Unexpected Inheritance

4

Ben strolled into Miranda's practice one afternoon, his boots tapping softly against the floor as he made his way toward the front desk. The receptionist gave him a friendly smile and a polite nod, and he returned it with a grin.

"Hey there," he said, tipping his hat. "Is the boss in?"

"She's in her office, Mr. Warren," She replied "You're lucky—she's got a free moment."

Ben gave her a wink. "Thanks."

He made his way down the hallway, a small smile on his face as he took a moment to admire the way her space had come together. Miranda's office felt like a reflection of her—organized, professional, yet welcoming with a personal touch.

He knocked softly before entering, the door creaking open.

Miranda looked up from her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration as she sifted through some paperwork. When her gaze met his, her expression shifted into one of surprise and then warmth.

"Ben, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice light.

Ben set the box down on her desk and took a seat across from her, looking as pleased as ever with himself. "Got ya something real special,"

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Alright, what is it?"

He leaned back in his chair, tilting his hat up just slightly. "Open it and see."

She gave him a skeptical look but untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside, resting on a bed of tissue paper, was a beautifully crafted hat—black, wide-brimmed, and clearly made with care.

"This..." she trailed off, genuinely impressed. "This is nice."

Ben grinned. "Genuine, handmade, custom-sized just for you."

She picked it up, turning it in her hands, a smile spreading across her face, and gently placed the hat on her head, adjusting it to fit just right.

Ben tilted his head, giving her an appreciative once-over. "Damn. I knew it'd look good, but—" He let out a low whistle. "Might have to fight off half the town now."

"I appreciate the gift," she said, adjusting the brim. "And I hope that was a joke."

He reached out, tipping it up slightly so he could see her eyes better. "I don't play about you, Doc." 

One late afternoon, Miranda and Ben worked side by side, their hands in the dirt as they carefully planted rows of vegetables and herbs. Miranda wiped her brow, glancing at the neat little garden they were building together.

"You know," she said, pressing soil around the base of a tomato plant, "back when I worked at the hospital, I never imagined I'd have free time for something like this."

"Country's got a way of resetting folk."

"Well, whatever it's doing, it's working. My stress levels are lower than they've ever been, I'm sleeping wonderfully, and my relationship with Tuck is the best it's been in years."

"Good. You deserve all that, you know."

"Well... there's also this cute guy that's been making me pretty happy too."

Ben smirked, dusting the dirt off his hands. "Oh yeah? I might need to have a word with him, make sure his intentions are good."

Miranda laughed, shaking her head. "You do that,"

He grinned, reaching over to adjust the brim of the hat he'd given her, which she'd taken to wearing while they worked outside.

As Ben leaned in, pulling Miranda closer to him, their lips met softly, the world around them fading for just a moment. Ben's hands rested gently on her waist, Miranda's arms draped around his neck, both of them completely lost in the moment—until a voice cut through the air.