Heart of a Wrangler by Tessa Layne

Author:Tessa Layne [Layne, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780998327556
Publisher: Shady Layne Media

Chapter Seventeen

Eddie pushed back from the kitchen table. “Nice of you to drop by Ben. Hope needs a distraction right now.”

Martha nodded her agreement. Ben refrained from rolling his eyes. His parents had been dead for years, and his brothers understood his privacy was sacrosanct. So the reality of family up in his business was foreign to him. And somewhat annoying.

How was he supposed to answer her parents? That he was already distracting her senseless? If Axel and Gunnar’s responses were any indication, they wouldn’t be too pleased to know he’d spent the night upstairs.

Ben was fairly certain that Axel and Gunnar suspected there was something going on between him and Hope. Frankly, he didn’t care. It had only been a week, but this whole ‘let’s keep things quiet’ thing wasn’t working for him. He aimed to put a stop to it today.

Hope breezed in, looking stunning in her trademark braids, jeans, boots and western shirt. And was that make-up she had on? She looked… different. Keeping her eyes averted, she pulled a travel mug from above the coffee maker and poured herself a cup.

Still holding the pot, she spoke. “Anyone else?”

Martha stood. “Not for me, dearie. Laundry time.” She gave Hope a buss on the cheek, then left the kitchen.

“Nah, I’m done. Chore time.” Axel thunked the legs of his chair down and stood, eyeing Hope. “Don’t forget, you promised breakfast dishes.”

“I won’t. Put everything in the sink, I’ll clean up when I get back.”

Eddie extended his hand to Ben. “Good to see you, son. Don’t be a stranger.”

Ben took it. “No, sir. See you ’round. Axe.” He nodded toward Axel.

Gunnar placed his mug in the sink and followed Axel and Eddie out the door. “See ya, sis. Holler if you need anything.”

Quiet descended on the kitchen.

Hope sipped from her travel mug, eyeing Ben over the rim. After a moment, she spoke, a spark of amusement flashing in her eyes. “Nice of you to drop in. Clever, really.”

He’d taken a risk, deciding to not go home and instead come around back. Part of him had wanted to see how she’d react, the other part… wanted to see more of her. He’d been so busy this past week, helping Blake get the business side of things prepped for when the baby came. The only time he’d been able to get away, Hope had been busy with Buttercup, so he’d had to content himself with watching her work. Not that he minded. He loved watching her when she was completely absorbed in a task. But it wasn’t the same as talking with her. “Always best to strike while the iron is still hot.”

Hope chortled. “You did not just say that.”

Even he had to laugh. “All right. Bad joke, but why wouldn’t I pop in if I was in the neighborhood? I’d love to take you to breakfast, and I do want to hear more about your horse training theories.” He stepped toward her. “You look lovely, all cleaned up. Better than breakfast.

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