“No, I’m good. I’ll just sit like this.”
Frustration laced his voice. “Hannah, we have to switch places. You were squeezing the air out of me.”
Again she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I won’t squeeze so hard.”
Daniel felt his teeth grind and his jaw work. The lady was proving to be one stubborn, irritating, mule-headed woman. Could he pull her down and then set her in the saddle?
* * *
Hannah knew she was being unreasonable, but the thought that this huge animal could step on her sent reason right out of her mind. Was there a way she could pull herself into the saddle without getting down?
She wiggled her bottom and felt the material of her dress slip. Hannah twitched forward to keep from falling off. The action caused the horse to jerk sideways. Her palms had begun to sweat and slide off the leather. Tornado must have felt her descending, and bunched his hindquarters.
“Easy, boy,” Daniel soothed.
But it was no good.
One moment she was clinging to the saddle, and the next Hannah felt herself go airborne. All she could do was pray nothing would break when she hit the ground, and that she’d land far enough away from the horse not to frighten it further. She saw Daniel move to catch her but knew he’d never make it in time to keep her from hitting the ground.
Air whooshed from her lungs when she hit the packed earth. Hannah sat up as fast as she could. Concern laced Daniel’s face, so she tried to smile. “I’m all right.”
He released the reins and Tornado lowered his head to munch on the grass. “Are you sure?” Daniel extended a hand to help her up.
Hannah felt the warmth of his palm scratch against her soft skin as he pulled her to her feet. “I’m sure.” She released his hand and dusted off her skirt.
“Well, if you’re certain. We need to get going.” He walked to Tornado and picked up the reins. “I’ll hold him steady and you climb up.”
She could see the schoolhouse in the near distance and realized they hadn’t gotten very far. “Can’t we just walk to wherever we’re going?”
“No. It’s not far by horse but walking would take too much time.” His brow furrowed.
“I’m sorry, Daniel. I can’t get on the horse again. I can’t.” She heard her own ragged words and saw the disappointment on his face.
“Then we’ll have to go another day. I don’t have time to go hitch up the buckboard.” His own words came out sounding harsh and irritated.
“I really am sorry,” she offered.
He studied her face and his own features softened. “If you are afraid you’ll fall off again, I promise to hold Tornado steady, and once you’re on, I’ll hang on to you, too.”
He obviously meant it, but Hannah knew there was no way she’d get close enough to the big black stallion to mount him. She shook her head. “No, you ride him and I’ll walk along beside you.”
“Well, it’s too far to go without riding a horse, so we’ll have to plan our outing for another day. Besides, I have work to do and I need to get some of it done before lunch. I’ll walk you back.” He headed toward the school.
Hannah ran to catch up with him. “That’s not necessary. If you need to go back to work, go. I’ll walk myself home.” She hurried past him so that he couldn’t see the tears building behind her eyes.
She heard leather creaking behind her and knew Daniel had mounted the big stallion.
Disappointment filled her ears as he sighed and then said, “I’ll see you at dinner.”
It took all her willpower not to look back to see how close he and the horse were to her. She nodded to let him know she’d heard him. The resonance of thundering hooves let her know he’d spun around and ridden away.
With misty vision, she turned and watched him ride off. She’d made a mess of their outing. Hannah took her time walking back to the school. Tears streamed down her face as disappointment filled her heart. How was she going to help run a ranch when she couldn’t even mount a horse?
A cool breeze picked up. Hannah sat down on the schoolhouse steps. She couldn’t get the tears to stop. The past couple days were taking their toll on her. She didn’t normally cry like this. Since no one was around, she buried her face in her hands and let the tears flow.
After several minutes someone cleared a throat, snagging her attention. She didn’t want to look up. Had a parent came to welcome the new schoolteacher? Or worse, had Daniel returned?
What would her visitor think of her appearance? Hannah knew her eyes were red, swollen and bloodshot. Her face was probably a splotchy mess. Why had she given in to her impulse to just let it all out? She inhaled deeply, knowing she couldn’t ignore her visitor forever.
Hannah felt some relief at seeing Levi sitting on a buckboard instead of Daniel on his stallion. She wiped at the moisture on her face. So deep was she in her emotions she hadn’t heard him pull up.
Sorrow and regret laced her voice, and it cracked as she said, “Hello, Levi.”
He was off the wagon and by her side in an instant. “Are you all right, Hannah? Are you hurt? Should I go get Ma? Or Daniel?” His big hand patted her shoulder.
It was nice to hear the concern in his tone. “I’m fine, Levi. I just needed a good cry.”
She felt him ease down beside her. “Here. You might need this.” A large white handkerchief was stuffed into her hands.
“Thank you.” Hannah tried to be ladylike as she blew her nose. She didn’t know what to say, so they sat in silence for several moments.
Her gaze moved to the wagon, where a little brown mare stood chopping grass. Hannah saw a table, two dining chairs and a rocking chair stuffed in the back, and she looked to Levi.
He squirmed. “I brought you a wedding gift.”
“Oh, Levi, you didn’t have to do that,” she protested, even as warmth spread in her heart. Of all the Westlands, Levi had been the kindest by far.
