Hannah: Mail Order Brides Of Wichita Falls Book #5

by Cyndi Raye

  “People are mean. I wanted to buy material for curtains. That old coot in the mercantile tried to charge me triple the cost.”

  Max tried to control his temper. “Hannah, did someone mistreat you?”

  “They don’t like me. Or you.” Her eyes flew open. He watched her struggle with trying to stay awake.

  Max turned to Mary. “Go see if the doctor is on his way. Hurry.”

  “I’m fine, Max. Let me sleep and I’ll be fine.”

  From experience, Max knew she didn’t dare fall asleep. He felt around her head, pressing gently along her hairline to make sure she didn’t have any lumps from the fall. Sure enough, a small knot on the side near her temple stuck out like a sore thumb. He placed the warm cloth over the lump, making her wince. “I’m afraid you can’t go to sleep yet. You may have a concussion.”

  She yawned. Max took another pillow and pulled her forward, placing it behind her head. He was concerned about her arm. She was still holding it with her other hand. Someone would pay for this, he vowed. Getting the townsfolk to accept him was one thing but he would not tolerate abuse.

  Doc Smith was really an animal doctor, not so much for humans but he was all the town had. Max wasn’t too pleased about that and vowed to hire a doctor himself after this was all over. This town would change their ways and he’d be the one to make sure they did, even if he had to spend every dime of his fathers to do so.

  The doc came in through the door protesting how he had to birth some calves over on the Zimmers farm and this would tie him up.

  “I’m paying triple what they pay you, Doc. I need you to check my wife.” There was no arguing with Max. He stood up, nose to nose with the tall doctor, daring him to refuse.

  “I guess I can take a look.”

  “Someone tried to run her over.” Max’s flat statement had the doctor raising a brow.

  “I can hardly believe that. Who says?”

  “Georgie, my gardener. He saw the whole thing.” Most people in the area knew Georgie to be an upright citizen of Wichita Falls.

  “I’m sorry, son. That’s no way to treat a young lady.” The doc pressed around her shoulder for some time, determining there were no broken bones. He moved away from Hannah and motioned for Max to come outside. “Miss, you make sure she doesn’t fall asleep,” he ordered Mary before they went out the door..

  “Yes, sir.” Mary took Hannah’s hands and began to ask her questions to keep her awake.

  When the two were alone in the hallway, the doc turned to Max.

  “She’s got quite the goose egg on her head. Close to the temple. You’re going to have to keep her awake for at least a few more hours to make sure she doesn’t fall in to what they call a coma.”

  “I suspected as much,” Max told him. “What about the arm? She was favoring it on the way back.”

  “We’ll make a sling for her to keep it tight against her body so she can’t move it. I suspect it’s a sprain. Keep the fluids moving. Don’t leave her alone for the next day or so.”

  “Thanks, doc.” Max pulled money from his pocket and stuffed it in the doctor’s hand. “Come back and check on her in a few days.”

  He looked down at the amount of money in his hand and nodded. “I will. Now let’s get back in there and finish up. I have a calf to birth.” His gruff demeanor took some getting used to but he had taken care of Hannah and that’s all Max cared about.

  The doc placed a sling around Hannah, securing the arm so it would not move much. Hannah seemed more awake now, her eyes tired but yet more focused. “Young lady, I’m afraid you’ll have to stay awake for a few more hours. Mr. Ward will make sure of it. I’ll be back in a few days and we’ll see about removing the sling.”

  Doc left, nodding to Max as he hurried away. Max helped Hannah out of bed, wrapping his arm around her as they made their way to the balcony doors. “I think we’ll get some fresh air, darling.”

  Hannah smiled at him but didn’t speak at first. She sighed. Her body pressed against his side as if comfortable leaning in to him. Max held her even closer while they stood for some time watching the landscape, miles and miles of Texas Prairie that met the azure blue sky. The sun was beginning to fade some, drawing the clouds closer to mother earth. “It’s beautiful here.”

  Max leaned in and kissed her hair. “I hadn’t bothered to look until now. Been focused on my father’s mess. You’re right.”

