Judged Love Read online

  “Crap she is already at the hospital.”

  ~

  In the emergency room walked in Senior to see Annabelle he just walked right up to Sarah. “Alright Sarah I know she is here somewhere would you please be kind enough to find Annabelle for me.” Senior just smiles at Sarah because he already knows she is going to do what he asked.

  “Senior I can’t just give you whatever you want, besides she is hiding in the doctor’s lounge and before you go in there you better go get her a large white chocolate mocha or she may not even talk to you.” Sarah smiled back at Senior because he was already heading for the coffee shop in the hospital as soon as she finished.

  “See ya soon maybe I can talk some sense into these kids.” Senior said walking away.

  He was hesitant to corner Annabelle on her turf because he wasn’t sure if what he had to say would make a difference but at least he was now armed with coffee and maybe she would listen to him. “Bells are you still in here?” Senior asked while opening the door to the doctor’s lounge.

  “Senior what are you doing here?” Annabelle was now getting angry because Ben sent his father to try to fix his problems. Great now she was in love with a man who wouldn’t even fight his own fights.

  “Ben doesn’t know I’m here, please don’t be mad at me but I was worried about you. Now tell me what the heck that dumb son of mine did so I can hurt him for hurting you.” Senior said as he handed her the coffee he got for her.

  “Well, all I know is he saw me talking with Dakota and I guess he thought I was flirting with him but that’s not the way we are. Dakota is more of a brother and a sister wrapped in one package. We have known each other for over a decade and there is nothing between us because he is gay. Why did Ben have to only see what he wanted?” She knew the tears had started again but didn’t care. All she wanted was for Ben to love her for who she is and not try to change her. Senior held his arms out for her and she crawled onto his lap like a small child. She cried on his shoulder for a while over the lost love that she thought would never be.

  “Bells can I tell you something without you getting mad at me?” She nodded her answer without removing her head from his shoulder. I felt good to be able to cry on someone’s shoulder like she did with her dad as a child. “Ben is scared of what might be between you two. He doesn’t know how to be with a beautiful woman since he and Veronica got married right out of high school. They never dated anyone else and he never brought a woman home since. You are the complete opposite of what she was not in the beauty department. You each have your own beauty but she was the home maker and you challenge Ben. But you also give him so much that she never gave like your wild side. Please don’t give up on what you two have and can have. “

  Annabelle had a lot to think about but at that moment Dakota walked in the lounge. “Sorry I didn’t know any one was using the… Annabelle? What the hell is wrong? Sorry mister I’m Dr. Dakota Mitchell and you are?” Dakota finished by having his hand out to shake his hand.

  “Benjamin Walker Senior but call me Senior. Bells are we okay?” Senior shook hands with Dakota before turning his attention to Annabelle.

  “Yes I’m fine but I forgot to call ya Dakota and tell ya I didn’t need you to cover the rest of my shift today.” Annabelle was trying to compose herself but knew after that hard of a cry she was going to need to go into the bathroom and splash some cold water on her face.

  “Annabelle take the day off call today a freebee for ya and wait Ben Walker as in her Ben’s father?” Dakota was at a loss of words because for an older man he still looked really good.

  “One in the same. Are you taking the rest of the day off Bells?” He looked at Annabelle for her answer.

  “Well I guess I am since you are already here Dakota. But Senior I was planning on surprising Ben with spending a long weekend out at the ranch now what do I do?” Annabelle was shocked that she told Senior of her plans because she knew they couldn’t happen now.

  “Spend the time with Benny and I and just forget that son of mine I would be delighted to entertain you this weekend.” Senior held his arm out for her to tell her it was settled and all she needed to do was come.

  Chapter 10

  Annabelle had Senior swing by her house on the way to the ranch to grab a bag for the weekend and had time to think. What was she doing chasing a man who may never be able to see her for who she was and not just the person she was? Why was he always pushing her away and will this work out between them? The other thought was why couldn’t Ben be more like his father caring and seeing all of her? She enjoyed the thought of being able to relax this weekend and have nothing to do but try to get Ben to look past the outside of her and see who she truly was. Senior was a caring man why wasn’t he married and what happened to his wife. She had a lot to think on this weekend but being able to spend the time with Benny would be good for her even if Ben didn’t want to see her again. She also had to figure out how to leave early enough to get ready for the benefit on Saturday night for the hospital since she had to attend all of those functions and she already had the dress for it. After this time at the ranch would Ben be willing to escort her or would she just go with Dakota again the same as the last five years. Once at the ranch she started to get a little nervous about being there invading Ben’s space without him knowing she was there.

  “Don’t worry god has a plan and you just need to listen to him. If I’m wrong about his plan I promise to fix it.” Senior laid his hand over hers in her lap and gave it a small squeeze to reassure her. She was surprised with the comfort she got from him was she that obvious of her fear of rejection from Ben?

  “Are you sure about me being here? I don’t want to start something between you two.” Annabelle let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

  “I am too old to go hide in the bushes from my son if he has a problem with me spending the weekend with a beautiful lady that’s just too damn bad. Besides how often can an old man like me walk around with an angel on his arm?” Senior smiled at her letting her know he was proud to be with her and that he was speaking the truth. How can his son be so different or was it true he was hurt bad before and was trying to protect himself from hurting again?

