“There’s nothing wrong with a man in a suit and tie,” she answered, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. “And he hasn’t asked yet. We’re still in the talking stage.”
And clearly she and Ben needed to talk. She might be able to convince Chance she still didn’t have feelings for him, but with every minute she was in his company, it was getting harder to convince herself. And if she did have feelings, how could she lead Ben on, even if Chance didn’t return those feelings? “What about you? I was wondering if I’d find a bunch of buckle bunnies taking care of you.”
For the first time since they’d ventured on this topic, Chance smiled. “I had offers.”
She bet he had. “But?”
“Not exactly the way I want people to see me. Pride, I guess.” His fork scraped the plate clean. He smacked those firm lips of his and took a swig of milk.
“But you don’t mind if I see you like this.”
A trace of a white mustache formed above his upper lip. He looked adorable. She tamped down the urge to wipe it off. No touching him for any reason.
“Actually, I do—just doesn’t seem anything I can do about it.” He swiped a hand across his mouth, erasing the traces of milk.
“Darn right there’s not.”
One corner of his mouth crooked up. “This was pretty good, Libby.”
Warmth spread through her at the compliment, easing a little of the tension she’d been feeling from their personal discussion. She needed to change the subject to a more neutral topic.
“Thank you. This house is beautiful and in a beautiful mountain setting. It’s so homey looking in here. Did you buy all this stuff, the curtains, the bedspreads, the furniture?”
She wondered if a woman had helped him decorate.
“I negotiated most of the existing furniture and decorations into the sale price. The moment I stepped into this house, it felt like home. I never really had a home, not a happy one, anyway. This ranch and the house mean I have a place where I belong.”
Knowing where he came from and what little he’d had, she could just imagine how much it meant to him. That was a part of his life she’d hoped to make better when she’d married him. And instead, she’d made it so much worse.
He grimaced and sucked in a breath.
“Pain?” Instinctively she touched his arm. He was warm and solid, and touching him felt electric. She pulled her hand away.
“Feels like a hundred spears digging into me.” He laid his head back and an errant strand of dark hair curled over his brow, making him look all tousled and sexy. Half naked, his eyes closed, his body still. She resisted the unnerving temptation to touch him again. To stroke him, make him feel better. And hated that here he was in pain, and she was having a lust-filled moment. “Anything I can do?”
“Depends on what you’re offering,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Just offering help, Chance.” But she felt the blush in her cheeks.
He let out a breath and gave a soft chuckle, as if he enjoyed making her uncomfortable.
“Relax. Once I stop and lay still, it gets better. Apparently it is going to take some time until I get my strength back. I’ll catch some sleep after I hobble to the bathroom.”
“You need help with that?” she said as she gathered up the plate.
His eyes popped wide and his not-too-friendly gaze settled on her. “The day any woman has to help me with the necessities is the day I’ll take a gun and shoot myself.”
“Chance, don’t talk like that.”
“Just emphasizing that cooking and helping out is one thing. Playing nursemaid is a whole different kettle of fish. And no thanks to that kettle.”
“Why?”
“Because it makes me feel old and worthless. It’s depressing enough to sit here unable to do much for myself. But damn it, I’m getting to the bathroom on my own.”
“I’ll just wait then until…until you’re finished so I know you’re okay.”
“You will not. You’ll leave this room and leave me be. My hobbling around isn’t a pretty sight, and it’s not for anyone else’s eyes but mine. So get now. You need to settle in and eat too, I expect.”
She was hungry. “I also really should go to town and get some groceries. You don’t have much more than breakfast fixings in the house.”
He nodded. “That seemed the easiest thing, considering I’d be on my own. If you’re going to town, take some money out of my wallet on the bureau.”
“I’ll pay. My contribution to the pot.” Though how long she could make that contribution before her funds ran out might be another matter. Still, it was only right to offer.
He snorted. “Since you’re going to be working for my hospitality, the least I can do is feed you. More money is in the top drawer if need be.”
She hoped her relief didn’t show on her face. “All right. How about steaks tonight on that grill I spied on your patio?”
She’d never grilled steaks, but how hard could they be?
“Sounds great.”
“I may need some instructions on starting the barbecue though.”