “Hear me?”
Gramps, I wish it were that easy. Except he sent him a nod out of respect.
“In fact, we have some people we especially need to thank today,” Dad added.
That reminder was pointed at him. Ben extended his hand to Neil. “I heard you took care of my boy. You have my eternal thanks. Anything I can ever do, you tell me.”
Why Neil had taken Cooper into the house and not Hannah was something he still didn’t understand, but he’d find out.
Neil lifted his hands casually, although there was nothing casual about the hard set of his mouth. “Nay bother, lad. The wee laddie was safe.”
“I thanked Hudson when I saw him outside, Dad.” Ben touched Hannah’s cheek.
“Last but not least, I want to thank the spitfire who stood her ground against Amber. Hannah, I wish you’d been spared that.
” He hated that his voice went hoarse on him, but it couldn’t be helped. She could have gotten hurt.
Her answering nod was a touch shaky. “Maybe she always had that kind of violence in her. Do you remember when she tried to run me down in the meadow with her horse when I was picking wildflowers?”
He shuddered at the memory. But he also recalled her excuse. She’d said her horse had gotten away from her. What a lying bitch. And he’d turned to her. How could I have done that?
“We’ll add that incident to the protection order application,” Logan added, his eyes flat. “I don’t like the idea of Amber having been fixated on harming you for so long. With her drug and alcohol use, she’s a greater threat now. I’d rather we prevent anyone from getting hurt.”
“So would I,” Hannah agreed with a dry laugh. “I’ve known her since we were kids, but the way her eyes looked today…I’ve seen crazed horses like that.”
Ben felt her shudder. “Can you give me a minute?” he asked her quietly.
When she stood, he excused them and led her to the main office down the hall. The moment he closed the door, he pulled her into his arms. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”
She gripped him tightly, pressing her face into his chest. “Don’t you dare apologize, Ben McAllister. And don’t you dare start to blame yourself again after you’ve come so far lately.”
He clenched his eyes shut. “But she threatened to kill you. Hannah, that scares me plum cold.”
“Me too. Ben, look at me. I’m tough when I have to be, but I’m glad Paul is finally going to do something about them. He should have done it a long time ago.”
Ben wasn’t so sure what Paul could do or would do.
Would he really kick Owen off the ranch?
Ben had seen Owen whip a horse senseless, and he’d beaten a man unconscious for cutting in on him at a local barn dance with a girl.
Paul had only reprimanded him, which Owen had joked about widely. Ben supposed he’d have to see.
“I need to get back to Cooper.” He kissed her softly once on the mouth and then again with more urgency. “He didn’t want me to leave. I wish I could be in two places at once. Because God, Hannah, I need you right now.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I need you too, Ben, but Cooper comes first. Always.”
He kissed her again, quickly, tightening his hands on her waist. “Thank you for understanding and for protecting my son. Now, I need to go. As soon as I feel like he’s better, I’ll have you come over.
Even if we can’t be alone, I’d like to be with you.
I’m sorry I wasn’t there today—to protect you both. ”
She cupped his jaw, her green eyes narrowing. “Stop that. I mean it. Ben, I’m glad I was here.”
“Here” made him think about her being back, which led to another thought. “Word’s going to travel fast in town. If you don’t want to, I can have Reba call your parents. With your mother not being well, I think you’ll want to warn your dad in case she goes shopping or something.”
Her mouth tightened before she nodded. “I’ll call him. Now go to Cooper and use his Hurt Buster to help calm him.”
He leaned down and took her mouth again after thanking her, wishing he could stop time and hold her against him forever.
Pulling away, he caressed her cheek before opening the door and walking back to the living room.
Reba handed him Cooper’s lunch bag when he arrived.
He looked around the room, his throat tight, knowing he’d caused more grief to the people he cared about.
Cursing under his breath, he could only incline his head and leave the room as quickly as he’d come, promising himself he would use everything in his power to ensure it never happened again.
He only wished he could be sure he could stop it.