Unexpected Inheritance

3

"Well, that's generous of you," Tucker said, his words dripping with condescension. "What's the arrangement here, anyway? Room and board for odd jobs?"

"Tucker," Miranda said sharply, glaring at her ex.

"What? I'm just curious," Tucker said, holding his hands up in mock innocence. "Seems like a pretty sweet deal for him."

Ben set his fork down and looked up, his calm demeanor starting to shift. "I don't think my arrangements here are any of your business."

"Oh, I think they are," Tucker said, his voice rising slightly. "This is my son's home too. I'd like to know who's hanging around."

The tension thickened, and Tuck looked between the adults, his fork frozen mid-air. Miranda started to say something, but before she could, Tucker pressed on.

"You know, Miranda, figures you'd have hired help. You never were much of a homemaker"

Ben stood, his chair scraping against the floor as he moved. He stepped around the table, stopping just short of Tucker.

"That's enough," Ben said, his voice low but firm.

Tucker stood as well, squaring up to Ben. "Or what? You gonna show me what a big, tough groundskeeper does?"

"Yeah I might,"

"Do it then,"

Before things could escalate, Miranda jumped up, stepping between them. She put a hand on Ben's chest and another on Tucker's shoulder.

"Stop it. Both of you," she said, her voice steady but edged with frustration.

"No let the tough guy show me what he's going to do,"

"Watch your mouth," Ben pointed at Tucker "Miranda get behind me"

"No, this is nonsense" She didn't budge

"Apologize," Ben demanded "You come in here with that slick mouth and don't think someone will bust you in it,"

"Easy there cowboy," Tucker smirked "Miranda might want to control him,"

"Miranda get behind me"

"Benjamin this is ridiculous, don't mind him,"

"Mind me alright," Tucker clenched his teeth "Mind me a whole lot Benjamin"

Ben's gaze didn't waver from Tucker's, but he reached out, gently pulling Miranda behind him. "Baby, I said get behind me" he said without thinking, his protective instincts taking over.

The room froze.

Tucker's eyes widened slightly, his smug expression faltering. Miranda stiffened behind Ben, her heart skipping a beat at the slip. But it was Tuck who broke the silence.

"Wait," he said, his voice cutting through the tension. "What do you mean by 'baby'?"

Both men froze, their tension dissipating as all eyes turned to Miranda. Her cheeks flushed, and she glanced at Ben, who gave her a small nod as if to say, Your call.

Miranda took a steadying breath and turned to her son. "Tuck, honey... Ben and I... we've been seeing each other."

Tuck's brows shot up, and he looked between his parents and Ben. "Wait... what? Since when?"

"For a few months now" Miranda admitted, keeping her tone calm. "I didn't want to spring it on you too soon, but... well, here we are."

Tuck sat back, processing

Tucker's expression hardened. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Shut it" Miranda glared at him

"Hey," Ben said, stepping forward, his voice steady but firm. "This has nothing to do with you. Miranda's an incredible woman, and I care about her. That's all you need to know."

Tucker scoffed, but before he could say more, Tuck spoke up. "Is this why you've been so happy, Mom?"

Miranda blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"You've just seemed... I don't know, happier since we moved here," Tuck said, his voice quieter now. "If that's because of Ben, then... I guess it's okay."

Miranda's heart softened, and she smiled at her son. "It's not just because of Ben. It's everything—this place, the practice, you adjusting so well. But yes, he's part of it."

Tucker's mouth tightened, but he said nothing more as he sat back down. Ben returned to his seat as well, his hand brushing against Miranda's briefly under the table—a small but comforting gesture.

As the table cleared and the mood began to settle, Tuck looked up at his mom. "Can I spend the weekend with Dad?"

Miranda paused, glancing at Tucker, who seemed caught off guard by the question. She turned back to her son, giving him a soft smile. "That would be fine, honey. Just make sure you pack everything you'll need."

Tuck nodded and before Miranda could say anything else, he turned toward Ben, walking over to him.

Tuck reached out to give Ben their signature handshake,  a mix of fist bumps and finger snaps. It ended with Tuck miming a cowboy lasso, and Ben pretending to break free.

When they finished, Ben looked at him, his expression serious but affectionate. "We're still cool, right?"

Tuck nodded  "Always. Take care of her. Like we southern gentlemen do" He walked out of the room

"We southern gentlemen" Tucker questioned "Kids been living out here a few months what does he know about being a southern gentleman,"

"More than you know about being one period" Miranda replied

"You've got a good kid," Ben said, his voice directed at Miranda but loud enough for Tucker to hear.

Miranda smiled softly. "I know."

Tucker crossed his arms, still watching Ben carefully. But this time, he chose to stay silent.

As soon as Tucker and Tuck left the house, the tension seemed to melt away, leaving Miranda and Ben in the quiet of the kitchen. Ben walked over to her, his boots scuffing softly against the floor. Without saying a word, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"You know," he murmured, his deep voice warm against her ear, "when Eleanor said she'd be leaving me a gift, I figured it might be a watch or something. Never thought it'd be a beautiful woman and a great kid."

Miranda chuckled softly, leaning back into him. "She did alright by me too, leaving me a house and a Ben."

He smiled against her neck, then turned her gently to face him. Their eyes met, and before she could say another word, he kissed her—a slow, lingering kiss that made her forget the chaos of the evening.

When the kiss broke, Ben lifted her effortlessly onto the counter, his hands resting on her hips. Miranda laughed softly and reached for his hat, plucking it off his head and placing it on her own.

"Looks good on you," he said with a grin, his hands sliding to her waist.

"Maybe it's time you got me one of my own," she teased, adjusting the brim playfully.

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Careful now, you'll have the whole town thinking you're a country girl."

Miranda pretended to twirl an invisible lasso, throwing it around him and pulling him closer. "Well, I do like the way country boys kiss."

Ben inched closer, his hands bracing on either side of her as their faces drew near. "Guess I better make sure you keep liking it," he whispered before their lips met again.