He grinned. “It was no bother.” He stood and walked to the wagon, pulled out the chairs and handed them to her. “Think you can take those inside?”
“I believe so.” She balanced them against her hips and then climbed the stairs to the schoolroom.
Levi followed carrying the table. It wasn’t very large, but Hannah knew it would fit perfectly in the spot he’d been studying the day before. He set it down and spun on his heel to retrieve the rocking chair.
Hannah placed a chair on each side of the table, leaving enough room to walk past it. Now she had a place to eat and entertain guests. She glanced about and realized the rocking chair wasn’t going to fit in her space. She’d have to tell Levi thanks, but to take it back.
His boots clomped on the wooden floors. “I’m going to set the rocker beside the fireplace. I don’t think it will fit in your room.” Levi positioned the chair so that it sat facing the hearth.
Why hadn’t she thought of that? Hannah ran her hands over the crafted wood. “This is beautiful, Levi. Won’t your mother miss it from the house?”
“Nope. This is my rocker, and I know she won’t miss it because it wasn’t at her house.” He indicated Hannah should sit down in it.
She eased into the chair and sighed. It fit her body perfectly. “This is great. I don’t think I’ve ever been more comfortable in a rocking chair.”
Levi’s chest puffed out a little. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure if it would be low enough for you or not. But I’m glad to see you like it.”
His stance and the way he rocked happily on his heels reminded Hannah of the little boys in her classroom throughout the years. When they’d done their work right, they seemed to puff up just as Levi was right now. There was pride in his green eyes.
“Did you make this chair, Levi?” she finally asked.
He grinned. “Sure did. All I had to do to make it yours was readjust th
e height.”
Hannah stood and ran her hand over the vine design that decorated the chair back. “It is beautiful.”
“Thank you, again.”
She looked at him. A strand of brown hair rested on his forehead. His deep green eyes seemed calm and full of joy. Levi was so much like Daniel, and yet so different. Of the two brothers, he was easier to talk to. Maybe because he felt more relaxed around her. Levi seemed to want to please and make her comfortable.
Did he think she’d fall in love with him instead of Daniel? Hannah realized that could be the motivation behind his gift giving. She sighed. Why did this all have to be so complicated? She knew she had to set Levi straight. She’d promised to marry Daniel, and marry him she would, if they fell in love. If not, Hannah knew she’d not come between the brothers. Now, how was she going to explain this to Levi without hurting his feelings?
Chapter Eleven
“Look, Levi. I know you are trying to be nice and everything, but I want you to know that if you are trying to court me—”
Levi raised both hands. “Hold up there, Hannah. That is the furthest thing from my mind. You are Daniel’s girl. I don’t mind teasing him a bit about you, but I’ve no intention of being anything more to you than a friend, or someday a brother-in-law.”
For a brief moment, Hannah felt foolish. She’d assumed, and she shouldn’t have. Warmth flooded her cheeks. “Good,” she replied.
He rubbed his neck, probably unaware his actions were the same as his sibling’s. She smiled. Levi was a good brother, and deep in her heart she knew that Daniel was, too.
“I guess I should go.” Levi started backing out the door.
Hannah sighed. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you, Levi.” She followed him down the steps.
He turned and studied her. “Well, since you did, I don’t feel so bad about asking you a question, even if it does embarrass you a mite.” A teasing glow filled his eyes.
Dread filled her. He was probably going to ask why she became a mail-order bride, and why she wanted to fall in love and be loved before she married. They were reasonable questions. Hannah took a deep breath and nodded.
“Why were you crying?” Concerned green eyes studied her face.
She released the air from her lungs. “Your brother came to get me today to show me a surprise. But we had to turn around because I wouldn’t ride on his horse. That’s what started it, but then I just decided to have a good cry.”
Levi crossed his arms and stared down at her. “Let me get this straight. You were crying because my brother wouldn’t take you for a surprise? Because you refused to ride Tornado?”
Hannah nodded. “Yes, but don’t forget I was feeling sorry for myself, so it wasn’t really Daniel’s fault.”
Levi shook his head as if to clear it. “Why wouldn’t you get on Tornado?” When she didn’t answer immediately, he pressed, “Are you afraid of horses?
It was going to come out sooner or later. Hannah sighed. “No. I’m afraid of getting stepped on again.”
She knew the moment understanding dawned. His gaze moved to her injured ankle, then up to meet her eyes. “So that’s what happened. A horse stepped on you.”
Hannah nodded. “Yes, and for the first time in twenty years I have an opportunity to ride again. I love horses, but every time I get close to one, close enough for it to shift sideways and step on me, I panic.” Tears filled her eyes once more. She forced herself to hold them in. He’d seen her cry once already and that was one too many times.
“Do you know how to get over that fear?” Levi asked.
Hannah knew to overcome the fear she’d have to face it, but how? “Yes, but I can’t.”
“Sure you can, and I’ll help you.” He grabbed her by the arm and began pulling her toward the wagon. “We’ll go to the barn and I’ll saddle up ole Clover. She’s Ma’s old horse. Children can play at her feet and she won’t budge.”
