“That chicken shit,” Cricket grumbled.
“Here, here.” Hound pounded the coffee table.
“I made arrangements and I will be taking Hannah back to Portland tomorrow.”
Everyone gasped at the announcement. Ben should have told Hannah privately but she seemed to be dragging her feet in telling her parents she was alive. He was just giving her a nudge.
“Have you told my parents yet?” Hannah asked in horror.
“No,” he told her softly and took her ice-cold hand in his. “That is up to you. I told an old army buddy of mine who will help guard you. You know him and trust him, it’s Adam. He probably told them to give them a heads up but whether you see them or not will be up to you.” He promised her.
Hannah nodded but remained quiet. “Thank you, everyone. For everything. It was wonderful meeting you all.”
Everyone shrugged nonchalantly no used to receiving thanks and took it for the dismissal it was and piled out.
“I’m sorry I didn’t discuss this with you first.” Ben took her hands in his and kissed the tops of each.
“I know why you did. It’s true I have been putting it off.”
“Are you still afraid your family won’t accept you?” If she still felt like that he’d cancel the trip until she was ready. He didn’t want her stressing about seeing her family.
“No,” Hannah assured him. “I’m just not ready to leave you.” Tears pooled in her eyes.
Ben reached out and swiped one as it trickled down her cheek. “There is nothing saying you can’t come back.”
Hanna looked at him as if he just handed her the moon. “You want me to come back?”
“Of course I do. Hannah, I-” Ben stopped himself before he said it. He had never said it to a woman before and he didn’t know if it was the right time to tell her.
“I what?” She implored him with her eyes to finish.
Ben took a deep breath. “I love you.” There he said it and it wasn’t as hard as he thought it would be.
Hannah was quiet a moment and he feared he had said it too soon and she wasn’t ready to hear it yet. And then a smile broke across her face. “I love you too. I don’t want to ever leave you. We don’t even have to go to Portland.” She actually preferred if she didn’t. She would be happy to stay here with Ben and start a new life with him here.
Ben’s heart thumped wildly. She loved him. He felt he could take on the whole world now. Never had three little words affected him so much. “You’re still going to Portland. Your family has to know your alive. We’ll come right back afterward.”
Hannah sighed heavily. “Promise?” She worried her parents wouldn’t accept her relationship with Ben. They might still insist she become some politician’s wife. Not that she would ever let her parents influence her decisions again. She understood why Ben walked away all those years ago. He didn’t feel he was good enough for her family but only her opinion mattered and he saved her life and he was the only man she had ever loved. He was more than enough for her.
“Promise.” And Ben sealed it with a kiss.
Chapter Eleven
Ben held Hannah’s hand throughout the plane ride. They took a commercial flight instead of a military plane to remain inconspicuous. They landed far too quickly for her frame of mind. She was excited to finally see her parents but she was so not ready to face them yet. Ben had promised her they would stay the night at a hotel and she could see them in the morning. Their childhood friend and Ben’s army buddy, Adam had told her parents she was on the way. Her brothers had been informed as well and were flying up to see her.
She could do this. She was going to finally see her family again. It felt so surreal.
“You okay?” Ben asked for probably the hundredth time today. She loved him so much for that.
“I’m fine. As long as you don’t leave my side, I’m good.”
“Consider me stuck to you like glue.”
“That was so corny.” Hannah laughed.
“But it made you laugh so it was well worth it.”
Adam was there to greet them when they got off the plane. He wore his uniform and aviator sunglasses. He waited for them by his car. The two men shared a handshake and a brief hug. “Adam, always good to see you.”
“You’re looking good, Ben. And Hannah, you look as beautiful as I remember.” Adam said and took her in his arms for a great big hug. Hannah forgot how much she missed Adam and how sweet he always was to her.
“Easy, Adam,” Ben pulled her close to his side. “Hannah is my girlfriend.”
Wow, Hannah has never seen a pissing competition before but she thought she just had. And she just got labeled girlfriend. It took everything inside of her not to giggle with glee.
“Finally tied this cowboy down eh?” Adam laughed at Ben. “Took long enough.”
“I’m not complaining if the end result is the same,” Hannah said leaning against Ben’s side.
“Either way it’s good to see the two of you again. It’s been far too long. Shall we?” Adam waved them over to the car.
“Do we have to ride in the back?” Hannah saw there was only one free seat up front.
“Think of it as being chauffeured,” Adam said getting behind the wheel.
Ben just shrugged his shoulders and sat in the back with Hannah. It wasn’t as uncomfortable as she thought. It had fabric seats but lacked a door handle. She supposed one couldn’t make it too easy for criminals to get out.
“Adam, can you take us to that little cabin
