fish in the pan and the sizzle of the skin hitting the hot metal made Silver lick her lips. “These won’t take a minute. I kept some rice from last night, so I’ll stick it in the pan and warm it through when the fish comes out.”
“Sounds good.”
Jeez, for an actress who’d won her fair share of awards, she sure was sounding wooden right now. Why did she care what Ben Miller thought of her anyway? She wasn’t going to see him ever again after the trail ride, and she was fairly certain that he’d never mention what she’d suggested to anyone, because he was that kind of guy.
But he’d said part of him wanted to say yes.... She had a fairly good idea which part of him, but did she want to go there? Find out if she could change his mind because kissing him had been a revelation? Shouting at him was pretty cool, too. She’d never met anyone who didn’t pander to her every need, or who had the balls to tell her off and expect better of her. He made her want to be better.
But because she’d finally found an honorable man who treated her like an equal, her chances of getting him to do something so out of character were amazingly slim. And, if he did do what she wanted, would she be damaging him? Would he be the same man?
“Fish is ready.”
Silver brought the plates over, and almost moaned with greed when Ben placed the two fish on her plate with the fried rice.
“I cut the heads off.”
“Thank you, but I’m so hungry I bet I wouldn’t have cared much if they’d still been attached.”
“It was no trouble.” Ben avoided her gaze as he served himself. “I usually take them off for our guests.”
He was back into professional mode, which suited her just fine as she gathered the ragged threads of her self-esteem back together again. She’d asked him to forget her stupid suggestion, and it looked as if he was going to follow through. If so, she was more than willing to play her part.
“Do you need to speak to BB again tonight?” Silver asked as they settled down beside the fire.
“Yeah, I talk to him every night between six-thirty and seven. If he doesn’t hear from me, he knows something might be up.”
“Makes sense.” Silver ate some of the fish and actually moaned. “Oh my God, this is so good.”
“Yeah, isn’t it?” He finally cracked a smile. “Well worth getting splashed for.”
“Better than anything I’ve ever tasted in a five-star restaurant.” She savored every mouthful, making it last. “I feel bad for the fish, but not that bad, because it’s their fault for tasting so good.”
Ben ate his fish and then insisted they divide the fifth one between them. They finished the meal with a couple of the remaining cookies and a cup of strong coffee.
Silver gave a discreet burp. “That was the best meal ever.”
“Caught and cooked by us.” Ben handed her a napkin. “You’ve got frosting on your cheek.”
“Thanks.” She dabbed at a sticky patch. “Can I come with you when you go to speak to BB?”
“Sure.” He nodded. “Let’s clean up, and pitch the tents, and then we can go.”
* * *
He didn’t offer her his hand this time as they walked up the slope into the pine forest to find higher ground. He’d brought his compass with him, just to make sure they didn’t get lost, which Silver appreciated, because as far as she was concerned all the trees looked the same.
BB’s voice was fainter than last time, but still clear enough to hear.
“There’s a big storm approaching Morgan Valley. It’s coming in over the mountains, so watch out for that,” BB said.
“Will do,” Ben replied. “Any other news?”
“Well, your dad cornered my dad in Maureen’s this morning, and asked when the hell you were coming back.” BB chuckled. “He wasn’t happy.”
“He never is. Did he say if there was a problem at home?” Ben asked.
“He didn’t mention anything specific. But you know Jeff. He just likes complaining about stuff.”
“Yeah.” Ben grimaced. “Apologize to Billy for me, won’t you?”
“Sure will. Anything else?”
“No, we’re good.”
“Tell Silver her dad called, and said he’d be coming by to pick her up in five days.”
“She’s standing right here beside me.” Ben looked over at her, eyebrows raised. “Anything you want to say to him?”
Silver shook her head. In five days’ time she’d never see Ben Miller again. For some reason that was