Chapter Nine

Bethany stood by the corral, her arms crossed as she watched Ben tighten the leather straps of his saddle. She was impatient to get to Tommy and make sure he was all right.

They had informed Tessa about Bethany's departure, and the teenage girl hung onto Bethany's sleeve, tears glistening in her eyes.

She promised to visit again soon as she gathered up her torn dress and gave Tessa one last embrace.

"That's about it. Let me help you up," Ben offered, stepping closer and extending his hands. As he helped Bethany onto the horse, his touch lingered on her waist, sending a shiver down her spine. The warmth of his fingers seemed to seep through the fabric of her dress, silently conveying his affection. She didn't want to read too much into it.

"Are you certain you'll go directly to Pa and let him know where Tommy is?"

"I said I would, Beth." He rested his hand on the horse's neck. "Is there a reason you don't believe me?"

She shook her head, wishing she had some pins to put her hair up. Marmee would have something to say about it falling and what was proper. "I'm just worried."

"I know you are. Are you all right up there?" Concern etched on his face as he looked at her.

She focused her gaze on the horizon, hoping the reddening sky would hide her flushed cheek, and nodded. "Let's go see your brother, then. Move forward."

Bethany scooted forward as much as she could, and Ben swung up behind her. She felt his arms wrap around her to grab the reins, and she stiffened slightly before relaxing. Ben's breath tickled her ear as he called to the horse and led them from his ranch. They rode along the water, which was still right up to the top of the creek bed. It wasn't as rough as it had been, but Bethany didn't want to go swimming again.

Though she tried to focus her thoughts on Tommy's wellbeing, she couldn't ignore the fluttering in her heart whenever Benjamin's chest pressed against her back.

Bethany glanced over her shoulder at Benjamin, his brow furrowed in concentration as he guided the horse along the muddy bank and onto the stagecoach bridge. She was struck by how caring he was towards her. He had dropped everything to escort her to check on Tommy.

The horse tromped through a muddy section, splashing water all around as it left the bridge. Bethany adjusted her position in the saddle, leaning back against Benjamin for support. She felt conflicted as they rode along. On one hand, she was worried about Tommy and wanted to make sure he was recovering well, but being this close to Benjamin stirred up feelings about the kiss he gave her earlier that morning.

The warmth of his body against hers made her cheeks flush. She was unused to being touched so intimately by a man, even if it was unintentional. Benjamin's powerful arm wrapped around her waist made her heart quicken, and she wondered if he would kiss her again.

She chided herself for allowing her thoughts to drift in such an improper direction. Benjamin was escorting her out of chivalry and concern for her brother.

Bethany straightened in the saddle and fixed her gaze firmly ahead. She needed to remain focused on poor Tommy. Still, she couldn't deny the tiny thrill that went through her every time Benjamin shifted behind her.

As they rode up to the Chapmans' homestead, Bethany could see a group of people clustered on the front porch, watching them approach. Ben smiled and waved at the group before urging his horse forward, causing it to trot up the road and stop with a gentle nudge in front of the main house.

"Kendrick," Weston Chapman greeted them as he grabbed the horse's halter. "Miss Moore. I take it you heard about your brother?"

"Yes, sir," Bethany replied. "I ran into Petunia Beale, and she told me he was here."

"He's at the bunkhouse right now. Ingrid is down there with him, and Doc is looking him over. I'm surprised to see you here."

Benjamin slid from the horse and Bethany missed his touch immediately.

"The creek is still high, but the water isn't covering the stagecoach bridge right now," Ben explained as he carefully lifted Bethany down from the saddle. She nestled into him, her cheek brushing against his chest as she slid down his body and landed softly on the ground, their eyes locked in a moment of intimate connection.

Bethany felt his hand reach for hers, but she quickly withdrew. She didn't want his touch to linger, as it would only make it harder when he eventually had to leave and go back home. Turning to Mr. Chapman, she forced a hesitant smile.

"Which way is the bunkhouse, Mr. Chapman? I'd like to go see my brother."

"It's the long building over there, by the creek. Be careful, it's rather muddy."

"Thank you." Bethany hitched her skirt and took off past the barns and paddocks towards the bunkhouse.

"Rich," Weston called. "Water this horse."

She heard Ben say something, but she was already past the first barn, so she couldn't make out the words. A tug on her elbow made her turn around, and Ben was right next to her.

"I thought you were going home," she said.

"You want me to leave without saying goodbye?" His gaze bore into hers.

Bethany felt her heart flutter at Benjamin's words. She had assumed he would leave right away, but he stayed.

"Of course not," she said, looking down as she felt her cheeks flush. "I just thought you'd be eager to get back home."

Benjamin stepped closer and gently lifted her chin with his finger, so their eyes met. "My only concern is making sure you and Tommy are all right before I go to let your ma and pa know where you are."