Even as he shoved her up on the wagon seat, Hannah protested. “I’m not so sure, Levi.”
He ignored her and swung up in turn. “You want to help Daniel run this ranch someday?”
She nodded. Hannah wanted to work the ranch more than she could express. The desire to brand calves, mend fences and ride the range overwhelmed her. More than anything, Hannah Young wanted to prove to herself she could still work a ranch.
* * *
Daniel wiped the sweat from his brow. The sun shone directly overhead and his stomach growled. His gaze moved down the fence line to the wire that still needed to be mended. Whoever had cut it the night before had done a fine job.
It had taken him half the morning to round up the cows and calves that had gotten out. He’d taken ole Jeb with him. Jeb was his best tracker and had found the cattle in record time.
Daniel tried to figure out who had cut his fences. Had a new cattle-rustling gang decided Granite was the place to stop off? He’d need to meet with other local ranchers and see if any of them had had their stock taken or their fences cut. Or perhaps this was more personal. None of the calves or cows were missing, and the fence had been cut in such a way that whoever did it knew it would take a couple days to replace.
Ole Jeb had taken the whole situation in stride. He’d only shrugged when Daniel had asked him who he thought might have done the job. That was Jeb’s way. He was quiet and did his work.
Daniel had left him with Miguel to corral the cows and calves. He knew without having to double-check that Jeb had gone back to working on the loose boards in the barn, and Miguel would be working his mother’s massive vegetable garden.
Now he and Cole were mending the fence. Daniel couldn’t help but wonder where his little brother had gone off to. “Where is Levi?” he asked.
Cole stood a little taller. “Said he would come around this afternoon, had something he needed to do this morning. I didn’t ask what, boss.”
It was just like Levi to be off doing who knew what when there was plenty of work for him right here on the ranch. “Let’s break for lunch. I’ll find my little brother and he and Sam can finish this job this afternoon.”
“I hate to ask, but what are you and I going to be doing?” Cole gathered their tools and piled them beside the fence post.
“We need to round up the rest of the cows and calves and get the calves branded. Whoever did this probably has a few head of our cattle already. We can’t afford to lose more.” He pulled himself into Tornado’s saddle.
Cole mounted his own horse. “I’ll head to the bunkhouse for grub, then meet you at the barn.”
Daniel nodded and turned toward the big ranch house. He’d wanted to show Hannah his home, and had hoped when she saw it she’d give up the notion of wanting love before marriage.
What had spooked her this morning? She’d seemed to be afraid of the horse. If that were the case, he’d handled her fear of Tornado wrong and hoped to make it up to her. But now, well, he’d have to explain that the branding had to be done before he could take her to see the “surprise.”
Would he ever understand her? She’d said she wasn’t afraid of the horse, but refused to ride him. Daniel knew he’d have to learn to talk to her and ask questions. He had asked what she was frightened of and she’d made a joke of it. How could he help her when he didn’t know what the problem was? Daniel shook his head. One thing was sure, running the ranch and courting a woman at the same time was not going to be easy.
He approached the house from behind. Tornado snorted at the knowledge that he was close to the barn and fresh grain. Daniel’s own stomach gurgled, reminding him breakfast had been hours earlier.
The sound of Hannah’s laughter floated on the breeze. He climbed off Tornado and led the stallion around the house. What was she doing here? Not that she wasn’t allowed to be at the house—he just hadn’t expected to find her there.
Hannah was leaning against his mother’s little brown mare, Clover. Her legs were far away from the horse and she rested her arms on the saddle, reminding him of a leaning ladder. What was the woman trying to do?
Levi’s laugh joined hers. “You have to get your feet closer to her, Hannah. You’ve done this a time or two now.” He was behind her, trying to push her legs toward the mare.
Daniel continued on toward the barnyard. When he was within normal speaking distance, he asked, “What are you two doing?”
Levi straightened. “Can’t you tell a riding lesson when you see one, big brother?” he asked with a cocky grin.
“Is that what you are calling this?”
Hannah’s hair had begun falling down. She turned her head and offered him a smile. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled. “It’s more a lesson on how not to get stepped on by a horse,” she said, pushing away from the horse and windmilling her arms until she stood upright.
Daniel pointed at the mare. “That’s Clover. She wouldn’t step on a child.”
“That’s what Levi said, but I’m not a child and she might change her mind about adults.” Hannah twisted her hands in her dress as she eyed the old mare.
He had a choice to make. Go eat lunch and leave his brother with his fiancée to bond over how to ride a horse, or ask her to lunch and offer to teach her how to get on the horse himself. Daniel felt someone watching him and looked at Levi.
His brother was smiling like a jack-o’-lantern at Halloween. “Maybe you should take over the lessons, big brother. I haven’t done very well. The closest I’ve gotten her to Clover is what you just witnessed.”
“Is this what you’ve been doing all morning?” Daniel asked.
“Not all morning. I went to the school with a small load of furniture and then we came here.” Levi tucked his hands in his back pockets and rocked on his boots.
Hannah walked over to stand beside Levi. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I should have realized Levi had chores to do.”
Taming The Texas Rancher (Love Inspired Historical) Page 8
