He nodded. “I think I’ll ask Levi to build a lean-to behind the schoolhouse. If you want her, she will be your responsibility from now on.”
Hannah laughed again. “Thank you, Daniel. I love her.” She patted the horse and was rewarded with a soft neigh. The horse tugged at the reins. Hannah gave her her head and a small kick. “I’ll race you back to the barn!” she called over her shoulder, and they took off running.
* * *
Daniel followed. He held Tornado back, knowing the black stallion could easily overtake them. Seeing Hannah and the little mare racing across the pasture earlier had just about given him heart failure. He’d thought the animal was out of control, but then saw Hannah handle her with grace and style.
The woman never ceased to amaze him. He’d forgotten to ask what she was doing out on the range this morning, but guessed at this point it didn’t matter.
Her black hair whipped out behind her and she turned in the saddle to see where he was. She laughed again, merrily, and the little mare seemed to pick up speed. Today Hannah wore a beige blouse with a tan riding skirt. Her blue eyes had flashed joyfully when he’d said she could have the mare.
How was it that the horse had taken to Hannah? Ben Wilder, the ranch’s horse trainer, had been trying to break her for months. It seemed Hannah had successfully mounted and ridden the horse within minutes of meeting her.
Once more Daniel couldn’t help but admire his mail-order bride. It amazed him that Ben had brought the mare in from the training barn a couple nights before and suggested Daniel sell her to Mr. Johnson, because she couldn’t be broken for riding but Mr. Johnson needed a broodmare. When Daniel had agreed, Ben made the arrangements. Now Hannah was riding the horse as if they’d been together for years.
He shook his head. Thankfully, Mr. Johnson was a neighbor. Daniel decided he’d ride over to the Johnson place and tell him personally that he’d changed his mind. He’d sold a couple of horses to the man before, with Ben’s assistance, and knew his neighbor would understand.
Hannah and her horse were farther away now; Daniel grinned and gave Tornado his head. He felt the stallion’s muscles bunch up under him and braced for the jolt of speed. Horse and rider passed Hannah and the little mare just seconds before entering the barnyard.
The dirt flew about them as the horses came to a stop. Hannah jumped from her mare, laughing. “You had me worried there for a moment. I thought you were going to try to be gentlemanly and let me win.”
“Me, gentlemanly? Never!” He laughed, too, as he dismounted. “You are a very good rider, Hannah.”
She led the mare into the barn. “You sound surprised.”
“I am, a little.” Daniel helped her take the saddle off. “Would you like to go out to the canyons with me after the kids get out of school?”
Hannah smiled. “I’d love to.”
* * *
Daniel found himself watching the clock for the rest of the day. He’d enjoyed riding with Hannah that morning and wanted to spend more time with her. He told himself it was because Levi had mailed off his letter to his future bride, so his own time was running out. Daniel had to make Hannah Young fall in love with him.
When he arrived at the school, she was waving goodbye to her last student. Hannah smiled in his direction and waved again, this time at him.
Daniel nudged Tornado on toward the schoolhouse. He held a lead rope and tugged it to get the little mare to follow. Hannah’s horse snorted but did as he bade.
A few minutes later, Hannah returned and shut the door behind her. She came down the steps with a smile on her pretty face. “Hi, Daniel. I didn’t think school would ever get out. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the canyons all afternoon.”
He noticed she’d changed from her dress to the beige top and tan riding skirt she’d been wearing that morning. “Well, I hope you didn’t get your hopes up too high. They are just canyons.” Daniel handed her the reins.
“Hey, Brownie, did you miss me?” Hannah nuzzled the horse’s nose with her face. “They are part of the Westland Ranch. So I’m sure they are beautiful.” She pulled herself into the saddle.
He liked that she thought his ranch was beautiful and admitted to himself that the canyons were a favorite spot of his. As a kid he had camped there and pretended the small valley was his own.
Daniel and Tornado took the lead. After they crossed the stream behind the schoolhouse, Hannah pulled up beside him. “It is beautiful on this side.”