His voice was low and gravelly, sending a shiver down Bethany's spine. She glanced away, flustered. Benjamin's presence never failed to stir up feelings she couldn't quite define.

Her pulse quickened at his touch and the intensity of his gaze. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. He brushed back her hair and kissed her forehead before cupping her elbow. "Come on, now, Beth."

Her head bobbed slightly as she linked her arm through his. The sound of Doc's voice drifted towards them as they neared the bunkhouse, followed by an angry shout from Tommy.

Bethany broke free from Ben and raced the last few steps, popping her head inside. "Tommy?"

Marmee ushered her in. "Come inside, child."

Tommy was leaning heavily on a crutch, his face pale and drawn.

"You don't want to put any pressure on it, son," Doc said.

Tommy's eyes opened wide when he noticed his sister standing near the doorway. "Bethy!"

He stumbled forward, his walking stick barely supporting him. Doc quickly reached out to steady him, but Bethany was already at his side, her arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders. As she pulled back from the embrace, she heard him hiss in pain and immediately let go.

"Oh, goodness, Tommy. You don't know how worried we've been."

"Petunia made it up to the house?" Looking over her shoulder, he craned his neck. "Where's Pa?" He winced as he hopped backwards on one foot, then sat on the edge of the bed.

"I found her at Ben's property."

Tommy's eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward. "Kendrick? What were you doing at Ben Kendrick's property?"

"Looking for you." Bethany felt her cheeks flush as she glanced down, avoiding Tommy's piercing gaze. What could she say? She had spent five nights at the Kendricks' ranch after the floodwaters stranded her there? Ben had kissed her until her toes curled, and she wanted him to kiss her again? No, she could not reveal that to her protective brother nor to Marmee. "When you didn't come home, I went looking for you. Ben rescued me when I fell in the creek."

"You fell in the creek?" Tommy growled. "Hmm," Tommy murmured, clearly unconvinced. But before he could inquire further, Marmee inhaled a large breath of air. "Ben rescued you?"

"He did." Bethany's heart raced as she turned to face Ben, her hand reaching out for him to explain. Her hopes were crushed when she saw the empty doorway where he had been standing just seconds before. Frantically, she ran outside and squinted against the bright sun in search of him. Her heart sank as she watched him riding away on his horse from the Chapman ranch, taking a piece of her heart with him.

Ben took it slowly as he approached the Moore's homestead. He didn't want to run into an unexpected trapper carrying a rifle. While Tommy and Devin were familiar with him, that didn't guarantee recognition from the rest of the hill folk.

As Ben approached the clearing where the Moore family homestead was, he spotted Joe and Devin Moore fixing up the barn. Whistling loudly to let them know he was approaching, he lifted his hand in greeting as his horse trotted towards the barn.

"Hey, Ben," Joe called out, a hint of surprise in his voice. He scanned the trees behind Ben, looking for his daughter. "Where's Bethy?"

"Joe. Devin." Ben pulled his horse to a stop in front of the paddock and dismounted with a soft thud. He tied the horse to the rail and moved around over to where the brothers were working on the roof. He didn't miss the glance the brothers exchanged, their eyes searching for any sign of the woman who had been in Ben's care.

"Joe asked you a question, son. Where's Bethany?" Devin asked, concern etched into the lines of his face.

Ben met their scowls. "She's just fine, sir. I took her to the Chapman house."

Joe's eyebrows knit together, creating deep lines on his forehead. His mouth was a thin, tight line as he waited for Ben's answer. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched in frustration. "Why would you take her there? She belongs here at home, not with Ingrid Chapman."

"Tommy is there recovering."

Devin hooked one leg over the ladder leaning against the barn roof. Ben held it as the man started on his way down. "What's Tommy doing at the Chapmans? That's on the other side of the creek."

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...- any was 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's message 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 voice betraying 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?"

Joe frowned but said nothing. "That will be up to Bethany, but I don't have time to escort her."

"Perhaps Gina can take her?" Devin called from the barn. In that moment, Ben knew he had the blessing of the older Moore brother, if not the younger. His heart swelled with hope and determination, but also uncertainty about what lay ahead.

"All right, Ben," Joe said finally, his eyes searching Ben's face for any hint of deceit. "I'll talk to Bethany's ma this evening."

As Regina Moore strode across the dusty barnyard, her long brown hair glimmered in the sunlight. Her voice was firm yet sweet as she asked, "Talk to me about what?" Ben couldn't help but notice Bethany's striking features were a mirror image of her mother's.

"Mrs. Moore, I'm Ben Kendrick, your neighbor down the hill."

"I know who you are, Mr. Kendrick. Tommy talks about you all the time."

Ben hid a grin. "Yes, ma'am. I came to let you know Tommy is at the Chapmans. He got injured and has been recovering there. I took Bethany there, as she wanted to make sure he was all right."

