She pushed a stray hair from her face. “I want to be loved and have children someday, Daniel. A friend of mine, Rebecca, came to Cottonwood Springs as a mail-order bride. That didn’t work out, but she did find love with the man who is now her husband, so I hoped I could find the same happiness as her. That’s why I sent the letter, explaining that I wanted to be courted. Seth ended up courting Rebecca and they found true love. When I see them together, I know Seth will love Rebecca forever, no matter what might happen to her.” Hannah ducked her head and studied the pattern on her dress. Her breathing was rapid, as if she’d run a mile.
Daniel stood. “How did Seth court Rebecca?” he asked.
A sweet smile graced Hannah’s lips. “Well, he didn’t really court her in the normal way. Seth is a U.S. Marshal and he needed a housekeeper, so he hired Rebecca to clean and cook for him. They spent time together and fell in love.” Hannah’s eyes gleamed with hope.
“And what did he do when other single men started coming around?” Had Daniel asked that question aloud? He felt his cheeks heat as he realized he’d just asked what he’d been thinking.
She giggled. “The other men were smart enough not to mess with Rebecca. Once Seth took her under his wing, they knew to leave her be.”
Daniel pushed back the embarrassment and pressed his point home. “So, it was kind of like they got engaged. And that gave Seth the time he needed to fall in love?”
Hannah’s forehead wrinkled in thought. “When you put it that way, I suppose.” She grinned. “I can see where you are going with this, Daniel.”
He grinned back at her. “Good. I was beginning to think I was never going to get through to you.”
She stood and wiped the dusk off her skirt. “All right. We can announce that we are engaged, but I hope I’ve made it clear that I can’t marry you until we are both sure it is love. Not just any ole love. I want the deep kind that will last forever.”
Could he promise her that kind of love? Maybe someday, but how far in their future was that? If it ever happened. He needed to get married fast and have a grandchild before Levi.
* * *
Hannah watched his serious expression. He was a thoughtful man. Was it fair of her to ask him to wait until she was sure of his love? What if he never fell in love with her, or she with him? Then what? How long would he wait?
When she’d thought he’d received her letter and agreed to her terms, Hannah had felt it was a fair understanding. Now she wasn’t so sure. A bird overhead sang sweetly, reminding her that God was in all things. Lord, please let him be patient with me. And if this isn’t Your will, please let us both know now.
Daniel interrupted the silent prayer. “Hannah, these things take time, and our time depends on Levi and what he does. If he finds a wife before we fall in love, I’m afraid I’ll have to break our engagement.”
Hannah swallowed the lump in her throat. “I understand.”
Daniel rubbed his neck again. “I would rather marry you now, and with time I’m sure we will grow into a comfortable relationship.” His eyes pleaded with her to give up this fantasy of falling in love, and just get married and continue on with life.
But Hannah couldn’t do it. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” She wanted to know that if she got sick, or couldn’t walk someday, or talk, that he’d love her enough to stand by her and give her love and support. Was that really too much to ask?
Daniel replaced his hat and grinned at her. “Then I suppose you and I have work to do.” He tucked her hand in his arm and then walked toward the horse. “So tell me, Hannah Young, what does a man have to do or say to make you fall head over heels in love with him?”
Hannah laughed. “I could ask you the same thing.”
He helped her up on the wagon. “I’m not sure I can answer that. Most people don’t go into a relationship thinking I want to be deeply in love with this person. It’s all new to me.”
She waited until he walked around the wagon, and when he was seated, said, “Then I guess we should just be ourselves and see where the Lord leads us.”
Daniel flicked the reins over the little mare’s back and guided her toward the road. “That sounds good to me.”
The rest of the ride was completed in comfortable silence. Daniel drove around the back of the schoolhouse and unloaded her boxes.
Hannah took in the small shed with a woodpile beside it. She also noticed that someone had turned the earth to start a garden.
When Daniel helped her down from the wagon, his hands lingered on her waist for a moment longer than she had expected them to. She stepped back. “Thank you for the shed and garden spot.”
He walked to the back of the wagon and pulled out a box. “It was my pleasure.”
Hannah grabbed the smaller of the remaining two boxes and followed him inside her room. His blue eyes took in the changes she’d made the night before.
Hannah followed his gaze. Everything was in its place, but soon she’d be out of space. She smiled when he turned to face her.
He took his hat off and held it in his hands. “Tomorrow I’d like to come by and show you something. Would that be all right with you?”
“I would like that very much.” She felt a blush warm her cheeks.
“Good.” Silence filled the space between them. “I’ll go get that last box.”
Hannah grinned. “Thank you.”
He returned within seconds carrying the last box, which he set beside the door with a frown. “Looks like you could use a table.”
“I’ll manage,” Hannah answered, not wanting to be a bother.
“If you are all set here...” He paused, waiting for her nod. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.” Daniel walked out the door and mounted the wagon.
Hannah sighed as he drove away. Would he ever love her the way she wanted him to? Would he ever love her at all?
She pushed the thoughts from her mind and began unloading the boxes. When she’d finished, she looked about the silent room. On a whim, she scooped up a book from the pile on the table and grabbed a blanket off the shelf.
