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*

The countdown to six p.m. was the longest Bennett had experienced since he was five and went to bed dreaming of an NRS toy roping dummy for Christmas. At least this time, he’d have some say in getting what he wanted.

He showered off and went through his freshly laundered shirts, picking out a forest-green button-down his mom said made his eyes pop, or whatever. Not that he was thinking of his mom at this particular moment, but since his fashion sense was limited to what was clean and available, he might as well use the woman’s expertise.

When the doorbell rang at half past five, he groaned. He’d have welcomed the distraction an hour ago, but not now.

Gander laid on his bed and barely raised an ear in interest as Bennett walked down the hall to open the front door.

“Some guard dog you’re turning out to be,” he grumbled, but not before reaching down to scratch the mutt behind his ears. “Yeah?” he asked, throwing open the door.

Grace strolled through, a smile on her face that said Bennett was going to be late to Boot and Barrel.

“Is that how you greet your guests?” At seeing Grace, Gander shot up and wagged his tail affectionately, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. There was that smile again. “Here you go, boy,” Grace said, procuring a treat for the dog. Gander sped back to his bed with it and Bennett stifled a laugh. Some things in his life were as predictable as the spring winds.

“It’s how I greet unannounced visitors who show up twenty minutes before I have to leave.”

“Oh, that’s right. You’re going out tonight.”

Bennett sighed. “Is that a problem?”

“No. In fact, I’m glad you’re getting out. I wish you did more of it, actually.”

His gaze narrowed. “Why’d you stop by, Mom?”

Grace took off her coat and Bennett felt a wave of anxiety roll through him.

“I like this,” his mom said, pointing to the beard he’d grown out. “You remind me of your father.”

“Um, thanks? I’m not sure anyone’s ever said that in a good way before.”

“Now that makes me sad. Your dad may have been flawed, but he was a good husband and a better father.”

“Just a crummy businessman.”

Grace’s smile was thin. “No. That’s true. You didn’t get that from him.”

“I got it from you. I’ve always known that.”

“You did, and thanks for saying so. But you got your romantic streak from your dad.”

“How’s that?” His skin itched like it did every time the topic of his father came up.

Partly because he couldn’t get Matt out of his head when someone mentioned his dad. The two were ghosts that traveled together, haunting every move Bennett made with the ranch, every decision he put into place that would make the place better for two men who’d never know.

Hell, Matt was the only one still alive to care and Bennett had about as much hope that would happen as he did that the Vikings would win the Superbowl. That was to say, not much.

“Oh, that man would have done anything to sweep me off my feet. You’re similar that way.”

“Mom, I’m not dating anyone right now. Sweeping someone off their feet is sorta secondary to meeting them in the first place.”

Grace nodded her head to the side. “Perhaps. One could also argue you did meet them already, but time and life haven’t exactly been kind to you both.”

Bennett shoved his hands as deep into his pockets as he could. He rocked back on his heels as he considered this.

“You might be right. She was amazing today, huh?” He didn’t need to say her name. His mom knew who he meant.

“She was. She really cares about the town, doesn’t she?”