The soft fragrance of honeysuckle once again greeted Daniel’s nose. He’d begun to associate the scent with Hannah. Did she have a perfume that smelled of honeysuckle? Or was that her innate scent?
His gaze drank in her natural beauty. Hannah’s skin was flawless. Her hair shone in the sunlight and her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Yes, it is,” he stated, not thinking of the scenery around them but of her.
“What was it like growing up here?” she asked.
Daniel grinned. “You mean when we weren’t working?”
She gave a peal of laughter. “Well, yes. I’m sure as a kid you didn’t think the work was much fun at all. But I’m sure it wasn’t always just work.” She pushed a strand of black hair off her forehead and grinned.
“You’re right. We did have free time. When we first moved here, Levi and I explored every inch of this land. I fell in love with it. On this ranch I feel free and close to God. I’m my own man here, everything is mine and I don’t have to answer to anyone but God. Levi enjoyed it, but I think even then his heart was elsewhere.” Daniel bent to avoid a low-hanging limb.
“What do you mean?”
“Levi likes building things, always has. He started with small traps. He’s caught rabbits, squirrels, quail and a few times he caught skunks that were hanging around the chicken house. Later, he began to build bigger things. Pa was happy to let Levi oversee the construction of the barns and other outbuildings. The only thing I’ve ever seen him balk at is building fences.” Daniel chuckled and added, “He hates that.”
Hannah laughed with him. “I bet I can guess what his punishments were when he misbehaved.”
Daniel nodded. What was it about Hannah’s laugh that caused his heart to skip a beat? He decided not to ponder the question for too long. There were some things that were best left alone. “That and a trip to the woodshed.”
They cleared the tree line and he could see the canyon in the distance. With his boot heels, Daniel urged Tornado to go a little faster. “It’s not too far now.”
He led the way across a small meadow and up a series of slopes. The canyon cut between some small hills. Green treetops and bushes concealed it from view.
Daniel smiled when he heard the expected gasp that sprang from Hannah’s lips when they topped the ridge above the lush valley. His eyes drank in her beauty as excitement and wonder danced across her delicate features.
“Oh, Daniel. It’s beautiful.”
He had to agree with her. The small waterfall that fell from the side of the wall into a pool below fed a stream that ran through the gorge. Green grass, trees and flowers added to the beauty and wonderment of the canyon floor. It was one of his favorite places, and he’d known Hannah would love it, too.
Tornado picked his way down the small trail that led into the chasm. Brownie followed close behind. There were several animal trails like this one that entered the valley, and Daniel knew every one. As a teenager, he had spent the night here many times.
He knew that each morning the stream drew deer, foxes, quail and other wildlife to it. In the evening, the same animals would return. Often in the middle of the night he heard raccoons washing their food in the water.
At the moment, birds and butterflies flittered about. Wildflowers swayed in the breeze and bees buzzed close by. He’d always imagined this was what heaven would look like.
Hannah slipped off Brownie’s back. Her rich blue eyes drank in her surroundings. “This place is beautiful. I’m surprised you didn’t build your house her
e.” She walked to the stream and knelt down. A fish jumped a few feet away, causing her to laugh.
Daniel enjoyed the sound and walked over to join her. “I thought about it, but in the winter it’s not as beautiful and it’s harder to get out.” He knew this to be a fact, but didn’t want to tell her he’d gotten snowed in one night while camping. It had been the coldest three days of his life.
As if she understood, Hannah nodded. “I can imagine. I’d hate to get snowed in down here.” She looked around her. “But if you did, it looks like there are some small caves in the walls to shelter in.”
Her observation surprised him. “Not many people noticed those caves.”
She smiled. “I love caves. When I was a little girl I would go exploring around our farm. There was one spot that had a few caves and I’d play that I lived in one.” Her eyes took on a faraway look and sorrow briefly touched her. She shook her head and stood. “Anyway, we should bring a picnic here someday.”
