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

  Harper rested her chin in her upraised hands once again. Intently studying Ben, she placed her pinky finger between her teeth, seemingly lost in thought.

  The sight of her poised like that was Ben’s breaking point. Simultaneously, she appeared undeniably cute and so blasted sexy, he couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here.” He tossed more than enough cash on the table to cover their meals and tip. Taking her hand in his, he tugged her out of the booth.

  “Where are we going? And this isn’t a date, right? That means I pay for my meal.” Harper stopped to dig some money out of her purse, but Ben slipped a hand around her shoulders and propelled her forward.

  “Let’s call it new friends getting to know each other better over dinner. Since I asked, it’s my treat. You can buy next time.” He opened the door and watched that little sway to her hips as she walked outside.

  “That’s awfully presumptuous of you to assume there will be a next time.” The coy glance she tossed him over her shoulder almost made him trip over his own feet as they walked across the parking lot.

  The sound of her laughter floated back to him, so he caught up with her and placed his hands at her waist, tickling her sides.

  When she squirmed away from him, he confirmed she was in fact ticklish. “It’s terribly rude of you to pretend there’s a question about whether there will be.”

  “Fine. You have me there, Captain Morgan. Now, what’s got you in such a rush to leave?”

  “I want to show you something. Will you go for a drive with me?” Ben took her hand in his, drawing her toward his pickup.

  “Okay, but only if you promise you aren’t some deranged psychopath out for blood.”

  Ben smiled. “I promise. No illegal, immoral, unjust, or questionable deeds shall take place inside this truck while you accompany me — at least not tonight.”

  Harper considered his teasing statement then nodded her head. “Fair enough.” She accepted his hand as he opened the door and helped her into the passenger side. When she’d settled her skirt around her, he closed the door and jogged around to the driver’s side.

  In a matter of minutes, Ben entered the freeway heading in the direction of Portland. Harper glanced across the cab and gave him a questioning look. “We’re not going all the way to Portland are we?”

  “No, ma’am. We are not. I’ve got a full day of wheat harvest tomorrow and I’m sure you’ll be plenty busy at the grain elevator.”

  “That is a fact you can count on.” Dramatically, Harper sighed and placed the back of her hand against her forehead. “The farmers around here are slave drivers. I’m just the lowly little office girl, doing her best.”

  He glanced over at her as she batted her ridiculously long eyelashes at him. “And I bet you flash those big baby blues at them and have them wrapped around your finger in no time at all.”

  “I do not.” Harper huffed. “If I did that, I’d never get any work done and I’d spend all my time baking cookies and fending off proposals of both the honorable and indecent varieties.”

  Ben stiffened. “Has anyone been bothering you? If so, you just let me know and I’ll…”

  Harper reached across the cab and settled her hand on his arm. Instead of calming him, the impact of her touch only made him more agitated. “I’m fine, Ben. I appreciate your chivalrous concern, but everyone has truly been so kind. Besides, I think Marge let them all know they better be on good behavior or she’ll hunt them down.”

  “That sounds like Marge.” Ben shot Harper a probing look. “You mean I’m not the only one to enjoy your homemade cookies?”

  “Let’s say you are one of a select few.”

  Harper stared out the window as Ben exited the freeway and took the bridge that spanned the Columbia River into Washington. “Where are we going?”

  “Have you ever been to Stonehenge?”

  “Stonehenge? Isn’t that in England?” Harper’s confused look made him grin.

  “We have our own version just a few miles up that ridge near Maryhill.” Ben pointed to a cliff in the distance. It didn’t take long for him to pull up at the impressive landmark and park the truck.

  “Oh, my word! Uncle Cletus never mentioned this was here. Ryan and I never had the opportunity for much exploring when we visited him. The last several years, my trips to the ranch have been rushed weekend visits. I guess I’ve been missing out.” Harper started to get out but Ben raced around the pickup and offered his assistance. He held onto her hand as they approached the stone structure.