  “I’m beginning to think the rider deliberately tried to run me over.”

  “I suspected as much. Don’t you worry, Hannah, I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

  “I’m worried, Max. Do you think they would actually harm us to get us to move away? I’ve lived in New York City with a cruel and nasty step-father. Even he wasn’t as threatening as that horse knocking me to the ground. It was like the horse and rider came out of nowhere.”

  “Shh, don’t think about such things. You need to clear your mind and get better. We’ll talk about it as soon as you feel good.”

  “I feel great standing right here on this balcony next to you.”

  “You’re amazing, Hannah.” Max turned her to him so they faced each other. He cautiously pressed his hands against her cheeks and lifted her face to his. Ever so gently, he pressed his mouth to hers. Max tried hard to keep it light because she was so fragile. He didn’t expect Hannah to moan in his mouth and take her one good arm and wrap it around his neck. If they kept this up, he wouldn’t need to worry about her going to sleep and falling in to a coma.

  Max tightened his arms around her, pressing her whole body against his. Max had never felt this way before. Having her in his arms brought back a longing for someone to be in the center of his life. For so long he had been a loner, living a quiet life in Arizona, working the ranch, taking care of his aunt.

  It made him realize he wanted more. Needed more. Something began to stir from deep within that Max had stuffed to the bottom of his core for so long.

  Hannah giggled. The sound vibrated against his mouth. Reluctantly, he pulled away. “What is it, darling? What is so funny?”

  She continued to smile, her eyes shining like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. “Business partners don’t do this, Max.”

  “This?” he asked, bringing his face closer yet. He nipped her bottom lip with his mouth, teasing, causing her to laugh out loud. Oh, that laugh, it stirred him to his very being.

  “Yes. Nor do they call their partner darling.”

  Max, careful not to cause her any pain, took her good arm, lifted her hand, kissing the inside of her palm. He placed it on his cheek and closed his eyes. “You’re right. Except I am starting to believe I want it all.”

  “Impossible, Max. I’ve been thinking this through. We are both from homes where we lost our mothers. We’ve had horrible fathers. It’s no wonder we try to find solace in each other’s arms. But it won’t last. What will happen if you decide to move on from here?”

  “I’ll take you along. You are my wife, after all.”

  Hannah took a step back. “I should sit down.”

  “Not yet. You’ve got to stay awake for another hour at least.”

  “Is this why you were kissing me, Max? To distract me and to keep me awake? Should I be ashamed for throwing myself in to your arms?”

  Max pulled her close. “Never. Between a married couple, nothing is shameful.”

  She smiled. “Good, because I am not. I like when you kiss me.”

  “Then we should practice again.” He pulled her tight against him, dipping his head and kissing her again like nobody’s business. Hannah wrapped her arm around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. He liked how bold she was, going for what she wanted. She was the perfect business partner. He hoped to convince her they could have it all right here on this ranch. To hell with Arizona. He’d wire his aunt and let her know he was going to settle here, with Hannah. She made him feel as if he were home. Marni, Mary and even Georgie. All the rest of the stuff could go. It was overpriced art, furniture
they would never use and a house that needed to be made into a home.

  He would turn this small town around if it killed him.

  <><>

  Somewhere in the deep recesses of Hannah’s mind, a voice told her to stop being so indulgent. Yet, she didn’t care to stop. This euphoric feeling tugged at her until she couldn’t help but to kiss Max as if he meant the world to her. He hadn’t stopped her so it must be ok. He did say nothing is shameful in a marriage bed.

  The thought of a perfect marriage with him was like a hard slap in the face.

  This marriage was a farce. Max was keeping her busy, kissing her so she wouldn’t fall in to a coma. He needed her to help turn the Ward name around. She had read about the soldiers in the war with head injuries and how they needed to keep alert. Her mail order bride business arrangement was exactly that. An arrangement. She had to force herself to push away from him.

  Hannah lowered her eyes, her chin dropping to her chest. “Oh, Max. I’m so sorry. It must be the head injury. I realize we have a business arrangement. Please, forgive me for being so bold.”

