The Cowboy's Last Goodbye (Grass Valley Cowboys Book 6) Read online

  Not that Harper thought of him in those terms, but any female with the ability to see would appreciate the sight of Ben Morgan.

  In need of a distraction from her all-consuming attraction to the cowboy, Harper turned her thoughts to the reason she and Ben were heading to The Dalles. “So, where did you decide we’re going for dinner?”

  “It’s a restaurant right on the river. They have good food and the view isn’t too shabby.” Ben opened the pickup door. Rather than offer her a hand, he picked her up and set her on the seat. At her surprised look, he grinned and ran around the pickup, sliding behind the wheel.

  “I’ve hardly had a chance to talk to you since you were at Tess’ house. Did you girls accomplish whatever it was she wanted to do?”

  Harper glanced at Ben, unobtrusively studying his profile. Since no stubble shadowed his face, she assumed he must have shaved before he picked her up. The unique scent of him and his aftershave filled the cab of the pickup, enveloping her in an intoxicating combination.

  Recalling he’d asked her a question, she hurried to reply. “Yes, I think we got everything crossed off her list. I loved the house. Those old farmhouses have a special kind of charm.”

  “Yeah, they do. I’m happy for Tess and Trav to be able to build a life together there. What projects did you work on?”

  Harper told him about hanging curtains and moving furniture. They also deep cleaned the kitchen, organized the pantry, and took a few things out of the attic. Before they left, they planted a bunch of spring bulbs in the flowerbeds and trimmed back some of the bushes.

  “Sounds like a horrible day to me,” Ben said, tossing a grin at Harper. “I don’t know why Tess is so worked up about getting things done around the house when the baby isn’t due for almost two months.”

  “I don’t think she wants to wait until the last minute. In case you haven’t noticed, she has a hard time moving around and tires easily.” Harper gave Ben a frown that said he was a typical clueless male. “I thought it was nice of the girls to volunteer to help her take care of a few things.”

  “It was nice and very kind of you to help, too.” He released a long breath. “I have noticed Tess is having a hard time. I worry about her, about everything being okay with her and the baby. Cady had an easy time with the twins, but Trent almost lost Lindsay when they had Emily. I don’t want anything to happen to my sister.”

  Touched by Ben’s concern for Tess, Harper reached across the cab of the truck and squeezed his hand. “I’m sure she’ll be fine, Ben. No two women carry babies alike, or so I’m told. You can’t compare best or worst case scenarios to Tess. She’s healthy and taking good care of herself. Everything should go smoothly.”

  “I hope so. If not, I’m gonna have to rough up Travis for doing this to her.”

  Harper grinned and shook her head. “You guys really are a bunch of Neanderthals at heart, aren’t you?”

  “Darn, tootin’, Tinker Bell.” Ben grinned at her again. “You’d best not forget it.”

  The conversation they shared on the way to The Dalles was lively and fun, making Harper realize how much she enjoyed being with Ben. He made her laugh and her heart felt so light when they were together.

  A voice in her head kept whispering that he was the one, the one who could change her mind about marriage and relationships, but she ignored it. If there was one thing she’d learned from her parents and their horrible marriage was that some people were not meant to be in relationships.

  Fearful her genetics and upbringing made her a member of that group, she refused to let anyone be the experiment that proved otherwise.

  Determined not to dwell on tomorrow, or what could never be, she poured her attention into the present. And the present was filled with a good-looking cowboy who seemed to enjoy her company as much as she enjoyed his.

  When they arrived at the restaurant, Ben hurried around the pickup to open her door. He placed his hand at the small of her back as they walked inside. Harper considered if a human hand might burn through fabric and skin. The touch of Ben’s hand felt like it might sear right through her dress and go straight to bone.

  Although she’d dated numerous guys, she’d never experienced the feelings that he generated with one simple touch or look.

  Then again, none of the guys she’d dated were anything like Ben Morgan.

