Page 30 of The Rancher's Bride
The ladder wobbled under Ben’s hands. “His horse caught its legs between some rocks and took Tommy down with him. The girl with the raccoon on her head found him and carried him to the Chapmans, since that was the closest house.”
Devin skipped the last two rungs, jumping to the ground with a thud. He waved Ben away and held the ladder so Joe could make his way down. “How did you find out that is where the boy was?” Devin asked softly.
“Beth and I ran into that same gal down by the beaver pond.”
“Beth, eh?” Joe landed with a grunt, before standing to his full height. Ben swallowed hard as he looked at Bethany’s father. He stood a full head taller than Ben expected, and his demeanor conveyed an intimidating presence. Joe Moore would not hesitate to engage in a physical altercation with anyone who crossed him, especially if it involved his daughter. Ben adjusted his stance, taking a moment to consider his next words before speaking.
He met Joe’s stern gaze without flinching. “I mean Bethany. We were down by the creek when we came across the girl who told us what happened. She said the Chapmans had taken him in. Beth...-anywas worried for her brother, so I offered to take her to see him.”
Joe’s eyes narrowed. “Why were you and my daughter down by the beaver pond?”
Devin slapped Ben on the shoulder. “I better get a litter set up so we can get Tommy home. Mud’s too thick to get a wagon through it. Thanks for stopping by, Ben.”
Ben’s cheeks colored slightly as he watched Devin disappear into the barn, leaving him alone with Joe. When Ben turned, the man was leaning against the side of the barn, waiting for an answer. Ben cleared his throat slightly. “We walked down there to see if Tommy had checked on his traps.”
“You walked down there?” Joe took a step forward. “You didn’t ride?”
Releasing a deep breath, Ben put up his hands. “Walking was easier. I know Tommy set traps at the pond on my property, and Bethany mentioned she was headed there before she fell in the creek,” Ben explained.
“So, you talked, did you? Anything else?”
“Yes. No.” Ben wished he had just delivered Bethany’smessage and left.
“Which is it, Ben?” Joe growled.
“We walked, and yes, we talked. Let me assure you, nothing improper occurred.” He winced as he thought about the kiss in the kitchen. He wasn’t about to let her pa know about that.
Joe relaxed slightly. “If she could walk to the beaver pond, why didn’t you bring her home?”
“The creek at the bottom of the hill is still high. We didn’t realize it was receding closer to town. Petunia told us the stagecoach bridge wasn’t under water anymore, so that is where we crossed, but that isn’t the way I came back here.” Ben climbed back on his horse and grabbed the reins. “If you are going to go to the Chapmans, you’ll want to head up to the old line-cabin and make your way across the narrowest point of the creek.”
“That far up?”
“Yeah. I’ll head back that way and go around.”
“You came all this way to tell me where Tommy and my Bethany are?”
“Yes, sir. I promised her and I wouldn’t want you or her ma worried any longer than necessary.”
“How’s Bethany doing? I know her ma’s been worried.”
“She was shaken, but she’s a strong woman. I think she was just exhausted from fighting the current. She slept for a day. Kept asking when we could get back here, but the water hadn’t dropped enough.” Ben chuckled. “I don’t think Tessa minded at all.”
“Tessa?”
“That’s my sister. She really took a liking to Bethany. I don’t think she wanted Beth... Bethany, to go.”
“Bethany stayed in your sister’s room?” Joe asked, his voicebetraying a touch of suspicion.
“Mr. Moore, I assure you, we acted properly,” Ben replied earnestly, his gaze steady and sincere. “Bethany stayed in my bed while I slept in front of the fireplace in the sitting room. My sister, Tessa, was present the entire time.”
Joe breathed a sigh of relief as his trust in Ben was restored. The quiet rustle of leaves in the breeze filled the silence as Ben wrestled with the words he needed to say.
“Listen, I...,” Ben hesitated, his calloused hands gripping the reins of his horse tightly. “I would like to come visit Bethany once she’s back home.”
“Visit her?” Joe shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Perhaps she can come down and visit Tessa, then?”