A cool afternoon breeze greeted her as she headed down to the stream behind the school. Hannah spread the blanket out under a tree, and then sat down to enjoy her book. She’d just started it when the sound of a horse whinnying pulled her from the story.
Levi sat on his stallion a few feet from her. “I thought I’d drop by and see if you needed anything.” He leaned against the saddle horn and grinned down at her.
Hannah stood hurriedly and moved away from the large animal. For a brief moment she allowed fear to grip her. Not fear of the horse, but of his hooves, which looked very large.
“I—I don’t think so.”
Her visitor’s eyes narrowed. “Are you feeling all right?”
She smoothed her skirt before answering. “Yes, you just startled me.”
“Beg your pardon. I guess I did sort of sneak up on you. But you really can’t blame me—your nose was buried in that book.” Levi swung his leg over the saddle and slid to the ground.
Hannah looked at the book lying on her blanket. “I suppose you are right.”
He picked up the volume, glanced at the front and read aloud, “The Vanished Diamond, by Jules Verne.” He handed it to her. “Is it any good?”
“I think so. I’d just started reading it when you rode up.” She ran her hand over the cover. “Mr. Richards loaned it to me.” Her gaze moved to Levi’s, which seemed focused on the book. “Do you enjoy reading, Mr. Westland?”
He laughed. “Yes, I do, but if you are going to be my sister-in-law, I think we should put aside the formalities and you call me Levi.” Once more his eyes strayed to the book in her hand.
Hannah could see the reasoning in his suggestion. If she was going to be a part of his family, they would use each other’s first names. She smiled. “All
right. Levi it is.”
He nodded. “Well, if you don’t need anything, I’ll be going. Enjoy your reading.”
“Levi, I was wondering if you’d like to borrow a book from me. I brought several with me. I’ll be happy to loan one to you.” She didn’t know why she’d offered, other than he seemed interested in the book she held in her hands.
Hannah knew what it was like to want something new to read. After all, part of the reason she’d gone to visit the schoolteacher had been to see his collection of books. She hadn’t been disappointed. Mr. Richards had a nice library of the latest fiction and nonfiction books and was generous in loaning them out.
“That’s very kind of you, Hannah. I’ve been meaning to pick up a new book in town, I just haven’t made the time to do so.” Levi followed her back toward the school.
She laughed. “I’m not sure my collection will have something new, but you are welcome to browse through it.”
He tied the horse’s reins to the porch railing. “I haven’t had much time for reading lately. The ranch has kept both Daniel and me pretty busy.” Levi followed her inside.
“I am hoping to help Daniel with some of the ranch work once we are married, so that should take a bit of the burden off the two of you.” She walked to the bookshelf and indicated the books he could choose from.
Levi snorted. “I doubt Daniel will let you do ranch work. He’s a firm believer that women should stay in the house.” Unaware of her frown, he continued. “He doesn’t even like Ma helping out, and she owns the place.”
Hannah leaned against the wall. She’d chosen to answer Daniel’s letter because she’d thought she’d be able to work on a farm again and had decided ranch life wouldn’t be that different, just a bigger operation. Now Levi was telling her Daniel was against women working the land?
She studied his back as he pulled out each book and looked at the cover. “Your mother doesn’t listen to him?”
Preoccupied, Levi answered in a low voice, “Naw, Ma does what Ma wants to. No questions asked.”
If Daniel’s mother could do ranch work, then Hannah decided she could, too. He would get used to the idea and that would be that. She straightened her spine.
Levi turned with a book in hand. “This one is by Jules Verne. Isn’t that the author of the book you are reading?” he asked, never taking his gaze from the opened pages.
“Yes, he is one of my favorite authors. I have three of his books,” Hannah answered. “Which title did you chose?”
Levi closed the volume and read the title aloud. “‘A Journey to the Center of the Earth.’” He looked back up at her. “Are you sure you don’t mind my borrowing it?”
“Of course not. I think you will enjoy it. Anytime you want to read one of my books, you are welcome to do so,” she offered with a smile.
“That’s very nice. Thank you.” Levi tucked the book under his arm and looked about her room. “You could use a table and maybe a rocking chair.”
Hannah laughed. Levi seemed to change subjects almost as fast as her friend Eliza Kelly. For a brief moment she wondered if Eliza had stayed to meet her future groom in Durango.
His footsteps moving toward the door drew her attention. “You have space for them here.” He stopped and studied the area.
“Yes, I do, but circumstances being what they are, I’ll make do with what I have.” Hannah didn’t want to be any more of a bother to Daniel or his family.
Levi didn’t comment any further. He opened the door and moved to untie his horse. “Thanks for the book. I’ll get it back to you in a few days.” In one easy motion, he remounted the stallion.
Hannah admired the animal. Its coat shone in the sun and its big expressive eyes studied her in return. “He really is a beautiful animal.” She sighed.
“Would you like a horse to ride? I’m sure we can find one for you in the stables.”
“No, I haven’t been on a horse in years.” She didn’t elaborate and say it had been close to twenty years.