  All the various facets of the man fascinated her — boat captain, cowboy, motorbike rider, loving uncle, devoted sibling, good friend, caring son, and a big-hearted tease.

  No wonder he’d monopolized her thoughts since they’d met.

  As the hostess seated them at a table in front of a window, Harper sucked in a breath at the impressive view. “Oh, Ben, this is unbelievable.”

  “Well, believe it, Tink, because I’m starving and they have the best steaks in town.” Ben winked at her then glanced at his menu.

  Harper drew her gaze away from the view outside and the man across from her long enough to place her order.

  She took a sip of ice water, hoping to cool the fever that began percolating the moment he’d stepped inside her house that evening. Maybe if he wasn’t quite so handsome or fun or…

  Who was she kidding?

  She was hopelessly in love with him and had no idea what to do about it. The best response she could come up with was to enjoy it while it lasted and be prepared to put the pieces of her broken heart back together when Ben moved on.

  From what the girls said the day she joined them at Tess’ house, Ben never kept a girlfriend for more than a month or two. Considering the fact they’d been seeing each other longer than that, Harper expected Ben to tell her goodbye soon.

  Of course, breaking up would be more difficult since she sometimes saw him at work. However, if he wanted to bid her good riddance, dressing like he belonged in an advertisement for western wear and taking her out for a romantic dinner wasn’t the best way to do so.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” Ben observed. He leaned back in his chair and gave her a long glance. “What’s going through that beautiful head of yours?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary,” Harper fibbed. She couldn’t tell him she’d been pondering the state of their future as a couple and how much she’d hate it when a relationship no longer existed between them.

  To deflect any more questions, she asked one of her own. “You don’t have a wife or a serious girlfriend you’re not telling me about, do you?”

  Ben choked on the water he’d been drinking and coughed into his napkin.

  “I’m sorry, Ben. Can I do anything to help?” Harper didn’t know if she should thump him on the back or just pretend everything was fine.

  He shook his head and continued coughing until his face turned red.

  Afraid she’d nearly killed her date, Harper glanced around to see if anyone else appeared concerned.

  Ben grasped her hand and held her gaze as the coughing subsided. “I’m fine, Harper,” he croaked. “Water went down the wrong pipe. No worries.”

  “I’m really sorry, Ben. I didn’t mean anything by that question. I was just teasing. Mostly.” She gave him a strange glare. “You aren’t cheating on someone by being here with me are you? Engaged? Have a fiancée who’ll be out to get me?”

  The narrowed glare he shot her forced her to stop rambling.

  “No, Harper, nothing like that at all. In fact, you’re the only female I’ve been out with since I met you, unless you count Emily. But if you want to be in her league, you’ll have to give me a black eye before the evening is over.”

  Harper laughed. “I could make that happen. If I say a code word when you take me home, Uncle Cletus will rush to my rescue and clean your clock. Of course, that was the plan before he forced me into telling who I was going out with this evening. You might get a free pass. For reasons I can’t unravel, my uncle and dog both like you. In case you haven’t noticed, they generally don’t like most people.”

  “It’s the Morgan charm. According to family lore, it’s lege
ndary.”

  “Legendary?” Harper offered him a saucy grin. “I think you’ve got that confused with the size of your ego.”

  “Hey, now.” Ben feigned an offended look. “You’d best not insult the man buying you dinner and driving you home. Too many sassy comments like that and you’ll be hoofing it home in those sexy shoes, my fiery-hot pixie. Then where will you be?”

  Stunned by Ben’s comments, Harper stared at him. If she wasn’t mistaken, Ben had as much as admitted his attraction to her. Then again, all the sizzling kisses they’d shared had already tipped her off to the fact.

  Nevertheless, everyone liked to have their self-image boosted, and Ben had just sent hers into orbit.

  Thankfully, their meals arrived so Harper was saved from commenting.

  After dinner, Ben asked if she wanted to go to the movies. She didn’t really care if they did, but she wanted to spend more time with him.