  “Can I ask you something?” She asked while getting out of the pickup and he was grabbing her bag. He nodded and smiled at her to tell her to ask away. “Not to be too nosy but what happened to your wife? And why did you never remarry?”

  “Well my wife died when Ben was fifteen of a heart attack and I never found anyone who could replace my soul mate. She was the good side of me and always kept me in line because I’m such a lady’s man.” He winked over at her because he was just kidding with the last remark. “But since then it was just Ben and me till he got married, and now it’s just the boys. Promise me when you do marry that pain in the rear son of mine you give me a granddaughter because I’m dying to spoil her and be wrapped around her little finger.”

  She was shocked to say the least that Senior was already talking of them getting married when they were not even talking right now. How could he be so sure things would work out between them and she would become part of this close family? She didn’t have long to think on that because at that moment the front door flew open and Benny came running out to her. He jumped of the top step into her arms which she caught him easily. “Boy did you grow more since the last time I saw you?” Annabelle said while holding him tight in a hug.

  “No Bells it just forever!” He was obviously excited she was here but she stepped up on the stairs and set him down on the porch where he grabbed her hand to pull her into the house. “Are ya here to stay?”

  “No honey just for the weekend, and what have you been doing since the last time I was here. Have you been good for grandpa?” She saw Senior smiling at her and Benny like he knew more about what was going on and wasn’t going to tell her.

  “Pa won’t let me get away with no stuff.” Benny had his lower lip out pouting and Annabelle couldn’t
stop herself from laughing at Benny’s antics of not being able to get away with anything with Senior. “Did ya want to play?”

  “How bout I get settled in and you tell me everything that has been going on the last week while I have a cup of coffee?” Benny started to hop up and down with all the excitement and energy only a four year old could have. She was smiling down at him with all the love only a mother could have but it broke her heart that she probably would never be his mother.

  After Senior had Annabelle settled in the guest room upstairs and she had had her coffee Benny talked her into playing with his action figures in his playroom off the kitchen. Kate was in the kitchen making the dinner for the house and enjoying hearing the laughter coming from Benny. She hadn’t heard that child have that much fun in one afternoon in all the time she had been around him and that was his entire life. But the one thing that brought a smile to her face was the soft almost bell like laugh coming from Annabelle as she was truly enjoying the time she spent with Benny. Just as Kate was putting the fresh bread in the oven to go with the boys’ dinner Ben walked in the back door and broke her from her thoughts. He had the worst scowl on his face that she had ever seen on him. She worried that he may do something stupid to destroy the happiness she had enjoyed in the house this afternoon. But the moment he entered the house he froze where he stood holding the door knob and was listening to the laughter coming from the other room. Kate didn’t even have time to scold him for not taking off his work boots before he headed in the direction of Benny and Annabelle. He stopped at the door to the room and watched for a moment of Benny and Annabelle on the floor playing. Annabelle had Benny pinned down and was tickling him but what he was watching was the love coming from the two of them for each other. Once Benny saw him he tried to wiggle away from her and said, “Daddy” Benny jumped up and ran to give his dad a hug welcoming him home.

  “What a welcome home. Hello Benny where is your pa?” Ben asked while hugging his child but never taking his eyes off Annabelle.

  “Napping.” Benny said while hugging his father back.

  “Okay can you stay here while I talk to Belle for a minute?” Just that moment Senior walked up behind Ben and startled both of them.

  “No you may not steal my date for the weekend. I invited her but someone just a little bit cuter was entertainer her while I rested now that I’m rested I will take over the entertainment.” Senior responded to Ben’s question to Benny and showed no shame in trying to hog Annabelle for himself.

  “Senior it’s alright I’ll give him five minutes to explain himself and then you can whisk me away. Besides you never told me of the plans you had for tonight.” Annabelle said while getting off the floor to have Ben follow her to the porch to give him his five minutes. Ben followed her out of the house but was at a loss of words of how to explain what he did and why he felt the need to upset her the way that he did. He knew he was going to need more than five minutes but where did he start. Once on the back porch she just turned around to face him to get this over with and to see what he had to say about his actions. “Well talk; remember you only have five minutes.”

  “I’m sorry for being a complete idiot and not listening to you. Maybe I need to learn to listen to you and not just jump off a cliff every time I get near you. I didn’t know about Dakota and all I saw was a man with you and what appeared to be flirting going on between you two. Sorry to say it but you are the first woman I have tried to actually tried to get to know and I don’t know how to go about doing this. But I don’t want to just walk away from you again and lose the happiness I have had since seeing you.” He was pacing in front of her and running his hand through his hair this nervous habit of his she was startling to love. “Please say you will forgive me heck just say anything at all.”