He nodded. “Well, if you change your mind, let Daniel or me know. We’ve got some pretty gentle mares. You can have your pick.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Hannah dreamed of riding a horse again as Levi rode away. She knew she’d have to overcome her fear of having one step on her if she was ever going to become a true helpmate to Daniel.
Chapter Ten
The next morning, Daniel sagged in the saddle. He’d given all the men jobs to do and was now headed to the schoolhouse to collect Hannah. Yesterday the thought of showing her his house—hers, too, if they got married—had seemed like a good idea. But now that the time had come, he wished he hadn’t offered.
Both he and Levi had built houses on the ranch shortly after their mother had announced her desire to see them married and herself with grandchildren. Thankfully, the winter months had been mild and the men hadn’t minded the extra work.
He stopped in front of the school. The front door was open and Hannah was sweeping. She shoved the dirt off the side of the porch and smiled at him.
“Good morning, Daniel.” Her voice washed over him like heavy dew over a honeysuckle blossom.
Daniel nodded. “Morning. You look mighty busy this morning.” He climbed down from his horse and walked toward her.
“Just doing a little housekeeping. I’m hoping to have the school running by Monday morning.” She set the broom beside the door. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
He didn’t have time for coffee. Daniel wanted to tell her he had a ranch to run, but instead said, “No, thanks. I thought we could head on out.”
Hannah cocked her head sideways and looked up at him. “Are we going to walk?”
“No, I thought we’d double up on Tornado.” He indicated the horse.
Her face paled. “Um, I need to get my shawl.” Hannah hurried back inside the school.
Daniel turned to the stallion and rubbed his nose. “You be a good boy. For the first time ever, you will have a lady riding on you. I expect only good behavior. You got that?” He looked deeply into the animal’s eyes. Tornado might not understand the words, but Daniel knew he understood the tone.
The stallion’s head bobbed in answer.
“Good boy.” He rubbed the horse’s neck. Daniel looked toward the schoolhouse door, but there was still no sign of Hannah. What could be keeping that woman?
Ten minutes later, just when he’d decided to go in after her, Hannah appeared on the porch. Her blue eyes searched his. “He’s really tall. Do you think you could lead him over here and maybe I could just sit on his back?”
Daniel looked from the woman to the horse. Tornado was tall, but not that tall. “I don’t know, Hannah.”
“Please,” she said. “You don’t have to do anything but hold him steady. I can do it.”
Hannah studied the boards under her feet. She wore a big straw hat that covered most of her face from his view. He didn’t understand why she wanted to mount Tornado from the porch, but if it would get her on the horse faster, he’d give it a try.
He pulled Tornado toward the porch and positioned him so that Hannah could lean over and climb aboard, which she did without too much trouble. Since his mother straddled a horse all the time, he wasn’t surprised to see her get on like that. What did surprise him was the pretty blush that colored her cheeks.
“Daniel, would you look away, please?” Her gaze refused to meet his.
He averted his eyes and listened to the rustle of her skirt against the leather of the saddle. Tornado snorted and tried to pull his head around to the side, but Daniel held firm. “Is everything all right?”
“Fine. You can turn around now.” She sounded breathless.
He turned to find her sitting sidesaddle, on the rump of Tornado, hanging on to the back of the s
addle with both hands. A smile brightened her face and pride shone in her eyes. “I’m on,” she announced, as if he couldn’t see her.
Daniel laughed in spite of himself. “So you are. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in the saddle?”
She shook her head. “Oh, no, I’m perfectly fine where I am.”
Careful not to kick her, Daniel mounted his horse. He reached behind him and pulled Hannah closer. “Wrap your arms around my waist so you don’t fall off.”
He didn’t have to ask twice. Her arms came around him and she hung on tight, almost slamming into his back. Daniel laughed and scooted up farther.
“I’ve never ridden sidesaddle before,” Hannah confessed, clinging to him tighter with each step the horse took.
When it became apparent that soon he wouldn’t be able to breathe any longer if he didn’t do something, Daniel pulled Tornado to a stop. “Let go of me and grab the saddle again. I need to get down.”
She released him and clung to the leather, looking about. “Is this where you wanted to take me?”
He looped the reins around the saddle horn and slid off. Hannah clung to the saddle as if her life depended on it and offered him a weak smile.
“No, but we need to change places.”
Fear laced her face and her voice shook. “Why?”
“If I can breathe, I won’t pass out and fall off the horse.” He grinned up at her.
“Oh.” She looked at the saddle and the stallion’s flowing mane. “I’m not sure how to move up.”
Daniel shook his head. “Well, you could get down and then climb back on.”
Hannah’s head swung from side to side. “No, I don’t think I can do that.” Her knuckles turned white on the leather.
What was she so afraid of? The horse? Falling off? The only way to find out was to ask. “Hannah, what are you afraid of?”
“Snakes, spiders, just about anything that bites.” She sent him another wobbly smile.
He wished he could tell her that Tornado didn’t bite, but that wasn’t exactly true. Everyone knew you had to watch stallions or they would take a hunk out of you, and a horse’s bite hurt. “I promise to hold Tornado’s head so he won’t get you.”
Taming The Texas Rancher (Love Inspired Historical) Page 7
