“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 abouthandlingWillie, 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 yesSir, 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?”
