Unexpected Inheritance

2

"Ben said if I'm gonna live out here, I've gotta look the part. He even taught me how to rope a little"

"Did he now?" Miranda said, still laughing. "Well, just don't go roping anything—or anyone—inside this house."

Tuck grinned and tipped his hat. "Yes, ma'am."

As Tuck wandered off to practice his new roping skills outside, Miranda found herself smiling to herself. Ben had a way of connecting with her son that was easy and natural. She couldn't deny how much it meant to her to see Tuck happy and thriving in this new environment.

One afternoon, after finishing up with patients for the day, Miranda found herself stopping by Warren General Store to pick up a few things.

As she walked down the aisles, she caught sight of Ben behind the pharmacy counter, his broad frame leaning over the counter as he helped an elderly woman with her prescription. He nodded along as she spoke, listening carefully, and Miranda found herself pausing just a moment longer than necessary, watching him.

When the woman left, Ben glanced up and spotted her. A slow smile stretched across his face as he straightened up. "Well, well, look who decided to grace my family's fine establishment."

Miranda smirked, walking over. "I wondered why I didn't see you wondering the grounds today."

"My sister had to step out, so here I am."

"I been meaning to ask, do you actually know what you're doing back there?"

Ben let out a deep laugh, shaking his head. "Now, Doc, I'm a lot of things, but I ain't reckless. My college degree in Biological Sciences and that pharmacology class I took junior year might have something to do with why I know what I'm doing."

"You went to college?"

Ben grinned, clearly amused. "What, you thought I just hand out prescriptions all willy-nilly?"

"You don't need a degree to be a pharmacy tech"

"And who the hell said I was just a pharmacy tech?"

She shrugged, feeling caught. "I just assumed..."

"Mm-hmm," he hummed, still smiling. "There's quite a few things you don't know about me, Dr. Bailey."

Miranda folded her arms, trying not to let the way he said that send a shiver up her spine. "Oh yeah? Like what?"

"How 'bout you get to know me over dinner?"

"Are you asking me out?"

"See, I don't make it a habit to date customers, but you? You're just too good-looking."

Heat crawled up Miranda's neck before she could stop it. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out. And Ben saw it. His grin widened just enough to let her know he knew exactly what kind of effect he had on her.

"Now don't tell me I just made you go all empty-brained," he teased. "'Cause I was hoping you'd be able to answer a simple yes or no."

Miranda rolled her eyes, gathering her composure. "I am not empty-brained"

"And yet, you're still standin' here. Starin' instead of answering."

She exhaled, shaking her head. "Fine. Dinner."

Ben's smirk softened into something a little more genuine. "Good. Let's say seven."

Miranda turned on her heel, heading toward the checkout before he could say anything else to fluster her further.

As soon as Miranda got home, she did what any woman in her position would do—she called her best friend.

Callie picked up on the second ring "To what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call with Miss Private Practice"