  Annabelle stepped in front of him to stop his pacing and placed her hands on both sides of his face. She stood on her tip toes and he leaned down to look at her but she still almost couldn’t reach him so she pulled down on his face to bring him closer. He came down the rest of the way for her so she could kiss him it started as a soft kiss. He brought his hands behind her back to draw her closer and to feel her against him. She leaned her body against his because she wanted more than was going to get out here on the porch. She had never wanted a man as much as she did with him. When he pulled her close she opened her mouth to allow him all he wanted and he slid his tongue into her mouth to taste the sweet taste that was only Annabelle. His hands went to her bottom and he lifted her up to get her closer to him. Her hands went around his neck to hold on but when he lifted her it broke the contact of the kiss. Ben never lost stride but started to kiss down her chin to her neck which she leaned back to give more access then he froze after coming back up to her ear. She heard him whisper in her ear. “We better stop.” Annabelle sighed with trying to not be upset but she was. “Sorry Belle but if I don’t stop now I won’t and we have an audience.”

  That is when she looked over to the window of the kitchen and saw Senior and Kate watching them without a look of shame for being caught spying on them. They both just smiled and waved at them and then turned from the window. Annabelle blushed to her toes and hid her face in Ben’s shoulder. Ben laughed at her reaction, “aurg, how can you laugh about this and I think you better put me down?” Annabelle pulled back to see his face but he put one arm around her back to hold her where she was.

  “God I love the feel of you in my arms. But you have to laugh at my family or they will just drive you nuts.” He allowed her to slide down till her feet touched the porch but didn’t release his hold of her. “I hope that kiss means you forgive me if not I’m in real trouble.” He looked down in her eyes to see the truth she had hidden there.

  “Yes it means I forgive you but don’t ever do that again. And just so you know I love the feel of your arms around me I just can’t wait till I get more of you.” With that she turned to run away from him but he was quicker and he pulled her back up against him. With a clear head from not being kissed she felt his hard body behind her and could feel he was completely turned on from the kiss still he leaned down and started to kiss her neck from the back and worked his way to her ear. Once he reached her ear he whispered to her, ‘God I can’t wait to see the rest of you. This waiting crap is going to kill me.’

  Ben stood up to release her from his hold but didn’t want to pull away from her yet because he knew if they walked into the house right now everyone would know how turned on he was with Annabelle and her kiss. But he didn’t have to go anywhere for the moment because at that moment Matt, Derek, and Todd come around the corner of the house all three of them on horseback. Ben had never been so glad to have a woman standing in front of him than he did at that moment. “Guys what’s up?”

  Derek looked at Annabelle and Ben for a moment before answering his boss. “Well it looks like you two have fixed your problems and all work is done for the day. We will see you tomorrow and have a good night boss.” With that Derek turned his horse to go back the way he came to head for the barn but Annabelle noticed the small twinkle in his eye like he was happy to see them together. Todd turned to leave with Derek and was trying his hardest to not smile to big at Ben.

  Matt could tell Ben was having a hard time because of the way he was holding Annabelle in front of him and he figured it would be a good time to give his best friend a hard time. Matt said as coolly as he could, “Good to see ya found her. I hope you don’t plan on doing anything stupid again cause I don’t want to hear ya grumble for the day again.”

  “Mathew you are a pain. Wait till I talk to Sarah about your behavior.” Annabelle felt Bens arms tighten around her to hold her in place. She suddenly felt why his hold tightened when she tried to pull away from him. Ben was completely turned on still from a simple kiss and he didn’t want her to move from where she was or Matt would have more ammunition. She had the realization of how much bigger Ben was to her with the fact that she felt him in the middle of her back. This thought of how much bigg
er he was than her frightened her a little because she had never been with a man this much bigger. Heck if she was completely honest she had only been with two guys before and they were both smaller men.

  “Oh don’t worry I won’t tell all his secrets just yet.” Matt started to laugh and then turned his horse to head to the barn.

  Annabelle spun around to face Ben because she remembered that she never told him of the Benefit Party on Saturday night for the hospital. But she probably will do what she does every year and just go with Dakota. Would Ben want to go to a black tie affair with her or better yet would he have anything to wear to the event? She has gone for the last five years to these events and loves being able to have a reason to wear one of her cocktail dresses but would this cause another problem for them. “Um Ben I forgot to tell you Saturday night I have a party I have to go to for the hospital and wasn’t sure if you would want to go with me. It’s alright if you don’t want to go because its black tie and I’ll just do what I’ve done the last five years and go with Dakota.” She was afraid to look him in the eyes for fear of him getting upset about Dakota again. She felt his finger on her chin lifting it to look him in the eye.

  “Would you like me to go?” He hesitated for a moment to see what her answer would be and when she nodded to answer him he felt a relief that she was still his. “Alright then we better run to town to get my tux cleaned for this event since its black tie.” Ben had the biggest smile on his face with her reaction of surprise at what he said. Her eyes were the biggest round he had ever seen them get and her jaw would have fallen to the porch if he didn’t have his hand on her.

  “Um you have a tux? Sorry that sounds like I’m an idiot, but most men don’t have black tie wear in their closets.” She was surprised to say the least of the fact that he had black tie wear but that he knew that he needed to get it cleaned. She started to wonder what else she didn’t know about this wonderful man she was getting to call her own. She was the luckiest woman alive to be able to stand with this man.