  He started the truck and headed down the street then gave Harper a questioning glance. “Would you rather look at the murals or walk around downtown and eyeball things we don’t need in the shop windows?”

  Harper giggled. “I’d love to. You are good at this date stuff, aren’t you?”

  “Between me, Brice, and the Thompson brothers, we’ve tested every make out spot in a hundred mile radius. We’ve also taken dates to every romantic place imaginable.”

  Harper held up a hand. “Stop right there. I don’t want to hear any more. If this is something you’ve done with a hundred other girls, I’d rather not know.”

  “Even if I’d done it with a thousand, which I can assure you I have not, it would be like experiencing everything for the first time because I’m with you, Harper. You make everything special and unique.”

  Moisture filled her eyes and her heart softened as she smiled at him. “And you know just the right words to say to bend women to your will.”

  Ben waggled an eyebrow and drove them downtown.

  He gave her his hand to help her out of the pickup, but kept their fingers meshed together as they strolled down the street, gazing in windows. A few shops were still open, so they went inside. Neither of them cared about shopping. It merely gave them an excuse to spend more time together.

  “Aren’t you afraid someone will report back to your family you’re out with me?” Harper asked as Ben waved to a couple he knew across the street.

  “Nah. I’m not worried about it.” Ben glanced down at her feet, changing the subject. “Are you sure you’re okay to keep walking around in your shoes? Those high heels seem like they’d hurt.”

  “I’m fine, but I appreciate your gallant concern.”

  Ben smirked. “Maybe it wasn’t concern about your toes as much as a ploy to carry you back to the truck.”

  Harper’s eyes widened in surprise, but she spun around and headed back the way they came.

  Ben settled a hand around her waist, stepping closer to her as they walked. “Where are we headed, Tink?”

  “Back to your truck. If you were willing to carry me six blocks to get there, you must have something awesome in it.”

  A chuckle rumbled out of Ben. “You’ve got me there.”

  Soon, they returned to his pickup. Ben opened the door then set her inside. Rather than step away, he gave her a sweet, lingering kiss before shutting the door.

  Once he slid behind the wheel, he didn’t say anything as he put the truck in gear and drove out of town to a secluded spot that gave them a view of the river and city below. Dusk was just settling as he parked and turned off the ignition.

  “So what fabulous thing do you have in here?” Harper unfastened her seatbelt and grinned at Ben.

  Carelessly tossing his hat into the backseat, he flipped up the console between them then reached over to Harper. One hand encircled her waist and the other slipped beneath her legs as he pulled her next to him.

  “The fabulous thing I have in here, Harper Hayes, is you.” Ben’s eyes glowed with an inner fire accented by the last rays of the setting sun as it filled the cab with golden light. His thumb traced across her bottom lip while he held her gaze. “I’ve missed you so much, more than I would have thought humanly possible.”

  “I missed you, too, Ben,” Harper whispered, gazing up at him.

  He began to lower his head toward hers and she mentally braced herself for the impact. Lights exploded all around her when his mouth laid claim to hers, teasing and tempting, taking what she so willingly offered.

  Enthralled, she slid closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, wanting to wrap her love around his heart.

  Kiss after kiss grew more passionate, more demanding, until the waves of yearning washing over her threatened to tow her under.

  “Ben…” she whispered, uncertain what she wanted or needed, but whatever it was, he was the only one who could provide it. “What are we doing?”

  He raised his head and chuckled. “If I have to explain it to you, then you’re an excellent kisser for one with so little experience.”

  Aware he was joking, she leaned back from him. “I meant here, this thing between us. What are we going to do about it?”

  “Enjoy it. Savor it. Appreciate every moment of it.” He kissed her upper lip. “Don’t analyze it, Harper.” A powerful kiss left her unable to think straight as she pressed close to him again.

  Finally, Ben raised his head and expelled a shuddering sigh. “Turn around, Harper.”

