“Yeah…..” Hunter was still looking at the cigar as if deciding whether or not to go ahead with it.
“You have something on your mind, boss.”
“I have told you repeatedly not to call me that.”
“A sign of respect and you are my boss.” Ben pointed out mildly as he blew smoke into the air. “And it sets precedence with the men, especially around the drifters we hire.”
“You changed my diapers.” Hunter muttered as he reached for another can of beer.
“Does not matter, it is not important. Right is right. What’s on your mind?”
“The men we had to fire.”
“You did the right thing boss. That kind of carelessness should not be tolerated. It cost the ranch two valuable horses.”
Hunter nodded as he sipped the beer. “The Arabian black was worth a hell of a lot of money.”
“And was already sold.” Ben lifted his shaggy eyebrows. “Were you able to sort it out with the widow?”
Hunter nodded. “Ms. Jennings already did damage control. We are replacing it with the thoroughbred we got a few days ago.” He sipped in silence for a moment before continuing. “I am wondering if we should expect troubles from Jerry and Anders.”
“Jerry is a small time troublemaker, but I don’t think he has a malicious bone in his body. Anders, now he is a different type altogether. You did send them off with a month severance pay and recommendation letters. More than they deserved, I say.”
“I guess.”
“You don’t usually second guess yourself. What’s going on?”
Hunter shrugged. “Introspection….!” He rolled to his feet and finished the beer, crumpling the can into his hand and tossing it into the recycle bin. “I will make the final round and turn in for the night. Do not stay out and manufacture work. It will keep for the morning.”
“Lazy Eye was limping slightly. I might just check in on the animal.”
“He picked up a thorn?”
Ben nodded. “I think so. I will double check. The vet comes in tomorrow so he can verify. I just need to set my mind at ease. See you in the morning. The female cook is working out.”
“What?”
“Ms. Witter. I had my doubts about her handling the job, but she is working out.” He patted his flat stomach. “Her cooking hits the spot. That cold meal she prepared for dinner was superb.”
“Superb?” Hunter asked, lifting thick brows.
Ben grinned sheepishly. “I have been watching myself some cooking shows on Netflix and getting quite addicted. She even said that she was going to bake some strawberry crumble for dessert tomorrow.”
Hunter turned to face him. “You have been speaking to her?”
Ben nodded. He was so intent on the flaming tip of his cigar that he did not notice the look of interest on the other man’s face. “Beautiful girl and a talented cook. She promised to show me some of her recipes. I tend to potter around in my kitchen when I get the chance.”
“I had no idea you had taken up a hobby.”
Ben shrugged and stubbed out the cigar before lumbering to his feet. “Something to occupy my time…. When I do find the time….” With a wave, he was gone, leaving Hunter staring after him. It had been on the tip of his tongue to tell him that he was going to be a daddy but had decided against it. Ben was like a surrogate dad to him, but all of this was still new to him and he had no idea how he really felt. He had been on the verge of going into town to be with a widow who had caught his fancy but for some reason had dismissed it from his mind. He had told her that he would not let this situation play havoc with his social life and he had meant it at the time. But now he was not so sure.
*****
She was seated behind the kitchen counter when he sauntered inside. He stopped abruptly as he entered the wide doorway. She was sitting with her hands clasped around the cup. The time was very late; he had glanced at his watch on his way in and saw that it was almost 11.00pm. “You are awake,” he said foolishly as he stood there staring at her. He had not even asked her how she was feeling. She was carrying his seed inside her- he felt something arrowed inside him as the thought surfaced.
“I could not sleep.” She murmured as she stared at him. He looked adorably disheveled with the ash blonde hair sticking to his head and clinging to his hard face. “And my stomach was feeling queasy. I am sorry if I am disturbing you. I will just take this to my room….”
“You are not disturbing me.” He told her impatiently as he came into the room. “Is there anything I can do?”
Sophie smiled slightly. “I think I got it covered.” She hesitated and wondered if she was in a position to ask about his day. “Are you okay? Any more troubles?”
He looked at her strangely as he strode to the liquor cabinet to pour himself a drink. “No.” He brought the drink with him and settled onto the stool, his sapphire blue eyes raking her face. Sophie had bathed and put on a tank top and a pair of sweatpants; her hair caught back into a loose ponytail. She looked too young to be carrying a baby, he thought with a pang. He usually went for older women, women with more experience and he felt it ironic that he did not even know her age. He had not been the one to interview her and had left everything up to his assistant. “Are you taking the pills?”
She grimaced as she took a sip of the tea. “I hate pills,” She said with a slight laugh. “I usually consider them a last resort.”
“What does that mean exactly? Are you taking them or not?”
“I am taking them!” She assured him. “The nausea is not so bad during the day, but it acts up at night. Mine is more of a night sickness instead of the morning.”
He nodded, wondering if he should apologize for putting her through this. It was on him that he had been careless enough not to wear a rubber. He had taken advantage of a grieving woman and as a result she was now carrying his child. He felt like crap about it and wondered how she could be s complacent. “You haven’t thought of getting rid of it?” He asked her abruptly.
She looked at him sharply. “It is not an ‘it’ as you put it. This is a living person growing inside me.”
“Some would not agree with you.” He continued to sip the drink.
“Does that include you?” She demanded.