Hannah snorted at that comment but gave him her most innocent expression. “I always behave, Jack. Thanks for tonight, Grace. We should make girl’s night out a tradition.”
“Sure.” Grace laughed, ignoring Jackson’s explicit words at his sister’s idea.
“I came with Amy. I can’t just abandon her,” Hannah protested to Ben as she watched Jackson and Grace leaving the bar, holding hands and looking happy. “Besides, I might not be ready to be sent home like a good little girl. I was having fun.”
Ben stood in the middle of the dance floor, tempted to lean in and kiss her grumpy face but he had already learned that with Hannah he sometimes had to stand firm or she’d walk all over him. “Well, I can throw you over my shoulder right here in front of everyone. No one will stop me or we can walk out like adults. Which is it? Because I don’t mind doing either one.”
Hannah knew when Ben was being serious and this was one of those times. She could imagine the gossip spread all over town if he carried her out of the bar like a sack of potatoes. “Fine,” she muttered.
Ben led her by the hand back to her table. As the hour grew later the bar filled up with more people looking for a good time and it was getting crowded. Amy and Jack were sitting at the table when Hannah and Ben got back from the dance floor. Amy looked up at Hannah and smiled at the way Ben hovered over her as if she would run away at any moment.
“If you want to leave with Ben, you can. Jack will give me a ride home,” Amy told the standing couple.
Hannah looked at Jack and Amy then nodded. Jack was a good guy and Amy had been flirting with him for weeks now. “Thanks for the night out, Amy. Grace agreed that we should do this again.”
“That’s what friends are for.” Amy laughed when Ben muttered “hell no” under his breath.
Ben introduced himself to Amy’s friend. “I’m Sheriff Parker. Will you make sure Amy gets home safely?”
Jack nodded solemnly, shaking Ben’s hand. “Of course. We were heading out soon anyway. I have to work tomorrow. It was nice meeting you, Hannah.”
Outside the night air had a little breeze to it. Summer was over and fall would bring slightly cooler temperatures, not much, but a little relief would be nice. Hannah was grateful for that. The night sky was filled with glittering stars and living in a small town that wasn’t filled with skyscrapers gave you the opportunity to see them so clearly. Hannah took a moment to enjoy the view then followed Ben over to his Jeep.
“So who tattled?” she asked with curiosity while they walked. She didn’t feel like getting into a serious conversation about their argument with him right now. “Was it Fred Johnson or Louise Myers?”
“I’m not allowed to reveal my sources, honey,” Ben answered with a serious face, but she could tell he wanted to smile at her surliness.
Ben led Hannah to his Jeep by the hand and opened the door for her, making sure she got in and buckled herself before closing the door.
As he drove Hannah out to the ranch he said quietly, “I wish my shift was over so I could take you home with me. I miss you, Hannah. Will you go out on a date with me? We can have dinner in Austin and talk things out.”
“Okay, Ben. I’d like that.” Hannah knew whether they stayed together or not, she would have to tell him about the baby. “Call me with the date and time.”
He parked his Jeep in front of her house and turned off the ignition. He pulled Hannah over to his side of the vehicle. He caressed her cheeks softly, looking into her eyes with desire and affection. He leaned into her and opened her mouth for his kiss. Hannah moaned, feeling the heat blazing through her stomach as soon as Ben’s tongue invaded her mouth. Ben’s hand was anchored behind her head to keep her still and she gave into the kiss, closing her eyes and just enjoying the moment and forgetting about all their problems.
He leaned his head on her forehead when the kiss was over, breathing hard. “Only you affect me like that, Hannah. You were made for me.”
“Night, honey. Sweet dreams,” he whispered and watched her until she got into the house safely. One day it would be their home she was entering for the night, he vowed to himself.
* * * *
“Hannah? You have a delivery,” Amy yelled into the back room where Hannah was checking on the puppies that had been born a few days ago. Amy was up front doing paperwork.
“I’m not expecting any supplies,” Hannah said in confusion, going to the front room. She stopped in mid step when she saw a dozen deep pink roses in a glass vase sitting on the counter. “Who would send me flowers?”
Amy smiled excitedly, bending down to smell the roses. “I bet that handsome sheriff did. He looked mighty jealous last night.”
Hannah picked up the card with shaky fingers and opened it. She read it out loud. “Counting the hours until I see you again, Love Ben.”
Amy clapped enthusiastically when Hannah put the card next to her heart and smiled. “All right, girlfriend!”
Hannah felt tears coming to her eyes and tried to blink them back. Damn hormones had her crying for everything.
“Call him,” Amy suggested. “I’ll go help Richard in the back,” she said, going back into the back room where Richard was feeding the animals.
Hannah picked up the phone and dialed Ben’s cell number, feeling emotional and weepy.
“Hello?” he answered in his deep, sexy voice that had invaded her many dreams over the years.