Unexpected Inheritance

2

He dropped his hand and smirked. "Do you have a curfew, Doc? 'Cause I was just about to ask if your daddy was gonna come out here with a shotgun."

Miranda laughed, shaking her head. "Tuck's with his father for the night, and the practice is closed tomorrow."

Ben gave a satisfied nod. "So what you're saying is, we can stay out till the cows come home."

She folded her arms, mirroring his smirk. "As the townsfolk would say—I reckon."

Ben let out a deep, warm laugh, then extended a hand toward her. "Well, in that case, let's get going. Got a real nice place in mind."

Miranda hesitated just for a second before slipping her hand into his. It was warm, steady, and when he laced his fingers through hers, something about it felt... right."

Ben pulled up to a classic-looking steakhouse, the kind of place that had been around for generations, where the scent of grilled meat and warm bread rolled out the door the second you stepped inside. The neon sign flickered slightly, giving the place a nostalgic charm.

Miranda glanced at him as he put the truck in park. "A steakhouse. Why am I not surprised?"

Ben grinned, unbuckling his seatbelt. "Hey, just so you know I like to cook myself, but I figured you oughta get a feel for the town you live in. Everybody around here grew up eating at this place. It's a staple."

Miranda smirked "So this is some kind of initiation?"

"Somethin' like that." He hopped out and ran around the truck to open her door for her, then offered his arm playfully. "Come on, city girl. Let's get you properly introduced."

She rolled her eyes but linked her arm with his anyway, letting him lead her inside. The moment they stepped through the door, the hum of conversation mixed with the twang of a country song playing low over the speakers. A few heads turned their way—some familiar faces from around town, some just curious about the new doctor walking in with Ben Warren.

The hostess, a woman in her sixties with kind eyes, lit up when she saw Ben. "Well, if it ain't Benny boy Warren. Haven't seen you bring a lady in here since..." She trailed off, giving Miranda a knowing smile.

Miranda turned to Ben, amused. "Should I be flattered or concerned?"

Ben just chuckled. "Ignore her. She's nosy."

A waitress greeted them with a grin. "Well, well, if it ain't Ben. And you must be Dr. Bailey."

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Word gets around fast."

Ben chuckled. "Doc, you're in a small town. Everybody knows you"

The waitress laughed. "And now they're all gonna know Ben finally took somebody out to dinner."

Miranda gave Ben a look, but he just smirked like he was enjoying this a little too much. "Table for two, please."

The waitress led them to a booth "Alright, cowboy," Miranda said, opening the menu. "Sell me on it. What's the best thing on this menu?"

Ben grinned. "Steak obviously"

Once their food came Miranda had to admit—this place did have the best steak she'd had in a long time. The conversation flowed easily between them, filled with laughter and stories about the town, Ben's antics growing up, and the way people always seemed to end up exactly where they were meant to be.

Somewhere between bites, Ben leaned back, rolling the condensation from his glass between his palms. "You know... once upon a time, I wanted to be a doctor too."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Went to school for Biological Sciences, figured I'd head to med school after. But then my mama got sick. Someone had to help run the store, keep things steady for my sister. By the time things settled... I guess life had already taken me a different way."

Miranda set her fork down, frowning. "I hate that you didn't get to pursue your dreams."

Ben shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Can't be too mad about it. If I was some fancy doctor in scrubs, I wouldn't be sittin' here right now, havin' dinner with you." He gave her a look that sent warmth straight through her. "I'm okay with overalls if it means I still get to see you in your scrubs"

Miranda suddenly found her drink very interesting as she lifted it to her lips, trying to hide the blush creeping up her face. The way Ben looked at her made her feel like the only woman in the room—maybe even the whole town.

Ben smirked. "That got you quiet, huh?"

She set her glass down, clearing her throat. "Just needed a drink"

"Oh, I love that."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Love what?"

"The way you go all flustered when I compliment you." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Gotta say, Dr. Bailey, I never pegged you for the shy type."

Miranda huffed "I am not shy."

Ben smirked, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Mm-hmm. Sure."

She shook her head, but there was no hiding the small, pleased smile that tugged at her lips. This man had her. She knew it and he knew it.

As they walked back to his truck. The town had started to quiet down, the streets mostly empty aside from the occasional passing car. Miranda had to admit—she'd enjoyed herself more than she expected.

Ben opened the passenger door for her, and as she turned to face him, he leaned against the truck with that easy smirk of his. "So... you think you might be free for another one of these sometime?"

"Hmm. I'll have to check my schedule."

"Alright, alright. I get it. Playin' hard to get." He stepped back, hands sliding into his pockets. "Guess I'll just be sittin' by the phone, starin' out my cabin window, waitin'."

Miranda laughed softly, but the comment made something in the back of her mind stir. His cabin window. She thought about what Callie had said—that he was close enough for "easy access." She had rolled her eyes at the time, but standing here now, watching him look at her like she was the only woman in the world, she had to admit... there was something about it.

Ben nodded toward the truck. "Come on, Doc. Let's get you home before you start thinkin' too hard about whatever's runnin' through that head of yours."

Miranda smirked, slipping inside. Too late.