Hannah could only hope that was true.
4
Four
Hannah showered, changed into comfortable yoga pants and a shirt, and then maniacally cleaned her apartment above the saloon because she didn’t know what else to do with her time. She was afraid that she would sit at the window and watch the events happening on Main Street for hours on end if she didn’t busy herself ... so that’s what she did.
By the time Cooper climbed the stairs to join her several hours later, the apartment was sparkling, to the point where Jinx reared back and lifted his nose in surprise when Cooper let him in the apartment.
“Lemon fresh, huh?” Cooper noted on a grimace as Jinx pranced around and started sniffing things. “I didn’t realize you were going to spend the entire afternoon cleaning.”
Hannah frowned at him. “I needed something to do.”
“I ... see that. Er, I smell that.”
Her frown only deepened. “It’s not that bad.”
“Baby, it’s bad enough that I’m going to open a few windows to get some fresh air in here.” Cooper dropped the takeout bags on the kitchen table and strode to the front window to push it open. “I don’t want you passing out from the fumes.”
Hannah watched him, frustration bubbling up. “I’m fine.”
“I’ve decided that I don’t like it when you say that.” Cooper moved to another window and unlatched it so he could yank it open. “You use that word when you want to avoid things. ‘I’m fine. I feel fine. Why wouldn’t I be fine?’ You throw all those things out there when you want to avoid a direct question.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose. “I’m pretty sure that’s not true.”
“Oh, but it is.” Cooper stopped in the middle of the room so he could study her. She’d showered and her hair was still damp. Her face was devoid of makeup, which was exactly how he liked it. She was beautiful, distractingly so, and he preferred it when she didn’t bother with makeup enhancement. The yoga pants she’d selected were a charcoal color, but he was particularly fond of them because they made her legs look as if they went on for miles.
“What?” Hannah said after a beat, tugging on her shirt self-consciously. “Do I have something on me or something?”
He let loose a sigh. “You’re beautiful, Hannah.” He moved to her, his fingers gentle as they brushed her hair away from her face. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine” was on the tip of her tongue and then she remembered what he said. “I’m ... doing a lot of thinking,” she said finally. “It’s hard for me to wrap my head around.”
“What is?” He led her to the couch, momentarily ignoring the food he’d brought. It would keep. She had a microwave to heat it up if need be.
“I don’t want to lose this place.” Her voice was small. “You know, when I inherited Casper Creek, all I knew was that I needed a place to live because I’d lost everything. I thought it was a fortuitous turn of events.
“Then I came here and met everyone, met you,” she continued, her fingers shaking in his hand. “What happens if I lose this place?”
“You’re not going to lose Casper Creek,” he replied automatically, earning a stern glare from her. “You’re not,” he repeated, refusing to back down. “We’re going to figure this out.”
“And what if we don’t?” Hannah was pragmatic by nature, especially when it came to things like this. “A man was shot on this property with a gun that wasn’t supposed to be loaded. His family is most certainly going to sue. When that happens ... the insurance might pay out, or it might not if they can find a loophole. I won’t be able to run this place without insurance and after a claim like that we’ll become uninsurable.” She chewed on her bottom lip as she glanced around at the apartment. “I never felt like I truly had a home until now. I don’t want to lose it.”
“You’re not going to lose it,” Cooper insisted. “It’s not going to happen.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I do know that. Listen ... no, listen.” He was firm as he held her gaze. “You love this place because it’s made you see possibilities. It’s made you dream. That’s a good thing. Don’t give up on the dream yet.”
“I’m not giving up. I just ... I’m afraid.”
“I know, and that’s perfectly normal.” He tugged her to him, wrapping his arms around her and resting his cheek on her forehead. She belonged with him. He believed that to his very soul. She fit in his arms ... and his heart. He understood why she was upset, though. Honestly, he was right there with her. He was afraid of what was to come ... but he refused to let the dream they’d begun to build die without a fight.
“Hey.” He pulled back so he could study her face. “We need to wait before we freak out. The coroner could find something that will completely exonerate us.”
“What are the odds of that?”
“Not great,” he admitted. “That doesn’t mean we won’t figure this out. I know it seems daunting. I’m going to be right by your side, though. This is something we’re going to do together and I have no intention of going anywhere.”
“Okay, but let’s say the worst does happen.” She licked her lips and raised her chin, almost defiant in the way that she challenged him. “What happens to us if this place closes?”
That’s when he realized what was truly bothering her. “Are you asking if we’re going to suddenly split up because there is no Casper Creek?”
“I ... guess.” She was reluctant to admit her fears, but they were right on the surface and she couldn’t look away.
“Hannah, I have no intention of letting you go. I just got you. If the unthinkable happens and you somehow lose Casper Creek — which I don’t believe is going to happen —
