Unexpected Inheritance

14

"How's everything going?" Ben asked, glancing over at Tucker.

"Fine," Tucker replied, his voice steady. "Is my son ready to go?"

"He'll be out shortly," Ben said with a smile "Finishing up a few things inside."

Tucker looked around, taking in the sprawling property. His eyes landed on the house, and he raised an eyebrow. "Big old house, lots of land. Great home to raise a family. How's it feel to have a doctor's office in it?"

Ben shrugged, a small grin on his face. "That was always the plan for this place, Eleanor told me herself" he said, leaning against the fence. "Then I married the doctor who runs it, so I obviously don't have a problem with it."

"I figured a countryman like you would value family. You know, maybe want one of your own instead of tryin' to play daddy." He chuckled lightly. "Isn't that supposed to be a country value?"

"A real country value isn't just about having a family—it's about honorin' your woman. And that's what I stand for. Miranda's a doctor, and I'm not about to expect her to end up barefoot and pregnant just 'cause that's what some might say."

"Huh," he muttered, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Didn't take you for a feminist, Warren."

Ben huffed a dry laugh. "Didn't take you for a man with opinions on my marriage when you couldn't keep yours together, but here we are."

Tuck stepped out just in time. He glanced between his father and Ben, sensing the tension even though neither of them was raising their voices.

"You ready?" Tucker asked

Tuck nodded, but before heading to the car, he turned to Ben. "I'll see you in a few days."

"Yeah, kid. Be good."

Tucker watched the exchange with an unreadable expression before turning and heading for the car. As Tuck got in, Tucker hesitated, looking back at Ben. "You enjoy playing house, Warren. Just remember—at the end of the day, he's my son."

Ben didn't flinch. He simply adjusted his hat and met Tucker's gaze head-on. "Ain't no playing about it. Tuck knows exactly where I stand."

Tucker scoffed but didn't say anything else as he got into the car.

As the car disappeared down the road, the front door opened, and Miranda stepped out onto the porch, her arms crossed. "Do I even want to know?"

Ben shook his head. "Nah. Just your ex trying to remind me he's got claim to your boy."

Miranda sighed, stepping down the porch steps and slipping her arms around Ben's waist. "You and I both know Tuck makes up his own mind about people. And he loves you, Ben. Don't let Tucker get under your skin."

Ben wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "He don't. He's just mad 'cause I'm not trying to turn you into something you're not."

But the townsfolk also began to wonder when Ben and Miranda would have children.

Down at the diner, Mrs. Vaughn, the woman who'd been a waitress at the place since before Ben was born, casually mentioned how Miranda and Ben would make some "fine-looking babies."

At the feed store, Ben leaned against the counter, chatting with a couple of old-timers when Mr. Reece grinned at him. "Ain't it about time you and that wife of yours gives us a little town baby to fuss over?"

Miranda couldn't even escape the chatter in her own clinic. One day, as she was finishing up with a patient at her practice, Ben walked in, his hat in hand. He greeted the patient with his usual friendly demeanor and leaned against the doorframe, watching her work.