  “This is amazing,” Harper said, stepping inside. “Why is it here?”

  “A man named Sam Hill built this full-scale replica as the nation’s first World War I memorial. It was dedicated in 1918 to the local servicemen who lost their lives in the war.” Ben led her over to a plaque where they read the inscription together.

  Moved by the sentiment of the message, Harper brushed at her tears.

  “Oh, Harper, I didn’t think… I’m sorry, I completely forgot…” Ben called himself six different kinds of a thoughtless fool for not thinking about how the memorial would remind Harper of her brother.

  “No, Ben, it’s fine. I’m glad you brought me. I just love that line about the fire of patriotism that only death can quench. That so perfectly describes, Ryan. Once he decided to enlist, an amazing light burned inside him. He was on fire with this… energy and excitement to serve his country.” Harper took Ben’s hand between both of hers and squeezed it. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

  “You’re welcome. What I really wanted to show you is the night sky. If you don’t mind waiting a few minutes until after the sun sets, it’s kind of neat to see.”

  Neat?

  Ben thought he might as well find a pair of glasses wrapped with masking tape and hike up his jeans until he had high waters for as nerdy as he sounded.

  There wasn’t a single woman he’d set out to charm in the last dozen years that he hadn’t succeeded in sweeping off her feet.

  For some reason, though, Harper Hayes threw him completely off his game. She made him feel as awkward as if he was a stupid teen again. At the same time, he also felt comfortable around her, like they’d always been friends.

  The whole idea left him ill at ease and more than a little disturbed.

  Accustomed to being in charge of his emotions and keeping a tight rein on his feelings, Ben didn’t like that one smile from Harper left him completely open and exposed.

  What was he doing bringing her to one of his favorite spots on earth? After dinner, he should have shaken her hand, walked her to her pickup, and vowed never to see her again.

  That was the safe thing to do.

  However, Ben Morgan was a bit of a daredevil and risk taker when the occasion warranted.

  While Harper wandered around the memorial, he returned to his pickup and pulled a fleece blanket from beneath the backseat.

  He dropped the tailgate and used the blanket to make a cushioned pad then walked back to where Harper stood reading the inscription again.

  One of the walls he’d built around his heart cracked when she reached up and swiped at more tears.

  Unhurriedly reaching out to her, he used his thumb to brush away the salty drops. She smiled at him and took his hand in hers as they silently walked to his pickup.

  “What’s this?” she asked as he motioned to the tailgate.

  “Your seat for star gazing.”

  “Star gazing, huh?”

  “Yep.” Ben settled his hands on her waist and lifted her up to sit on the blanket. It felt so good to hold her, he didn’t want to let go.

  Fascinated with her in ways that defied sense or explanation, he finally dropped his hands and took a seat beside her.

  As the last rays of the sun receded and night descended upon them, a brilliant array of stars twinkled overhead. Below them, the light of the moon glistened on the surface of the river, creating a glorious sight.

  When Ben suggested
having dinner together, the idea of bringing Harper out to look at the stars never once crossed his mind. Somehow, though, it felt right to be there with her.

  “Oh, wow, Ben! Just… Wow!” Harper leaned back and tipped her head up to take in the stars glittering brightly above them. “It’s spectacular!”

  “Spectacular,” he muttered, staring at the woman beside him, not the sky. The moon highlighted the curve of her cheek and the tantalizing line of her lips. Hundreds of stars reflected in the depths of her eyes and he wanted to draw closer to admire each one.

  Several moments passed as they quietly sat together, side by side on his tailgate, as the night settled around them.

  Harper shivered and Ben noticed that the temperature had cooled significantly. “Are you cold? We can go if you want.”

  “No,” she whispered, moving closer to him. “Please, can we stay just a little longer?”

  “You bet.” He lifted his arm and dropped it around her shoulders, pulling her to his side and sharing his warmth.