"Oh, praise God," she murmured, lifting her hands in a praying motion. "Thank you for answering my prayers, Lord." Her gaze shifted back to Ben, filling with gratitude mixed with concern. "Thank you, Mr. Kendrick, for all your help. My family owes you a debt we can never repay. Would you like to stay for dinner?"

Ben noticed a slight shake of Mr. Moore's head.

"Perhaps another time, ma'am. I would like to invite you and Bethany to come visit my sister Tessa once Bethany has settled back home."

"Of course. May I bring Millicent? She's my youngest daughter."

"Tessa would like that," Ben grinned. "It would be an honor for me to see Bethany after church on Sunday."

"I don't recall seeing you at church, Kendrick," Joe drawled.

"Hush, Joe," Regina whispered. "I think that would be delightful. I think all of us will see you there."

Joe's disapproval was clear on his weathered face, but he didn't argue further. His jaw clenched tightly as he digested the news.

Ben tipped his hat to her and smiled, feeling much lighter than when he first rode into the clearing. "Yes, ma'am."

As he rode away from the Moore's house, he could hear the rapid chatter of their voices in the background. Emotions churned inside him as he thought about his plans to win over Bethany's family and ultimately gain her love.

It took a while to reach his ranch as he had to circle back around by the line shack and cross at the narrow part of the creek. He rode by the Chapman and Hartman ranches and crossed back over the creek at the stagecoach bridge before passing the Hartman ranch once more from the other side. Guiding his horse by the beaver pond, he could see Petunia was long gone, no signs of the traps she had placed by the pond.

His stomach was rumbling as he realized he had had nothing to eat since breakfast, and it was close to suppertime now. He had never left Tessa alone for this long before, and he prayed she was all right.

As he rounded the corner of the house, what he saw took his breath away. There, on the front porch, stood Tessa. Her petite frame trembling with determination, her normally soft eyes hard as steel.

She had her finger on the trigger of the rifle Ben kept behind the door, standing in front of a dandy, who was all cool and composed. He had light pants without a wrinkle to be seen, and a dark blue jacket with brass buttons that fit him like a glove. A black hat sat atop his neatly combed hair as he stared down the barrel of her shotgun.

"Hey," Ben called out, digging his heels into the side of the horse and reaching for the rifle in the scabbard. "Get off my property," he demanded as he approached the front porch.

The man turned, and Ben recognized him from town. They had never met, and Ben didn't know the man's business. For Tessa to pull a weapon on him, that meant she must have been frightened.

"Oh, Ben!" Tessa called out, relief flooding her voice. "I'm so glad you are home."

He slid from his horse and stepped onto the porch, putting himself between the man and Tessa. "Get inside, Tess," Ben said.

"Tess?" The man grinned. "That's a beautiful name for a beautiful lady."

"Girl," Ben corrected. "She's a girl. Now, what do you want?"

The man laughed. "Ingrid Chapman said you might not be cordial, but I had to stop by anyway. You're Ben Kendrick?"

Ben tightened his grip on the rifle. "What of it?"

"Name is Theodore Mitchell. Arrived in town a couple of weeks ago." The man gave a delicate sniff. "Just in time for the rain to start."

"What can I do for you, Mr. Mitchell?"

"I bought the five hundred acres on the other side of you."

Ben let out a low whistle. "I didn't know they were for sale."

"Call me Ted. I realize you didn't otherwise your goats wouldn't be on my land." Groaning, Ben closed his eyes. "You have goats, don't you, Mr. Kendrick?"

"Yeah. I have goats." He might not have them after today, but for now, he was still responsible for them.

"Good. Good." Ted pulled off his gloves and slapped one against his hand. "I think there is a way we can amicably resolve this."

"How's that?" It was unclear to Ben what the stranger's intentions were with this statement.

Ted inhaled deeply. "I've not had a home cooked meal in nearly two months, and whatever your wife is cooking smells delicious. How about we talk business over dinner?"

Ben couldn't help but notice the man mistook Tessa for his own wife. He didn't see the need to correct this assumption right now.

"What kind of business?"

"I came out here to learn to ranch, Mr. Kendrick. With no knowledge about ranching, I find myself owning five hundred acres. I'd like you to teach me, possibly even strike a business arrangement."

Ben nearly dropped his rifle. "There are plenty of other ranchers who are far more experienced. Why not go talk to one of them?"

"Seems you have a small ranch here. Wouldn't it make more sense for you to grow?"

"What's in it for you?"

"Right now? A home cooked meal and no one pointing a shotgun barrel at me."

"Stay here. Let me put my horse up, and we can talk."

As Ben returned the rifle to its scabbard and led the horse back towards the barn, he couldn't help but wonder what else the Lord might have in store for him this week.