He grinned. “Yes, we should.” Would she be open to camping here after they married? Daniel thought about asking her, but then wisdom kicked in and he knew if he did, they’d be talking about falling in love and all that stuff. He shook his head. Nope, he was not going to open that can of worms.
His gaze moved down the rest of the canyon. He knew it went back about a mile and opened into a large horseshoe-shaped area at the end. It wasn’t as pretty as here and he didn’t see the point in taking Hannah to see it. “Are you ready to head home?”
She nodded and walked back to Brownie. The saddle creaked as she climbed aboard. “Thank you for bringing me here, Daniel.”
Daniel saw a purple flower with big petals growing a few feet away. Impulsively, he walked over and picked it. He carried it to Hannah and held it up to her. “Here’s a souvenir of our first visit to the canyon. I hope we have many more.”
Her eyes and voice softened. “Me, too.”
He walked back to Tornado as fast as his boots would take him. The impulse to pull her off Brownie and kiss her senseless had almost overtaken him. I have got to stop kissing and thinking about kissing her, he silently told himself.
But when he glanced over and saw her smelling the flower, looking all soft and sweet, Daniel knew he’d kiss her again and soon.
Chapter Twenty-Two
On Saturday morning, Hannah gently pressed the flower Daniel had given her between the pages of one of her favorite books, the dictionary. She would always treasure the blossom and the wonderful afternoon it represented with Daniel.
She picked up her brush and pulled her hair into a ponytail. Then she slipped into her new robin’s-egg-blue blouse and dark navy riding skirt. Next, Hannah pulled on her freshly cleaned boots. A little thrill of excitement went through her as she thought about the trip to town she was about to embark on. She gathered up the books she’d borrowed from Jonah Richards, the schoolteacher in town, and put them in a burlap sack.
Brownie greeted her with a soft nicker. “Ready to go to town?” she asked the little mare as she laid a saddle blanket over her back. “We’re going to go see Mr. Richards. I’m looking forward to telling him how the children are doing and—this is the best part of all—borrowing new books from him.” Hannah tossed the saddle over the mare’s back.
Soon the horse was ready. Hannah wrapped the book bag around the saddle horn and turned Brownie toward the big ranch house. It didn’t take long to get there, and she slid off Brownie and tied her up at the back porch.
Opal stood at the stove. A large pot of stew simmered on the back burner, filling the house with a wonderful smell. Hannah breathed in appreciatively. “I’m heading to town, Opal. Is there anything you need?”
The older woman looked at her. “I could use some more cinnamon. Who is going with you?” she asked, putting a lid on the pot.
“I’m going alone.”
The older woman turned and looked at her with a frown. “Alone? Does Daniel know you are going to town?”
Hannah shrugged. “I don’t think so. I didn’t tell him I was, if that’s what you are getting at.”
“You can’t go to town alone, Hannah.” Opal poured herself a cup of tea.
“Why not?”
The housekeeper sat down at the table. “It isn’t proper, that’s why not. And with all the shenanigans going on around here, with the fences and cattle, I don’t believe it’s safe, either.”
Confusion and anger warred in Hannah’s chest. “I’ve gone to town alone many times in the past. Never have I been told it isn’t proper.” She waved her hand. “I’ll be back before dark, so I won’t be out when the rustlers come a-callin’.”
“Hannah, Daniel isn’t going to like this,” Opal called after her.
She stopped. “Opal, I’m not going to do anything wrong. I’m going to the general store, and to the school to return Mr. Richards’s books. There is nothing improper about either of those actions.” Hannah opened the door and marched down the steps. She didn’t like the idea of anyone telling her when and where she could go.
Opal followed. She stood at the door. “Hannah, please listen to me.”
Hannah untied Brownie and then pulled herself up into the saddle. She looked to Opal. “I’m listening.”
“I’m not sure what it was like where you came from, but Granite can be a rough town, especially on a Saturday morning. I’d feel better if you’d wait for one of the men to escort you.” Opal’s eyes pleaded with her to wait.