  Harper slid her arms around his waist then rested her head against his heart.

  Ben wondered if she heard or felt the wild pounding beat.

  As her fragrance invaded his senses, he didn’t want to let her go. Her curves fit so perfectly against his angles and planes, like she was the one woman God designed to be in his arms.

  Unnerved by the intensity of his feelings, he took Harper’s chin in his hand and tipped her head up until he could see into her eyes.

  In the deepest recesses of his heart, he knew that once he kissed her there would be no going back.

  No going back to a simple friendship.

  No going back to casually dating whomever he chose.

  No going back to life as he knew it.

  One kiss with Harper would change everything.

  Slowly, seductively, he held her gaze as he lowered his mouth toward hers. At the last second, fear of what might be made him turn his head and he kissed her cheek.

  Disappointment settled between them like a downpour at a Fourth of July parade.

  “I better get you back to your pickup before you freeze.” Ben jumped off the tailgate then swung Harper to the ground before she could protest. He grabbed the blanket in one hand and took her elbow with the other, helping her in the passenger side.

  As soon as she was settled, he tossed the blanket onto the backseat then ran around the truck and slid behind the wheel.

  Neither of them spoke as he drove her back to the restaurant in Rufus.

  Politely, he held open her door then escorted her to her truck. He even waited as she unlocked it and gave her a hand as she climbed inside.

  Although he thought she might shut the door without speaking another word to him and leave, she reached out a hand and rested it against his cheek.

  “Thank you for a very nice evening, Ben. I appreciated it very much.”

  He nodded. “You’re welcome, Harper. I enjoyed spending time with you.”

  She offered him an affectionate smile, one that made his heart trip madly about in his chest and weakened his resolve to keep their relationship from moving beyond the level of friends.

  After one last tender touch to his cheek, she fastened her seatbelt. “Since you promised the next time I get to buy, I guess that means we’ll have to do it again. You’re home for another week aren’t you?”

  “Yeah, I am. Maybe you’d like to do something Saturday evening. I think Dad might let me off early for good behavior.”

  Harper grinned. “I’d like that.”

  In fact, she would most likely think of little else between now and the time she could see Ben again. Grateful for his friendship, she wanted more, even as her brain worked to convince her that was a terrible, horrible idea.

  “Can you meet me at Hart’s gas station in Grass Valley? I’ll pick you up there at six if that works for you.”

  “That’ll be fine. What do I need to bring?”

  “A bathing suit and some music.” At her befuddled glance, he chuckled. “Got you curious, don’t I? You’ll have to show up just to see what I’ve got planned.”

  “A man of mystery. I like it.” Harper started the truck and put it in gear. She didn’t want to tell Ben goodbye. Not when she felt like their friendship teetered on the edge of something unexplored and utterly marvelous. “Thanks again, Captain Morgan. I’ll see you Saturday.”

  “Yes, you will, Miss Hayes.” Ben shut her pickup door and waved at her, unable to force the word goodbye out of his mouth. Not when he wanted more than anything to stay with Harper forever.

  Chapter Five

  Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes.

  A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.

  And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes,

  is certain for those who are friends.

  Richard Bach

  The hands on Ben’s watch might move backward if the day passed any slower. Convinced it had to be close to five, his watch assured him it was barely past two Saturday afternoon.

  After spending time with Harper the other evening, he’d practically counted the minutes until he’d pick her up for their date.

  Over the past few days, she’d invaded his dreams, dancing through his mind with that sassy smile and inviting swish of her pink sundress.

  The wheat fields he drove the combine through reminded him of her golden hair. The bright summer sky above him brought to mind her beautiful blue eyes.

  Everywhere he looked something stirred memories of her.

  The folly of his thoughts, the utter ridiculousness of being that fascinated with a woman, made him antsy and short-tempered.

  After he snapped at Brice twice that morning, his brother had taken a wide swath around him.

  Even his mother had commented on his grumpy attitude as he sat through lunch in surly silence.