  She opened her eyes and stared at him, but slowly turned so her back was to him. Absently, she wondered if there was anything he might ask she could deny him. She felt powerless to tell him no, even if she’d wanted to.

  Ben slipped his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. When she looked at him over her shoulder, his easy smile addled her thoughts.

  “I just want to hold you for a while.”

  “No argument from me,” Harper said, settling into the comforting warmth that was Ben Morgan. Neither of them felt the need to fill the silence with words as stars popped out and spread across the night sky.

  Minutes or hours might have passed. All Harper knew was that a slice of heaven existed in Ben’s arms. For the first time in her life, she felt completely secure, safe, and loved.

  Ben would never say the words, but every kiss, every touch conveyed the depth of his feelings for her.

  And he was right. She didn’t want marriage, either, so she needed to stop obsessing over the way things might be and enjoy how they were.

  At that moment, they were incredibly wonderful.

  Eventually, Ben placed a tender kiss to her neck and sighed. “As much as I’d like to stay here for hours, I better get you home. It would be a shame if your uncle has to make good on his threats.”

  Harper smiled and sat up. “I suppose you’re right, although to be clear on the matter, Uncle Cletus is completely harmless. General, on the other hand, is the one you don’t want to rile.”

  Ben grinned. “Why do you think I ply him with bacon?”

  Her eyebrow inched upward. “Bribing my dog with meat, are you? That’s low, Captain, even for you.”

  “So says the girl who works her wiles and baked goods on tugboat captains to get them to do her bidding.”

  Harper batted her eyelashes at him in such an exaggerated fashion, he couldn’t help but laugh.

  She leaned toward him. “For the record, you are the only one I work my wiles on, Ben. The only one I want to.”

  Reluctantly, he started the pickup and they headed back toward Grass Valley. The light, teasing banter between them continued all the way home, until Ben parked outside her uncle’s house.

  In no hurry for the evening to end, he walked her to the door. He stood on the porch gazing down at her with such warmth in his eyes, Harper thought of amber toffee dipped in melted chocolate.

  “Thanks for going to dinner with me tonight,” Ben whispered as he brushed his thumb across her cheek.

  “Thank you for asking. I had a great time, Ben.” Harper c
ouldn’t pull her gaze from his, drawn by some magnetic force beyond her ability to comprehend.

  “Maybe we could do it again.” He pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Soon.”

  “I’d love to. What do you have in mind?” Harper stepped closer to him, breathing in his heady aroma.

  “How about tomorrow night? We could go to the high school football game. I know it’s not that exciting, but it’s high on the list of entertainment possibilities around here,” Ben said, offering a look just short of pleading.

  “That sounds great. I can meet you there if you’d rather.”

  He shook his head. “No, ma’am. If I pick you up, it gives me extra time with you and another opportunity to stand on your porch while your uncle peers around the edge of the curtains, waiting to see if I’ll kiss you.”

  Harper gave him an impish grin. “Let’s not disappoint him, then.”

  Ben wrapped his arms around her and drew her close before giving her a tender, chaste kiss.

  Laughter spilled out of them when they heard a crash inside the house. Cletus yelled, “Goldurn it, General! You pert near scared the pants right off me.”

  “I think that’s my cue to leave,” Ben said, smiling at Harper.

  “Probably. I hate telling you goodbye, Ben.” Harper bracketed his face with her hands. “Every goodbye takes a little piece of my heart with it.”

  He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. “Mine, too, my beautiful, tempting pixie, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Be ready at six.”

  “I’ll be ready and waiting.” Harper stepped back and opened the door. “Good night.”

  Ben stayed on the porch until the door closed and he heard Harper tell her uncle he might as well turn on a light and stop hiding behind the drapes.

  As he hurried down the porch steps back to his pickup, he decided tomorrow night couldn’t arrive fast enough.

  Chapter Twelve

  It’s time to say goodbye,

  but I think goodbyes are sad

  and I’d much rather say hello.

  Hello to a new adventure.