Hannah shook her head. It was broad daylight. What could possibly happen to her in town? “I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. I promise I’ll be back soon, and I’ll bring you your cinnamon.” She turned Brownie toward town and hurried away before Opal could persuade her to wait.
The wind felt good on her warm cheeks as she rode off the Westland Ranch. Opal’s concerns troubled her. Why did everyone think she needed a keeper? Did they really think that because she had a limp she couldn’t take care of herself? It was the only explanation that she could latch on to, because she knew they didn’t think her a child. At least she hoped they didn’t. No, it was the limp. Hannah felt sure of it.
“Well, they are wrong. I can take care of myself.” Hannah nudged Brownie in the ribs. Soon she and the brown mare were galloping into town.
* * *
Daniel stomped the mud from his boots before entering his mother’s house. His stomach growled loudly. The rich smells of stew and fresh-baked bread tugged him into the dining room.
Opal came through the door carrying a pan of golden biscuits. A large pot sat in the center of the table.
He looked about for his mother. “Am I the first one here?” Daniel moved to his place at the table.
Opal set the pan of biscuits down and twisted her hands in her apron. A worried expression marred her normally smiling face. Something was wrong. “Something bothering you, Opal?”
For a brief moment, she looked as if she wasn’t going to answer him. She twisted the apron even tighter before blurting out, “It’s Hannah.”
His heart picked up a beat. She’d missed breakfast this morning, but Opal had said she’d told Hannah she didn’t need to collect the eggs on Saturday mornings. They’d all assumed she’d slept in. “What about Hannah?”
Opal looked down at her shoes. “Honestly, Daniel, I don’t know if I should say anything. It really is none of my business, but I’m worried.”
Bonnie entered the room, followed by Levi. “Something wrong with Hannah?” she asked, sliding into her chair.
“She’s gone to town,” Opal answered, still studying her shoes.
Daniel’s gaze darted to his mother and Levi. “Who went with her?” he asked, reaching for a biscuit.
“She went alone.”
He shot out of his chair. “Alone? Why?”
Opal’s soulful brown eyes met his gaze. “She said she was going to the general store and to see the schoolteacher.”
Daniel was almost to the door before he realized he’d moved. He turned and asked
, “How long has she been gone?”
“About an hour.”
Levi stood. “Want me to come with you?”
Why had she run off to town alone? Had she decided to leave Daniel for the schoolteacher? Anger radiated through him. “No. I’ll go get her.”
As he rode to town, Daniel fumed. Didn’t the woman know the kinds of danger a single woman could run into in Granite? Especially on a Saturday morning, after all the cowboys from the surrounding ranches had been corralling all night?
Probably not. As far as he knew, no one had told her. He should have mentioned it. Why hadn’t Opal? It wasn’t safe for a single woman to be on the streets of Granite on a Saturday morning.
A chill slithered down his spine. He pushed Tornado to get to town faster. His thoughts were focused on what could be happening even as he raced to find Hannah.
Then again, maybe she was leaving. Opal had said she was going to the general store, but what if she was really going to buy a ticket on the stagecoach out of town? Had she given up on him falling in love with her?
Daniel shook his head to rid himself of the thought. He didn’t believe Hannah would just up and leave. She’d told him she’d wait six months to give them a chance. He believed she’d stay true to her word.
He entered town at a fast clip and had to slow Tornado down. Main Street was full of men coming and going. A few families were in town, probably doing their weekly shopping. Daniel didn’t pay attention to any of them. His focus was on finding Hannah.
Opal had said she was going to the general store. Daniel hurried there and tied the black stallion to the hitching post in front. He looked about for Brownie but didn’t see the little mare.
Wilson Moore stood behind the counter. He looked up and smiled a greeting. “Howdy, Daniel. What brings you into town today?”
Daniel walked around several women until he reached the counter. “I’m looking for Miss Young. Have you seen her this morning?”
“Can’t say that I have. Want me to ask Carolyn if she came in earlier?”
He nodded. “If you don’t mind, I’d sure appreciate it.”
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