  He just wanted the day to end so he could see Harper again, hear her laughter, and breathe in the alluring hint of her fragrance.

  By sheer force of will, he’d remained civil to Tess when she stopped by as they finished lunch. Despite her prying and repeatedly asking him if he had plans that evening, he refused to say.

  Thankfully, his dad hadn’t shared any details with his siblings or blabber-mouthed mother that he’d gone out with Harper earlier in the week.

  However, with gossiping eyes and ears abundantly spread throughout Sherman County, he was sure someone would report every move he made to his family before the evening was through. In spite of that, he hoped he and Harper could at least enjoy dinner together before any busybodies caught wind they were spending time together.

  As he turned the combine at the end of the field and started cutting another pass through the wheat, his phone buzzed. Swiftly fishing it from his pocket, he grinned to see a text from Harper.

  Is it okay if I bring General along?

  With one eye on the field and one on his phone, Ben typed his reply.

  Yep.

  A few moments later, his phone buzzed again when she sent a response.

  Great! Does that mean Uncle Cletus can come, too? I’m not sure what sort of bathing suit he has, but I’ll make sure it isn’t his orange Speedo.

  Ben snorted and called Harper.

  She answered on the second ring. “Hey, Ben! How’s it going?”

  “What are you trying to do to me? Make me wreck the combine?”

  Her giggles carried across the connection, making him smile. “I’m not guilty of anything.”

  “Yes, you are, missy. The vision of your uncle in a tiny orange bathing suit with knobby white legs needs to be scrubbed from my mind. You’ve traumatized me for life.” Ben dropped the phone when he hit a badger hole and the combine bounced through it. He reached down and grabbed his phone before it slid beyond his reach. “Are you still there, Harper?”

  “I’m here. Did you think you lost me?” Humor laced her voice.

  “I hit a hole and dropped the phone.” He tried to hold the phone up to his ear
with his shoulder as he reached the end of the field. His dad motioned for him to stop, so he cut the call short.

  “I need to go, but I’m looking forward to seeing you this evening. Are you really bringing your uncle?”

  Harper laughed. “Of course not, you dork, but General and I will see you at six. Bye!”

  Ben disconnected the call and returned to the business of wheat harvest for the remainder of the afternoon.

  Every time he thought about Harper’s text, he smiled. Twice, Brice gave him a strange look when he noticed him chuckling for no apparent reason.

  By the time they wrapped up for the day, Ben figured his family probably wondered if he’d finally lost his mind, or even worse… began using some illegal substance. It would be simple enough to attribute his recent mood swings and erratic behavior to drugs rather than the unsettled albeit excited state his thoughts of Harper created.

  The last time he checked in with his dad, he asked if he could quit at half past five so he’d have a few minutes to take a shower and hustle into Grass Valley to meet Harper at six.

  Mike slapped his back and razzed him for a few minutes, but told him to leave earlier if he needed to.

  The alarm he’d set on his phone went off just as he reached the end of the field nearest the house. He shut down the combine and climbed out, jogging across the field and the backyard.

  In a rush, he stripped off his shirt on the way up the steps of the back porch. He kicked off his boots at the door then tugged off socks covered in straw and wheat chaff before stepping inside. He unzipped his jeans as he moved into the kitchen. A squeak drew his gaze over to the counter where his mother, Bailey, Tess, and one of his sister’s single friends stared at him. The friend’s face was flushed bright red and her eyes looked like they might pop out of her head at his partially undressed state.

  Angry that Tess once again attempted to set him up, Ben didn’t offer more than a passing nod.

  “Evenin’, ladies.” He hustled through the kitchen and down the hall.

  The daggers shooting from Tess’ eyes into his back nearly pierced his skin as he made a hasty retreat to the safety of his room.

  As he showered and shaved, he tried to understand why the females in his family kept meddling in his love life. Ben had never suffered from a lack of dates.