Studying Ben

Sitting at the desk in Ben's study, Liana Wade stretched and slowly rose from the chair. She'd been in here for several hours, getting the ranch's website ready to show to Ben. Hopefully, Ben would be happy with the finished product.

Liana smiled to herself. Ben had been harboring some secret since the day after the picnic, when he had almost killed Luke for beating one of their horses. It was a good secret, she was sure. Ben was looking happy and smiling a lot. He seemed to have gotten past his fear that she would leave him.

That was ridiculous anyway. She shook her head slightly. No way would she leave Ben. Not ever. In fact, the incident at the picnic had made her more sure than ever that she was meant to be with him, that she could help him. They were meant for each other. She'd thought that from the moment she met him, and her talk with Alistair in the church had confirmed it for her.

And besides, she thought to herself, I'm in love with him. Totally in love with him. No matter what he did for a living before and, God help me, no matter what he does now. Liana swallowed slightly. After the picnic, she had finally managed to admit that to herself. That, even if he killed, she wouldn't leave him.

She only hoped that that Sheriff Biebe would lay off his suspicions of Ben. Would leave them in peace. Maybe this murder that had taken place in the Glen would divert his attentions elsewhere.

Walking around the study, she looked at the walls. On one were the sketches of his that she had had framed for him. He'd been pleased with them. Had let her know in no uncertain terms that he liked them. She had to blush a little when she thought about that night. When Ben conveyed his approval to her about something, it usually took the form of a wonderful, passionate night in bed. He'd left no doubt in her mind about the framed pictures.

"Now, just what are you thinkin' about, darlin'?" Liana smiled, as she heard Ben's voice at the door of the study.

Turning to look at him, she said teasingly, "I'm wondering just what kind of surprise you've got in store for me next. I know there's something. It's been written on your face and in the way you act for the last few days."

Sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her in for a long, passionate kiss, he said with a grin, "Me? Plannin' a surprise? Don' know where you'd get an idea like that, darlin'!" Actually, he knew she could read him. Almost as well as he could read her. She was the only person who could. Hell, the only one who'd ever bothered to try. Besides Dan, maybe.

As she took his hand and let him to the desk to show him the webpage on her laptop, he was thinking furiously. Hoping she couldn't read him well enough to mess up the surprise wedding he had planned. The plans were moving along well and he'd hate it if the surpise were ruined.

As Liana bent over the computer, he grasped her hips, then slid his hands up her sides to her breasts. Cupping them firmly, he bent to whisper in her ear with a grin, "But, if I was plannin' a surprise, there just might be a way you could get me to tell you."