  Strong, hard working fingers took hold of her chin, gently lifting her face to his. Dark eyes delved in to her own. “I’m not sorry. Not one bit. I plan to change your mind about our business arrangement as soon as this town accepts the fact the Wards are here to stay. I think you are safe now, Hannah, but I’ll have Mary stay with you while I take care of some business.” With those words, he left her there, standing on the balcony. Hannah clutched the railing, wondering what in the world had happened.

  Mary came through just as Hannah turned to go inside. She helped Hannah to the settee along the wall. The two spent several hours together, talking and laughing, as Mary told her stories of how Wichita Falls came to be. Hannah realized she was being armed with information about the residents of this town by a teenager. She noted every single thing in the back of her mind. Knowing the deep, dark secrets of the townsfolk would give her more than enough information to make them realize they weren’t perfect either.

  For instance, Jim Wheeler. He had been an outlaw, plain and simple. Killed many men if those tales were true. He gave up his gun when a woman he fell in love with died in his arms. She had lived here in Wichita Falls. When he went after the man who hurt his true love, he gunned him down in the street. Everyone who lived here at that time turned their heads to the crime. They called it fate.

  Now he ran the mercantile, resigned to stay here where his true love was buried. It was the way of the west, Mary told her.

  Glancing at the door, she wondered where Max had gone. She heard voices in the hall right before Marni came in with her dinner. “Max wants you to eat in your room tonight and get some rest.”

  “I am getting tired. I’d like to turn in soon.” The darkening sky cast the room in shadows. Mary got up and lit some oil lamps. A candle sat on either side of the oversized bed. She lit those, casting more shadows as the light from the candles flickered across the wall and ceilings.

  “Don’t fret, Hannah. Eat some supper and then we’ll get you in a nice warm bath. After that, you should be fine to sleep all night. I’ll give you a nightcap to help you sleep.”

  Later, after her meal and the lavender bath and a glass of Marni’s special concoction, Hannah’s eyelids became heavy. Marni and Mary helped her to bed. She pulled the covers to her chin.

  “Where is Max?”

  “He had to go out for a bit. Don’t worry, he’ll be back soon.”

  Hannah sighed. “I hope so. I think I want one of those goodnight kisses.”

  She took in a deep breath, her eyelids fluttering until they stilled.

  “I think she is in love already,” she heard Mary whisper to her grandmother.

  “Well, then, perhaps my Max has finally found true love.”

  Hannah wanted to tell them both it wasn’t true love. “It’s a business thing,” she croaked, her voice hoarse, her lips moving in directions she had no control of.

  “Go to sleep, dear Hannah.”

  “When Max comes home, tell him, that, tell him that I -”

  <><>

  Max rode hell bent for leather through the prairie, pushing the stallion for all it was worth. The long-barrel rifle hung from the saddle in case he needed to use it. Max hoped he wouldn’t have to but wasn’t afraid, especially to some low life who tried to hurt his wife. If there was one thing he learned from his father it was no one messed with what belonged to him. Byron Ward was evil. He took what he wanted and hurt these townsfolk. Max realized all that but he’d be damned if they would reciprocate that and hurt someone who was innocent.

  He was about to find the man who tried to run over his Hannah and knew exactly where to go. Max had sent Georgie to town a few hours ago. He told him when he found the culprit to sit tight, as soon as Hannah was out of danger, he would join him.

  It didn’t take long to spot the buck board at the saloon the moment Max rode around the corner of Main. Several horses were tied there so Max had no idea who was the man at fault. He didn’t care. Sliding off the stallion, he pulled the rifle from his saddle and hit the boarded walk, the heels of his boots making a sound loud enough passers-by knew he was on a mission.

  There was still some dust that rose up when he got off his horse. From the corner of his eye, Max noticed a group of four men catty-corner across the street, sitting at a make-shift table on the front porch playing cards.

  One man looked up. When he noticed the shotgun slung over Max’s shoulder, he nudged another man. The two rose.

  “Better mind your business,” Max mumbled, even though he knew it wasn’t loud enough for them to hear. He pushed his way in to the saloon, adjusting his eyes to the murky light, taking in the scenery. The place was packed, several tables crowded with men drinking and playing cards.

