Gentle Ben

Gentle Ben

Rita Hestand

Gentle Ben

Rita Hestand

Copyright© 2016 by Rita Hestand

All Rights Reserved

ISBN #

Cover Art by Swoon Worthy Book Covers

License Notes

This book Gentle Ben is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. Please purchase an additional copy for each person you share with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

This book Gentle Ben is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

About the Author

Rita's Other Books

~Dedication~

Life is full of ups and downs and good and bad days. The thing is we have to figure out how to deal with them. To all of those having trouble dealing with them, I say keep trying, the effort is worth it.

God Bless

Rita Hestand

Chapter One

Man do they ever need help. Ben Tyler shook his head with disgust, as he took his helmet off and stared at the landscape stretching against the road for what seemed like miles. The Baldwin farm was in a dilapidated condition. He immediately saw the lack of work on the farm. That hay needed bailing now. He noted the shape the fences were in and shook his head. If he took this job he'd have his work cut out for him. He made a disgusting sound in his throat, shook his head and continued down the road on his motorcycle.

He wasn't sure about what he was doing, but that wasn't anything new either. He hadn't been sure of anything since he came home.

He licked his lips, the sweat dripping down his cheek made it taste salty. He took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat away, then slipped his helmet back on.

He drove down the road, staring at the land that needed his help so bad it nearly cried out to him. Ben had worked his own farm as a kid, his father had taught him a lot, but when he was trying to change a tire on the tractor, it fell on him, killing him. Ben had only been eight when he died. Two years later his mother remarried. He'd never learned to like his step-dad, as he knew he cheated on his mother. But what could Ben say?

A pretty blonde in shorts and t-shirt was gathering the mail at the side of the road where he pulled into the long gravel drive. Want a ride, He offered with a grin.

Sure, why not. She returned his smile. She straddled the backseat and held on to his waist as he drove down the long drive. He got a slight whiff of her flowery perfume and smiled.

He didn't say a word, and neither did she.

As he pulled up to a small vehicle, he stopped and parked his cycle.

He took his helmet off, displaying a closely cropped head of dark hair. He waited until she hopped off.

After securing his helmet on the back of his cycle, he watched her walk up the steps to the porch and to the door. She turned to look at him. You coming? She smiled.

He followed. She opened the screen door, he walked inside.

She turned and looked at him over her shoulder with another smile, So, can I help you?

His eyes did a quick take on the ranch house, it was an adobe house, cooler than a frame or brick house. The living room faded into an adjoining kitchen, where she stared across the open bar at him.

Are you the one advertising for farm help? He asked as though he might have the wrong house.

No, that would be my mother. Her smile immediately faded as she busied herself at the sink. She's gone to the store. I'm Kitty Baldwin and you are?

Ben Tyler, He stood up, walked around the long bar and came closer. He stuck out his hand and smiled.

Ben Tyler, she mused, rolling the name around in her head, obviously from the look she gave him.

You applying for the farm job? She asked, eyeing him closely as their hands met.

Yeah, He nodded, his glance sweeping her with obvious pleasure. The young woman had a perfect figure, and she had a mane of long blonde hair that caught his eye, and the most sparkling blue eyes he'd seen.

Well, make yourself comfortable, she'll be back shortly. He watched her move about the kitchen with ease.

Want something to drink while you wait? She asked.

Sure, whatever you have.

We have tea, sweet or unsweet? She asked and tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder as she shot him another glance. Her eyes traveled him slowly too and the grin on her face told him she enjoyed it as much as he had ogling her.

Undeniably the girl was gorgeous, but he tried to concentrate on something besides her good looks. He'd come about a job, not to admire the little lady.

Then memories of his childhood had him relaxing. He eyed her sharply. She was as pretty as he remembered, maybe more so. Sweet, gives you more energy. He remarked with a grin.

She smiled and poured them both a glass of tea.

Want some lemon? she asked as she cut one and squeezed it into her glass.

Sure, sounds good.

So, have you worked on a farm before? She asked as she brought them both a glass of tea and motioned for him to sit down.

He sat on the edge of the couch, and took the tea. She sat in the chair opposite him for a moment.

Yeah sure, I worked for E.R. Davis over in Newton, and Phil Grimes in Elkton. He said.

She seemed to listen, then turned her eyes on him. So did you quit, get fired, or what?

He settled back against the couch as she had taken the chair in the room. The leather moved with him like a saddle, he thought to himself. Phil Grimes only hired me part time, I worked for him for two years straight though. Davis, I worked for a year full time.

And did you quit him or what? She asked taking a sip of tea, but watching him closely all the same.

Mr. Grimes didn't need me anymore and Mr. Davis I had to quit, as I moved here.

So you live in Cedar Creek now? She asked incredulously.

Yes ma'am. His head shot up and their eyes met.

She smiled again. You don't have to ma'am me. Didn't we go to school together?

A long time ago, he drawled.

Why would anyone in their right mind move to Cedar Creek? She asked with a pout to her pretty full lips.

My mother lives here. He tried to sound off handed about it.

Your mother huh? She gave him a quick once over. And then she reacted, Of course, Her eyes narrowed on him now, as though she just now realized. Ava Tyler Harrison,