“Before what?”
She pressed her lips together. The man was begging her to come out and say it. “I offered, and you said no. I’ve determined to find a different solution.”
“I thought you were a woman of your word, Miss Scott. I mean, that’s what your brother told me.”
Jeb or Charlie? “I am. I made the offer, and you declined it.”
“I was a sick man. I didn’t know what I was saying. If there’s any eternity in your gratitude, you’ll do me the courtesy of extending your offer.”
She crossed her arms. She couldn’t have this man living on her land or anywhere near.
He closed the distance between them. “You owe it to Jeb.”
“Owe what to him?”
“To give me another chance. To prove to you that the man who needed…the medicine so badly that he had to knock the spoon from your hand to stop himself from taking it…that he isn’t who I truly am.” The muscles in his throat strained, the cords rigid along either side of his neck. His gaze bore into her, asking, demanding…
How could she with any decency say no? And goodness knows she couldn’t handle the ranch on her own. But maybe it’d be better to give up on her dream and move back to town than allow him to become?—
The door creaked.
She pivoted toward the sound.
Charlie stood there, hands in his pockets, face glum. A cowlick stood up on the crown of his head.
Cora pressed a hand to her chest. “How long have you been standing there?”
A chicken clucked behind him.
Charlie shrugged. “What medicine? Why did Ben knock a spoon away from you?”
Ben flinched. “That’s a discussion for grownups.”
“You can’t listen in on other people’s conversations, Charlie.” Cora swatted at a gnat.
“Why don’t you like Ben?”
How much had the boy overheard? Cora’s tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. “It’s not that I don’t like Ben. It’s just that he has a life and responsibilities back in Pennsylvania?—”
“You can’t make him go. We need him. He said sorry.” His brow furrowed.
Her stomach knotted. “You don’t understand, Charlie.”
“If you make him leave…” He threw back his shoulders. “I’ll go to.”
What? Where had that come from? Her hands dropped to her sides.
Ben stepped beside her. “Young man, I don’t want to ever hear you talk about running off. You hear me? Your sister has her reasons for being displeased with me.”
The boy dug his toe in the dirt. “Yes, sir.”
Ben rubbed his neck. “Now, go do your chores and stay out of your sister’s way until breakfast.”
He lifted his chin. “What was wrong with the medicine?”
“Chores. Enough questions for now.” Ben waved him toward the door.
Cora sniffled. Charlie’s mutiny stung like a hornet. In less than two weeks, Ben already had as much sway with the boy as she did.
