Page 19 of The Rancher's Bride
“Tessa!” Ben growled.
Bethany’s amusement threatened to overcome her as she struggled to suppress a laugh, her heart rate increasing. She quickly took the small jar from Tessa, her fingers brushing against the young girl’s in her haste. “Yes, honey would be nice,” she replied easily, schooling her features to hide the sudden flush in her cheeks.
Tessa seemed happily oblivious to Ben’s discomfort as she returned the sack to its rightful spot. “Who wouldn’t want tomarry Ben?” she continued innocently, causing Bethany’s heart to flutter in her chest.
“That’s enough, Tessa.” Ben’s voice was full of warning, but Tessa just shrugged.
“Why? It’s true. Isn’t it, Bethany?”
Bethany choked on her sip of tea, the warm liquid catching in her throat. She turned away, pressing a hand to her chest as she attempted to regain her composure. She could feel Ben’s eyes on her, and a burst of embarrassing heat flooded her cheeks.
“Well...” she began hesitantly, clearing her throat. “I can’t rightfully say. It isn’t for me to decide.”
Tessa pouted a little, her determined matchmaking attempt thwarted for now. “Well, I think you’d make a good match for Ben.”
“Like dandelions and hardtack,” chimed in Ben dryly.
Bethany laughed outright at that, the sound echoing warmly in the small cabin. “Dandelions and hardtack, huh? Do you think of me as a bitter green or an inedible biscuit, Mr. Kendrick?”
“Neither.” Benjamin folded his arms, leaning back in his chair. His eyes softened. “I was merely teasing Tessa. Her matchmaking tendencies get out of hand sometimes.”
Tessa huffed, though there was a hint of laughter in her eyes. “Well, someone must look after you. You can’t live alone forever.”
Benjamin’s laughter echoed through the room, filling the air with a warmth Bethany couldn’t help but bask in. She smiled, even as she sipped from her cup. As she took a sip, the taste of mint exploded on her tongue, sharp and refreshing, blending perfectly with the bitterness of the willow bark and the sweetness of the honey.
“I think there are better comparisons than dandelionsand hardtack. I don’t think you should undermine Marmee’s matchmaking efforts. As my mother would say, Marmee is not someone you would want to trifle with.”
“I have no intention of trifling with Marmee. As for the comparison, I accept that challenge,” Ben said as he stood from the table and walked over to the stove. He poured himself a cup of coffee before returning to his seat. “There are always beans and cornbread, but don’t discount dandelions and hardtack, Beth. Dandelions are sweet if you add enough sugar. And hardtack, well...it’s hardy. It can withstand a storm.”
Bethany gave a soft chuckle. Her gaze dropped to the table as she tried to hide the blush spreading on her cheeks. Benjamin’s words flowed effortlessly, as he spoke about her sweetness and strength.
Each word that tumbled from his lips sparked something within her, igniting a warmth which spread from the pit of her stomach to the tips of her fingers. It was a fire that burned deep, beyond just the surface level.
The sound of his voice, low and soothing, seemed to wrap itself around her like a warm blanket on a chilly night. She closed her eyes, savoring every syllable that escaped his lips, letting the warmth wash over her and fill her with a sense of contentment she had never known before.
Tessa giggled, bringing Bethany back to the present. “Now that sounds perfect! Don’t you think so, Bethany?”
Bethany chewed lightly on her lower lip, considering. She met Benjamin’s gaze with an intensity that surprised them both. For a moment, she lost herself in the captivating depth of his gaze, her heart thumping against her ribcage. Then she broke the stare, flashing a coy smile towards Tessa.
“I admit I must have missed everything Ben said,” she said,caught between reality and the fantasy weaving in her thoughts. “I’m sure it sounded perfect.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Does it now?” Ben watched her carefully, a hint of surprise and something else in his eyes.
Could she dare to believe it was a glimmer of hope?
She nodded, averting her eyes to the cup in her hands. “It does,” she repeated, softer this time.
The table fell quiet, filled only with the soft clinking of cups against wood and the distant rumble of thunder outside. Bethany felt a flush spread across her cheeks as an unspoken understanding passed between them.
“Well, I suppose there are worse things to be compared to,” she said, trying to break the silence.
“Indeed, there are,” Ben agreed, sharing a small smile with her.
Tessa looked between them, a satisfied look on her face as she took a sip of her tea. “Marmee will be pleased,” she murmured.
The next morning, Ben filled the tub for Bethany once more, and disappeared into the barn. He had nothing planned, but there wasn’t anywhere in the house for him to go while Bethany bathed. He didn’t want to think about her skin soaked and warmed by the fire. Those were thoughts of another man, not someone like him.
He sat on a small stool, listening to the steady patter of rain on the barn roof, and closed his eyes. For a moment, he forgot all about chores, medicine runs to town, and rescuing apretty woman from the angry waters. He knew Tessa was only teasing about Marmee finding him a bride. After their recent conversation at the mercantile, he couldn’t help but wonder if she had planted a thought in his sister’s head.