  Georgie was sandwiched in between two men at the bar. He nodded to his right, meaning the man who had attacked Hannah was right beside him. As Max began the slow walk to the front of the saloon, he noticed how the man leaned over the bar, unsteady, needing it to hold him up. He would get no satisfaction beating a drunkard.

  “I’m afraid there’s no shotguns allowed,” the barkeep spoke up over the noisy room. The tall man built like a brick wall reached across he bar. Max tried to stare him down but the barkeep wasn’t going to be intimidated.

  Max shrugged and handed over the weapon. He didn’t need it for the drunkard. The man was three sheets to the wind. He pushed his way in between Georgie and the drunk. Leaning closer, Max stared at the man. His head was covered in a cowboy hat, the kind that has seen better days.

  “Georgie, you say this is the man who ran down my wife.”

  Georgie nodded then realized Max’s eyes were on the drunkard. “Yes, sir. He is the one.” Several men turned their heads, their chatter ceased.

  The drunk laughed. “What you talking about old man? I didn’t run anyone down. Prove it.”

  Georgie wasn’t a fighting man. His nervous demeanor made Max realize he put the old guy in a compromise. But Georgie didn’t back down. “I know it is true because you got the same filthy clothes on ya had earlier! I can smell ya a mile away.”

  Patrons of the bar began to cackle and laugh. “It’s true, he is nasty smelling,” someone shouted out, causing the whole bar to whoop and holler.

  “I’m going to ask you real nice this time. Why’d you try to run over my wife?”

  The drunk, fully awake now, raised his hands in the air. “I didn’t try to hurt her. It was an accident.”

  “Then you admit you did it?”

  Fear crossed his face. “Lookie here, I’m not a fighter. Ah hell, I ain’t gonna take no blame for this.”

  Max suspected as much. “Who paid you to knock down my wife in the light of day?”

  When the drunk took a slug of his beer, Max grabbed the glass and threw it over the bar, the mug crashing to the ground. The drunks eyes widened. “Hey, there was no call to waste a good drink.”

  “Woah no
w, fellow. Don’t be doing that!” someone else yelled out.

  Max glanced at the barkeep. He noticed the big man shoved the gun further back, out of Max’s reach. Max didn’t need to use a gun. His wit and a set of fists were all he planned on using tonight. Digging in his pockets, he retrieved a pocketful of gold coins, throwing them on the bar. “The lot goes to the first person to tell me who this clown works for?”

  “I’ll take that, son,” an older man yelled, coming up to the bar and holding out his palm. “That’d be the South Round Ranch, right next to yours.”

  “Much obliged,” Max answered. He motioned for the man to pick up the coins on the bar while he dug in his other pocket for more. “There’s another one to give me the name of the owner of that ranch.”

  “No need. The owner is right here.” A tall man came through the crowd, a wide-rimmed cowboy hat tilted a bit to the right. He stared at the older man picking up the money. “You’re fired.”

  The old cowboy shrugged. “Won’t be my first time, nor my last.” Gathering the coins from the bar, Max put up his hand. “Come see me in the morning if you need a job.”

  When the cowboy disappeared, Max stood face to face with the owner of the ranch next to his. “What’s your name?”

  “Doesn’t matter what my name is, Ward. I’m going to run you out of here and take over that ranch. Won’t be long till your kind moves on.”

  “Yeah, get the riff-raff out of town!” someone slurred.

  “Here, here!” Another yelled out. The crowd began to get rowdy.

  Max’s patience was wearing thin. “I figure you paid this drunkard to run over my wife. Is that right?”

  Max clenched his fists when the older man nodded. He was cocky and arrogant. “Guess so but no one was supposed to get hurt. Told him to scare the lass, make her want to leave on the next train out.”

  “You don’t know Hannah. She’ll be more determined to fight you now, you arrogant son-of-a-gun.” Max fumed. He raised his fist and planted it dead in the center of the man’s jaw. The cowboy jerked back, stumbling for a second before he straightened up and came after Max.