Ben shifted and withdrew his hand to his lap, blowing out a sharp exhale. “Can I do something for you, Mr. Franklin?”
“Just wondering if the miss might have any coffee left.” Franklin drew up to the bottom step and hooked a thumb around his suspender. “I’m hankerin’ for a cup before I turn in for the night.”
She could almost hear Ben’s teeth grinding. “There should be at least half a cup in the pot in the kitchen.” She fought the temptation to roll her eyes.
“You’re welcome to it.” Ben straightened and wrapped his hand around hers as if he were afraid she might volunteer to play hostess. “Only, be careful not to bang around in the kitchen. Charlie’s a light sleeper.”
“Obliged, Mr. Mckenzie. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat and ambled up the steps and through the open door into the hall.
“He wants to remind us he’s here,” she whispered.
“I don’t need any reminders.” Ben caressed her hair, then handed her the comb which had fallen to her lap in the midst of their kissing.
She lowered her gaze to her skirt and strummed her fingertips across the folds. “You know, there is a way to remove the need for a chaperone.” As soon as the words left her tongue, she winced. Had she really just said that?
Ben cocked his eyebrows.
Her face heated. “Please ignore that remark.” Someone should paste her mouth shut. It wasn’t her place to hint at marriage. She’d definitely been on the frontier too long.
“I’d greatly relish the lack of need for a chaperone, Miss Scott.” He captured her wayward fingers and drew her hand to his lips. “I can think of nothing I’d like better than to settle matters between me and my girl.” He brushed his lips to her knuckles.
But the way the words trailed off… His tender touch couldn’t hide the slight trace of…what? Doubt?
He raised his gaze to hers. “However, there is the obstacle about which I spoke.”
So it was more than finances and the loss of the cattle? She braced herself. “What is it?”
“My father.”
Not what she’d expected. “You think he’ll disapprove of me?” Why wouldn’t he, when the previous fiancée had been a polished, high-society lady?
“No. That’s not it.” He took both of her hands now and held them in the juncture between his lap and hers. “And I’m not asking his opinion on that. But…”
“But?”
Air leaked from his lungs. “I promised him, years ago, that I’d take over his share of the newspaper. The editorship was just the first step to eventually owning a controlling share. To carrying on his work.”
Her swallow worked its way down her throat like quicksand. Of course, a father would want his son to carry on his work, his legacy that he’d poured himself into. Her stomach flopped. “Don’t you have any brothers?” She bit her lip. Couldn’t she hush? What did it matter if he had brothers? He likely wanted to manage the paper. Had she ever asked him if he wanted to bea rancher? Did she think she was the only one with dreams and commitments?
He half chuckled, but the laugh ran dry. “I have a younger brother who has defied our father since his youth. He joined the Navy during the war. Afterwards, he signed on with a British shipping company as first mate. Sails the world. He has no head for words and has never shown interest in the paper. For all practical purposes, my father has disowned him.” He shifted and sighed. “My father laid all of his future aspirations on me.”
“Heavy load.” She rolled her lips inward.
Ben shifted his gaze to the horizon. “Leaves a man with only a narrow trough in which to find his way.”
She squeezed his hands and steeled herself. “What will you do?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have any answers. I can’t leave you, yet I can’t commit to making a life here long term.”
“Are you asking me…” Surely, he wouldn’t ask her to leave Texas. “You wouldn’t… I couldn’t… This is my home…”
“I would never ask you to give up the ranch.”
“What, then?”
“Pray about it.” He squeezed her hands. “I’m sure I have until winter. I could probably put my father off a year, even.”
A year, but not forever. “You knew this weeks ago when you declared your desire to court me.” She drew her hands close to her body and shifted toward the yard. “You should have told me.”Before my heart threw away its shield and opened its dungeon doors to welcome your love.
